Golden Melody

Chapter 7.6

Miexha Verra

Her Pov

I left Marie, my heart a whirlwind of emotions, and went back to Riel. 
He was asleep in the bed, his face now bound with a bandage, a  reminder of the violence he had endured.

I gently stroked his cheek, the touch of his skin sending a wave of tenderness through me. 

I kissed his forehead, my lips lingering on his skin.

"I'm sorry, Riel," I whispered, my voice choked with emotion.
"I'm sorry for everything, for misunderstanding your feelings.  I'm sorry for pushing you away.  But now I know how you feel about me.  I'm going to be selfish.  I love you, Riel."

I closed my eyes, my heart pounding in my chest. 
I leaned down and kissed him softly on the lips, a kiss that was both a confession and a promise. 

I felt his breath hitch, his body stirring slightly. 
I held my breath, waiting for his response, for any sign that he might feel the same.

But he didn't wake up. 
He remained asleep, his face peaceful, his breathing even. 
I pulled away, my heart sinking slightly. 

But I wasn't giving up. 

I knew, with a certainty that warmed my soul, that this wasn't the end. 
It was just the beginning of a new chapter, a chapter where I would finally face my feelings, my fears, and my desires.

I would fight for my love, for Riel.  My resolve hardened, fueled by a fierce determination to break free from the suffocating grip of my forced relationship with Thyron.

I stayed with Riel in the clinic, his face pale and bruised, his breathing shallow and uneven.
He was still asleep, his features softened by slumber, but the pain etched on his face leaves a trace of the violence he had endured.

My heart ached for him, a deep, raw ache that mirrored the throbbing pain in my own chest. 
I wanted to hold him, to comfort him, to make the pain go away. But I knew I couldn't. 

A maid from the dorm approached, carrying a tray of food. 

"Dinner, Miss Miexha," she said, her voice devoid of emotion. 
"The doctor said you need to eat something."

I nodded, my throat tight with a mixture of anxiety and exhaustion. 
I needed to eat, to regain my strength, to be ready for whatever came next. 

I needed to be strong for Riel.

She also placed a small glass of water and a pill bottle on the tray.
"The doctor said you look pale, Miss Miexha.  He prescribed these vitamins."

I took the pill without a second thought, my body craving anything that might restore my energy. 
I ate my dinner, the food tasteless, the world around me fading into a blur. 

The medication, combined with the exhaustion of the day, took hold, and soon, drowsiness washed over me. 
I leaned against the bed, my eyelids heavy, and drifted off to sleep, my dreams filled with the image of Riel, his face a mask of pain, his eyes filled with concern.

A gentle hand shook my shoulder, pulling me from the depths of my sleep. 
I opened my eyes, blinking against the dim light filtering through the window. 
Marie stood beside me, her face bruised, her expression grim.

"What happened?" I whispered, my voice hoarse from sleep. 

She just shrugged, her lips pressed into a thin line.

My mind raced, trying to piece together the missing moments.
 
I remembered falling asleep in the clinic, Riel beside me. 
But now we were in a car, and a freshman from our school, the one who won Mr. Wayne Academy, was driving. 

How did we get here?

The ride was silent, the only sound of the hum of the engine and the occasional creak of the car. 
Marie and the driver, their faces etched with worry, remained silent. 

We pulled into the parking lot of the Green Garden, the early morning light casting long shadows across the asphalt. 

The sun hadn't risen yet, but the sky was beginning to lighten, promising a new day. 

The driver lifted Riel from the car, his movements careful and gentle.  Marie helped me out, her hand resting on my arm, a silent gesture of support. 

We walked back to the dorm, the air crisp and cool, the silence heavy with unspoken questions. 

I glanced at Riel, his face pale and drawn, his eyes closed. 
My heart ached for him, but I knew I had to be strong. 
I had to protect him.

I would fight for him. 
I would fight for our love. 
And I would never let anyone take him away from me.