When Reality Comes Knocking | Book One ✔

Chapter Ten

Alissa woke up to the doorbell ringing. Her alarm clock read 9:47 PM. Did Catherine forget her key?

The doorbell rang obnoxiously over and over again as if they were in a rush.

She looked out her window. It wasn't snowing. Why were they in such a rush?

Probably because they were anxious to get into each other's pants. Great, she thought to herself.

She left her room, her head all hazy as she had stood up too quickly. Her eyes went black for a few seconds and she stood still holding onto the hallway wall.

The doorbell rang two more times as her eyesight returned.

"I'm coming, I'm coming. Geez," she yelled to the bottom of the staircase where the front door was.

The frantic ringing stopped and she opened the door.

Alissa's breath caught in her throat as she looked at Marc. She tried not to break down as he stepped inside and walked into the living room. She closed the door behind him, not saying a word.

"Alissa," he spoke.

That was when she lost it. She crashed to the hardwood floor, hysterically crying. Marc rushed down to her level and held her.

"Please don't cry."

"I'm so so-sorry, Marc." Her voice shook with her body. She coughed a rough, dry cough, which scratched her hoarse throat.

Marc rubbed her back. She couldn't believe he was here. After all this time. After what she did to him.

He loved her.

He lifted her off the floor and stood her up. Each of his hands on her shoulders, he looked her in the eyes.

"Alissa, I've been doing a lot of thinking. And we've been together for so long, not being with you... I hated it! I love you so much, Alissa. Do you know that?"

She nodded.

"Good! Because, if you were anyone else, I would have left you the second you told me. Don't ever let me see that son of a bitch, or I will, count on it, rip his fucking throat out." Marc's teeth ground together.

Alissa didn't like what he just said, but she was just so happy he was here. He was back. She laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arms around him. He held her and they stayed like that for a while standing in the living room.

"I forgive you, Alissa. But you have to forgive yourself, too. All I want is for us to forget this, okay?" He pulled away from her and held her at arm's length to look her in the eyes.

She looked at him. His turquoise eyes, so familiar. Who ever said familiar was bad?

Forgive myself? After all that I've done? After all the pain I put him through? I don't know.

Forget about this? About Diego? I'd love to, but I don't think I'll be able to, she thought.

"Marc, I don't think I can," she whispered.

Marc's grip tightened around her arms, "Please, Alissa. You have to."

"Okay, I'll try."

Marc's grip loosened and he brought her in for another hug.

She didn't think she'd ever be able to forgive herself.

A small part of her wondered if she was settling, but she pushed that thought to the back of her mind.