Tortured - Jaele

~ Epilogue ~

Riele -

New York has never looked more beautiful in the winter time. The streets were christened with pure white, half-inch snowbanks and twinkle lights that made everything sparkle, tinged with a half moon yellow glow. Christmas was around the corner, and although my mom invited Reiya and I to her annual Tree-trimming party, I knew that this Christmas was one that I wanted to spend at the very top of the Chrysler building. When I was a little girl, my mom and I would shop in the area and when the streets were filled with people, faded yellow taxi-cabs, and delivery trucks, I would imagine myself peering down below at the ant people, shuffling to get from here to there as quickly as possible. So many different lives. Going in separate directions, but still very much simililar in many ways. This year, I wanted to be up there. Sipping champagne, having an over-priced dinner I was probably going to still be hungry after, and congratulating myself on surviving through the last few months. Deep down, I found myself missing something. Someone. As if there was a hole inside of me that no amount of work or patience could ever fill. My heart was still beating just fine, but I felt properly sick. Not physically ill, although sometimes I wake up in a cold sweat, or anxiety etches up my throat so quickly I have to go indoors.

"Riele?"

Springing out my haze, I looked over at Mark. His acrylic frames were spilling down the bridge of his long nose as he stretched his hand across the table towards me and I grabbed it, slowly tucking my fingers through his. The warmth and callous pressure was reassuring.

"Yes?"

"Are you doing alright?"

I blinked the mink lashes that were taking up 50% of my lid space at him briefly.

"Of course, I'm fine... Why do you ask?"

"You're looking distant, more than usual. Is there something you want to discuss? I'm all ears."

Mark smiled, but when he smiled it was a rapture, blinding with such scalding warmth, truly gorgeous as it blossomed across his sharp features. He might have looked sort of brutish and intimidating at first, but he was sweet, almost too pleasant actually. We were having dinner at a little Thai restaurant a block from my new apartment. The weeks that led up to this moment had been unconventional for the both of us. But we've been busily pursuing each other. I'd watch movies with him at his place or he'd make dinner at mine. He was my first relationship in three years.

"I'm sorry, I just... I love the wintertime, don't you? I get caught up in all the lights and... The grandeur when it's almost Christmas. Like a child."

I replied faintly, squeezing his hand so tightly that I almost wanted to let go. But he didn't let me, and held on. Turning my gaze to the front window where a drizzly snow was now falling outside among the scarlet paper lanterns with Taiwanese omens written on them, I longed to be outside in the coolness of the night air.

"I hate it. Bow can you stand this cold? I was born and raised in Miami, this big city weather is overwhelming to say the least."

Mark admitted with a good-natured chuckled. I glanced at him, the feeling of his thumb smoothing over my knuckles went numb.

"It's not for everyone, I suppose."

"Most definitely not for me."

He said. Just then our waiter, Leesong, placed a sterling silver tray of fortune cookies on our table. Mark released my hand, taking on another one of his giddy smiles

"Thank you."

Picking one up to examine the hard cookie exterior, I turned it over with my fingertips.

"My pleasure, may your fortunes be good blessings."

With a secretive smile, Leesong bowed his head and floated away to attend another table. I looked to Mark with slight confusion, my brows crinkling a bit.

"That was kinda sweet."

As I was about to crack mine open, Mark placed his hand over mine excitedly.

"Hold on, how about we open them together?"

He suggested, also taking a fortune cookie into the pal of his hand.

"Sure,"

"On the count of three."

I couldn't quite place the look in his eyes, he was beaming. Or maybe nervous he was nervous? It made me  anxious, as if something was about to catch me completely by surprise. And I didn't like the idea of that. No, not at all. I hate surprises. I was even tempted to ask him what was wrong, but Mark then began the countdown.

"One... Two... Three."

Digging my thumb into the hard shell of my fortune cookie, I split it open and pulled the fortune out.

"What does it say?"

"Riele West Downs, you have made me the happiest man alive, please say you'll continue this wonderful adventure together and marry me."

I read the small slip of paper aloud, my heart thumping in my ears, and my mouth suddenly bone dry, as if I had swallowed a mouthful of sand. As soon as our eyes mer, Mark opened his palm and displayed the contents of his fortune cookie. A ring. The stone that was placed ornately in the middle of it was a decently sized piece of diamond.

"Oh god, Mark...I-"

I whispered breathlessly, covering my mouth with both of my hands. Just say yes.

"Will you do the honors of making life 1 billion times worth it... And marry me, babe?"

The words were trapped in my brain. Like frantically chirping birds. Rushing and flying about all at once. I could only stare at him, as if there was a glass partition between us. I dropped my hands from my mouth, shifting my eyes to the ring gleaming brilliantly even under these dim lantern lights. This was the saving that I needed. The rescue of my life. My prince charming had finally come. My happily ever after was here.

....

Thanks for reading! HUGE announcement guys if you have made it this far and you've been voting and commenting, I just wanna give a GINORMOUS I LOVE YOU!!! And second THANK YOU SO MUCH! I know you (probably) want to see a second book to this because like... Cliffhanger much? Lol Good news! There will be a SECOND BOOK to Tortured and it'll be released next week on Monday, that's right after one whole year book two is finally going up so I hope you guys will still be interested if not... My life is over. Haha jk but no seriously read book two when it drops so I'll have a reason to keep uploading. As always be sure to vote and leave a comment, give me your thoughts, and spill the tea on predictions and hopes you have for book two! Love you lots ;)

XOXOXO Leesey -