THE CEO'S CHOICE

Chapter 23 - I love you.

CAYDEN POV

''Rose'' A voice said.

The voice, I thought I would never hear again.

The voice, I loved the most.

''Dad!'' I whispered softly. He smiled at me and another figure emerged from behind him. Lena. She grinned down at me. The way she usually does.

''I have come for you, rose.''

''Does this mean I am dead?'' He chuckled.

''No, I am giving you a choice.''

''Choice?''

''Yes. Do you want to join us? Stay with us forever. We will never leave.'' He touched my cheeks, ''Or, you can stay with the new family you found. Till the end.''

I could finally live with my father. Lena. I met her eyes; they were filled with happiness and hope. Nothing else.

Not the pain, I felt. No betrayal.

I would have nothing to worry about. It sounded perfect.

It sounded selfish.

But, what about the lakhs of children I left behind? I can't abandon them just like the way it happened to me. What about Carter? And my friends?

How could I leave them behind? They would be waiting. For me.

I had found new love. Now I had to leave them behind?

''No dad, I want to go.'' I finally told in a firm voice. Lena's face fell but my dad's remained the same. He knows.

''But, Cay, you wanted to join us!'' She cried out.

''That was then. Not now. I have people waiting for me. I need to go.''

Before she could protest anymore, dad stopped her. ''Your wish, Rose. I am happy as long as you are happy. But know that, I always love you. That love is endless.''

''I love you too dad.'' I stepped backwards, without turning away from them and I fell. Air gushed past my face and I took a deep breath.

Seconds......

Minutes......

A hand laced my fingers. Drops of water fell on my face. Tears?

''Cayden, I will stay here forever, waiting for you. Until you come back. Open your eyes and look at me. Please. I only wish for that. I need you, Cayden. The kids do. You know, even Ariana cried. Zara is asking for you and George tried to wake you up. No one is leaving.''

''And Bryan stopped his jokes.'' He sniffed through chuckles. ''He might blast them on you, as soon as you wake up. So, don't take too long. They love you Cayden. We love you.'' He kissed my head, '' I love you.''

I wanted to open my eyes, to look at his face.

I wanted to tell him not to worry.

I wanted to tell him that I love him too.

So, I did the only thing I could.

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CARTER POV

I finally said it. I kissed her forehead and stood up to leave but her hand squeezed mine. It held me in place. I couldn't move. More tears fell from my face.

She squeezed it again. As if telling me not to cry.

''Carter'' I sat down beside her and she opened her eyes, slowly. Finally, I saw those bright eyes, it was still the same. Just like a star, which never disappears.