1 MONTH LATER
"The trial was today." Parker brought me a mug of coffee whilst I was on my laptop sorting out the chaos I had been left.
"Mmm." I took a sip of coffee. "I know. At least he's being locked up for the foreseeable future."
My father's company now belonged to me. He had handed it over to me because he had no time to sell it. He said he was 'trusting me to find a decent owner for it'. I didn't realise he was so idiotic. The online courses I had been occupying myself with hadn't been such a waste of time after all. I was taking over his business. And from his position in jail, there was not a thing he could do about it.
I had done a business course online and I had always been good at maths and organising, but of course, running an actual business was a different thing. That's why Parker and I planned to merge both companies. We could do it together, we could help each other and achieve anything.
"Are you alright, though?" He asked. He sat next to me, telling me he didn't want the short answer of 'I'm fine'.
"I'm tired. I'm stressed from sorting out all this sh*t my father left to me. But most of all I don't think I will ever get over the fact my stepmother is now in jail for attempted murder, and my father for murder." He looked at me with kind and sympathetic eyes and I sighed. "You are here though. It makes it all better." He smiled a bittersweet smile.
"I have to say something. You won't like it but I want you to hear me out." He explained gingerly.
"What, Parker?" I asked apathetically. Sometimes his suggestions were simply unrealistic for me or just something I hated the idea of. He always had the right intention, but sometimes he went a little overboard.
"I think you should talk to a therapist. And before you interrupt me just hear me out, okay?" I stayed silent, allowing him to continue. "What you have been through is not normal. I know you want to be strong, gorgeous, and you are strong already. Speaking to a professional won't make you less strong.
"Think back on it all. Not only the recent things but even before that you were suffering, Riley. Ever since your mother passed away, it's been one thing after the next and it's normal for you to not be okay about it. Right now, you are not at your worst, but when something like this looms over you, you won't be able to tell when it could become a problem.
"There's nothing I want more than to solely make you happy forever, and I still plan to do that. I just think a little professional input would be beneficial. I will come with you, we can do it together and it will be alright, I promise. I don't want to upset you or push anything, I just think this is something you should do and just see if it helps." He finished speaking.
"I agree." I replied quickly. He was surprised. I was half surprised by my own response.
"That's it? You want to?" He asked. I walked over to sit next to him and I hugged him.
"I know you are right. And I want closure forever. I don't want the risk of getting a life-long effect from my cr*ppy past. I want to move on, and I want to start a new chapter with you, Parker. A happy, unproblematic one." I explained as his smile grew broader.
"I'm so glad. I think this will be good for you, gorgeous. I honestly do."
That same evening, Parker had told me to meet him outside the house. I assumed he wanted me to dress up nicely. He would never directly say that though, he would be just as happy with me wearing joggers and a hoodie. I dressed up nicely anyway.
He had already left the house. I walked outside, and Parker wasn't there. However, there was a car there. Just then, someone walked out of the driver's seat, and let me in. I wondered what Parker was up to. Couldn't he just drive me?
We drove a little way into the city, but I couldn't see exactly where we were headed. The backseat windows were tinted. I took the opportunity to text Parker. 'What are you up to?' I texted. He replied almost straight away. 'Patience' he sent, with no other context. I guess I would have to see.
The driver stopped and let me out. I was surprised to see where we were. The café. My little place. I had missed it. It was such a pretty little café and it had given me so much. Beyond that, I had met Parker in that same café. I slowly walked towards the door, pulling it open carefully and peeking inside.
IF you want to VIBE with me during the last scene of my FIRST FULL-LENGTH STORY then:
Us - James Bay {LISTEN TO IT}
The already warm and beautiful café was illuminated by soft candlelight. All other lighting was dim, so the orange glow of the room was beautiful. All the tables and chairs that used to be there were cleared away, and all that remained was only a single table in the centre of the room with two chairs next to it. Of course, Parker was sitting in one of those chairs.
This café had warm memories. It made me happy. And seeing Parker in it made it even better. I remembered the first time I looked at him. How I was instantly so drawn to his elegant and amazing emerald eyes. I remember being speechless for the first time in so long. Before I even knew Parker, he opened up my heart in a way it hadn't been opened in so long.
When I first saw Parker, I thought he would be arrogant and full of himself. Maybe it was the confidence in which he held a gaze and maybe it was just his aurora. He had a powerful aurora before I knew him. One you would get from someone who was going to hurt you. Maybe that was why everyone judged Parker to be an arrogant playboy.
Parker was so different from all of that. He was warm, he was kind, he was caring, sometimes a little too much. Parker was protective, he was smart, he was funny, he was sincere, he was honest, most of the time. He was loyal, he was dependable, he was trustworthy, he was patient, he was passionate, he was confident, he was optimistic. But most of all, Parker was my soulmate. I would love him forever.
Parker
Riley walked in, in a beautiful dress and I felt myself become speechless. It was like deja vu. In the café we met, once again looking into each other's eyes and me, once again lost for words. Riley was the most beautiful human being in so many ways.
Obviously, she was physically beautiful. Anyone could see that. She had long, warm brown locks, that looked perfect without her even having to try. Her gorgeous, ocean blue eyes were wide and captivating. Her eyes being ocean blue seemed suitable. Like an ocean, his eyes were always beautiful. She had rough patches, her oceans had storms. It made her human.
But at the end of the day, the storm would come to an end. The oceans inside her eyes settled, and they were peaceful once again. Riley's eyes had always portrayed so much. I could read more from her eyes alone than any type of body language. Her eyes told the truth.
I felt so lucky. So privileged. More than I deserved. After all my mistakes, not only had life forgiven me, but I was gifted with knowing and loving the most amazing person to exist on the planet. And she had forgiven me too. After everything, she chose to love me back. She chose me to be her forever, just like I chose her.
Riley Atkinson was the definition of perfect through my eyes. I no longer thought perfect was a thing that did or didn't exist, I thought perfection was an opinion. Like the famous quote 'beauty is in the eyes of the beholder'. I believed perfection was too. Riley's flaws weren't flaws to me. They were part of her. They made her who she was. They made her strong. They made her Riley. And Riley was perfect.
If the world was crumbling, and I was holding her in my arms, I think I could still find a way to be happy. That's how I knew Riley was my endgame.
Riley
When the dust begins to settle. When all has been said and done. When the darkness of your own shadow finally fades away, yet you still find light. When your shadows, the things that weigh you down float away. When what once was those shadows turns into something much greater. When it turns into light, happiness, hope, wonder and so many other things.
And when you see that light in the eyes of the one you love. That's when you will know. When anyone would know because honestly, it's undeniable. In that short moment that feels like an eternity, you will know your life is complete.
I saw that light in his eyes. In the eyes of Parker Jones, the man who confronted my demons, and defeated every last one.
"Are you ready to start fresh together?" I asked.
"Always." He replied as a wide grin stretched across his face.
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OK, OK, OK.
I- what ummmmm
Okay... next chapter will be a bit of an outro from me.... and then I will post the bonus soon.
Help I'm crying :')
- Rae