Page 7 of Bastian

Looking back at the crowd, I search for her, but I know she’s not there.

She disappeared as if she was never here to begin with.

A ghost.

My ghost.

Once I got my head out of my ass enough to realize my mistake, I went after her, but the damage was done.

She was long gone.

My girl.

Half of my heart.

The irony…

My enemy’s daughter took my heart with her the day she disappeared and made it impossible for me to reach her.

She was nowhere to be found.

“She’s gone…” Banning’s words back then play on a loop—over and over again.

A firm hand brings me back to the moment and away from the painful thoughts of her.

Banning. “It’s time for your speech, boss.” Even the happiest motherfucker I know sounds as if he too lost a part of himself.

I never regretted anything in my life until the day I let my fears, guilt, and past hang-ups get the best of me. If I could turn back time, I would.

I would go back to that day, drop down to my knees, and beg her to be mine for the whole world to see.

But life doesn’t work like that.

We don’t always get what we want.

And now I’m here.

I became the president who received more votes than any other candidate in U.S. history.

The most powerful man in the country.

A man who got everything he ever wanted and, at the same time, lost all he ever needed.

Her.

LOVE & WAR

PART I

Dearest Arianna,

You are my heartbeat.

- S

BASTIAN

MONUMENTAL FUCK-UP

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