Page 72 of Bastian

I can’t wait for that day to arrive.

Because it will happen.

There is no way I will walk another day on this earth without her by my side.

I don’t intend to repeat that mistake again.

“You always see more than anyone else.” She saw me for me, ugly, broken, and my asshole ways and all. She saw it all and wanted me anyway and what did I do? I threw it all away without realizing what the outcome would do to us both.

We remain silent as she surprises me by taking the seat in front of me and moving a piece of chess. I don’t hide the small smile that forms on my face when I see her sitting down without being forced or threatened. It’s her choice, like every moment since the day I let her walk out of my life.

Her choice.

To be here.

To love me.

It has to be her choice, and although the road is long and the war might leave me bruised and a little fucked up, no doubt. It will be worth it because she is worth everything.

Everything.

“I think we should talk.” She mumbles.

Smiling, I say. “I would love nothing more, darling.”

“But stop that.” She snaps. “Stop calling me darling. We both know I am not, and quite frankly, it makes me want to throttle you.”

Shrugging, I say. “If that makes you feel better, then please do.” She growls in that cute way she used to when I pissed her off before. “Fine. What should I call you then? Baby? Love?”

She leans forward, and I swear I can feel her hot breath on my face, and it feels like home. “Nothing, Call me nothing.”

Shaking my head, I tell her. “That I cannot do.”

“And why the hell not? You certainly made it clear I was nothing to you all these years.” She spits angrily, shots are fired, and they burn. Fuck, does it burn, but this is better than her unfeeling act. This shows me she cares.

“I lied. You mean everything to me, so no. Don’t ask me not to call you darling or my love or whatever the fuck I want because you are all those things to me and more.” I expose my queen, knowing it is a risk but I do it regardless because the fire that lights in her eyes is worth it.

“I hate it when you do that.” She breathes out.

“What do I do?” I feign ignorance, which only makes her madder.

“You know what. One day, I will win fair and square.” She vows, and my heart, as corny as it sounds, does a flip inside my chest. Scientifically impossible, of course, but fuck it, all rational thoughts left me the day I fell for this hardheaded, infuriating, and beautiful woman.

Then her words hit me.

One day, I will win.

One day.

Someday.

She’s planning to stick around longer, and that’s when I realize I have already won this war, although I say nothing. Because there is no doubt in my mind that she will fight it every step of the way. “I can’t wait for you to beat me, Arianna,” I say truthfully. The thing is she already won as well. She vows to make me hurt the way I hurt her, and I’ve been hurting like hell since that day. Miserable when I had all I ever wanted for my life.

Ignoring what I said, she changes the subject. “I’m not leaving her. I have no right and no real claim to her, I know, but–”

Interrupting her, I say. “Ellaiza is yours as much as she is mine.”

“But that’s not true, is it? One day, you can decide you don’t want her to be around me anymore and take her from me again. You’ve done it–”

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