Wife Swap - S01 E53

5 months ago

Wife Swap - S01 E53

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 53

Epilogue

Imagination.

I've never excelled in that; my English teacher can attest to that. My essays and compositions sucked.

I don't allow myself to create this picture of if and when we meet again. Perhaps it's my rigid adherence to reality, my tendency to view the world through the lens of logic and reason, that stifles my imagination.

I purse my lips, and my eyes dart around my vicinity, the happy faces, their laughter that caresses the air and just reels you in. I inspect my nails, trying to calm my nerves. I've thought of him with every breath, and I know I can't go on like this, or I'll run mad.

I can't see him.

"Look at you," Mason steps in front of me.

"Mason..." I stumble back, surprised by his presence, and he's quick to reach out and grab my hand before I step on a passerby behind.

"You look..." He stops and just stares at me. "Were you always this beautiful?" He asks.

I just stare at him, confused if he's taunting me or means well.

There's an announcement we're both at an Environmental event where we were to meet.

"I tried to stay away, but i had to do what i did..." Mason turns back to me.

"It's all in the past now. I had a part in it, whether enabling or doing nothing," I state, even though I have no clue if we're on the same page.

"I'm sorry," he utters words I thought he never knew of their existence.

I'm shocked and confused, waiting for something to befall me. It's unreal seeing him, hearing him sound so apologetic and, for once, understanding and meaning what he's saying.

He smiles at my surprised face. "The last few months have been tough and opening to me."

I'm still in dismay and feel like it's too good to be true. Is this a plan to take vengeance on me?

"It was nice seeing you, but maybe I shouldn't be here," I say, turning around and abandoning my initial agenda.

"Don't go," he pleads.

I take a quick turn.

"I know what I've done to you and what i have created out of you. You can't trust anyone anymore. I carry that burden every day, knowing I might have destroyed any opportunity for you to be happy," he speaks.

I shake my head. "Get over yourself. Do you think you hold the key to my happiness?" I ask.

"That's not what I mean. I had to get you here," he says, and I look around frantically.

"It's you who sent me that message?" My eyes still dart around, wondering what he wants and how he plans to take me out. A trained assassin? A biological weapon? We're at a huge event; no one would know... or miss me.

"I didn't know how else I would convince you. But I knew you would if it was Rome, you would come, and you did because you still care."

"What have you done to him?" I ask.

"I must be a terrible human if you only emote negative thoughts of me."

"You can't blame me."

"And I own what my actions have cost me; that's why I want to make it right," he states and directs his attention to his phone and types something.

It's happening; he's giving his people the go-ahead. I cover my head and duck down. "What are you doing?" he asks, confused by my crazy action.

"You're not going to get me with your hired assassins," I respond.

"Wow! I did a number on you," he sighs.

I wait for time to pass, and when nothing happens, I stand upright. "Why did you use Rome's email to ask me to come here?" I ask. "And why do you have access to his email?" I add as more negative thoughts pile in my head.

"We still share a Netflix account, and he uses one password for everything, and your account is still logged in on my laptop."

"What have you done with my email?" I ask.

"He's here," he says, and I tilt my head just as Rome comes into view. I suck in air, and he freezes when he sees me. Like I said, I suck with imagination; he looks beyond what my mind could form.

I'm stuck. I don't know what to do, and I wait to see what he does so that I can also know what to do. He finally recovers from his daze and takes hurried steps towards us.

"Rome..." Mason starts to talk, but he shuts him.

"My answer still remains the same," he says, his eyes on me. He has never looked better. Fiona was right.

He takes a step closer, and I can't form any coherent thought or words to say to him. His eyes still look at me the same way.

"Are you ready now?" He asks.

'I've been ready, always,' is what I should say, but I can't, so I just nod my head, and I see him smile. He takes two more steps, and we're just standing body to body. He wraps his arm around my waist and draws me in for an unexpected kiss, and I welcome it with the hunger I've endured for months.

We break apart as his soft gaze stays on me. "Don't ever leave again," he says.

"I don't plan to." This time the words come out.

"I'm glad I made this happen," Mason finally speaks, reminding me of his presence.

"What are you implying?" Rome asks him.

"I was wrong; you were my brother, and I shouldn't have betrayed us like I did. You hate me now, refuse to forgive me. Getting both of you together was the only thing I've done right since I started therapy," Mason confesses.

Rome sighs, and I can tell he still holds his initial anger towards Mason.

"I didn't need your help," Rome barks at him.

"I know. It's the least I could do," Mason says.

Rome intertwines his fingers with mine, and Mason's eyes remain on them.

"Let's go," Rome asks.

I nod at Mason as a goodbye. He looks devastated, and I try not to feel anything towards him. He made his choices, and if he is honest about wanting to reform, he must accept the consequences that come with what he did. Only then can he truly understand his actions and do better.

"I will forgive him eventually, but not now," Rome looks down at me.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"Home," he answers, and I lean on his arm, glad Mason sent me that email, even if he disguised himself as Rome. Maybe he is changing. I did.

Thank you for reading to the end.

THE END.................