XXXXVIII. A Kiss

"ALEX?" we all said in unison.

I saw Alex's hands trembling until the gun slipped from his grip. He was shaking uncontrollably, then suddenly, he broke down in tears, pulling at his own hair.

"I killed someone..." he kept repeating to himself.

Lara ran to him, wrapping her arms around him tightly, trying to comfort him.

"Thank you for your bravery. You saved all of us—especially Kaesu," Lara said as she gently stroked his hair.

I tried to walk towards Alex to hug him as well, but before I could even take a step, my body gave out, and darkness slowly consumed my vision.

"Grandpa?" I wasn't sure, but it seemed like I could see my grandfather not too far away.

I looked around and saw a breathtaking view—it felt like I was in an endless garden. I turned back to the man standing ahead of me, his back facing me.

"GRANDPA!" I called out again. Slowly, he turned around with a warm smile, waving his hand in the air.

Joy flooded my chest as I realized it was really him. I ran toward him and hugged him tightly.

"If this is a dream, grandpa, I don't want to wake up."

I heard him chuckle. "Why not?"

"I don't want to go back. I just want to stay here with you."

Grandpa gently pulled away from our embrace and fixed my hair, which had been tousled by the wind.

"But what about the people waiting for you? Your father, your friends, and everyone who loves you?"

I froze at his question and simply shrugged.

"I only bring them danger. I always end up putting them in harm's way and hurting them. Maybe it's better if I disappear from their lives."

Grandpa didn't say a word. He just looked at me with a kind smile.

"I need you more, grandpa. I just want to stay with you."

"But they need you more."

"For what? Just so I can burden them?"

Grandpa shook his head and chuckled. "No, so you can love them, so you can make them happy."

"Can I really do that?"

"Of course, because you are you."

"I'm scared, Grandpa." My voice trembled, filled with fear and doubt. I lowered my gaze, afraid to meet his eyes. Since he remained silent, I continued, "I'm scared that I'll lose someone because of me. That I'll hurt them even more. I don't want them to reach the point where they feel the need to sacrifice themselves for me. Because just like everyone else, I want them to live happily and peacefully."

"Then be their comfort, be their rest, be their source of happiness, be their strength, be their shoulder... be with them."

"But, Grandpa—" I stopped mid-sentence. When I lifted my head, he was gone. I looked around, but he was nowhere to be found. And then, everything turned white.

"Forgive me for being weak, for failing to be a good father to you. I have no face to show you anymore, my child. I am a disgrace, and I would understand if all you have left in your heart for me is hatred. Please forgive me for all my mistakes and shortcomings. Goodbye."

I felt something soft press against my forehead. I wanted to open my eyes, but my eyelids felt so heavy. So instead, I tried to speak.

"Are you leaving again? Are you going to be a coward once more and abandon me?" I whispered weakly, still struggling to open my eyes.

As my vision slowly adjusted, I saw my father, sobbing uncontrollably.

He rushed to me and embraced me tightly, still crying. He was right—I wanted to be angry, to lash out, to blame him. I wanted to ask him so many "whys." But in the end, we were both victims—victims of love.

"Stay. Don't leave again. I need a father, not a coward."

He nodded repeatedly, stroking my hair as he wept. Seeing him like that, I couldn't help but smile.

Just then, the door opened, making us turn our heads. Antonio stood there, holding a bouquet of flowers, his eyes widening in shock. He was so startled that he dropped everything and rushed toward me, pulling me into a tight hug. I couldn't help but laugh.

"You don't seem like you missed me at all! Or is your day just incomplete without seeing my beauty?" I teased.

He pulled away and looked me straight in the eyes.

"I'm incomplete without you."

I froze at his words. I waited for him to laugh or say he was just joking, but he didn't. His eyes were glistening with unshed tears as he gently held my face.

"KAESUUUU!"

Lara and Alex ran toward me, pushing Antonio aside. Behind them, I saw Uncle Luis calmly entering the room, picking up the things that had been dropped. My father stood up and helped him since there was barely enough space on the bed for all of us.

"We missed you! We thought you were planning to be Sleeping Beauty forever until you became part of history!"

Alex, as always, was talkative and overly dramatic. So, I playfully smacked him. Meanwhile, Lara hesitated to come closer.

"Lara..." I called softly.

"I'm sorry for everything..." she said, her voice trembling as she hugged herself.

"Nope. Not happening. Kiss first!" I joked, making everyone laugh. Lara finally stepped forward and hugged me.

"Thank you for saving me... and I'm sorry for everything, Lara," I whispered as we held each other, tears falling from our eyes.

"What about me? Don't I get a kiss?" Antonio suddenly interrupted.

"And why would my daughter kiss you?"

We all turned to my father, who had spoken so suddenly. I glanced at Antonio and burst into laughter when I saw him gulp in fear.

HAHAHA! Cute.