Chapter 348

Elena One week had passed since Lucas confirmed the meeting with Marvin, and today would finally be the day.

I had spend the past week in a pool of emotions, constantly wondering how it would go. It could go either way. Marvin could either welcome me with open arms, or he had only agreed to meeting me so he could yell at me some more.

I dressed up as best as I could, went out of my comfort zone and pulled out a yellow dress. It used to be my least favorite color, until Marvin told me I looked pretty in it.

My hair fell over my shoulders in soft waves, and I had put in some effort to put on some makeup.

As I checked myself out my reflection in the hallway mirror one last time, I applied the last layer of lipgloss.

“At this rare your lips might fall off. The sound of a voice behind me startled me, and I turned, my heart thumping in my chest. It was dad, standing in the hallway, a faint expression on his face.

My anxiety grew as I met his gaze. He was the last person I wanted to find out about my meeting with Marvin.

“Elena,” his voice was soft, “Who are you getting dolled up for?”

I bit my lower lip, torn between lying and spilling the truth.

“It’s okay.” Dad stepped closer, and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “Go get your man,” He whispered.

I pulled away in shock. “You know?”

Dad didn’t respond, he looked at me with a knowing look in his eyes.

“Are you okay with it?” A breath escaped my lips. His reaction surprised me. I expected anger, disappointment, anything but this calm acceptance.

“I want you to be happy, Lena. One hundred percent happy. And I’ve yet to see that since you came back,” he confessed. “Having you back here has been great, but I want more for you. I want you to have everything you desire.”

“Dad…..”

“You should know… Stevie will always be in my heart. And it will be hard for me to see you with Marvin. But if he makes you happy. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I denied you that happiness.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. Thank you, Dad,”

I whispered, feeling a knot in my chest unravel.

He had been vocal over his hatred for the Castillos for years, but he had accepted Lucas into our family. and now he tolerated the idea of Marvin.

He patted my back gently. “Just make sure he’s willing to fight for you as much as you are for him because if he is not, he doesn’t deserve you.”

“I know, dad.” I breathed. “He better be.

I was a nervous wreck, waiting for Marvin at our meeting spot. A familiar diner.

My heart beat out my chest as one minute turned into two. We were two minutes further, and he wasn’t even here yet.

What if he had bailed on me?

Or maybe I just had to relax, considering I showed up too early. My stomach growled, and I looked at the many dishes on the table, all left untouched.

If he would show, I hoped this conversation would go better than our last.

The chime of the diner’s door brought me back from my anxious thoughts. I turned my head, my heart jumping in my chest as I saw him. Marvin.

Our eyes met, and for a moment, everything else faded into the background. He made his way towards me, and I stood up, unsure of what to do.

Do I hug him?

Give him a handshake?

Do nothing at all?

Once Marvin settled in his seat, I followed his steps. I supposed a hug what out of the question, and that feared me this might’ve been nothing more than a closure talk-but I was hoping to be mistaken.

“Hi,” 1 began, my voice hoarse from not speaking.

We locked eyes, the intensity of the moment making my heart flutter in my chest. I couldn’t read his feelings, due to his expression being blank as he met my gaze.

“Hi”

The tension was broken as I laughed nervously, pointing down at the table filled with food. “I ordered everything on the menu.” I explained. “Because I know you like everything”

“That’s something you would do.” Marvin grinned, making me relax. He seemed less angry, less guarded.

gave me a hope.

It “How have you been, Lena?” He then asked, his voice gentle.

I had missed the sound of his voice, the soft tone that brought comfort in ways no one else’s could “I’ve been doing well, I responded, forcing a smile. “How about you?”

“Fine,” he responded. His answer was a blatant lie. I knew him too well. I knew how much Panther meant to him. The two were always together, inseparable.

That’s how I also knew he must’ve been heartbroken, but decided not to talk about it. That was Marvin, and I had learned to accept that “Anything special planned for today?” I asked, hoping to steer the conversation in a lighter direction “I’m going to a wedding. My dad’s godson, Christian, is getting married, and he can’t make it, so….”

“That’s nice!” I just went with the vibe. “Do you know the bride?”

Marvin cleared his throat. “No, I was in prison when Christian met Serena.” His voice dropped.

+5 Bonus “Ah,” I responded, feeling the air grow slightly awkward. Somehow the questions I would ask him, always ended at his prison sentence.

“I’ve been hanging out with Lucas a lot.” I said the second thing which occurred to me. Although, if the goal was really to get him back, talking about his brother might’ve not been the smartest move.

“That’s great. Lucas is great.” Marvin mumbled.

“Yes, and he told me you bought the bar, all so I could keep my job.” I exposed his secret. “Thank you for that. I wouldn’t have a job if it weren’t for you.”

Marvin hid behind a proud smile, but it was worth it. “No problem.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I wondered.

“I didn’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.”

“No, not at all!” I used my hands. “I appreciate it, really!”

Marvin chuckled. “Good.”

“But-” I began. “Just think for a moment, how awkward it would have been if I had accepted your offer to take care of me? I would’ve been searching for pennies right now, wouldn’t I?”

guess so,” Marvin laughed, lowering his head. Then it went silent. He was probably rethinking his words and regretting it at the same time.

“Back then… I’ve always looked out for you, Lena. We were friends before everything. Best friends.”

He stated, a hint of annoyance in his tone. “I trusted you.”

“I know. And I’m sorry. But you also have to understand that I didn’t know what to do. I thought you would hate me,” I confessed, feeling a sense of relief as I let the truth tumble out. “You were talking about what you would do to liars before I even got the chance to come clean.”

“If you really knew me, you’d know that I could never hate you or hurt you. The second I told you the truth about my family, all you had to do was come clean about yours.” He argued, and he wasn’t wrong. That would’ve been the perfect time, but I froze.

“Yes, you’re right. I should have.”

“I reacted too aggressively, I was hurt, but I should’ve never done that, Marvin spoke. “For that, I’m sorry.” He said. “And I don’t like the way we’ve ended things.”

Me neither, I replied with an aching heart. “It was time to ask the question that had been haunting me. “Do you think you could ever forgive me?”

I waited for his answer.

“I’ve already forgiven you.”

“Is there ever a chance of us getting back together?” I asked directly.

The look in Marvin’s eyes was soft, longing, but there was a hesitance there too. “In what world do you think this would work? The fact that you had to hide me from your dad, and I have to hide you from mine -should already be enough proof that this wouldn’t work.” He reasoned.

A sharp pain went through my heart, but I didn’t want to give up just yet. “My dad knows I’m here, and he’s okay with it.” I told him. “I actually think he might be rooting for us.”

1 felt a sharp pang of hurt. I quickly retorted, explaining my dad was okay with us. But he seemed to hold back, not revealing what he truly felt.

Marvin took a breath. “If my dad-

“This is not about Mario!” I snapped, my tone desperate. “This is about you and me!”

I looked at Marvin’s flustered expression. It was all too much. I felt stupid, naive. This was a mistake,” I spoke, feeling the weight of the rejection. I rushed up from my seat. “How could I ever be this stupid for thinking you would love me back?” I muttered, questioning myself as I prepared myself to walk away.

“Elena—“ As I turned to leave, his hand closed around mine, pulling me back towards him. Before I had time to react, his lips met mine in a desperate kiss.

As he pulled away. I was left breathless, confused. A small smile tugged at the side of his lips, his hands rested on each side of my face.

“What does this mean?” I asked, looking into his eyes, waiting for his answer. I couldn’t help but hope that maybe, just maybe, we could mend what had been broken.

“I was going to say that when I do tell him the truth, my dad might cut off my limbs, but in the end it’ll all be worth it.” Marvin chuckled, shaking his head. “But you didn’t even give me the chance.”

“Oh?”

“Yes.”

“Are you saying…?” I started, my voice trailing off.

“I’m saying, I love you enough to risk my legs for you. Marvin smiled with his eyes, and I could tell he meant every worth of it.

“I love you too!” There was no hesitation. “I love you so much, that if that happens-I’ll carry you on my back. Every single day.”

“We’ll see about that,” Marvin beamed, pressing his lips against mine. “Lena, I need you to come to that wedding with me.”

“The wedding of your godbrother?” I eyed him strangely. “If that’s even a thing?”

“Yes,” Marvin showed me a cheeky smile. “That wedding. We might as well go together and observe… for the future?”

“Are you implying something?” I teased, taking in his words.

“Yes,” he said, his eyes dropping to the two rings I still wore. “I noticed you kept on both of the rings I gave you, so it would only be right to add more.”

“Are you indirectly proposing to me then?” I asked question after question, only to convince myself.

“Yes, I believe so. His tone was determined.

+5 Bonus “In that case, the answer is yes!” I gasped, my voice filled with joy. And just like that, I found my happiness in the arms of the man I loved.

At last, I still had the happy ending I desired, or perhaps, our story was just the beginning.

The end.