A Month Later

A MONTH LATER

IT was a month since Ana's burial and the residents of Liddenville were still reeling in the chain of events that took place on May the 13th.

In his house sat Robin and his daughter along with his cousin, Rohan. It was Robin's birthday and he didn't want something too big so they opted for a family dinner just the three of them.

Things had gotten better between the cousins. Since his bail and Sandra's departure, they both started making attempts to kindle their family bond.

Rohan had offered him a job at the pub. At first, he was unwilling to take it but he had to find a way of paying Betty's school fees and he didn't want Rohan paying for it so he accepted.

Since then things had been better.

"Happy birthday to you.", Rohan and Betty said as Robin blew out the candles on the cake. They couldn't buy thirty-five candles so they used the candles they had to make out thirty-five on the cake.

He cut out a slice and first gave Betty then ate the rest. She cut out slices for Rohan, herself and her dad. When they were all done she took the dishes and went to wash them.

"Robin. I know it's been hard for you. Losing Ana. I just want to say I'm deeply sorry for ruining your marriage. I shouldn't have..",

"It's fine Rohan. If my wife didn't leave I wouldn't have gotten close to Ana. Even if she's gone now I still have a piece of her with me. And now I have you back.", he said ending the topic.

Betty came back and though she had washed the dishes, they still had more cake.

》》》》》

She was feeling all giddy. This was going to be their first official date. She didn't know what she was thinking when she packed this dress but regardless, she took it. She ran her hand along the deep blue sequin dress and her hand stopped over the spot of the wound.

Beneath the dress, it was still visible. A sign of when she almost died. The doctors had almost lost her and they said it was a miracle all ended well.

After they got the bullet out she kept losing blood and her heartbeat kept falling but in the end, she came out, alive. She had woken to see a very tired Ian. But now about a month later and he had finally asked her out

They hadn't left Liddenville cause of the doctors but she was starting to enjoy her time here and she dreaded when she would go back to New York and face another case and all New York had in store for her.

She wished criminals would all halt so she could have a blissful time with Ian. There was a knock on her room door and she knew it was him.

She carried her purse and left. Ian was really surprised when he saw her.

"What you didn't think I had it in me to look this pretty.", she said.

"You always look pretty.", he said and took her hand before placing a kiss on the back of her palm.

"It's just different cause I always see you in jeans.", he said as they walked to the car.

"Yeah, you look different too. This is nice but I like your normal casuals too.", she said.

They got to the car and he opened the door for her which made her chuckle.

"Are you ready for the best night of your life.", he said as he got in.

"Where are you taking me?",

"Somewhere special.", he said.

"Hmm. You know we'll soon have to go back to..."

"No no. The doctors said.."

"I'm well aware of what the doctors said but are you sure it's not an excuse to stay here.",

"It's not an excuse. This is like a vacation. But in all honesty, if you weren't here I would have booked the first flight back."

There was a pause as she stared at him.

"Why?", she asked.

"'Cause with you everything is always so much better.", he said and flashed her a heart-swooning smile.

"I didn't know you were this romantic.", she said smiling.

"You brought out this side of me.", he said and took her hand and pecked it. She blushed and after a while burst out laughing.

"What?"

"That was so cheesy.", she said and continued laughing.

"So you think I can't be this romantic.", he said.

"Hmmm.", she said pretending to think about it.

"You'll see what I have in store. After all the night is still young.", he said and mustered up a smouldering look which made her just laugh the more. After a while, he joined her and he couldn't wish for any better moment.

》》》》》

"You sure you wanna do this?", Pablo asked Lisa. It had been two weeks since she woke up from the coma and a week since she left the hospital. And now they were outside Liddenville Prison.

"Yeah. I need to do this. I just need to see her for one last time.", she said. " You sure you don't wanna come?", she asked him.

"No. I told myself I'm never gonna see her again and I mean it. I don't think I know her anymore.", he said.

She looked at him and held his chin so he would look at her.

"You know you can talk with me. It's good to let your feelings out sometimes. Especially with someone, you love.", she said.

He smiled at her and leaned in to place his lips on hers. Since he was able to walk properly after the shot to his leg he never left her side. Hugh had come to realise and decided he needed a break from the relationship.

Lisa had woken up to see Pablo by her side and it was the best feeling she ever had. She pulled away and pecked him before leaving.

Then his phone rang. It was Hugh calling.

"Hey, Hugh. How's the campaign going?", Pablo asked. Since it was election time, Hugh came out and said he wanted to run for Mayor. Pablo, Lisa and Miles were confused at first but he said he had wanted to be Mayor but never focused on it.

So they cheered him on and have been helping out with his campaigns ever since.

"It's good. I'm doing great. I have more supporters than Carter and I'm sure everyone is tired of his dirty theatrics.", he said.

"That's good."

"So how's Lisa?", he asked.

"She's fine. We're at the prison now, though she went by herself I didn't go with her."

"Oh okay.", he said and they were both quiet then Hugh sighed.

"Alright then. I just wanted to check up on you and all. Well later then.", he said.

"Sure.", he said.

Lisa walked in and sat at the table. Some moments after she saw Raven in an orange suit being led by a policeman.

She was cuffed as she sat down. Lisa looked at her, her face showing no emotion.

But Raven looked sad and tired. She had been here for a month and it hasn't been nice. She couldn't believe she would spend the rest of her life here.

"Lisa I'm sorry. I hate being in here. I really want to see Pablo again and I call him but he never answers and when he does as he hears my voice he hangs up.", she said her voice sounding weak.

"He doesn't want to see you.", she said.

"Lisa you have to understand. I didn't mean to do it. One thing led to another and I...",

"I just want to know one thing Raven.", Lisa said, cutting her off. "What were you thinking when you...when you killed her?", she asked.

Raven was quiet. She looked down at her fingers which she fiddled then she stopped.

"I... I wasn't.", was all she said. Lisa looked at her and for once she felt sad and pity for her once best friend.

"Fine.", she sighed. "That's good to know. I just hope I find it in my heart one day to forgive you.", she said and left.

And that was the last time they ever saw each other.

💝Sparkling-Jem💝