Tony jumped out of the taxi even before the driver had parked fully. He was tensed, really tensed since his call with Rafael the night before. Nothing made sense to him since then. He remembered beating himself up all night, his eye bags were so visible from barely getting any sleep and the crowd at the airport made it almost impossible for him to think right. The conversation kept on playing over and over in his head and it was driving him nuts, even more nuts scanning the entire hallway in an attempt to find her.

"What do you mean?"

He could remember the shock that had passed through his skin after hearing Rafael speak, and with the way the hairs on his body sprung up after Rafael's exhale, he knew it wasn't a joke, Rafael meant every word he said. 

Tony picked up pace each time Rafael's answer to his question flooded his memory. He raced towards the departure hall, trying to cover as much as he could with his eyes but it didn't matter how much he looked, he couldn't find her.

"Ivory didn't leave you behind twelve years ago. She got pregnant and Randal found out. He locked her away for two years and forbade her from contacting anyone. He told her that if any of us ever found out, he was going to get rid of you. She lost twelves years of her life, protecting a secret that was meant to protect you."

He exhaled weakly.

He was such a fool. Tony had went from hating himself to blaming himself. How could he have been so ignorant to not know this, to not connect the lines? How was he so selfish to care about how he felt rather than believing in her feelings for him? He could have known, he could have seen through her, he could have done all he could to find out the truth. How did he let himself be so consumed by his anger, anger for being abandoned by her that he couldn't even tell what she had been through, tell how much she had suffered by herself? The things she couldn't have said? why didn't he ever ask her for an answer over and over again until she was able to spill it out?

Regrets. He hated himself, at that moment he hated himself so much.

"She's leaving Tony, tomorrow, and she's not coming back. It's not too late to make things right brother, now that you know the truth about what happened, now that you know the truth about why she left."

He started to run as fast as he could up the escalator. He needed the truth, he needed to hear the truth himself and he needed to hear it from her. He couldn't let her leave, not like that, not yet, not until he confirmed the very words he had heard, not until he saw her. He ran up what was left of the moving stairs.

There were a lot of people in the hall and he wasn't even sure where to look. How on earth was he going to find her in the crowd? Tony let out a frustrated exhale, raising his hand to his forehead and leaving it there. He had to think, he needed to think.

He got out his phone immediately, and called her phone, raising it to his ear so he could hear it clearly when it started to ring. It was frustrating how she wasn't answering her calls. At this point, he had beads of sweat forming on his forehead even with the air conditioning.

"Please pick up, please, please, please." He muttered to himself before he called her again.

"Can I see your ticket please-"

Tony turned to the man in a uniform that had approached him from in front of the metal detector. Ticket? He didn't have one.
Tony wasn't sure how he was going to explain that to the man with a stern look on his face in front of him. He stepped out of the way for the queue to get moving without him. He was about to say something when he heard the announcement from the speaker being made. It was calling all the passengers for a certain flight to get on board. Was that hers? What if it was? Was he late? Was she finally leaving without saying goodbye? It was useless, it was late for him. Tony let out an exasperated exhale and raised his hand to his forehead to give it a rub.

"You're stupid Tony, very stupid."
He told himself, getting lost in his own thoughts and completely forgetting about the officer that had pulled him over a while ago. He couldn't explain it but he felt it again. It was like before when he had run all the way to catch up with her, to stop her from leaving. He was always late, why did he always have to be so late?

"Tony?"

He froze at the sound of his name.
He didn't understand it, was that who it thought it was? Tony was frozen from head to toe but he managed to turn towards the direction she had called him from.

It was like the world had stopped when he saw her. He could have sworn he had a lot of things to say, a lot of questions to ask her but standing there at that moment looking at her, he didn't even know where to start. She was really leaving, at least she looked the part, especially with the way she was holding on to her hand luggage she had wheeled all the way to the check-in area.

Ivory could feel her heart race as she stared at him. She didn't understand what was going on. Why was he there? Was he also planning to travel? Had he come to stop her? She didn't know why she believed the former more than the later. She wished he had come because of her but a part of her knew that it was a dream, a rich one that she couldn't afford.

She swallowed hard. It was starting to get embarrassing how she just stood there hoping she was the reason when she had no reasons to think that. She had almost forgotten what he said, she had almost forgotten how he had made it clear that he didn't want anything to do with her. It wasn't for her, it couldn't be. She had gotten this far on her own and had made herself respect his wishes to stay out of his sight. He was clear when he had mentioned to her that he didn't want to ever have anything to do with her so acknowledging him in public when there was a chance that he wasn't going to do the same embarrassed her, even though he was dead right staring at her.

She didn't want to ask, she couldn't ask.

"Attention all passengers going on flight A117...."

She raised her head to the crowd behind the door so she could listen to the announcement that was being made. It looked like that was her flight and her perfect excuse to break the awkward silence. She clenched on tightly to the handle of her baggage and took a step forward, fighting within herself to take her eyes off him and just focus on what was ahead.

It didn't matter, none of it was going to matter when she was on that flight anyway. She was going to forget, she had to forget.

"Is it true?"

Tony's question had brought her to a stand still the moment she was only a step away from him. He had barely even turned around to face her but he could already tell what it was that had happened. He had managed to get her attention.

Ivory held her breath at the thought of his question. She couldn't really tell but she had a suspicion of what it was he was asking. A part of her prayed that he knew, a part of her prayed that he finally knew about the secret she had been hiding from him and another part of her prayed that he didn't. Either ways, she didn't make a move, she didn't turn to him, she couldn't, not until she was sure she knew what it was about because she knew that the moment she looked into his eyes, the moment she let him speak to her, she was going to change her mind about leaving.

Tony slowly turned to her. He had tears in his eyes that were threatening to fall but he managed to hold it together. All he needed was a confirmation, all he wanted was the truth.

"Did you really not disappear on your own twelve years ago?"

Ivory let go of her bag immediately and drew a deep breath as she turned to face him. She couldn't explain it but her vision suddenly became so blurry from having that much tears in her eyes. He knew, Tony knew about it. How did he know?

"W-what are you talking about?" She asked him in a whisper that he could hear. She couldn't even bring herself to speak clearly at that point.

"Don't do that." He shook his head as he took further steps towards her. "No more secrets, I'm done with the lies-"

Ivory looked around them, she was anxious about how many people were starting to listen to their conversation. It made her nervous just as much as his question. She turned back to him.

"Tony-"

"Is it true?" He cut her off before she thought of changing the question. Tony shut his eyes for a moment so he could take a deep breath.
"I just want to know the truth."
He opened his eyes again and looked right into hers.

"I just need to know the truth this time."

"It's pointless," she said to him. "The truth isn't going to change anything. Let's just move on and forget it ever happened. It would do us both a lot good if we did."
She turned to leave and he grabbed her hand,

"Ivory-"

She turned to him immediately.

"It already happened Tony," she cut him off so he didn't keep holding on to her of trying to stop her. She needed a minute, just one minute to calm herself. She spread her arms in an attempt to express herself but failed to do so anyway
"Telling you wasn't going to change anything. I was embarrassed and I hated myself for not being strong enough to fight back okay?"

She dropped her arms.

"I was trying to protect you from the guilt of knowing. If I ever told you, you were never going to move on from it. I couldn't let you hold on to that part of us, I couldn't let you become trapped in that moment for the rest of your life because believe it or not you matter to me." She said to him.

Tony held his breath while he listened to her.

"You've always mattered to me and I'd rather be blamed and hated by you forever, I'd rather bear the pain of what happened alone, than let you blame yourself and hate yourself for the rest of your life. I'd rather leave than let him or anyone hurt you because of me because that's how much you mean to me. Because-" she held her breath for a minute, fighting within herself to hold back the words she was going to say.

"Because that's how much I love you."

She scoffed at the realization of just how much she had said. It was sad, it was crazy how pitiful she must have looked not just to him, but to the many people that were passing by them and probably wondering what they were talking about.

Her face reddened just thinking about it and watching him just stand there staring at her and not saying anything made her feel extremely silly about expressing herself to him like that.

Was that even necessary? Did she really need to say those words to him?

Ivory couldn't explain it but she didn't think she could stand there anymore. She was ashamed of everything she had said and how he was barely even saying anything besides staring at her the way he did. If only she knew the demons he was battling in his mind, if only she knew how hard he was fighting within himself to hold back, to wrap his head around everything he had heard.

It was too much for him, all that information was too much for him for one day. But she understood, she didn't need him to pity her anyway. What was she expecting? That he just forgot about everything and took her into his embrace? She scoffed. That was a rather selfish thing to think of. She couldn't do it anymore, she knew she didn't have to. All she needed to do was get on that plane and forget about the part of her life that hurt her the most while she left him to figure out what to do with the information she had given him. She cleaned the drop of tear that had fallen from her eyes and turned to go. She placed her bag on the metallic surface and was about to head towards the door when she felt a hand grab on to hers immediately and turn her around to face him again. Ivory widened her eyes in shock the moment they met his gaze on her, staring into her eyes intensely.

She didn't understand, why was he there and why was he stopping her? Tony didn't understand it either. At that point, he wasn't thinking anymore. He couldn't explain it but his heart seemed to be making all the decisions he brain couldn't. He didn't want her to leave, he couldn't watch her leave. He couldn't explain how he was suddenly grabbing on to her hand but one thing he knew for sure was that he couldn't let it go. His hands trembled on hers and she could see it, she could feel it.

"Stay." He told her.
Ivory let out a weak exhale. It was happening just as she had predicted. He was weakening her walls and almost getting her to change her resolve. She was about to say something when his lips found hers immediately and kissed her, pulling her closer to him and not daring to let go.

It was too late for her now, it was too late for her to hold back. Ivory didn't refuse him, she wanted it, she wanted the exact same thing. She missed it, having his lips on her like that, she missed every bit of it, of him so she let him. She shut her eyes so she could feel every moment, so she could feel the wind stop and the sudden cheers of encouragement in the background. His warm hands on her face made her heart race and the tears that fell from her eyes suddenly felt like dew drops on her skin.

Tony felt the same way. It was like the world had stopped moving when he held her in his arms. At that moment he couldn't care about anything else, all he wanted was that moment, all he wanted was her. He slowly pushed himself from her midway and opened his eyes so they could stare into hers for a minute.

"Please, stay." He whispered to her just as the background cheers became even louder. Ivory sniffed. She didn't know what to say. She couldn't stop herself from crying even if she tried to. It broke his heart to see her that way. Tony pulled her into his embrace and hugged her tightly.

This time, he was never going to let go.

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"You know what man," Rafael did his best with multitasking between holding on to his phone on his ear with his shoulders, and fixing the cufflinks on his shirt in place. He was awfully late for whatever he seemed to have worn a suit in preparation for.
His schedule had been a mess the past few days and it was impossible to get a hang of anything anymore.

"I think I'd have to pass on Belgium this year." He went on. "With my engagement event coming up, and then there's also the final hearing in court next week, it's just a lot for me to deal with right now. I don't think I can manage any more activities for the rest of the year. My family just got bigger as well and my son doesn't get discharged until next month. I don't think I can really afford to be gone for that long. I've also got Sephora's seven years' anniversary to worry about. The board is making such a deal about it this year and they'd like me to be a big part of the event."

Rafael raised his hand to stop Lucy from approaching him. It was like he knew just what it was she wanted to talk to him about. He just needed her to give him a minute first.

"Hold on one minute Ben."

He lowered his phone from his ear and pushed it away so he could give her his attention briefly.

"Sir, breakfast-"

He shook his head.

"I'd be eating with Olivia at the hospital today." He told her, acknowledging her care with a smile. He gave her a second just in case she had anything else she needed to say.

"Also, the interior designer called ten minutes ago," she went on. "She wanted to know if tomorrow is still a good time to start the renovation plan upstairs."

"Yeah, sure." He said to her. "I'd be at the hospital all weekend anyway."
Lucy nodded in approval, leaving the warm smile on her face still. She watched him walk away from her and then stopped after about three steps.

"Oh that reminds me," he said as he turned back to her quickly and snapped his fingers.
"Nanny is getting discharged from the hospital today. I'd be bringing her back later tonight but I'm afraid how uncomfortable the house might be for you both with the renovation happening. There might be a lot of noise and I don't think it would be convenient for her, or for you. Since Grace is over at Amy's for the week, I've asked Kingsley to make reservations at the Hilton just in case. I also left a card on the bar counter if you need anything else while you're there."

Lucy's smile grew even wider. She was extremely excited about it but tried to remain as calm as possible. She loved being a recipient of Rafael's consistent good deeds. She enjoyed his thoughtful personality and benefiting from it as well.

Rafael turned again and placed his phone back on his ear so he could go back to attending to his phone call.

"I'm with you Ben,"

The door bell rang while he listened to whatever it was his friend was talking about from the other end of the device.

"I've got it."
He waved his hands in the air as a signal to Lucy so she didn't have to worry about walking all the way to see who it was at the door. He was halfway there anyway. Lucy bowed and scurried away from the hallway as fast as she could. She knew she had a lot of things to get back to.

Rafael fixed the buttons of his suit's jacket with one hand while he managed the placement of his phone on his other ear with one hand.

"Mnn," he said just as the door bell rang again. This time he was closer to it now. "Well, just send me all the documents and I'd go through them once I'm settled. I'd also discuss your proposal with the board during next week's executive meeting."

He stopped in front of the door and let out an exhale, rubbing the sides of his nose bridge on reflex just to reduce how tensed he was getting just listening to Ben talk.

"Yeah, I've got you." He said. "Speak to you soon."

He lowered his phone from his ear, while he reached for the door's handle.

Beep!

The sound of the door unlocking was in sync with the sound of his phone's text alert. He lowered his gaze to the message notification that had popped on his screen. It was a picture from Amy and it totally brightened his day just looking at it. He was excited to open it and his heart warmed up when he saw Grace in the amusement park. She had the cutest pose on and had formed a heart with her hands above her head. She looked extremely beautiful with the bow on her braids that matched her purple dress with flower prints. She looked happy enough and that was all he needed.
He double tapped on the image ASAP and left a heart emoji on it.

Now he needed to type a response. No, a response wasn't going to cut it, he figured it was better he called instead.

He pushed the call button.

"Rafael."

He froze immediately.

He couldn't explain it but he could feel a sudden stiffness in his heart the moment he heard his name. His fingers had gone numb from texting and his entire memory was fuzzed trying to understand what he had just heard. He couldn't explain it but the little voice was too familiar that it left goosebumps all around his arms. He could feel it, he could feel how the hairs on his skin had suddenly shot up from thinking about it.

Had he heard right?
There was no way. It was impossible, his mind had to be playing tricks on him. It just couldn't be.

Not this time, it didn't look like he was imagining things this time, especially not after he had caught sight of the bare feet standing right outside the door.
His hands were suddenly beginning to tremble and he was weak in the knees as well.

No way,  there was no way that was happening.

Rafael held his breath as he slowly let his gaze trace up to the tall slim figure in front of him. It was just as he remembered, just as he had always known. How was that possible? How was the voice not the only thing that sounded familiar? How was her skin tone just as he knew it? How were her hands like he remembered too?

He found himself raising his head completely to find her face and the moment he did, he froze completely.

"Rafael, is it really you?" Her voice broke like she was about to cry. He could see the way her eyes were glossy from the tears that hung in them.

It was impossible.
That didn't make any sense. How was it possible? How could he be imagining something so scary? Was he seeing ghosts now? Had he finally lost it? Was he crazy?

"Hello future brother in-law." Amy's finally picked the  call and the tone in her voice could tell anyone just how excited she was to do so. Rafael was barely paying any attention to his phone, he didn't even remember that he had Amy on dial.

He had his eyes glued to the woman in front of him. She was in the shabbiest T-shirt he had ever seen and her jeans looked like it had seen better days. Her hair seemed like it had not been brushed in days and she had bruises all over her face too.

"C-Constance?" He called her name in a whisper.

"Hello?" Amy was hopeful for a response and she still waited for one even though it was clear that Rafael was out of touch with reality at that moment.
"Rafael?"

Rafael inhaled sharply as he felt a sharp pain pierce through his heart at that moment. He threw his phone to the ground in an attempt to reach for his chest and hold on to it. It was like the walls were closing in on him, like he couldn't breathe.

"Hello?" Amy kept calling calmly. "Helloooo?"

Rafael tried so hard to not make a sound, but he let out whisper-like groans and hit his chest every two seconds to let air in. It wasn't possible, that couldn't be her. His ex-wife had died six years ago in a plane crash. That couldn't be her. He was seeing things, he had to be.

He raised his head to the figure at the door and could barely see her with how the tears in his eyes had suddenly blurred his vision. He needed help, he needed support. The pain he felt was excruciating Rafael knew he needed to snap out of it and get his mind right.

"You have to help me." She took a step into the house, she was trembling all over and was barely walking straight. "Please," she went on, walking closer to him while Rafael tried to get strength to stand upright so he could watch her carefully. He was afraid, afraid of his mind way more than the figure that approached him weakly.

"P-please." She whispered and fell into his arms and he caught her immediately. A drop fell from her eyes and then another one.

She fainted in his arms.