Chapter Twenty-Five: Love Hath No Age – And Neither Does Pain


I was given only a few moments to say goodbye to the people that had cared for me across the tour, of course Brian was no where to be seen, but it didn’t really matter, I knew how he felt, I knew we’d return to each other. I cried as I said goodbye to Belle, she whispered that everything would work out into my ear and waved frantically as the limo pulled away from the venue. Marco refused to let me stay any longer then was absolutely necessary, so now, sitting in the back of the lonely limozine, I cried into my hands as the dark scenery flew past.

~ 2 DAYS LATER – MEXICO CITY ~

I hadn’t come out of my room for what seemed a decade. Friends came around, but I cared not to see any of them, I had no real friends I could trust in all honesty, I knew they only wanted to be friends because of who I now was, but what did they know? I was nothing but a lost and lonely girl crying for the love I’d lost.

I wiped a stray tear as my feet patted across the hallway. Grandma was sick, and she was the only family member I cherish right now, aside from my little brother, but I cared not to run through the mud with him.

I knocked before cracking open the door, she was up sitting silently watching the world from her window. I walked over to her and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. She patted the side of the bed, gesturing me to sit as she turned to face me. I sat down, sighing only quite in my own sadness.
“You’ve been crying” she spoke softly. It was rare for Grandma to speak English, sometimes it was like she wouldn’t lower herself, but this time was different.
“Don’t worry about me, worry about you” I smiled, trying to mask my pain
“You are so much like your mother. So beautiful” she smiled rubbing her aged hand down my cheek “and you care so much about others, but child, why do you cry?”
I looked down, a tear springing to my eye, she didn’t know about Brian, Marco had told me if she knew it would certainly kill her, as she wanted so much for her favorite Granddaughter to marry and love who she chose.
“Nothing” I sighed
“Does he love you too?” she questioned, taking me off guard
I looked at her with question.
“Riyan, I know the look of love, I’ve had that look” she smiled “does he love you too? The way you love him”
“I think so” I whispered
“Then why child are you here instead of there?”
“Papa wont allow me to see him, I made a mistake, I'm so sorry” I cried standing up
She tugged on my arm, pulling me back, I knelt in front of her.
“Riyan, love is not a crime. Do you love this boy?”
“Yes but –“
“No” she hushed me “Love has not buts, ready yourself child, you’ll see this boy I promise you” she smiled, leaning in to gently kiss my forehead
“Bring you father to me” she smiled as I walked from the room

I told Marco Grandma needed to see him, he was slaving over a large wooden cabinet, but he quickly dropped his work and wiped his hands as it showed gross disrespect to not obey your elders.

I walked into her room behind him, and closed the door. She again gestured for us to sit, Marco sat, but I preferred to stand.

“Riyan will be leaving soon” she spoke up
“Where?” Marco retorted
“To see the boy she loves, I have given my granddaughter my blessing, she loves him and they shall be together”
Marco shot a look up to me, I could tell he was angry.
“I shall raise my daughter as I see fit, I beg you not to worry” he announced with a stiff lip
“Marco, look into the eyes of your daughter and tell me what you see? I see sadness and pain, I see tears that never end and a heart that is breaking, you know love Marco, perhaps this boy loves Riyan as much as you loved my daughter”
“He is too old for her, she is too young”
“Hush! Love knows no age, as it knows no color as it knows no race, love is blind to all things Marco, you know this because you loved my daughter blindly and not even the word of her father could pull you away”
“That was different?”
“Why? You loved her, people doubted you could care for her, but you fought for her, you loved her and you love her still, don’t do the same thing to the boy that loves your daughter, love has no age”
Marco sighed as I walked over to him. I knelt in front of him, taking his hand into mine.
“Papa, I do love you, and I do thank you for all you have given me. But you taught me that there will always be 4 corners in my life, my family, my friends, myself, and my love, I found that forth corner Papa, I love him with all my heart, and I know he feels the same, please give me this chance to see him, give me this chance to love him” I cried softly, bowing my head only slightly
“Go Riyan, go to him, I have no right to stop you” he smiled raising my chin “If this boy, loves you like you say, then go Riyan, you have my blessing”

~ THE NEXT DAY ~

The pilot announced through the intercom that we would be landing in around 10 minutes. I sighed my pleasure, finally Brian and I would be together.

~ AN HOUR LATER ~

Brian pulled himself from the comfort of the chair and he went to answer the door. His eyes were tired, he’d hardly slept since she’d left, it had been only 3 days since the black limozine stole her away that night, but it seemed more like a lifetime. He opened the door and smiled softly at the person on his doorstep.
“Kevin told me” Leigh Anne announced as Brian invited her in
“Come to rub it in?” Brian snapped as he closed the door
“I thought you would know me well enough to know I wouldn’t do that” she spoke quietly as the walked into the living room
“You cared about her didn’t you?”
“I STILL care about her”
“I'm so sorry Brian, I'm so very sorry” she spoke sympathetically
“I don’t know what to do, I love her, but I don’t know if I can survive 2 years until we can be together” he cried
She leaned him in, hugging him tightly.
“I'm sorry Brian” was all she could say as she placed a soft kiss onto his lips.

I backed away from the window I’d looked in as my heart shattered into pieces. Three days since we promised forever and he was there in the arms and in the comfort of another women. It was then for the first time I contemplated the thought that Papa was right, I was Brian’s fallback from his marriage, that was all, that was I was.

I ran away, tears streaming down my face, dropping the gold cross in my hands as I ran. I turned the street, into another and another, I had no idea where I was going, I was just running, and as if the heavens could see my tears rain began to fall to the earth as my heart cried out in pain.

Brian pulled away from her kiss.
“I'm sorry Leigh, I love Riyan,” he whispered
She nodded, but sighted her disapproval.
“Don’t wait forever Brian, she’s young, they say things they don’t always mean” she whispered as she walked to the front door

Brian watched her leave, then his eyes was drawn towards the glistening object laying on the path. He ran through the rain towards it, and scooped it in his hands.
“Oh god, Riyan” he screamed, recognizing the golden cross he’d given her days ago.
He fell onto the wet ground, clutching the necklace to his chest, he knew what had happened, and he had let it.



Chapter 26
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