Chapter 43

Elizabeth has been zoning out al throughout a twelve hour flight. She's unresponsive and kept picking at her nails that I have to literally hold her hand just to stop her and it was torture seeing her like that. She's somewhere else not here with me and it was actually scaring me. Maybe she and I need to talk to Joan.

We've finally land in Italy and its already 8 in the evening.  A twelve hour flight is pretty exhausting and I don't like it, I really hate flying at all. Our security is more tighter this time than before. Maybe because of what happened earlier so basically everything went smoothly. As soon as we got in the car, Elizabeth takes out her phone and dial a number and I assume its Joan's. She looks at me and returns her hand in mine which is a good sign for me letting me know she's not dissociating completely.

I let her take the call drowning out her voice in my head and focus my attention to the sceneries and the classic Renaissance architecture here in Italy and to be honest I'm dying to get my camera and take shots of these because these buildings are so damn beautiful. The domes, sculptures imprinted on walls, pillars and columns standing still, the lights giving them a museum display look on them, its like I'm living in ancient times and I fucking love it. In desperation to take a picture I struggle to get my phone in my body bag with one hand since the other is with Elizabeth's and I wouldn't risk taking it from her. I started snapping photos as we pass by architectural structures, people walking in the streets until it changes to a widespread of trees with the dark blue  color of the Mediterranean Sea peaking through their gaps and the moonlight giving them a nice shimmer. My jaw drop at the sight and somehow forgetting that my girlfriend is currently in a call, I turn to her.

"Baby! Look at the sea!" I say a little too loud tugging her hand like a little girl gesturing her to look at the view. She smiles and nods before going back to her call. Right, she's busy. But damn that's so beautiful, I swear before this day ends, I will walk down by the beach and just enjoy the serene ambiance of it. It feels so relaxing just by looking at it. I continue to snap pictures like a tourist on a tour bus. I really wish I could have my camera with meright now.

"Sweetheart, can we go to the beach later please?" I asked before turning to her. I don't think she heard me though because she's still in a deep conversation with Joan which is starting to bum me out so I just turn my head and stare out the window again. I need her fucking attention. But damn, she needs that call. I know it. Ugh, is it possible to just stop my flashbacks while we're on vacation? Fucking paparazzi triggered this thing again when all I wanted was to support my girlfriend for her achievement and also to hit the reset button after everything that had happened these past few weeks.

A few moments later we enter an expensive luxurious resort and hell this is on another fucking level of treatment. God, this place costs a fucking fortune and we're staying here? We pulled up by the front and a valet opened the door for us. I smiled and thank him before turning around to help my lady out of the car who successfully got off the phone as well.

"Thanks honey." The first thing she said to me since we got into our flight going here. She breathes before looking around, a small smile playing on her lips. A van suddenly pulls over behind us and I believe that's her team along with the rest of the security. "This place is beautiful." her smile grew and I guess that talk with Joan really made her feel a little bit better. Before I could even say anything, a good looking man in a neat looking uniform walked towards us with a full bright smile on his face.

"Buon pomeriggio e benvenuto! Good afternoon and welcome to Forte Village Resort." He greets enthusiastically and I smile just staring at him as Elizabeth moves closer to me a grin plastered on her face and she's looking at him too. "We have our staff to assist you with your things, so please follow me so we could check you in to your room already." He gestured us to follow him but before that, I need to entrust Jake with my camera bag. So I called out to him making him look up to me.

'Camera bag.' I mouth and he smiles giving me a thumbs up. I gave him a smile and a nod before following this Italian guy.

"This is quite fancy" I mutter earning a little giggle from Elizabeth catching my attention making my head turn to her, a smile playing on my lips before placing a kiss on her temple. The Italian guy, Angelo, kept rambling about the resort's services and facilities and also tell us about the event and the schedule for press that my girlfriend has to attend to tomorrow before the main event while Marla takes note on these things and hearing that is quite tiring to be honest. I know she's used to this things but that's too much for me in one day, from early in the morning up until late at night.

"If you wish, I'll show you to your rooms." He says and I nod. Elizabeth takes my hand this time lacing our fingers together taking the lead and following Angelo through the hallways while I look around the resort. Its giving an obvious tropical vibe even at night with all the lights and colorful plants surrounding the area. I love it really, feeling a bit excited on everything. I really need to go to the beach. Its calling me.

"So this is your suite, It offers a bedroom, a spacious living room two bathrooms and two magnificent terraces over looking the sea." I let go of Elizabeth's hand as I walk around the room. This is the best hotel room I've seen so far like my favorite thing about it is the terraces because it really has a great and breathtaking view of the sea and damn I want to get my feet on the sand later on. I'm actually tired from the flight and I'm sire Elizabeth is drained out but I really want to go later on. "I'll leave you to rest and enjoy your stay here in Forte Village." I hear Angelo say so I turned and smiled saying our goodbyes before he completely closes the door leaving the two of us alone in our room.

"You alright?" She sighs and sauntered towards me before falling into my arms.

"I'm tired." She whispers against my neck as she releases a heavy sigh.

"I know sweetheart, why don't you get some rest. You'll have a long damn schedule tomorrow."

"Yea" She whispers letting out a soft chuckle as she snuggles further into me and it feels like heaven. "I'm used to that. Anyway, when we come back, you're going to Joan." She says reminding me about that particular event that happened earlier giving me a slap back to reality. I sighed and nod as she pulls away, her arms making their way around my neck. She looked at me right into my eyes giving me a chance to look at hers and right then I can see total fear in them.

"Elizabeth-"

"Please don't believe them. Don't you ever believe them." She says with urgency in her voice and even though I don't actually understand what's happening right now and what happened earlier, why did I heard those things or are they even real. I found myself nodding to her, like an auto response to everything she says just to make her feel better because I really hate it when she's in that state of floating. She's right here but she's not right here in some kind of way and that scares the shit out of me.

"If you hear them tell me okay. Promise you'll tell me everything, even your flashbacks?"

"Yes." I nod my head lost in a trance of her jade eyes just to be woken up by the softness of her lips in mine bringing me back into the ground. I kept my forehead on hers and my eyes close as we pull apart. Her heart is beating out of her chest, I can hear it, I can feel it, I feel her, she's terrified.

"I'm alright sweetheart, I really am." I whispered putting my heart on my sleeve. I need to reassure her in some way. "I'm not- I'm not going back. I'm not her anymore."

"I know, but I can't help it. I cant— I can't lose you anymore Shan. I just- I won't cope." She stammers pulling back slightly to look at me at the same time I open my eyes and all I see is her eyes, storm clouds hovering her green tinted orbs, and lips starts to tremble.

"I can't lose you either sweetheart. Forget everything that had happened, about us breaking up before, about my depression, forget about the accident, that I don't remember anything—"

"Shan—"

"Hey, come on sweetheart. We're in another country, in a luxurious resort. We're practically on a vacation. Can we just forget about it. What matters is now, what we have right now." She sighs and tries to cut off our gaze but I touched her cheek to keep it on mine. I need to say this to her.

"I love you Elizabeth, so much and it hurts me when you're not here, with me." Her brows furrows clearly confused on what I just said but kept her eyes on mine searching for them while I'm figuring out if she's here and now as I stare deep in those eyes I ask "Where are you my love?"

I feel my heart beating out of my chest as the words roll out my mouth. I don't know why, every time I ask that question my heart does that. Her eyes slowly filled with tears and soon they drop one by one and it sends a heavy cement in my chest weighing me down as I wipe them away before taking her hand and place it in my chest.

"Close your eyes" I whisper and I watch as she slowly does this before closing mine. "Feel that?" I asked and she hums in response curling her fingers against my chest as if she wants to hold on to it.

"My heart does that every time I'm with you. Ever since I first saw you in your apartment. I never understood why. But now its clear to me now. The electric shocks, the tingles on my spine, the fluttering in my stomach. Its you, its you all along my love. I had a second chance and still everything leads me back to you, to us. That means something, I know it. Its you and me. Forever this time." I put my heart in every word and it just gets louder and louder hoping it would send the message to Elizabeth and in a matter of seconds, I felt her hand move up to the side of my face and soft lips graze against mine so I take them in softly and now we're kissing in the middle of the room with our hearts beating as one and in that moment, I feel her. She's here.———————I woke up five in the morning and waking up hearing the sea calling me is just the most relaxing thing ever. I haven't be able to go last night because my girlfriend needed me more than I needed the sea so I decide to just go right now while Elizabeth is still asleep. She might wake up in an hour and I might be probably be back by then but just in case I wrote a note for her that says.

Good morning my love,

Just gone for a walk at the beach be back soon maybe a couple of minutes. I love you, Text me.

-Shanbee

I left it at the bedside table so she could see it immediately. After a morning shower, I put on a cropped tan tank top and some Levi's and my worn out Converse. I don't know why I still have these. Well, I can just buy new ones but I can't seem to just throw them out. I grabbed my camera and head out of our room after giving my lovely girlfriend a kiss on the head.

As soon as I step out of the hotel, the sound of birds chirping comes ringing in my ears and it makes a smile form on my face, reminds me of our spot and that's better than this actually. I start to make my way to the beach walking on a trail that leads to it. People starts showing up as I walk pass some of the restaurants and I'm surprised at how many people wake up in this time of day, all dressed up and having coffee at the al fresco of the restaurants. Well I can't really blame them, the view is worth waking up early for.

As the beach comes to view, my smile grew at the sight. Oh God, the sound of the waves crashing to the shore and the sea breeze is just way too good for me to believe that I'm actually here. I breathe in as I sat on the sun lounger under a huge umbrella and allow my body to just let go and relax just taking in the scenery. I wish I have my girlfriend here with me but last night really drained her out and I really don't have the heart to wake her up from her peaceful state. Maybe after this day, I'd take her here.

I take out my camera and start snapping pictures.

The people are coming in as I start to walk near the shore and start to look for shells to bring to my girlfriend. I sure hope she likes it. I had some time taking photos of people and soon too many people are coming in so I look at the time and saw that I've been here for almost an hour so I decide to go back to our hotel room, maybe Elizabeth might be awake already. So I head back to the trail at the same time my phone rang in my pocket and I smiled at the sight of my girlfriend's name flashing on the screen. She's awake.

"Good morning sweetheart." I say

'Good morning honey, can you come back now please?' Yep still half asleep, I let out a soft chuckle imagining what she might look like right now.

"I'm actually on my way back, you beat me to it. I guess, you hungry?"

'Yea'

"Right, you should get up and get ready so we can head down to Cavelieri for breakfast baby before your 9 o'clock press conference later on." She giggles and I got confused on what she's on about. What did I say? "What?"

' For a second, I thought I was talking to Marla.' She giggles again and I joined her chuckling.

"Well you'll have an earful if you don't get up now, that woman is something."

' Okay, I'll get up now and I'd be expecting you to be here by the time I'm finished getting ready.'

"On it baby." She chuckles. "I'll see you then."

'Yea, I love you. Bye!'

"I love you too" And with that she hangs up leaving me smiling to myself as I chucked my phone back to my pocket and continue my walk up to the trail to leading back to our hotel. I'm really relieved that she sounds so much better right now. Communication works all the fucking time and that is a proven fact.

As I walked into the hotel, I looked at the pictures I've taken awhile ago and I got too lost in it that I didn't even noticed that I entered the lift already.

"Where to?"

"4th please" I look up and my heart dropped with so much embarrassment. It Heather fucking Graham standing beside me who just pushed the elevator button for me. I turn my attention completely on my camera trying to ignore the fact that she's in arms length beside me. I feel my cheeks burning as I subconsciously press the next button continuously feeling a little bit hot.

"Those are great shots" I jumped as I hear her say and I might've surprised her a little when I looked at her. "Sorry, I just caught a glimpse." She smiles. What the actual fuck? why is she talking to me.

"Uh yea, I'm sorry, Ms. Graham. I mean- for earlier. I really didn't noticed you-"

"Wait, oh that. That's nothing" She giggles. "Anyway, you look harmless, we don't need to be formal." She smiles and held out a hand. "Heather."

I blinked at her and stared at her hand reminding myself not to be so rude I force myself to take it and say "I'm Shannon"

"Shannon? that's a cool name quite familiar to be honest." I smiled touching the hairs on the back of my neck still embarrassed on what just happened earlier. "Are you a photographer or some kind, those shots were great."

"Uh yea, I am."

Ding!

The elevator door opens and thank God for saving me with the growing awkwardness that I'm creating. "Uh this is my floor. Its really nice to meet you, I'll see you around." I smiled and she smiles in return nodding her head and waved at me as I walked out of the elevator. I practically ran to our hotel room as soon as I saw the elevator door close. God that was awkward.

"Jesus! Shan, what the fuck." Elizabeth jumps as I slammed the door shut breathing heavily, Damn I just met Heather Graham, I've watched most of her movies before  just because she's kissing girls in them and its that era that I'm still 'figuring out' or 'in hiding' of who I  really am.

"What's wrong?" She asks as soon as I turn around. I shake my head walking towards her and give her a kiss, her arms making their way around my neck.

"Nothing, I just- I kinda met Heather Graham on the way here and I swore I didn't noticed her when I walked in the elevator because I was looking at the pictures I've took at the beach. She pushed the button of our floor after I said it to her and that's just embarrassing." Elizabeth laughs dropping her head on my chest as her hand touched my cheeks. Well I was expecting that and so I joined in but whined at her making fun of my moment.

"You really do tend to embarrass yourself when meeting new people baby." She giggles and that's when I remember what Scar told me on how we first met or talked to each other well that's worse than this though.

"Alright, for the record, I'm not drunk at the moment." She snorts in laughter again giving me a kiss on the cheek before pulling away.

"You look hot though." She winks before going towards the dresser taking her phone. I followed her dropping my camera bag on the couch and put my arms around her from behind.

"The team is going to be here any minute and that includes Marla so behave yourself." Right, I forgot that woman hates me.

"Alright then, maybe I should change as well, while you get ready so we can immediately have some food down the restaurant. I'm starving."

"Why what's wrong with what you're wearing?" She turns around in my arms slightly pushing me away to look at me from head to toe before letting out a sigh. So I looked down and saw her looking at my shoes.

"Honey, that's it. I'm buying you new ones. If the twins see you wearing that they'll throw that one in a blink of an eye."

"Wha- they still look good. So just leave them alone sweetheart and they are not that bad." I rolled my eyes at her earning a gasp and a soft slap on the arm.

"How many did you packed?" She asks crossing her arms against her chest.

"This one and the green high top one." She looks at me thoughtfully before realizing that they're the same state as this one.

"So that's all that you have?" She sighs in disappointment and I stand here like a little menace being scolded for wearing worn out shoes.

"Yup and a pair of flip flops." I waggle my brows teasing her making her roll her eyes at me.

"Right, we're buying shoes later on." I sighed and shake my head. "You don't have time. We have a busy day today."

"We?" She raised her brows and I quirked an eyebrow to her confused on what did she think I was suppose to do.

"Yea, I'm taking pictures. That's why I came here right? To be your photographer, personal assistant and your number one fan right?" Her lips slowly grows into a smile before launching herself to me almost knocking me over.

"Woah, slow down baby." I chuckled and she giggles. Oh how I miss her laughter really. I kinda missed that yesterday.

"You're amazing you know that right?" I melt in her arms. I smiled and give her a kiss.

"You keep telling me."

"Well, you are and I love you."

"I love you more baby." I give her another kiss pulling her closer in my arms just to be sprang apart by the knock on the door.

"They're here. Don't change anymore you look good honey." She says pulling away from me and was about to go to the door when I pull her towards me catching her lips one more time. I just couldn't resist.

"Stay here, I'll open the door." I say and she smiles nodding her head with the sweetest 'Thank you honey.' I've ever heard my entire life making my heart melt. I gave her a smile before walking towards the door and open it revealing Marla and the team walking in immediately making me jump to the side for me not to get knocked off. Damn ladies, its too early for this. I shrug it off closing the door behind them, they better hurry up I'm starving already.