Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Start Off
They strolled towards the water, the sound of their shoes sinking into the sand on the path that lead to the water. The air hinted at the sea; some hairpins on Phoebe’s scalp felt the wind, and the end of Oliver’s jacket. The world was big, but close open with opportunities.He had seen it in her eyes and in her face, and now Phoebe slowly tilted her head to look at the water, her breath hitching. The waves were golden in the setting sun, and the sea seemed to go on forever in the direction of the disappearing line where the sea met the sky. Sometimes, it seemed as if the whole universe conspired to bring these two together at this time.“It’s beautiful,” she said so softly that I could hardly hear her over the sound of the wind.Oliver moved to her side and looked at the same feature of the ocean horizon as she did. “It is. But I think it’s the sort of beauty that improves with time.”Phoebe looked at him sideways, seeing the amusement in his eyes. “Is that your way of saying I shoul
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD The Encounter
The sound of the gravel under the shoe soles grew louder as they neared the cottage, and it was stillness of the night. A dim light shone from the porch, the light from which extended to the front step. Phoebe stopped right before they got to the door, staring at the tiny cottage with the shutters and the flower pots that were empty for someone to paint. She looked at Oliver and said in a low tone.Can you imagine that this place hides something? Stories hidden in the walls?”Oliver looked at her for a moment before responding to her question. “Maybe. Every house does, doesn’t it? The type of narratives that can be touched even if they cannot be heard. The sound of footsteps, the coldness of the air in the hallway, the lighting in the house which is perfect in some areas. They all hold something.”Phoebe smiled a little, her fingers tracing over the top of the wooden banister in front of her. “I like that thought. Perhaps we will write something of our own into it. Those which make it
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Brewing Storm
Christian only smiled and the look in his eyes became more intense. “That they do. But I did not think that you would be the type of person to stay in a place like this. A quiet seaside town? I was going to say something quite different, but it seems a bit… restrained for someone like you.” To this, Oliver did not rise to the provocation and kept his features smooth. “People evolve, Christian. In some cases, it is about choosing a location that would be best. “A place to stay,” Christian echoed with a half smile and a shake of his head. “Is that what you’re calling it now? Running away and then claiming it was ‘finding a place’? Oliver’s eyes darkened. I am not a man running away from something. Not anymore.” Christian’s eyes widened slightly and his smirk grew wider. “Not anymore, huh? That’s a bold one coming from a man who has mastered the art of walking out in the middle of a project. Even in the absence of any words being spoken there was a great deal left unsaid. The feelin
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Beneath the Pleas
Christian’s eyes lifted to hers and for a second the hardness that had been there before was gone, and Phoebe saw it. He was not here just to provoke. At least, not entirely. There was something else, an undercurrent of unease in the way he stood, the way his hand hovered near the edge of the table as if needing something to ground him.“I know,” Christian agreed, speaking quietly. And I don’t expect you to forget.” However, there are some things that were never said. Objects and burdens I have been bearing, and in fact, I do not wish to bear them any longer.Phoebe’s arms were folded while she was standing, but she was not so defiant anymore. She looked deep into him, attempting to search for the chinks in his armor. Christian had always been quite good at using his words and wits to control situations for his benefit. This time however he looked… exhausted.“What made you think that I wanted to hear anything coming from you?” Phoebe said this, somewhat warily, but without the anger
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Another Game
One part of him wanted to kick Christian out, shut the door and never see him again. But there was another part, a lesser, more contemplative part of him that was interesting. What if Christian really had transformed? What if this wasn’t just another one of his games?“Alright,” Phoebe said in the end, the word coming out sounding more like a bitter grumble. “You want to talk? Talk. ‘I’m not making any guarantees here,’ I tell him.Christian nodded and his shoulders dropped down as well. He looked around the room, and then looked at the couch. “Do you mind if we sit?”Phoebe frowned, then reluctantly gestured at the couch with a nod. He stayed on his feet, leaning with his arms folded against the wall, a defensive air about him.Christian leaned back on the couch, placing his elbows on his knees and his hands on top of each other. He looked at the floor for a moment with a blank face, then he said something.“I know I hurt you. And not just once—repeatedly. You wanted to help me and I
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Get rewarded
“Sorry isn’t enough,” said Phoebe, tears rolling down her cheeks. “They think they can just come out and apologize and that’s the end of it.”“I’m not expecting that,” Christian said quickly. I know that I can never reverse the wrong I have done. But I had to tell you. I had to stop bringing this with me without doing something about it.”Phoebe exhaled hard and then rested her weight against the windowsill. “Well, did you even know what you left behind?” “How much I had to tidy up after you?”“I’ve thought about it,” Christian said, softly. “But I know that thinking about it isn’t the same as living it. I still can’t fathom how difficult it must have been for you.”Phoebe looked at her and shook her head, fuming again. “And you didn’t just hurt me, Christian.” You made me doubt, everything, including us, including myself. I used so much time thinking why am I not enough. Why I couldn’t repair whatever was ailing you.”Christian cringed as if the words that came out of her mouth had h
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD All about Phoebe
Phoebe went back to the fire, her hands folding over her chest. For what seemed like a long time she did not respond. The fire crackled in the background, and its heat was the only thing that made the atmosphere between them warm.“What do you want from me, Christian?” she asked after a long time her voice was so low that it was barely audible.“Nothing,” he said quickly. “I don’t want anything from you. I just… I had to share it with you because it is the truth. To say sorry and let you understand that I noticed your suffering. That I see you.”Phoebe only managed to stifle a sarcastic laugh. “You see me now? That’s rich. Where was this clarity two years ago?”Christian moved a little closer and spoke slowly and calmly as if he was pleading with her. I was blind back then Phoebe.” As if the rest of the world does not exist, or, at least, I don’t exist to the rest of the world. But now… now I see everything I should have seen before. I understand how powerful you are, how much you inv
SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Lingering pain
“Phoebe,” he started cautiously, “I’m not here to put more load on you regarding this.” I know you didn’t want any of this and I’m not going to say that I’m so great for coming here now. But I’ve been attempting to take responsibility for my actions. And part of that means realizing how much I caused you pain.”Phoebe’s lips formed, her arms drawn tightly around her in the manner of a shield. “It does not heal the wound, Christian.” Oh do you think that knowing you regret it will give me back the time I lost? The trust I lost? The parts of me that had to be reconstructed?”“No,” replied Christian, who now looked ashamed. “I don’t. And I’m not asking you to forget what I did or even forgive me. I just had to tell you that… I can see it now. I can now understand how self-centered I was and how unable to notice your suffering.She tilted her head to the side, her mouth tightening as she looked out the window and saw the rain running down the glass. “Blind, huh?” she said with much bitter
Latest Chapter
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD "What Regret"
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Need You
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Believe inYou
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD “I’m confused”
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Either you believe or not
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Lingering pain
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD All about Phoebe
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Get rewarded
- SETH RIVERA AND THE ULTIMATE BLACK CARD Another Game