Blood sample – Finale

Click here for Part One

For Part Two, Click Here.

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I decided to go the reunion. I’ve been dead scared for the past ten years of my life, admitting someone else’s mistake and being sorry for someone else’s wrongdoings. Kat’s right. It’s time I move on completely.

I called Tara up and asked her if Carl was going to the reunion. She said he responded with the RSVP right after he got the invitation.

I went to the salon after lunch and asked them to get my hair done. The stylist was kind enough to put some cream on my eyes to reduce the fluffiness. I was extremely proud of the results that I gave the stylist a bonus for the job well done.

My hair was set in loose curls that hung past my shoulders. It accentuated my shoulders, perfect for the strapless red cocktail dress I’m wearing for the reunion. I hailed a cab home.

The time for the reunion came by very fast. In a blink of an eye, I was already in front of the Hotel. I saw Tara first, then Massie, Kris, and Faye, all stunning as usual. They all greeted me with a hug and a loudful of gossips and what went on for the past ten years of their lives.

I pretended to be caught up in the conversation, but my head keeps searching for someone named Carl Vincent.

“Have you seen Carl?” I asked, the girls looked at me as if I just popped a million-dollar question.

“I think I have – I saw him at the cocktail bar before I went here.” Faye said.

I excused myself from the girls and made my way to the cocktail bar. No sign of Carl. I let out a huge sigh – I don’t know if it’s for relief  or disappointment.

Then someone tapped me in the shoulder.

I turned to find out who it is. In front of me stood Carl Vincent Montenegro. No longer the Carlo Vincent Santos I knew way back in Highschool. In front of me stood a man, a very confident man, way much different from the quiet Carlo I’ve known ten years ago.

The moment was too much for me to handle. I don’t know what to say at all.

“Ruby…” He begun.

I looked at him in the eyes. I studied every detail of his face. It flushed me with so much painful memories of our past.

“About Felisse…” he said.

I felt like I was showered with ice cold water. This is the time. I said to myself. Ten years of hiding and desperate moving on comes to this.

“Listen Carl – I know I should’ve told you about it, I’m sorry. I didn’t know how to get in touch with you. You and your family left without a word. After Liss died, I wanted to talk to you.. I wanted to tell you that you were not the father of the child, I felt I needed to tell you….” I said, tears forming in my own eyes.

“I knew. Ruby, I knew. Liss told me the day before she got into the accident. I knew. She told me you knew. And she apologized to me. I forgave her.” he said. “She tricked me, I was so sad when I discovered you were going out with John. Liss said to come over at her house so she would tell me what to do to get close to you. I did. I wanted to do everything to get close to you. That’s how it happened.”

“What do you mean Carlo?” I asked, compeletely in shock of what he just said.

“I loved you. I wanted you. But you were too blind to notice me. I got here last month, I spent all the days looking for you… It’s been ten years, I knew you wouldn’t recognize me. But I did, the moment you stepped inside room 213, I recognized you. But you didn’t see me, just like before..”

He took something out of his back pocket. It was a crumpled piece of paper, a sketch. It was me during the senior prom. He handed the piece of paper to me.

“It’s beautiful. Carl… Oh my God. You’ve kept this for ten years?” I asked.

“I was supposed to give you this before. But I never had the chance. John has his hands all over you the whole time,” He said.

Tears were falling from my eyes like free-flowing rivers. I didn’t know what to say. I was completely shocked by all that’s happening and I wanted to pinch myself to confirm if this is really happening.

“I don’t know what to say Carl.” I said, looking directly in his deep brown eyes.

“You don’t have to say anything. But perhaps if you will dance with me, that would be great.” He said.

I gave him my hand and he led me to the dance floor. I placed my hand on his shoulder and he placed his hand on my waist as we slowly swayed to the music. I caught Tara giving me a thumbs up as she turned to whisper something in Kris’ ears. I figured she was doing her part of the night, gossiping.

“I can’t believe how handsome you got, Carl.” I joked, messing up his hair. He laughed.

“You don’t know how long I’ve waited for this.” He said, as he bent down as his lips touched mine and in that moment, I knew that I have moved on – completely.

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