It's time to say goodbye again… :(

But hopefully for the last time. I hope you'll enjoy this chapter anyway.

Have a great weekend and I hope to update on Monday!

XOXO

Chapter 38 "A new adventure… part 19"

Marina squeezed her own hands together and closed her eyes. Why did she keep saying goodbye to Clara? She couldn't handle it anymore, it tore her apart. It seemed so unfair that after their amazing time together, they had to let eachother go once more. Why did all good things come to an end? But she tried to hold on to the feeling that it also meant a new beginning for the two of them.

Clara noticed her tension and wrapped her arm around Marina's waist. Marina instantly rested her head on her shoulder and inhaled deeply. Clara pressed her lips in Marina's hair and glanced at her sad face. Her heart skipped a beat by seeing her like that and she wished she could make her smile again. Her beautiful smile which she wore instantly the past few days. She couldn't recall seeing her that happy before and it had melted her heart.

Marina wanted to say something, anything.. But she was afraid her voice wouldn't help her. So instead she remained silent and stared at the people in the departure hall. She was glad that Clara held her close, because she didn't dare to pick her hand. She wanted to hide her sadness and her sweaty, shaky hands would uncover her.

"We're here…" Clara whispered and stopped walking.

Marina gazed at the check-in desk and felt her muscles tightened. Clara gently grabbed her arm and forced her to look at her.

"It's only for two weeks, my love…" Clara said invigorated, but her eyes couldn't hide her own pain.

"I know…" Marina whispered, and the sadness in her voice almost broke Clara's heart.

Marina swallowed and tried to hold back the tears which were welling up. She pulled Clara in for a hug, because she didn't know what to say to make the situation any better. Her mind desperately begged her to pull herself together, but her body felt numb. They held eachother for a long time.

Clara pulled slightly back and tried to search eye contact, but Marina gazed at the floor. Clara lifted her head with her hand and Marina finally looked up with red and swollen eyes. She shrinked by her expression.

"It just feels like a part of me is about to leave.." Marina whispered almost inaudible.

Clara moved closer to Marina and looked into her eyes with an understanding that made Marina's heart stop.

"I know, Marina… But I'm always with you.. Please, remember that.."

Clara looked intensely in her eyes and her body shivered. She raised her hand and softly caressed Clara's pale cheek. She noticed how she was fighting her tears aswell. She tried to swallow away the lump in her throat and forced her lips to curl up.

"I love you… So much…"

Clara closed her eyes for a moment and inhaled deeply. Her lips formed a soft smile.

"I love you too, Marina.." she whispered and cupped her face between her hands.

"We'll be together soon, my love.." Clara continued, before she pulled Marina in for a kiss.

The kiss started out slow, but soon grew in passion. They wrapped their arms around eachother, desperately trying to hold on to the feeling. Clara moaned softly and pressed her body close. Marina deepened the kiss once more, before she breathlessly parted their lips. Her gaze intense and full of love.

"I'll miss you…" Marina whispered.

Clara pressed her lips on Marina's again while she trailed her fingers down her jaw.

"I'll miss you too…"

They stared into eachothers eyes, silently comforting eachother, before Clara turned around and walked away. She tried not to take a deep breath from the emotions that hit her. But she couldn't help it and a shot of pain went straight through her heart.

When Marina entered her apartment she felt how exhausted she was. The emotions drained all the energy out of her body and she leaned on the table. Her eyes instantly noticed a red envelop with her name on it. It was carefully placed against the vase with the white rose in it she got from Clara. Her heart started pounding when she opened it. She lifted her eyebrow when she found more envelops in it. They were all numbered and she stared at them curiously, before she opened the letter.

My love,

By the time you're reading this, I'm on my way back to Rio. Although it breaks my heart, the prospect that we'll meet again in two weeks makes it slightly better. I can't even begin to describe how much the past days meant to me. How much they've helped me with my personal development, and how they erased my last fears.

I need you to know how much I love you, Marina. You're the most wonderful, illuminating, supportive and passionate person I've ever met. And I never been more sure about something in my life, than I'm about you.. I can't wait to spent our futures together.

You've opened up to me the past weeks and I want you to know all about me aswell. You've told me you wanted to see the world through my eyes, and so you will. I've written 13 letters, but promise me you open them one by one. You can read one every night until you return..

The letters will explain how I fell in love with you, and how you've made me feel. I loved you since the first time we've met. But there were so many times I fell in love with you all over again. You'll see… I need you to know how these moments changed my life in the best possible way.

I love you, always, and I miss you..

Clara

Marina exhaled loudly while the tears streamed down her face. Clara's words went straight into her heart and her head started to spin. She sat down and held the letter against her chest. Her body washed over with love and admiration. She couldn't believe that Clara took the time to write her all of these letters and she was dying to explore the world through her eyes. She opened the first envelop and breathlessly started to read.

My love,

As I mentioned before, I fell in love with you the first time I lay my eyes on you. Although I had no idea what my feelings meant at that time, they took me completely off guard. I'll try to explain how I experienced that evening (one of the best in my life).

I will never forget that moment.. Cadu and I went to your exhibition and I admired your work. As I glanced around, I noticed you in the corner of my eyes. It seemed like I was drawn towards your gaze. The intensity in your eyes completely overwhelmed me and I couldn't look away. I remember that I thought you could see right through me, straight into my soul. I couldn't help but to smile and got enchanted by your eyes, your beauty and my God… That dress…

My body froze and I couldn't breathe. My hands started to tremble and every inch of my body tingled. I didn't know what had gotten over me! I couldn't avert my gaze, not even if I tried. But honestly, I didn't want to look away. I wanted to look at you all night..

You should have felt how my heart raced against my chest when you walked towards me.. I breathlessly stared at you, while your eyes never lost mine. Everything around us faded away and I had no idea why. I'd never experienced such sensations inside my body before!

And then you started to talk, but I lost all ability to express myself. Even your voice intoxicated me.. I never felt more silly, so out of balance. Your charm and beauty effected me in ways I never knew existed. I got completely intimidated by you.

I couldn't believe that you found me beautiful, but your eyes told me how much you meant it. And I got even more overwhelmed. I started to babble, unable to express myself. I didn't even knew why I was that nervous around you! I was so confused and excited at the same time. It drove me crazy!

I had no clue that this night would change the rest of my life. Ever since that day I longed for your presence, I needed to be around you. And it scared me more then you will ever know. Why did you affect me so much? What happened to my body when I was around you? Why did it felt like I was drawn towards you, like a magnet?