The characters from the game belong to Capcom. The OC's and story background belong to me.
Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
A/N: I'm not English native speaker, so you might find some typos or grammar mistakes, I do apologize for that.
"He said he loves me... I still can't believe it! Can you pinch me to be sure I'm not actually dreaming?" Kate said still overwhelmed after a week since Chris' love declaration
"I knew this would happen" Lucy spoke with a shrug, "But I'm really happy to see you so content with the man of your dreams"
"He is the man of my dreams… I just couldn't recognize him right away…"
"Things happen the way they have to"
"Maybe that's true…"
"I just hope you reconsider telling him the truth about that subject"
Kate rolled her eyes and sighed, "There you come again…"
"Kate…we are friends forever and you know I want the best for you. I know the reasons why you did that, but for the little I know about Chris, he's an honest man with the best intentions, but he doesn't like being fooled. No one does… Do you think is right starting a happy and healthy relationship over a lie?"
"A lie told often enough becomes the truth…"
"You know this is not true… As a friend I tell you things that you may not like but it's for your own good, but you decide if you take it or not… so I really do think you should reconsider the decision and be honest with everybody involved."
Kate remained in silence
"If you like Katarina so much don't repeat the same mistakes…" Lucy spoke with an unconscious impulse that even her couldn't believe those words came out from her mouth
Kate made a face, "Wow, using Katarina against me is a real low punch!"
"I'm sorry… it just slipped…"
Kate crossed her arms and rested her back on the chair, looking away. That was a hard one to listen.
In the previous life, Lucy had been the most loyal lady-in-waiting of Katarina. She was the brunette's favorite and her only confident. Lucy knew Katarina better than anyone. Her secrets. Her pains. Her good heart buried deep into the superfluous mask she carried.
Having Katarina's full trust, she often helped her in her plans and to obtain all information Katarina needed. She was her only accomplice. She was the only true friend Katarina ever had.
Now in this new existence, after her spirit regretted some bad advices and bad decisions that damaged so many people, including Katarina herself, Lucy's restless spirit asked to return at Kate's side to guide her better and debugging the masseuses caused by the past.
Lucy was born in a very rich family, while Kate was born in the opposite extremity, but that was not a problem for fate.
Destiny united their paths when they were still young children when Kate's mother was hired to work in their house as their maid.
Such a turnaround in their history. In the past, Lucy served the O'Gregon family until Katarina bestowed her as her own.
"You're right Lucy. I hate to admit that but you're right… I can't keep running away from my past, my own past! If I don't that, someone else will snitch it and spread it in the wrong way and make me the only cruel person…like it happened to Katarina…"
"If you want, I can go with you…"
"Thank you but no… this is something I have to do alone… I started it myself, right? So I'll face it own my own… Just wish me luck"
"You'll always have my support, sis…"
"I appreciate… my only fear is Chris not understanding me and make it a big fuss if he lets the Christopher Reed inside him take over him…"
"He won't."
"You can't be sure"
"If everything you say is true…Christian is there as well. He will listen to you… to Kat…Redfield might get reflective…"
"I don't want lose him…"
"You won't! He loves you"
"He hates Kat…"
"You're not Kat! He's not Reed!"
"He's not Christian either"
"But he's a considering man. He's more mature. He has been a lot of things to let such a thing to disrupt all the achievements you've conquered as a couple"
The girls remained talking, enjoying their brunch time. Lucy told her about the new project and invited Kate to be her partner.
Kate's fortune was starting to shine.
While Kate had her time with Lucy, Chris was at a café shop with Eliza.
"I'm curious to know why you invited me to this café when we could be talking in your apartment. Kate's not even there"
"I know, but I couldn't take the risk she could show up and we be caught red handed"
She giggled, "I'm starting to get nervous about it…What's the secret plan?"
"I need your help"
"In what?"
"Women's thing…"
"Can you be more specific?"
"It's Kate's birthday on November 1st, but we will celebrate it on October 29th and that give us 10 days to set the details on the surprise I have for her"
"Okay…What do you need me for?"
"I need you to help with one thing and to investigate her"
She gasped, "Investigate her?"
"Yeah, but it's a good investigation. I need you to discover the favorite location she will choose for a special trip on December…if I make those questions she will get suspicious of my intention and I need to book it with anticipation so I can't wait much longer to close the deal"
"Okay, just tell me the options and I'll do the girl talk"
"Thanks, I appreciate it"
"And what is the other thing you need me for?"
"We are going shopping"
"What?"
"Actually I need your help with two things at the shopping"
"Can you give me a hint?"
"Just follow me and ask me later"
Eliza was beyond curious. Her proximity with Kate grew stronger and closer by day. In her free time she used to go out with Kate to go shopping or just spend some time with her. Kate helped her to increase her self confidence while she helped Kate's plans to please Chris.
There were times Kate tried to get her a boyfriend, but Eliza wasn't really looking for that at the moment, but she appreciated Kate being her matchmaker.
Now it was surprising to see Chris going out for shopping. He wasn't the most vain man. He even shaved his own hair which was evident on the messy frontal side.
She could see his was nervous. He was even smoking. She knew he was an occasional smoker. He had stopped smoking for a while, but when he was too tense he used to relapse.
This shopping was a serious thing no doubt.
She could guess he had the intention of buying a new dress for Kate as he had asked her to carry in her purse the dress she had taken from Kate's closet and another personal object without letting her notice it.
"You took the specific one I told you, right?" he asked as they walked over a clothing yes
"Yes. The purple with paillette one"
As they entered, an attendant came over them. Chris took the old dress to be the example size and shape for the new dress he intended to buy for Kate.
"What's the occasion?" the attendant asked
"It's a very special one. It's her birthday and the party will be at a party hall. She doesn't have any idea about the surprise. She thinks I won't spend it with her. She's kind of sad about it because she really gave a good surprise on mine, and hers is the first we will celebrate as a couple"
The attendant made a face with a giggle, "Interesting. I can see you're planning something big. You told me many things but didn't tell exactly what the occasion is"
He laughed, "The special occasion will be on December. The dress is just a clue to mislead the actual plan. So I cannot really say what occasion is because I can't be sure it's going to happen"
"I see. Do you have a special color in mind?"
"Red or black. Her favorite colors"
After the clothing shop, they headed to another shop. On the way, Chris called Kate to be sure she hadn't returned home. Dealing with a tidy and neat girlfriend had its challenge. He didn't want her to miss the dress. He didn't want her to take bad conclusions or to anticipate his plans.
He and Eliza entered the other shop and now Eliza had the confirmation of her guess. She herself was surprised. Knowing Kate, she could be stunned.
"Which one do you think suits her?" he asked staring two gems in the shop window
"It depends on the occasion or if you want to match the necklaces she already has"
"She has an emerald and a ruby necklace, but I don't think I want to match it this time"
"Certainly not"
"So which one? the larger diamond or the medium one?"
"For Kate?" she laughed a bit, "I don't think that matters much, but if you can afford the larger one"
"I know Kate has an expensive style, I'm not blind and I don't try to ignore it."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insult your question or you… I just meant that for what Kate tells me, she doesn't intend to have an expensive lifestyle with you. She doesn't like being banked by you. The size of these gems won't make her love you less or more…she likes your simplicity"
"Liz, it's not about the size of love through the gems. I'm not trying to buy Kate. I know she loves me for who I am, and I love her too. I just want to impress her and make her feel special, loved. Loved by me because I don't say it much. Not my style."
"I'm sorry Chris but you're not trying to impress her, you're trying to give her a heart attack" she said jokingly making him laugh, "You're thinking of such details that I never thought you could do it… I barely recognize you"
"And is this a bad thing?"
"No, not at all. Knowing you all this long makes me feel happy and proud for being so lighter. I know you're still you at work and all, but when Kate is near you, you simply change positively."
"It's the power of love…that's what they say…"
"I'm so fortunate to witness this…now you don't have to ask me to have breakfast anymore…"
He giggled
"You're not so lonely anymore"
"I'm not…and I don't even feel the chest pain anymore"
"That's awesome. That got me worried"
"Yeah, me too…but I still want to retire… it's about time. I want to live things I haven't allowed me to. There's time to work and there's time to rest as well…"
"And are you capable of doing it?"
He gave a shrug, "Old monkeys can learn new things too…I'll learn to know how to live a different way, but only if Kate is at my side… Without her I can't do this"
Eliza smiled warmly.
In the past as Elizabeth, she had witnessed the turmoil relationship Christopher and Katarina had despite their incredible partnership.
Most of the time into their marriage was marked by his regardless behavior and emotional distance but yet unable to walk away from Katarina once and for all.
She witnessed the ups and downs they faced. To the public they were the gold couple. Intimately there was a silent war.
While the screams of their arguments were heard from across the corridors, she used to watch their children alongside other ladies-in-waiting and Clairy to give support to the children.
However she did know there was a true love somewhere deep inside them. Their marriage did finally start to work when Christopher finally let go of Angelique's ghost and started giving the love he dedicated to the ghost that served as their tormentor, to Katarina.
The moments of peace were completely disrupted when Katarina's fury and jealousy took over her and she started an affair with Pierce. That broke her heart immensely which almost made her divorce him despite loving him with all her love.
Things finally found its tragedy when Angelique was proven alive, and consumed by rage she killed the rival and ruined any chance of regaining Christopher's love.
It was heartbreaking seeing Christopher Reed so overshadowed after the loss of the loves of his life. The once dreamy man turned into a grumpy stone. Only few things could take a smile from the once hopeless romantic man.
Elizabeth's heart was pure and full of love. She forgave Pierce and pitied her sister's misery. She watched with suffer the glory and the fall of her beloved sister.
It was heartbreaking seeing the once cheerful and vain girl turned into an obscure figure always in black. Always in grief. Alone with her ghosts and memories behind bars.
Now in this existence they weren't blood sisters anymore, but their bond remained the same from where they were left off. She better than anyone respected the brunette.
She more than anyone prayed they would find their love and live the love story they always wished for – and deserved.
B.S.A.A., Piers' Office
"Mysterious deaths in the surrounds of the old ruins of Arthena in Bohma;
A five men team of American researchers were found dead near the old ruins of Arthena in Bohma. Their deaths remain a mystery but their gear suggest they were conducting some sort of research at the ruins;
Five researchers who worked for the Fleury Chemical Union were found dead in Bohma;
Douglas Fleury, the owner of Fleury Companies spoke about the accident and said the company is giving all the support to the families."
Piers was sitting at his desk staring the computer screen and reading the world's headlines on the internet. The subject took his interest as he recalled the conversation he had with Mr. Lionel and the samples the old man provided him.
Flashback
"For now the location is secured, but my concern is after I die. Jerry will be responsible for my secretive subjects and my patrimony for a temporary time, but after the time expires I fear intruders to find the truth about the black herb and use it to unleash the evil"
"What can I do to prevent this?"
"There's a long content in the flash drive explaining with details everything about the black herb and the samples I gave you serve to further studies but only at the trust of you and Chris. No one else may learn the herb still is cultivated in the caverns of Arthena"
"Cultivated?"
"The secret lies in the depths of the cavern, but only Chris has the right to enter it"
"Why?"
"It only concerns him"
"So why are you telling me this?"
"Because you have the right to secure it"
End of Flashback
Piers let out a sigh, the fears of Mr. Lionel were not unfounded and seemed to be exposed earlier than he thought.
"I can't go inside, but I can look outside… I wonder why…"
The deaths of the researchers only increased his curiosity. He was aware he couldn't take that trip in name of the B.S.A.A., so the only option was to do it on his own. Somehow he felt he had the duty to secure the secret of the black herb with or without Chris.
Bohma
Dear Diary,
This is the first time I ever write a diary, or I'm trying to. But I don't have another option. I don't have anyone else to vent about this pain of mine. I doubt anyone else would understand my current feelings.
It's been a while since I haven't talked to Chris.
It still hurts.
Have you ever felt like crap for taking a decision you thought was right, but your heart feels wrong? Betrayed?
It's how I feel…
It's been a while since I haven't entered my profile…
He said he loves her.
I don't want see anymore…
I try to hide. I try to ignore it. I try to forget the almost kiss we had…
I can still feel the touch of his beard on my skin. The softness of his lips on the corner of mine and the power of his embrace that made my legs weak.
Now those lips kiss someone else's. Those strong arms embrace someone else's body. Those large hands explore someone else's skin.
Not mine…
The kisses should be mine. The hugs and love declarations should be to me.
I never thought it be so hurtful reading a love declaration. Me…the hopeless romantic girl…
I was damned.
My heart believes this should be our story. The period of time our souls were waiting for while frozen in the paradox of time. At lake. When beautiful promises were made. When a happy future was painted on the canvas of our souls.
But no…the promises have been broken.
The plans just plans…
Reasonably I try to stay happy seeing him apparently happy.
Reasonably I try to move on…on my own – again.
I don't know for how long I can continue fooling my heart. Hurting myself. Wishing for a forbidden love.
It's like we are two complete strangers now.
I wonder if he ever learned who we used to be, he would follow "my" advice and choose her instead of me.
This is so unfair. One sided love.
I so regret not fighting for him. For us. Again!
He said he loves her.
I don't want to believe it. he is not in love, just dazzled.
He said he loves her.
No he doesn't. he hates her. At least who she used to be.
He said he loves her.
Does he? Can a rock love so quickly someone in such a short period of time?
He said he loves her.
Since when did love become so banal?
He said he loves her.
Not me.
.
.
"One day we discover that kissing one person to forget another is silly.
One day we discover that falling in love is inevitable...
One day we realize that the best proofs of love are the simplest...
One day we realize that the common doesn't attract us...
One day we will know that being classified as "nice" is not that good...
One day we will realize that the person who never declares to you is the one who thinks the most of you...
One day we will know the importance of the phrase: "You become responsible forever for what you've tamed. You're responsible for your rose"...
One day we realize that we are very important to someone, but we don't give the right value to it...
One day we realize how much a friend is missing, but it is already too late.
We realize that despite living for almost a century, this whole time is not enough for all our dreams to come true, to say everything that has to be said...
The truth is: or we settle for the lack of some things in our life or we fight to fulfill all our follies..."
Thank you Pin for the review! :D
A/N: The last poem I found many years ago on the internet and I translated it from portuguese.
I know the chapter was short, but be prepared because the next one there will have some revelations!
Stay tuned!