Part XXXII

It was early in the morning, the day of Alex's game. The blonde was still sprawled in bed, sleeping soundly. Marissa was standing by the window and was watching the darkened sky. The sun was about to set in a few hours, Marissa couldn't sleep off her worries though. She was awake all night. Alex's arms around her didn't help either.

Marissa stared at her mobile for a few good minutes. She thought of the things she was going to say. She wanted to hide her feelings if ever she was going to utter a word to Caleb. But of course, that was going to be hard.

She heard the phone ring on the other end. She nervously tapped the side of the hotel bed and at times shifted her feet. She was hoping for two things: One to not be able to talk to Caleb and two, to be able to talk to Caleb. Though in pain, she has to do this one way or other. She gave Alex a side glance – The blonde sleeping like an angel. She has to do this: If not for herself, for Alex.

----

It was already late night and the Yap family plus Beth was still by the living talking about the latest on Alex Cohen. Beth gave a smile and a laugh almost forcefully. When it came to the topics on the arrange marriages the Yap sisters were in, the brunette just tried her best not to shout out the pain she was feeling inside. Bianca's parents were proud of them. It gave her more reasons not to profess her feelings and seek out the truth about her ex-lover's feelings.

Bianca would watch her in vain. She was unable to stop her parents from unconsciously hurting her ex-lover. It would have gone smoothly if her parents didn't arrive early. Tiffany, who was sitting in between her and Beth, just kept silent.

But of course fate would not let those two lovers stay in pain.

At one point in the conversation, Bianca's father asked her lover a question that almost tore her heart out.

"Do you have someone special Beth?" Her father queried taking a sip of the green tea her mother had prepared.

From the corner of her eye, she saw her ex-lover letting out a small smile.

"I did. Not anymore."

"I'm going to the kitchen." Tiffany spoke and rose.

She left the two ex-lovers on the couch while their parents stay oblivious with the tension mounting between the two.

"Ahh… Was he unfaithful?" Her mother asked, as if she knew the other person really well.

This was who Bianca and Tiffany's parents were. They meddle with other people's lives, thinking they know best. It blew Bianca's brains out at times, especially by the time she left the only woman she swore she had fallen hard for.

"She wasn't. She just wanted something more," was all that Beth could reply.

She was holding back her feelings – And the tears.

"He doesn't deserve you then." Bianca's mother replied oblivious to the pronoun 'she.'

"Stay the night. It's pretty late." Bianca's father yawned and stood up.

"No thanks. I have hotel reservations. I do not wish to be a bother."

"Oh hush dear. I'm sure Bian would be happy to share a bed with you."

Beth turned and gave Bianca a glance. The woman was pleading through her eyes – Begging her to stay. Maybe this was the opportunity to talk everything over, a chance for a closure. With a slight nod the taller brunette agreed.

----

Hello?

Marissa heard the voice say. The husky yet soft voice of her father could not be mistaken for another. She breathed out and greeted.

"Hi dad… I hope this isn't a bad time…" Marissa replied.

She found her slippers a little too interesting as she waited for her father's reply.

I'm glad you called. How's Alex? I watched her game, she's getting better.

"Yeah… Hopefully it gets better here in Houston. They need to gain momentum before meeting up with the New York team. They're pretty good…"

I'm sure Alex's coach will think of something. Marissa…"

Hearing her father say her name made her feel sadder. The tone sounded like the ones she used to hear from him just before being tucked into bed.

How are you?

"I'm fine dad."

Just take care of yourself dear. It's still early. Get some rest. We'll talk when you get back?

"Sure. Say hi to mom for me…"

Marissa couldn't say goodbye. She just hanged up and dissolves into tears. She sat on the floor, curled up into a ball. She hated her father but loved him as well. How was she going to get over this mess?

Just then she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. She looked over and saw Alex smiling back at her. A kiss on the forehead and a little tug, Marissa was lead to the bed and into the blonde's loving arms.

"I'm proud of you." The blonde whispered as she ran her fingers through her hair.

Marissa couldn't reply but tears began to stream out of her eyes. She felt the strong arms embrace her tighter but loose enough to make her breathe. She looked up and met with Alex's eyes which shimmered through the moonlight. She frowned and buried her on her fiancé's chest.

"I love you… Marissa Cooper…"

----

Beth was wearing her pajamas and a loose shirt as she came out of the bathroom. She had just finishing brushing her teeth. Looking up, she saw Bianca sitting at the edge of the bed, seemingly looking at her feet. Beth let out a sigh and walked towards her. Sitting beside her ex-lover, Beth ended up staring at her shoes as well.

"I'm sorry… For leaving…" Bianca began to say.

Her eyes gazed the hands of the woman beside her. It was resting on the woman's lap. Consciously, Bianca was aching to hold them even just for a while.

"Why did you leave? Because of the marriage?" Beth asked with a monotonic tone.

Bianca frowned knowing she couldn't run away from her now.

"No."

"Why then? I just like to know…"

Bianca shifted and faced her ex-lover. As she looked up, she saw Beth staring back at her. The woman's light brown eyes were sad. She felt her heart ache knowing she caused all of that.

"I was in love with you. But I couldn't disappoint them."

"So you chose them over me?" The tone was nothing more than a question.

There was no anger. No hint of desperation. It sounded like a casual question.

"Yes."

"Alright." Beth replied and stood up. She sat on the side of the bed she was going to sleep on and laid there quietly.

Bianca thought of all the things that were and knew it was wonderful for both of them. She sighed and moved herself to lie beside her ex-lover who the ceiling a little interesting.

"I'm not angry with you…" Beth said softly.

"Beth…" Bianca turned and saw her still staring at the ceiling.

"Just be happy ok?" Beth closed her eyes and turned to let her back face her ex-lover.

Bianca sadly looked at the back facing her. A tear made its way out of her eyes and few followed. She turned herself so as not to face her ex-lover.

I love you... I still do... I wish I could just tell you…

Bianca cried herself to sleep that night. She hardly noticed Beth turning to face her. Once she was asleep, her ex-lover had her arms wrapped around her – Giving her the warmth she longed for.

I love you. Bian.