Chapter 22: Running

"Sorry!!"
I shouted and jumped out the window on the second floor onto the roof.

"Oh, my God! Tia!"
Julius’ screaming voice rang from behind me.

I wiped my tears, crawling on all fours on the slanted roof, and when I reach the end I jump to the tree in front of me. I meant to cling to the trunk of the tree, but my hands slipped on the bark that was wet with night dew, there was a rough sound as I fell down the trunk ...! !! !! !! !!

I landed at the base of the tree where clovers were clustered like cushions, which helped break my fall.

Getting up and made sure I was fine. My joints are shaking like I've been startled, but it won't hurt for a few hours. It was worse when I fell out of a tree in the schoolyard when I was in primary school.
Anyway, I run in the darkness toward the center of the garden.
In the moonlight, I could tell that my nightgown was in tatters, perhaps because I had just hooked it on a tree branch. One of the shoulder straps has come off, and it’s torn from my waist to thighs.
But it doesn't matter.

Adele, Adele!

I desperately run toward the lights of the main building of the Arita residence.
My legs tangled and I fell down many times.
Each time jumping back up and running again.
I can see the front yard of the mansion. The fountain and flowerbeds are illuminated by the moonlight.

Just a little while ago here, Dirk had revealed the cruel truth.
And Cornelia said that she liked Adele.

Adele and Cornelia were the real pair.
I shouldn’t disturb two people who are in love with each other.

That’s what I thought, first.

But it's different now.
That's not what this is about.
Because, even if things don’t go back to how they were, I have changed.

The only thing I want to tell Adele is ----------

My legs got tangled again and I tripped and fell into some mud.
My mother and grandmother had made me up all pretty, but now I'm as messy as a ghost.
Still, I stand up and start running barefoot.

At that moment.　
In the distance, at the path connecting the main building and the detached house, I saw a figure.
A woman with beautiful, golden, lustrous hair chases after the shadow of a tall man with a cloak rushing away.
The shadow man walks quickly then stops, jumps over the fence without hesitation, and runs over to me at a tremendous speed.
Coming closer and closer.

"------------- Adele!!!!!!"
A scream escaped from the back of my throat, coming out as loud as possible.

"Tiana!!!!!!"
Adele hugs me at my knees, hugging me as if wrapping my muddied body with his, willing to get his white cloak dirty.

With all of his strength …………… He hugs me tightly.

"Adele, Adele, Adele ………!!!!"
I cling to Adele, crying out his name over and over again.
Adele embraces me with so much force that it felt like I was about to break, curling into my neck, staying still for a while without speaking.
We were both out of breath, the sound of our hearts beating in our ears, and I thought, God, I want us to be one. That's what I hoped for.
Then Adele looks up at my face … huh … somehow, he starts laughing with tears falling out of his eyes and gently strokes the top of my head.

"You look terrible … are you hurt anywhere? Are you okay …”
"I love you, Adele!"
I will never cover these overflowing feelings again.
With those thoughts in mind, I desperately spoke in a trembling voice.
There have been many times when I had the chance to say it.
But I didn't have the courage to speak those times.
Now.
It was about to end.
These feelings are my only truth.
The only thing I had to cherish and convey was the most important thing.
Please, Adele, listen … Adele.

"I love you the most. I've always loved you. I've loved you ever since we were kids. I don't want to forget it, uhm, there’s no way I can. I don't like anyone else. Only you ……… ”
"Me too."
Adele's confession robs me of my voice.
"I've always loved you, only you … I've always loved you."
"No, I've loved you longer."
"No, I have."
"No, me!!"
"Ah, be quiet and give up!!"
Adele replies in frustration … locking eyes, we begin laughing ...

Adele then turns serious … looking at me.
“………… I thought I was going crazy.”
He closes the distance between our lips.
A hot and deep kiss………



Release our lips for a moment and change the angle.

"I love you."
Kissing in the moonlight, hugging each other as we scramble up each other's bodies.

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