Echoes Of The Heart

Chapter Two

After their heartfelt session, Stephlon ambled up the solid staircase to get dressed for the day, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. She honestly couldn't think of a single thing she wanted to do that day. She knew she'd have to fill her day with something, even if she had to create it herself. She took a quick shower and pulled on her favorite beige cargo pants and white tank top, despite having nowhere to go.

She sipped on her coffee and watched rain slide down the windows, as the peace and quiet of the sitting room wrapped itself around her. Maltida sat on a couch her mind and peace wrapped around the book she was reading.

"You know, after everything and going through my inner self, I ask myself this question" Maltida paused, taking a deep breath to keep her emotions in check as she held Stephlon's gaze. After a moment, she cleared her throat and continued.

"I ask myself one question: if he had proposed and I had accepted, would I have been truly happy in the long run? He's a great guy, so I like to think so. But there are some things you can't ignore, no matter how hard you try. They'll come back to bite you in the end." At this point, Stephlon had moved to sit beside her, and they were now sitting face to face on the couch.

"So I ask myself, would I be able to move past all those red flags." Maltida lay her head on Stephlon's thigh, while Stephlon gently ran her fingers through Maltida's midnight black hair.

In the quiet, they both sat still, Maltida's head resting on Stephlon's thigh. Stephlon thought of how to help friend, her mind full of worry.

"Enough of this sappy nonsense!" Maltida exclaimed, jumping to her feet and grabbing Stephlon's hands.

They decided to head to the mall to pick up a few things, and soon they were heading out the door, keys and purses in hands. It was their only task for the day, and they looked forward to a quick, productive trip. The sun was shining, and the weather was perfect for a little shopping spree.

Stephlon grabbed a Nutella and threw it into the cart.

"What's with the serious face?" Malitda teased, grabbing items off the shelves and tossing them into the cart as she walked backwards, facing Stephlon.

As Stephlon opened her mouth to warn Maltida, Maltida bumped into someone who was coming around the corner. His hands quickly reached out to steady her, wrapping around her waist, and their eyes locked. After a moment, Maltida wrenched herself out of his embrace.

Stephlon rolled her cart over, her eyes looking back and forth between the both of them. Maltida and the stranger stood frozen, their eyes locked. Maltida was lost in his gaze, and he continued to stare at her, not wanting to be the first one to break eye contact.

He stood towering over the girls, his six-foot-something frame casting a shadow over them. His dirty-blonde hair danced in the soft breeze, and his electric-blue eyes sent waves rippling through Maltida's stomach.

"I'm sorry" Maltida whispered wringing her fingers while she stared at her feet.

"It is fine" The man smirked his fingers tilting her face to look at his with a devilish smirk on his face.

The man's fingers refused to let go of her face. Just when she thought he was about to release her, he pulled her close and brought his face to her neck.

Stephlon looked at her friend, who was still staring after the man as he walked away. She didn't know what to say except that he was far more than handsome. The word didn't do justice to his beauty.

Stephlon rushed over to Maltida and grabbed her arm. "What did he say?" She asked, eager for details. Maltida manned the cart while also attempting to explain what had happened, but the words tumbled out in an incoherent jumble.

"He said he'll be seeing me soon, pretty girl" Maltida said, her cheeks flushed and rosy. There was a sparkle in her eyes, and for a moment, she seemed to forget the man she was meant to be with, as if he didn't exist. Stephlon saw the smile on her friend's face and said nothing. No matter what decision Maltida made, she would give her full support, just as Maltida had always supported her.

A man who looked seconds away from ripping the head of the man who had just strolled out of the mall sat in the driver's seat of a sleek black Maybach in the parking lot.

"What took you so long?" Gunther Von Reichenstein glared at his best friend, who was sitting majestically in his Maybach. Gunther quickly revved the engine and sped out of the parking lot.

Diego let out a happy laugh, pulling out one of his signature sun shade and putting it on with a flourish.

"The resort has been acquired" Diego said, his tone suddenly turning serious.
"When do you plan on taking ownership?" He grabbed his phone to make some calls.

"We'll be at the resort tomorrow" Gunther said his voice deep and confident yet not arrogant or cocky. The sound of the busy street was muffled by the soundproofed interior of the Maybach.

Gunther turned off the main road and onto a quiet, tree-lined street. The towering plants and lush vegetation provided a welcome respite from the city. The mountains in the distance seemed to beckon him towards a more serene and peaceful existence.

As Gunther drove, he watched the landscape transform from cityscape to a stunning landscape. The serenity he felt was palpable, as though it was filling with calm from the inside out. He knew he was exactly where he was meant to be, his destiny unfolding before him.

Meanwhile, dejected, Stephlon sank down onto the couch. She regretted her decision to run errands or even go out to the city; she could have asked Maltida to grab groceries on her way from work, but she'd gone and now she was stressed and worn out.

"Why did we have to go to the city to get groceries?" Stephlon was tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, the constant noise and never-ending traffic. The tranquility of the country side had been like a breath of fresh air, but the trip back to the city had been exhausting.

"It was because we were bored and had nothing better to do" Maltida responded, a touch of playfulness in her voice. She continued organizing the groceries, her movements mechanical and precise. The calm efficiency of her actions bellied the cheerfulness she felt inside.

The kitchen was quiet except for the soft clink of glass jars as Maltida arranged them in the cupboard. Stephlon's soft breathing, was the only sound heard in the living besides the ticking of the clock on the wall. The house felt still and peaceful, as though the world had stopped turning.

"Stephlon come get your phone!" Malitda yelled from the kitchen. Stephlon walked to get it and answered who ever was calling her, after few minutes on a phone call, she dropped the phone on the kitchen counter with a little frow on her face.

"What is it?" Maltida asked from doing here work.

Stephlon dropped the phone on the counter with a frown on her face. She took a deep breath, trying to gather her thoughts.

"What's wrong?" Maltida asked, noticing Stephlon's frown. She quickly finished up her work in the kitchen, washing her hands and drying them on a towel. She hopped up onto the counter and pulled Stephlon toward her with a sympathetic smile.

"I need to be at work.... Early" She pouted looking dejected, with a shake of her head she fell into her friend's embrace and enjoyed the warmth.