A New Beginning Part 1

In gratitude for my role in uncovering the cases of Erlena and Rory's deaths, the police escorted us to the hotel. Riding in a police boat, we were out at sea. A police officer was driving the boat, while Sean and I sat in seats, waiting to reach our destination. As for our speedboat that had run out of fuel, the police promised to help us deliver it to the party that rented the speedboat. It was an incredible assistance from the police, and of course, Sean and I did not refuse it. "Leslie, why are you so silent? What else are you thinking about now?" I had been daydreaming since earlier, and Sean's question brought my thoughts back to reality. I shook my head with a smile in response to Sean. "I've noticed you've been daydreaming since we got on this boat. What's really going on? Tell me." Again, I shook my head. "I'm not daydreaming, Sean." "Still not admitting it?" "Because I'm really not daydreaming." Sean sighed, perhaps annoyed that I didn't immediately admit that I had been daydreaming. "I've seen you daydreaming constantly since we got on this boat. How long do you think I've been with you? I know your personality and behavior well. There's something on your mind since earlier, but you hesitate to tell me. Isn't that right?" I could never hide anything from Sean, and his guess was right—there was something bothering me, but I hesitated to tell Sean. "Leslie, didn't we agree to be open with each other and not hide anything? Tell me, what have you been thinking about since earlier?" Hearing his question, I took a deep breath. It seemed I had to tell Sean the truth. "Okay, I'll tell you, but I'm afraid you'll be offended." "Offended?" Sean laughed as if my words were very amusing to him. "I'm serious, Sean. I'm afraid my words will offend you." "Your thoughts are strange, as if you just met me yesterday. Just say it; I promise not to be offended." Because Sean had said that, there seemed to be no point in remaining silent. "I've been thinking about the incident with Erlena and Roul since earlier. In the ghostly memory world that Erlena showed me, I saw them in love. Even their marriage had lasted for ten years, but somehow Roul cheated and killed Erlena and Rory." "Hm, like what you said in front of Erlena's parents at the funeral, as time goes by, humans change. That's what happened to Roul," Sean replied. "Yes, that's why I'm worried about something." "What are you worried about?" Sean asked, looking even more curious. My gaze was fixed on Sean's face. Although I was still hesitant to say it, I had to. "I'm worried that you might also be like that. Over time, you'll change and turn to another woman because you're bored with me." Sean fell silent before suddenly bursting into laughter. "Oh, so this is what you've been thinking about, daydreaming all this time?" I snorted. "Yes, I'm afraid our relationship will be like Roul and Erlena." Sean stopped laughing, then he embraced me, pulling me close to him. "Don't worry, Leslie. The two of us will never become like them." "Huh, Erlena and Roul also thought that because they didn't know what would happen to them in the future. More precisely, no one can know what will happen in the future, including you and me." "Roul could turn away because he was far from Erlena. But we won't be apart; we'll always be together. Wherever I go, I'll always take you with me, Leslie. Besides, how could I bear to be far from you." Sean's words left me stunned; indeed, the main reason Roul could cheat was that he and Erlena were distant. Sean held my hand this time. "Enough, don't think about weird things. I promise we won't be like Erlena and Roul." "Are you sure you will never leave me?" Sean chuckled and gently flicked the tip of my nose, a gesture that Roul often did to Erlena, making me even more reminded of the tragic couple. "Of course, I will never leave you. I told you earlier; I can't stand being apart from you." "Roul said the same thing," I quickly interjected. "When he was about to go to London, he promised not to leave Erlena, to always contact her every day because he couldn't stand not communicating with Erlena even for a day. But in reality, he lied. He ended up having an affair with another woman. Roul broke all his promises to Erlena." Sean snorted. "Do I look like Roul?" I, who was looking down, immediately looked at Sean's face upon hearing his question with a sad tone. "You've known me for a long time, haven't you? Do you think I'm like Roul?" Sean asked again because I didn't respond immediately. "Sorry to say this, but Roul and Erlena have been together for a long time, even married for ten years, but still, Roul changed. Even Roul's parents and Erlena's parents said they didn't expect Roul to change like that. They didn't expect Roul to kill his wife and child. In essence, anyone can change, no matter how long they've known each other and been in a relationship." Sean sighed, one of his hands gently stroking the top of my head. "I won't be angry that you have these thoughts because after all, you witnessed the love story of Erlena and Roul in Erlena's memory world. It's understandable that you're scared like this, but I assure you, I won't become like Roul Watson." Sean held my chin and lifted it so that we were looking at each other now. "As I said earlier, I will never leave you. Wherever I go, you will be there too. Like Erlena's parents said, a husband and wife should always be together. Wherever the husband goes, the wife must go too. Isn't that right?" I nodded because Erlena's parents did say so. "Yes, I will go wherever you go, Sean. We will never be apart." "Yes, this is our promise. Let the sea be the witness that we promise never to be apart. Wherever there is Sean, there will always be Leslie." I smiled, and for some reason, the worries and fears I had felt since earlier disappeared because of Sean's words. "How about now? Do you feel relieved?" I nodded. "Yes, I feel relieved now." "You won't doubt me again, will you?" "If that happens, we'll see." One of Sean's eyebrows lifted. "Why is that? It seems like you still doubt my loyalty?" "Huh, when we were still in college, you ignored me and got close to other women." "Other women? Who?" "Leyna," I replied, which instantly made Sean fall silent. His facial expression changed, and I quickly closed my mouth. It seemed I had made a big mistake by bringing up the past. "You know the reason I was like that, right? Because my mind was influenced by the dark magic sent by Muggie," Sean replied, still with a face that looked sad and disappointed as he remembered the painful events of the past. I held Sean's hand, gripping it tightly. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to remind you of that painful event, Sean. I really didn't mean to bring up that incident." Sean smiled and returned the tight grip on my hand. "It's okay, Leslie. I know I hurt you before and vowed not to be like that again. I will never be far from you; we will always be together starting now. Okay?" I feel it's pointless to doubt Sean's words again, so I rest my head on his sturdy shoulder. 'Okay, we will always be together. I hope until our grandparents and even until death do us part." "Who says death will separate us?" I lifted my head because Sean said so. "Of course, we will part if one of us dies." "No. Death itself will not separate us." I squinted, for some reason thinking something negative with Sean's words. "Wait, you don't intend to commit suicide if I die before you, right?" Sean didn't say anything, making me even more afraid that my thoughts might be correct. "Hey, you shouldn't think negatively like that, Sean. Do you remember the ghost story of Hana and Oscan?" I mentioned one of the ghosts I had helped in the past. Hana and Oscan, who loved each other to the point of promising to live and die together. They even decided to commit suicide together when Oscan was arranged by his parents to marry another woman. However, fate had other plans because when they committed suicide together, Oscan survived. Nevertheless, regret always haunted Oscan, leading him into depression and an inability to forget Hana. Eventually, Oscan took a desperate act of suicide to be reunited with Hana. Even though it had been years since Hana's death. Truly, I feared that Sean might have the same thoughts as Oscan. "Yeah, I remember their story." "You don't think you'll commit suicide like Oscan if I die, right?" Sean laughed and once again gently flicked the tip of my nose. "Of course not. How could I have such a tiny and foolish thought? I mean, death will not separate us because when we both die, we will be reunited in a new world. I'm sure we will be together again, even though we won't be alive in this world anymore." Instantly, I breathed a sigh of relief; apparently, that's what Sean was thinking. Once again, I leaned my head on Sean's shoulder. "Yes, I think so too. We will be reunited in a new world when we pass away." I closed my eyes as Sean gently stroked my cheek. It felt very comfortable and peaceful. "I love you, Leslie." "I love you more, Sean." I felt Sean resting his head on top of mine, and then we both closed our eyes with our hands holding each other's. We had made this promise; hopefully, we could both keep it. Yes, that's my biggest hope.