It was a rough winter for me after the attack. Luckily the asshole was arrested and I slowly regained my own confidence and security. All thanks to my boss, Andrew, and all the support of my friends.

Months pass and now spring is here!

My blog is more popular than ever. Posting new works of art, trying different styles, and adding tips, along with tutorial videos for beginners. I was living my dream through a small camera frame in the cubicle of a newsletter station. Such a modern-day Bob Ross I have become.

Even talked my gang into exploring a "Sip and Paint" session and was shocked to see out artsy Evelyn and Keiko really was. Evelyn had a good eye for shading and Keiko loved color...they were definitely the Yin and Yang of their relationship. Andrew just made a mess, but he was very proud of his mess and that canvas is now hanging above his bed in the loft.

My "Confessions" blog is roaring as well. I'm amazed at how many people find my life story so interesting, but alas I'm not there to be dramatic but simply sharing my struggles and experiences since my father's forced freedom.

Inspiration for some, a soap opera for others. I get a lot of fan mail and questions from people wanting me to help. It felt so weird, feeling needed by strangers with no professional degree of any sort. I just do my best to encourage people to chase their dreams, because after all, that's what I'm doing.

With such praise also comes the critiques, one in particular. I seem to become a nagging favorite from a user who does nothing but bashes my life choices, calling me an attention seeker or a desperate cry for help. I learned very quickly that I can't make everyone happy and that no matter who they are, people are going to talk shit about you your whole life.

According to Andrew, it is best to ignore such people.

Today I felt wonderful, it was a normal spring afternoon and I just left Cookies café after work. Naturally, before heading home I stopped by Andrew's to see what that weirdo was up to. Something dark hit me as I entered the apartment complex, it was one of those feelings you get when living in the sun lasted too long.

Approaching his door I could hear a woman's voice on the other side, a voice I knew all too well. Worry overcame my dread for this encounter as I turned the knob and entered.

It was Jasmine, of course, she stood there in her workout clothes with her arms folded over her chest. Andrew was over by the kitchen counter reading a folder full of papers. He looked disturbed while she was beaming with satisfaction, that level of smile always scared me.

"What's going on?" I asked nervously.

"Oh, I just thought Andrew and the rest of your friends would like to know what you write about at your new little job."

I rushed over to the counter to see exactly what she was getting at. In front of Andrew were blogs and journal writings from my published platform...my Confessions blog no doubt. It all made sense now, that night she came to my office I ran over to fix Kim's tie. She must have got onto my computer while I had my back turn...that's why she vanished suddenly.

"You stole these from my office." I finally said, "Why would you do that?"

"I felt like he deserved to know what you did at work." Jasmine said, "Honestly I was coming to make amends with you until I noticed your desktop. Must be nice to profit from someone else's pain."

Pain. I knew she was talking about, Andrew's PTSD. It was something I have mentioned from time to time but never was anyone's name brought up, I kept the focus solely on me and my struggles. Telling people MY story only.

"Is this really how you see me?" Andrew spoke for the first time. "Some charity case to gain you, readers?"

"No!" I said, beyond upset. "You were never mentioned in that way Andrew, I would never expose you like that."

"You had no problem writing out our personal lives!"

"Got quite the hype from what I read," Jasmine added

It was the first time I've actually heard him raise his voice to me, the deep roar was scaring me. I feel his anger towards me and it wasn't pleasant coming from such a towering man. "You know how I feel about social media, and yet you still went and plastered me all over the internet."

"She's twisting this whole situation!" I pointed, "The Confessions blog is supposed to be about my struggles and my life. Yes, there were mentions of you and your history but never in a way to belittle you. I can't help the audience it draws. In fact, I've had other vets write to me showing support and feeling thankful that such things are getting recognized. There's no shame in who you are. I love you, Andrew."

There it was. The "L" word finally made its entrance, but not in the way or the moment that I wanted it to.

"You should have asked me first!"

"I know I should have asked Andrew and I'm sorry." I pleaded, "I just knew you'd say no."

"You're damn right I would have said no!" Andrew shouted, shoving the folder at me. "Damn it, Cora!"

"I'm sorry." That was all I managed to say.

"You're always sorry Cora," Jasmine continued her harsh treatment. "You never think about anyone other than yourself. You're selfish and immature."

"Just get out!" Andrew looked at Jasmine and pointed to the door. Jasmine jumped but she still obeyed and left the apartment. "You too Cora."

"But-"

"Get out!"

I felt my heart sink into the pit of my stomach souring in acid. Andrew wanted me gone and he practically chased me to the door before slamming it in my face....just like my father did a year before. Jasmine was standing at the bottom of the stairs when I passed by, I dared myself not to even weep in her presence. Because of her, my bond with Andrew had been dinted and I don't think there was anything I could do to fix it.

Closing my bedroom door behind me was a different story. I sunk to the floor right there and just balled my eyes out, smothering my face in my jacket. I never felt so sick before. My aura must have tainted the house because after a few moments there was a knock on my door.

Wiping my face, I climbed to my feet opened it to find Evelyn and Keiko standing on the other side. Evelyn was holding her black iron tray with three cauldron cups of something sweet.

"I sensed you need this." she spoke plainly, "Come to the living room and vent."

I did exactly what the witch asked and explained everything. I even showed them the papers that Jasmine printed, waiting for the same scolding I got from Andrew. To my surprise, I got quite the opposite reaction.

"I understand where Andrew is coming from," Evelyn began, "But I see no harm in your words... most of the blog isn't even here. It seems Jasmine has fabricated more than a few sentences."

"Right." Keiko agreed and she looked over the papers. "We've been fans and followers of your blog from the beginning. You're quite the writer Cora when not handling a paintbrush you excel with a pen."

"Thank you." I smiled, although it didn't really make me feel any better. I couldn't get my mind off Andrew and his rage, looking out the window I hoped he was alright.

"I say Andrew is a complicated case, but still a man." Evelyn added, "Give him some time and tonight the three of us will go and further explain the situation."

"Do you think he'll even open the door?"

Keiko shrugged. "All you can do is apologize, the rest will be up to him...it may take time but I doubt he hates you, Cora. Andrew adores you too much to stay away."

"I hope you're right."

Like we planned, the three of us took the last trolly to his district followed by a long walk towards his apartment. Of course, it was nighttime, the weather was pleasant and some of the Chinese food vendors were open late and Evelyn was enjoying it all.

We just made it to the main entrance when all of a sudden a man shot out and bumped right into us. Barely recovering, he took off without a word.

"Well, that was rude!" Keiko admitted as she brushed herself off.

There was nothing but terror in my eyes, almost full of tears. The situation barely lasted seconds but it was enough for me to catch the stranger's face. It was Hanson.

That alone was enough to move me forward. I went inside and trotted down the long hall leading to Andrew's place. My heart stopped when I saw his door ajar, a red smudge smeared along with the silver knob. Placing my hand on the door I pushed it open and entered.

His apartment had been torn apart and completely ransacked. The girls followed me inside only to stop in the doorway when they saw the place.

"What the hell?" Keiko said.

It was when I walked around his couch that I noticed spots of blood on the wood floors. Trapped in a trance-like state, I followed it unwillingly to where Andrew had his motorcycle stationed. The crimson spills only growing in mass the more I walked.

Moving around the debris and motorcycle parts, I found Andrew lying on the floor next to his bike covered in blood from the torso up. Breaking down, I slid to my knees in front of him and took my face in my hand.

Pushing back his blood-soaked hair, his body was still warm but he was so still...so lifeless.

...I just screamed.

Not too many chapters left...and things aren't looking good for Cora and Andrew.