„Have you found him?" Marina asked impatiently, putting her hands on her hips and staring at Brian. He was totally uninterested in what she was asking him as he was putting water slippers in one of the boxes. To speak the truth, Marina was already getting on his nerves. Daniel was the only thing the Latina could talk about.

„I haven't looked for him," he answered indifferently.

The rest of their friends were watching them. The man called them to come to his store, hoping for a quiet evening after his somewhat boring and idle day. Nikki was the only one who didn't join them. From the date night, Brian and the others hadn't seen her for much.

„Brian...it's been three days!" Marina almost screamed in his face, being very upset. „You really aren't worried? His parents told me he is on Sanibel. Go after him."

„No," Brian replied immediately. „We should let him to calm down and to compose himself. He'll come home...as always."

The Latina groaned in frustration.

„Marina, I think Brian is right. Dan can take care of himself. It's not his first time to be like that," David tried to calm her down but he made contra-effect.

„How can you say that?" she shouted. „This is serious. Don't you see what he caused? Nikki's barely getting out of her room and he completely disappeared. We need to find him before he does something stupid again."

„And do what?" Brian exclaimed bitterly, leaving water slippers. He got into her face. „Damn it, as if he ever listens to anyone. Daniel is doing what the hell ever he wants and it has always been like that. He hurt Nikki so badly and then disappeared, neglecting everything in Naples. Don't you see it, Marina? Daniel doesn't care about anyone, except himself...and Sofia. If I have a chance to see him now, I'd probably punch him."

The Latina was ready to strangle Brian.

„You should be his best friend," she replied, raising her voice. „How can you say that? You should help him and be here for him...as he was for you and all of us when Sofia died. Or did you forget about that?" she hissed angrily, now addressing everyone in the room. She was on the verge of tears. „He was there for me. He was the only one there for me when I lost my best friend."

Then, Marina realized she had started a story she didn't want them to know but it's was already too late. She started and now she had to finish. It seemed like her response finally caused a reaction. Brian was blinking rapidly, looking surprised.

„I was calling him when I wasn't able to breathe anymore and when my heart was falling apart from the pain. Every night. He was there. Every time. He knew what to say to calm me down. Don't you understand? He was there for each and every one of us...we just needed to call him. And because of that, he hasn't moved on properly. While he was trying to be our support, he suppressed his own emotions and never accepted Sofia's death. And where are we now, when he needs us? We're discussing whether we should interfere."

Brian stopped breathing. Daniel was Marina's support system after Sofia died? He wondered why didn't she call him? He was her boyfriend.

„Marina..." he started but the Latina lifted her hand, heading toward the exit.

„Wait...where are you going?" he yelled, going after her and stopping her from leaving.

„At Sanibel. I'm going to help my friend."

The man shook his head.

„You can't go alone. When you arrive it'll be much darker."

„I don't care!" she hissed.

„I'm going with you."

„No! You're staying here! I'm going to go alone and help him. You had your chance, Brian and you missed it. I want you to leave him alone now. If you're willing to give up on him, I'm certainly not. I'll do whatever it takes...in memory of Sofia."

Brian let his arms fall down his body.

„What are you going to do?" he asked.

„I have my ways," Marina said briefly but also surprisingly calmly and then, without hesitation, she left the shop, going in an unknown direction. Brian was just defeatedly looking at her, disappearing behind the corner. He faced his frightened friends again. Marina's outburst seemed to shock them.

„Well...this was intense," Diego said, finally letting out a breath he was holding.

„Did we make a mistake?" Aline asked. „I mean...for not being more persistent in helping him?"

Brian let out a tired sigh, leaning his elbows against the counter and rubbing his temple.

„I don't know," he replied in a tight voice. „I had no idea Marina was calling him after Sofia died. Everythime I tried to get close and comfort her, she was pushing me away with an excuse that she wants to be alone."

He looked weary, tired and very, very hurt. For all this time, he was convinced that two of them had just walked away from each other, the tragedy changing them irreversibly. But the truth was that Marina pushed him away, somewhat letting Daniel take his place. Sofia's boyfriend who, by her judgment, understood all that pain better.

„I hope she'll find him. Given everything she just said, maybe Daniel actually listens to her," Aline said. Brian was begging her words to become reality.

-

Marina jumped out of the boat, approaching a sandy shore of Sanibel. The Latina knew this side of the island was favorite for both, Daniel and Sofia. All she had to do now was to find the tall man. Daniel and his family owned a small house on the island but since it was already dark, she was sure he had come out on the beach. The place was very close to the famous Bowman's Beach. The beach was even more appealing because of the considerable height difference contributed by the rocks in the sand. Marina just hoped she knew Daniel enough to chose a right place where he could be. As she walked slowly on the sandy shore of the beautiful Florida island, she was thinking about her previous conversation with Brian and the rest. Now, when she finally revealed everything that had been torturing her for the past year, the Latina felt a lot better. Walking, she had already noticed the familiar male figure, sitting on one of a few rocks and looking to the open sea.

It was Daniel.

Marina took a deep breath, approaching her friend. To speak the truth, Daniel looked terrible, as if he hadn't sobered or slept for days. She hoped he wasn't intoxicated by alcohol anymore. Then, she stooped just a few inches from him but he seemed not to notice her.

„Hey..." she finally said.

Daniel's head snapped toward her, his eyes widening as he almost fell from the rock to the sandy surface in front of him.

„What are you doing here?!" he asked upset, returning the balance.

The Latina just smiled faintly, sitting down, next to him.

„I could ask you the same thing," she replied. „What are you doing here, Dan?"

In the same second, Daniel's shoulders became somewhat tense. He didn't want to justify himself but he had a feeling this time, Marina wouldn't leave him alone. His hand grabbed the full fist of sand and threw it in front of him. Smooth dust was drifting through the air, muttering the view of the creek.

„I came to find peace."

Marina wasn't taking her gaze from him. She knew this was the only way to force him to tell her the truth.

„Have you found it?" she asked.

It took him a few seconds to compose himself, but then he finally shook his head.

„No...I don't think it's possible," he replied, lowering his gaze to the ground.

She was still just looking at him.

„There's no peace, Dan. Not when something like that happens...death. If you're going to ask the world to give you peace, you'll be very disappointed. The only way to find it is to reconcile with yourself and accept the reality."

The statement made him even more upset, so he got up and started walking in circles.

„She is my girlfriend. I'll never forget her," he shouted but Marina didn't pay much attention to it. She stayed in sitting position, just staring at him.

„You have to forget her, Dan. For you, her and all the others around you."

„She's everywhere, Marina!" he stated desperately, grabbing his friend's hands. „Even if I want to, I can't forget her. I can't let her go because she's constantly reminding me of herself. Sofia doesn't allow me to forget and she's always here, like a shadow, hovering over me."

The Latina swallowed hard. This was their first sincere conversation about Sofia. Of course, they talked about her before but Marina was always the one talking about losing her best friend, while Daniel was listening. Today, for the first time, the story was reversed and Marina intended to use it like her advantage to finally wake up her desperate friend.

„Because you don't allow her, Dan!" she said honestly in a raised voice, hoping to finally gain his attention. „Look at me and listen to me. You're doing absolutely everything in your power to keep the very concept of Sofia with you. You're not accepting reality, you're closed for every discussion about her, refusing to admit to yourself and others she's dead. You're rejecting everyone who's trying to get close to you but you know what? Nothing you're doing won't bring her back to life."

Marina pulled out the white envelope from her woven beach bag, handing it to Daniel. His eyebrows raised in confusion.

„Take it," she encouraged him. „And read it."

Daniel listened to her and opened it. He pulled out the white paper. When he stretched it, his words got caught in his throat, forming a big lump. He recognized the handwriting.

It was Sofia's.

Daniel, my love

If you're reading this, it means we have a problem. I'm not surprised, you know? I know you well enough and I know how stubborn you can be. Even when life brings you something good. It's good to accept positive things, Dan and throw away all the bad things from the past. Maybe not completely forget, but throw it away.

It's also good to be sad. It helps you to deal with your emotions. Trust me, I understand it the best. I would never ask you not to be sad just...just as I told you on the last day in the hospital, I don't want you to be sad forever. I know my death changed you. The death of loved ones always changes us. But I would be very sad to know that I'm preventing you from living your life. I know you would scold me because of it, but life goes on...without me. You have this extraordinary ability to make people happy and it would really be a pity to hide it forever inside of you. You don't know how remarkable you are. I want you to let the world see you, Dan.

Until now, there was a waterfall of tears falling down Daniel's cheeks, as Sofia's words were apparently sinking into his heart. The Latina assumed that the tall man finally clearly saw the situation he found himself in. This led him to fall on his knees and continue to read the letter Sofia had left for him. Marina was just watching him, hating on his misery from the bottom of her heart. Hating herself because she used the weapon Sofia had asked her to be the last solution. Hating herself because she couldn't help him with her own strength but she had to reach out to Sofia.

I love you so much. That will never change. And I know you love me too but Daniel...it's okay to love other people. It's okay to find a new happiness. I'm really begging you, don't push it away. If you give up on yourself, then my death will be for nothing. You have to learn how to be happy again and how to live a full life. It's a time for you to accept that love is the only thing left of us. I want you to turn your love to her...whoever she is. I want you to be happy. It hurts to know I'm not going to be the person who will make you happy and bring a smile to your face for the rest of your life but I've had you all these years and now is the time for someone else to take over my duty. She came and please, accept her without thinking. Because you really deserve to be happy. And whenever you think it's not like that, remember this is my wish. I want you to feel the love again from the bottom of my heart. You never know, maybe she's the love of your life...the woman for who you're going to live and breathe. I hope she is.

And...if it helps, I'll never leave you. I'll always watch over you...and her. I'll look after you and look forward to every good thing the life brings to you. You have a chance, Dan. You have the opportunity for a fulfilled life. If you really loved me, then take the chance I didn't get.

And never...never forget how much the life is worth and how much I've loved you. Be happy, my love. It's the only way for me to sleep in peace.

I love you!

Sofia

The man howled desperately, crumbling the paper in his hand, then literally leaped to Marina, leaning his head on her knees. She squeezed her eyes shut so she wouldn't have to look at his misery but going through his hair with her hand, trying to find any way to comfort him. His body was shaking in the agony of all the emotions Daniel had finally let into his heart. Marina's pants were wet with tears.

„Sofia loved you so much," she said in a shaky voice, seeing how Daniel's current state was going in a positive direction. A wanted direction. The tall man had to cry and let all his feelings to come to the surface so he could finally begin with the acceptance process. „I swear, whenever we talked about you, her eyes were always twinkling. She loved you so much that, in the end, she selflessly wrote the letter and gave it to me as the last weapon against herself. She asked me to give it to you if someone worthy ever appears and you pull a bunch of crap like that. Can you imagine it? Because I can't. You know you're going to die and you have only a few hours left with your loved ones but you use that time to convince them it isn't all over and even though your story is over, theirs still lasts. You have to live your life at the highest level. Dan...she'd want it. You know Sofia would want to see you happy. But more than anything, you have to finally let go so she can rest in peace. As long as you're holding on her, Sofia would never find a peace, trust me."

The Latina joined her friend in crying, constantly wiping wet traces of tears from her cheeks. But she knew Daniel was finally listening.

„Sofia is dead!" he suddenly stated, taking a deep breath, accompanied by the painful cry of agony. „Sofia died."

As Daniel repeated the sentence he had avoided to say for so long, Marina sighed in relief. Her hand continued to go through his hair as she tried to compose herself. Both friends weren't aware of the passage of time. They remained in this position until Daniel's tears had finally dried up and it's was heard only his irregular breathing. The tall man had tightly clenched eyes and after a few minutes of catching a breath, he finally separated from Marina and sat down on the sand, his head lowered. Marina followed him, her hand caressing his cheek, lifting his head so she could see his eyes. They were completely worn out and red. The Latina never saw her friend in such a state, not even on the day of Sofia's death and funeral.

„Breathe!" she said. „You'll be fine, you just have to keep breathing and feeling."

Daniel nodded devastatingly. He knew Marina was right and there was no going back anymore. Today, he finally accepted the painful truth. His girlfriend was gone. Sofia Lopez died a little over a year ago from the effects of leukemia and Daniel was constantly repeating the same thought, so it could finally sit in his heart and allow him to heal from the pain. He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths. With every new breath, he felt a relief passing through his whole body. A huge relief. This burden he wore was starting to lose weight. In the end, Sofia helped to liberate him.

„Why now? Why didn't you show me the letter before?" he uttered in a strained voice.

The Latina just smiled sadly.

„Because she asked me to do it only if there won't be any other choice. I respected her decision."

Daniel breathed in again, praying to God to help him.

„Do you still have a ring?" Marina interrupted his thoughts, as his head snapped in her direction.

„Who told you about the ring? Nikki?"

She immediately denied it.

„Sofia!" she replied, making him open his eyes wide in shock. Marina almost smiled at his confusion. „She knew you better than you think, Dan. She knew about the ring. One day at the hospital, she told me everything and asked me to help you to get rid of it, once she's gone. She knew you won't be able to. But honestly, until today I didn't have the courage to do it."

Daniel swallowed a lump in his throat, looking at the creek. The sun was about to set down but there was still a trace of its light on the surface. For Daniel, the most beautiful time on the beach. The tall man sighed hard, then pulled out the chain from his pocket. There was white gold ring hanging on it. Marina's jaw nearly hit the ground. The Latina immediately took the piece of jewelry and studied it.

„It's beautiful," she said with a slight smile. „Sofia would love to wear it."

For the first time today, he smiled back at her. It was barely noticeable but it was there.

„You know...we threw Sofia's ash in this part of the sea. Maybe it would be nice to do the same with the ring. It was intended for her and she should have it."

Marina was saying every word carefully, hoping her last statement wouldn't make him pull back again. To her surprise, the man only looked at to him so important piece of jewelry and then unbuttoned the chain, separating it from the ring. He was still looking at it. Then, he vigorously swung his arm, throwing it toward the sea. Marina gasped in shock, looking at the ring falling on an almost calm surface, forever disappearing beneath it.

Once again, Daniel swallowed hard, putting the chain back in his pocket. The Latina hugged his friend. He immediately hugged her back, leaning his head on her shoulder.

„Thank you," he said honestly. „I haven't even realized how much I needed somebody to tell me everything in my face. Thank you for giving me the letter, Marina."

„I'm very proud of you, Dan. Everything will be fine, trust me."

He nodded, moving away from her and rubbing his temple. Marina gently took the paper out of his hands. She pulled the lighter out of her bag, getting ready to burn the letter. Daniel got a strong urge to stop her but he stayed silent, watching the charred parts falling on the white sand.

„The letter served it's purpose. This is just a part of saying goodbye to her. It's necessary to let her go," she explained though he didn't ask her to explain it. When the letter was burned, Daniel once again rubbed his temple.

„Can we go home? I have a headache."

Marina smiled broadly, showing him the place where the boat was. Daniel started to walk toward it while she still stood in place, looking at the last orange traces of sun. She smiled, breathing the fresh night air.

„I hope the cloud bed is comfortable, Sofia. Don't worry about us...everything is fine here and everyone will be all right. I promise. You can sleep peacefully," she said and then slowly headed after Daniel.

It was time to go home.

As the boat was slowly cutting the quiet surface of the sea on its way to Naples, Daniel sat down in the back, watching the creek. It was already dark and gentle rocks of the waves hypnotizing. For a moment, the tall man closed his eyes, breathing in the summer air. He hoped it would help him to fill his body with a life he had left behind.

„Have you seen Nikki?" he hesitated, not sure how good it was to talk about the woman.

Marina needed a few moments to process the question and the sighed, not looking at him.

„I made a big mess, I know," he said, trying to justify himself. „I shouldn't have run off like that nor mention Sofia. I'm sorry."

„I'm not the person you have to give explanations, Dan."

Daniel sighed, playing with his fingers as Marina continued.

„Nikki is really...really hurt. You gave her hope and then, just in a few minutes, everything collapsed. I understand you're hurt and everything but what happened to you is the life. What happened to Nikki is your fault. I'm sorry for my straightforwardness."

Daniel wasn't surprised by Marina's lack of hesitation. On the contrary, he understood it.

„I have to tell her I'm sorry," he replied.

The Latina turned the boat to the coast of Naples, making sure not to miss the entrance to the marina.

„Do you really like Nikki or you were just testing how far you're ready to go?"

His eyes widened. He knew he made a big mess out of his relationship with the dark-skinned woman but he hadn't even dreamed that one of his best friends would think he wasn't honest.

„I know I screwed up. Believe me, I know and it kills me even to think about it. She's a wonderful person and I like her. I really like her. I never wanted to hurt her so bad. Now, she'll probably not want to hear me out. God...only I can be so stupid."

A slight smile appeared on Marina's face. She knew her friend wouldn't notice her approving facial expression. He was too busy thinking about Nikki.

They slowly approached the marina, driving the boat to its place. She thanked the local owner ho did her a favor, then caught Daniel's hand and they headed to the interior part of the city, toward their homes. The Latina suddenly stopped, putting both hands on his shoulders.

„You're a good man, Dan and that's why Nikki loves you so much."

His jaw nearly hit the street's asphalt as he stared at Marina. Nikki loves him? No, not possible.

„I know she likes me but I doubt Nikki's in love with me."

Marina just smiled.

„Trust me, if she doesn't love you, she would never shed so many tears," she replied, making him feel guilty in his heart. The tall man sighed and lowered his head.

„Where do I start?"

She hugged her friend, giving him support.

„Go home, take a cold shower, a good amount of sleep and then think about it. Tomorrow, when your head cools down, go to her, apologize and be honest...tell her how you really feel. After that, if you ask her nicely enough, Nikki might give you another chance."

Daniel was trying to calm his beating heart. He could do so much for the other woman and he hoped it would be enough for another chance. He also knew he couldn't mess up anymore.

„Dan!" Marina called him. „Nikki loves you. She'll give you another chance if you stay honest with her."

Yes. He needed to stay honest. It was important to say how he felt. Daniel was already making all possible versions of this story in his head.

„Go home. Tomorrow night we'll gather on the beach and we'll talk, okay?"

He nodded and once again, hugged his friend. He was so grateful to Marina, her voice of reason and prudence. This prudence brought him back to Sofia. Another voice of reason who pulled him from the depths back to the calm surface of the sea.

-

Author's note:

Hey guys...update day. So...Marina is actually the key factor in all this. She has the keys to the door leading to his recovery. I've already told you these two chapters are pretty sad but this is the point where everything gets better.

If you liked it, please don't forget to vote or comment. It would make me very happy.

Next update: Friday!

Stay true to yourself and have a nice day.