Finishing a book is like sealing the characters' fate. This time it was our fates that were sealed, to my dismay. No rewrites would be powerful enough to rewrite the tales of our lives.

That in itself was both terrifying and freeing for me. Terrifying since I could no longer predict the path our lives would take. Liberating in a way in which one feels when exerting utmost effort in a project and awaiting others' judgment of its value.

Determined to continue as best as I was able, I decidedly rose and prepared for a comfortable slumber.

However, my sleep was anything but peaceful as my dreaming world decided to conjure up the worst possible consequences of my actions. Thus, making me toss and turn the whole night, only to awake utterly exhausted and agitated.

For as we all know well, sleep is the man's best friend, and when it decides to take its leave from us, it is the most painful separation.

When I awoke the following morning, I was not as well-rested as I had hoped. Still, I decided to embrace the moment and to attempt to entangle the strange web that I had found myself in.

The moment I opened my front door, I was stunned to note that Marisol was standing in front of it prepared to knock.

"My lady?" I asked questioningly.

I could not help wondering had Marisol always been such a stunning woman, as my eyes noted minute details concerning her appearance that I had never noticed before. I guess the words I said were ultimately about her: "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate..."

Though age had left traces on her unblemished skin, she was still a sight to behold, and I could not help but feel mesmerized by the charm that I failed to acknowledge in the past.

The clothes she wore accentuated her dark skin. Her chocolate brown orbs hid in them all the marvels of the universe.

I was stunned by where my thought had led me. So much so, that I failed to distinguish words that Marisol had uttered.

"Pardon my insolence, my lady, however, I failed to comprehend your words as I was stunned by your beauty," I said, not realizing that I had spoken my mind so directly.

Marisol lowered her gaze in embarrassment, which I never had the honor of beholding before. How that made her even more beautiful, I am not sure, but it did.

"Oh, Shawn, you flatter me," she said timidly.

"Apologies, my lady, if I spoke too directly. My tongue was unable to stop the truth from coming forth." I said.

"That's all right, it was just unexpected," Marisol said.

As she said that, she started shuffling nervously, and I understood that I had managed to fluster such a confident woman, such as Marisol.

It was not my intention to do so, yet I could not stop the words from forming. A power greater than my own seemed to gain control of the connection between my thoughts and vocal cords.

"You wished to speak to me, my lady?" I said, attempting to change the subject.

Finally, Marisol was back with the fire of confidence burning in her eyes.

"Yes. K told me a little about your past, about how your parents raised you, and I finally understand. I realize it's a challenge to break away from the past, and I appreciate that you are doing your best to do so. I apologize if I overreacted. It has happened to me too many times before, and I failed to see your side of the story," she said as we both still stood awkwardly at the doorway.

"Oh, no, my lady, you have no reason to apologize. I was the one who allowed my past to interfere with the present, even if for a second. For, you see, my parents had such strong beliefs that I could do nothing but uphold them even though many of those are unfair and hateful." I said.

Marisol laid her hand on my shoulder comfortingly, and I melted into the touch. I could feel sparks tingling at her touch, even through the layers of fabric that I wore.

She did not react to them in any way. Thus, I concluded that she either did not feel them or decided to ignore them. Hence, I chose to do the same.

"I understand. Parents often guide us to follow their path, and we are too dependent on them to do otherwise." Marisol said.

"You speak the truth, my lady. Yet, upon arriving in this city, I have done my best to correct the error of my ways. However, occasionally, it's a struggle since I am not aware of many things that others consider common knowledge," I said as honestly as I could.

Then, I lowered my gaze in embarrassment upon remembering what I had said to the woman standing in front of me.

"Shawn, look at me," she said, gently raising my chin with her hand.

"What you said was hateful and wrong, but I forgive you. And if you'll let me, I'll teach you the ways of the world as well of tolerance and acceptance," Marisol said.

"Yes, my lady. I humbly accept." I said, wondering where the proud bard had gone.

In all honesty, I was glad he was gone since I wished to prove to Marisol that she was right to have faith in me.

"Were you going to see Rebecca?" Marisol asked.

"Yes, I wished to inquire about her health, but I was uncertain if that was a proper thing to do," I said.

"I see that you have a lot to learn, Shawn. Checking up on your friend's health is the most proper thing you can do." Marisol said.

I was relieved that I was not committing any further errors around Marisol since I wished for her to appreciate me and my presence.

As we proceeded towards Rebecca's apartment, we were engaged in a pleasant conversation, and I could not help but wonder what had made me despise her in the past.

Marisol was an intelligent, kind-hearted woman who was ready to forgive people for their even most gruesome faults. How did I fail to observe that before I wondered?

Once we arrived at the apartment, Marisol entered without knocking and noting my shocked reaction, went on to explain.

"Don't worry. I have permission to do so. Rebecca can't get up and open the door, and K doesn't want to leave her side every time I come and go, so they told me to let myself in whenever I need to." Marisol explained.

I did not feel comfortable even after acknowledging her explanation, but I understood that this was yet another cultural occurrence I would have to get used to seeing.

"Shawn, my man. Nice of you to stop by." K said, appearing out of Rebecca's chambers with a huge smile.

I was sure the smile had nothing to do with my presence, so I wondered what had happened.

"So, how did it go?" Marisol asked.

"She agreed to be my girlfriend," K said, smiling from ear to ear.

That solved one mystery, and I was satisfied that at least K's life was taking a positive turn.