August, 2045

It was the morning after Andrea’s birthday party. Lisa woke up slowly, hearing the shower in the et suite bathroom. She needed a moment to sort her mind, having a little hangover from drinking Schnaps the prior night. The shower stopped. One minute later Silas left the bathroom, just having a wrapped towel around his waist. His face was fresh shaved, as well as other parts of his body, which needed some extra attention urgently. Lisa stared at him, feeling her panties getting wet. She was annoyed about how easily her body responded to him and that she could do nothing about it. 

„Hey,“ he said, smiling shyly. „I’m sorry, if I woke you up. But the bathroom downstairs has no shower.“ 

Lisa was thinking how to react. In her imagination she stood up, pushed him against the wall and got rid of that nasty towel. She got lost in her daydream, staring hungrily at his naked chest. Silas enjoyed her attention, being glad to have that impact on her. He didn’t know what exactly was going on with Tom. However, he didn’t have a single doubt, that she still wanted him. 

Silas grinned sexy and went towards her bed. She returned back to reality.

„Don’t you dare,“ she warned him. 

He stopped walking. She stood up. Unfortunately she needed to pass him by to get into the bathroom. Before she could disappear inside, he grabbed her hand and pulled her in his arms.

„If you wanna play hard to get, fine. But we both know how things will end…“ he said temptingly, looking deep in her eyes. 

Lisa’s heart was pounding wildly against her chest. She thought about letting him win, but then decided, that he didn’t deserve having such an easy game with her. She released herself from his embrace, giving him a stern look.

„You can’t impress me with your arrogance, Silas,“ she talked back and continued walking. 

Again he grabbed her hand to make her stop. 

„Lizzy…“ 

„What?“ 

„I’m sorry.“ 

She turned in his direction, with her arms crossed.  

„For what exactly?“ 

„For not showing up earlier.“ 

She scoffed.

„I didn’t expect you traveling around the world to make things right. But you didn’t even make the effort to send a stupid text to ask how I was doing. You just vanished me out of your life, like you did before!“

Silas sighed.

„That’s not true, Tinky.“ 

„Of course it’s true!“ 

„My brother was suffering. I couldn’t ignore what both of us did to him and live a happy life with you. Don’t you understand?“ 

„Then explain to me what has changed. Why are you here now?“ 

Silas looked at her for a moment, before he replied.

„Dad told me that you left.“ 

Lisa was surprised hearing him say that.

„Your dad?“ 

He nodded. 

„If I knew earlier that you run away, be sure I would have come here to bring you back…“ 

„I didn’t run away!“ she interrupted him. „I told mom where I was. And I would have told you as well, if you showed some interest and asked how I was doing. But you didn’t!“ 

Silas understood her disappointment. 

„Look… I avoided contact because I knew I would get weak… I knew I wasn’t strong enough to resist you in any kind… that’s why I decided it would be the best to leave you alone for a while and let time healing wounds.“ 

„Time doesn’t heal wounds!“ she yelled at him. „You just learn to deal with the pain!“

Silas didn’t know what else to say, just staring at her. She looked back at him for a moment, calming down slowly. 

„How is Phin doing?“ she wanted to know. 

„He’s still not over you. Honestly, I don’t know, if he ever will,“ Silas answered. 

Lisa felt awful. She would never forgive herself what she did to Phin.

„I don’t understand what you want, Silas. If Phin is still suffering, there is no way for us being together, right?“ 

„Yes, he’s suffering. But he gave me his blessing.“ 

Lisa raised her eyebrows.

„For what?“ 

„For making you mine again.“ 

„Why would he do this?“ 

„Because he knows it’s me who you want. And he wants you to be happy.“

Lisa felt worse than she did before. She didn’t deserve Phin’s selflessness. No one of them did. 

„I don’t know what to say,“ she almost whispered. 

Silas came another step closer. 

„No one wins, if you continue pushing me away,“ he said calmly. 

Lisa’s eyes filled with tears. 

„You came back out of the blue and messed up my life in a heartbeat. And then you left me with nothing, just like five years ago,“ she sobbed. 

Silas grabbed her chin gently.

„You’re right with every word you’ve said. But you weren’t honest with me, Tinky. That’s why we ended up in this misery.“ 

Silas didn’t want to upset her again. But she needed to understand, that she made a giant mistake, when she decided hiding her relationship with Phin from him.

Lisa felt ashamed. She was aware of, that she was responsible for all drama. But it was easier blaming Silas for her heartache instead admitting, that it was her fault how things ended. 

 „I know I should’t have slept with you. I was a selfish bitch,“ she said quietly. 

Silas smiled calmly, still holding her chin. 

„We’ve been unfinished business, Lizzy. Phin knows that. Everybody knows.“ 

„What does that mean?“ Lisa asked. 

„It means, that if no one interfered in our lives back in those days, no one's heart would have been broken. You and I didn’t mean to harm anyone. All we wanted was being together. If we had the chance living our lives as we wanted, things would be very different today.“ 

Lisa thought about what he just said. Then she nodded. 

„You cheating on my brother was just another tragic consequence of a completely fucked up situation,“ Silas added.

Lisa begun feeling better. Of course it was still wrong betraying Phin. But what Silas just said made it easier to understand her own behavior.

„Silas?“ she said, looking deep in his eyes. 

„Yes, my love?“ 

„Can we start all over again?“ 

He gave her a loving smile.

„Yes, we can.“