Old ends new beginnings

Chapter 7

"Josh!" Eileen called, peering into the dressing room. She giggled helplessly when she saw him engaged in the regular combat with his costume, and entered the room, closing the door behind her. Josh's day on set usually began with a vicious struggle against a too-tight suit, and, though by then Eileen was quite used to it, still it amused her no end. To see such a big man getting despaired over an outfit was indeed quite a sight.

"Twenty minutes and you're on, darling. Need help?" she asked with a mischievous smile, slowly nearing him, her arms crossed across her chest.

"You bet I do. The damn thing just won't fit." Josh growled, flashing her a glance as he tugged almost desperately at the straps, shaking his head.

"All right. Then just relax and let me take care of the business. Deal?"

"Deal." he sighed, and dropped both arms along his sides to allow her room to work in. A couple of minutes later he was fully dressed, and Eileen was looking at him with a wry smile curving her lips and an eyebrow purposefully raised.

"I hate you." Josh grinned, grabbing her waist to drag her closer, and pressing their bodies together.

"Do you?"

"Yeah. Awfully."

"Show me."

Before he could have any chance to reply, a faint click started both, and they simultaneously turned to the door to see who was entering the room.

Vin was aware that he had interrupted something, and suddenly lowered his eyes to the floor.

“I’m sorry, I’m just here to get my costume.” he murmured, walking to take it, without looking at the happy couple.

He was aware that to stay secluded in his room was not good to him, but he wouldn’t want to see her and Sean together.

It was simply too hard for him.

Last night he had called Peter, his twin, and they talked a lot about his problems.

Peter had told him to go and search for Holly, ‘cause he felt that the girl was in love with him, too, and not with that English bloke.

But this time, he was wrong. Holly was happy with Sean and she would just laugh at him.

"Good morning, Vin." Eileen greeted him, smiling, and then kissed Josh before heading to the door. "I'll see you later."

"See you, babe." Josh grinned as he watched her exit the room, leaning against the wall, and then looked at Vin, who was giving him his back. "Fancy a coffee, big one?"

“No, thank you.” he simply answered, putting on a pair of dark sweatpants and a black tank top.

“You’re a wonderful couple, you know?”.

Josh sighed softly and stared at him for a while, searching for the right words. He and Eileen usually avoided getting too affectionate towards each other in Vin's presence, for they both knew how he was feeling. After some moments, he simply replied with a 'thank you', and cleared his throat while reaching for the coffee machine.

When he had finished dressing, Vin walked towards the set, not daring to look at Sean.

That day on the set the duel between Riddick and Gale, Sean’s character, had to be filmed.

And Gale had to die.

The man knew that he was slightly trembling and was glad to notice that Holly wasn’t there to see him.

He had called Peter to talk about this scene. He was afraid to do it, ‘cause he could push it too far, even if he was fighting for control.

But he was a skilled actor, and had to act, without thinking that the man he was going to kill on the set had stolen the only girl that he had ever loved.

Meanwhile Sean and some stuntman were quietly discussing about a way to crash into the ground without breaking your back, and the English actor didn't seem to pay any attention to Vin's presence. Suddenly the director burst onto the set, clapping his hands.

"All right, enough loafing for today, you lazybones! Josh, they need you on the other set. Right now. Vin and Sean, you're on. Get a move on!" he shouted, seizing a cup of coffee and the movie script to review it one more time.

"Hoping that the first take will do." Sean commented, flashing a sidelong glance to Vin and then walking away to reach his position without another word.

Vin put Riddick’s goggles on, and walked into the dark, knowing exactly where to go.

There was an unnatural silence, and he let the animal side of Riddick slip into him, setting his mind as if he was a dangerous murderer.

After some harsh talk with Gale, he jumped on him, and they both crashed onto the floor, rolling and trying to kill each other.

He punched him on the stomach, understanding too late that it was too real and that he had hurt him.

But it seemed that the director liked the scene, ‘cause he didn’t call a stop, and said that this one was perfect.

When they had finished, Vin tried to call for Sean and make some excuses, but the older man avoided him and rushed out of the studio.

Sighing, the man walked to the other set, sitting on a chair near to Josh.

“I’m losing control. I know I’m drinking too much, but…on that set, I didn’t see Gale. It was Sean. The same Sean that took Holly away from me…and I punched him too hard. I don’t know what to do…I’m losing myself.”

Josh averted his gaze and sighed, running a hand across his face. Then he looked at Vin again, and patted his shoulder.

"I really think you should talk to her, my friend." he murmured, leaning towards him. "Or at least try not to avoid her. You'll see it for yourself how much she cares about you. Even Sean knows."

“I can’t. She would laugh at me. I know that. I think that she’ll hate me now that I’ve punched her man. And maybe she’s right. I don’t deserve her…” he mumbled, feeling the strong desire to go back to his room and drink an entire bottle of scotch.

"All right, all right. I won't push you anymore.." Josh sighed, frowning. "But I won't allow you to get yourself into trouble, let that be clear. And we're going out tonight. Just me and you, like the old times. Okay?"

“You should stay with Eileen, Josh,” Vin quietly stated, finally turning his head to look at him. “And you shouldn’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. I always try to go on and I’ll do it...even this time.”

"Of course I worry about you!" Josh retorted vehemently. "You're a friend, for fuck's sake. I care about you. And I'll see Eileen…later. She's sleeping in my room anyway. So don't worry, all right?"

“She’s sleeping in your room?” Vin asked jokingly at him, a large grin on his face.

“Oh, Josh! You bad boy, I was starting to think that you would never make your move!”

"You bastard!" Josh laughed, playfully punching Vin's shoulder. "I can't believe I just said that to you. And for your information, I made my move quite a while ago, so maybe I'm not the total dumbass you've always assumed me to be."

“I never assumed you were a dumbass,” Vin stated, trying desperately to hold down his laughter. “Well, maybe…just one time or two!”.

They laughed for a while, and Vin seemed serene for the first time in a while.

“When I first met you, I thought that me and you would never be friends. But…here we are. And I’m really glad to have a friend like you.”

"Geez. Did you really just say that?" Josh smiled, looking at the other man, and then leaned confidentially towards him. "I'll tell you my horrible secret then. It's the same for me." he mumbled gravely, then held Vin's face with both hands and placed a loud, smoochy kiss on his cheek, laughing.

“Hey!” Vin playfully protested.
”How dare you to kiss me? I’m not on this women’s thing, you know I prefer an handshake!”

Shaking his head, he looked at the other man, crossing his powerful arms across his chest.

“So tonight you would like to go out with me?” he asked, leaning towards him in a comic way.

“Do you think that Eileen will give you the permission to go out with a bad, bad boy like me?”

"Go ahead and ask her." the other replied, pointing at said girl who was approaching them. She kissed Josh on the forehead and sat on his lap, looking at him first and then at Vin. "Hello?" she smiled, trying to figure out why the two were staring at her.

Vin cleared his throat, even if it wasn’t necessary, and glanced at Josh.

“We were thinking to go out and have a beer tonight, you know, those boy’s nights and…I was asking Josh if you would give him the permission to come…”

"Permission?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "He doesn't have to ask for my permission...well, not as long as he's just going out for a beer."

"Good." Josh smiled somewhat smugly, glancing at Vin while holding Eileen tightly within his arms.

"Wait a sec. No women whatsoever." she warned him menacingly. "Don't even think about that, right? I'm uncontrollably jealous, Mr. Brolin, and I think you know that."

"You're damn right I know." he chuckled. "You're even jealous of the waitresses at the hotel."

"I wonder why. Maybe you don't notice the way they look at you, but I definitely do."

"Whatever."

Looking at them made him inexplicably sad.
It was not right. Why couldn’t he just hold his Holly like Josh was holding Eileen?
He knew that Holly was jealous, too.

And it was his fault, again, pushing her into Sean’s arms.
It was his fault, as always.

He wondered what would have happened if she hadn’t found him with that girl at the hotel.

Would she have dated Sean?

Lost in his thoughts, Vin almost didn’t notice that the other two were silently looking at him.

"Hey…are you all right?" Josh asked, concerned, while Eileen sighed and leaned forward to caress Vin's cheek.

"I am sorry, Vin." she whispered sadly. "I am so sorry. We’re just two fools." She would have hugged him in that right moment, but she didn't dare, not knowing how he would react to such an affectionate gesture.

Trembling slightly at that contact, Vin glanced at her, before to turn his attention to his feet.

“N-no, you shouldn’t be sorry. It’s just…me. It’s me. As always…” he mumbled, and then he stood up.

“I got to go now. See ya.”

With that, he was gone, rushing towards his car, and driving fast to the hotel.

Seeing him flee like that, Josh merely shook his head and sighed, tightening the embrace, while Eileen rested her head on his shoulder.

"What can we do?" she asked suddenly, her voice reflecting all too well the sadness she was feeling inside.

"We can do nothing, love...just...try to comfort him in some way, I think."

"Then we will."

Holly was working in her studio when Sean entered the house, rushing inside and slamming the door.

Surprised by his behaviour, she raised an eyebrow and stared at the door for a while, before going to him.

“Sean?” she called, a little insecure. “Are you all right love?”

"Well," he began without looking at her, while fumbling into the closet for a t-shirt. "I'd certainly be better if someone would have explained to him that he wasn't supposed to fuckin' punch me for real."

At those words, Holly froze, trying to register what he had told her.

“I-I’m sorry…did he hurt you?” she asked, her voice trembling.

But she was left without words when she saw the large bruise on his stomach.

“Oh, shit…”

Sean merely shrugged, sighing, and after slipping on his t-shirt he sat on the nearby couch. "Come here with me. Can I have just a little cuddle?"

Walking as a woman in dream, she sat at his side, eyes wide in shock, and looped her arms around his neck, putting her cheek on his head.

“I’m sorry…it’s all my fault…I’m so sorry…”

"Shhh…" Sean hushed her, closing his eyes. "It's not your fault...and I'll be all right, I always recover very quickly. I just need you...I need you so much, Holly..."

“I love you…” she whispered, leaning to kiss him sweetly on the lips, caressing them with her tongue now and then.

Josh was waiting for Vin in the hotel lounge, sitting on a sofa and sipping some sort of reddish drink. When he heard someone approaching he raised his head from the magazine he was lazily browsing, and smiled to his friend.

"There you are!"

“I’ve had a quick shower.” he smiled at him, explaining why he was late, nearing him.

“So, where do you plan to go?”

"I didn't plan anything at all." Josh grinned, putting both the glass and the magazine on the small coffee table. "I'm at your mercy, big one."

“It’s not a wise decision, you know?” Vin grinned back, looking at him.

“We could go to that club on the east side…my car or yours?”

"Mine." the other replied with a smirk, dangling the keys of his jeep in front of his friend. "You know I like driving. And this way I allow you to get as drunk as you like. You should thank me."

“Oh, thank you, daddy.” Vin grinned wickedly, walking towards his friend’s car.

While he was driving, they listened to the music for some minutes, then Vin took a deep breath and spoke.

“Josh, I…I’ll never thank you enough to be my friend. Sometimes I don’t know what could I have done if you weren’t here…I’m not so fine as I’m trying to convince myself…I’m feeling like shit…”

"I know." Josh murmured, sighing, still looking at the road in front of them. "I can see it. But hey..." With that, he forced himself to smile, and flashed a glance at his friend. "I will always be here for you, and Eileen too. You can count on us, Vin, for anything. And I mean it."

“Thank you.” he smiled, flashing a look at him.

“How long have...you two…I mean…yeah, you know what I mean!”

"Mmmm..." Josh chuckled, glancing at him again. "...How long have we been...seeing each other or what else, big one?"

“Oh, damnit, Josh!” growled Vin, pretending to be exasperated.

“How long have you been a couple? And don’t tell me bullshit, I know you two are in love. I can see it into your eyes..”

"Okay, okay, I give up. I'll behave and tell you anything, honest." the other smiled. "Yes, you're right, we're in love. Awfully in love. And we’ve been together from about...ahhh...one month and a half, I suppose. She'll move to my house after the filming, and we'll probably get married. That's all."

“You’ll what?” Vin asked then in disbelief. “Get married? Wow…That’s wonderful! I’m really happy for you, man, you deserve such happiness.”

Josh looked at him for a moment, replying with a smile. He didn't say it out loud, but he was hoping with all of his heart that Vin, too, could find such happiness one day. He deserved it. Once they arrived to the club, they quietly walked to the entrance, and a bouncer promptly approached them.

"Welcome to the Lotus Sound Lounge." he began, looking at them up and down. "Reservation?"

"Well, no." Josh replied hesitantly, glancing at Vin. "Is it mandatory?"

"Well, yes." the man mocked him, smiling wryly. "I suggest you to find another place in which to spend your night, gentlemen."

“Well, sir, you should call the boss here, ‘cause you’re talking to Vin Diesel and Josh Brolin, and if I were you, I would be more careful to talk to us in that way, understand?” Vin told the man menacingly.

The bouncer seemed very impressed once he knew who they were, and suddenly became incredibly friendly, showing them a table in a position that would assure them a little privacy.

Vin grinned wickedly, and leaned towards Josh.

“See, being so…huge and menacing have give some advantages.”

"Indeed, but you know...I've always been a good boy, in fact, I still am a good boy, and...well...I’m too nice to kick his ass, so I let you take care of the business." Josh replied, doing his best not to just burst into laughter and trying almost desperately to keep a straight face.

Vin burst into a deep laugh at those words, shaking his head.

“That’s why you shouldn’t go out with me…I could take you to the wild side, and I strongly doubt that Eileen would be happy about that.”

"Jeez!" Josh chuckled, feigning to be horrified, and then eyed him curiously before pulling a pack of cigarettes out of a pocket and lighting one.

"So, tell me...what's your concept of wild side, big one?"

“Mine? Nothing more than wild sex, alcohol, fast cars…things like that…” he smiled wickedly.

“But you should have known me before to meet Holly…I was the most fuckin’ crazy bastard in all New York…”

"Sounds interesting..." the other replied, puffing his cigarette and raising an eyebrow. "I'll take you with me to my next race, maybe. As for wild sex, well, please don't feel offended but you're not my type. As I surely am not yours." he grinned, then purposefully pointed to some quite gaudy girls that were sitting at a table next to theirs.

"How 'bout that? Too showy for my taste."

“I think that I’m becoming an old bore, you know. I don’t like any other girl but…Holly.” he mumbled a little sadly.

In that precise moment, an attractive blonde came over to them, smiling sexily at them.

“I’ve been always attracted to...actors.” she stated, eyeing Josh.

"Oh. Great." he replied, nodding, and exchanged a quick glance with Vin before getting on his feet. "I think I'll go to get me a pint. Want something?"

“I’ll take one too.” Vin smiled at him, looking while his friend walked away, then he tuned to the girl, raising an eyebrow.

“What? He doesn’t like women?” she asked, a little confused.

“He’s engaged.” Vin explained. “And, look, if you want an autograph, I’ll be more than happy to give it to you, but…I’m not up for anything if you’re thinking about something else, honey.”

The girl seemed disappointed, and just nodded, sending him a kiss with her hand and walking back to her table.

It was all so different now. He was different.

The old Vin would have fucked her without thinking twice, but the new Vin couldn’t do it.

It was impossible to fuck someone when you’re deeply, madly in love with another woman.

A while later, Josh returned to the table, carrying two mugs of beer. "I thought they would never let me go." he mumbled, handing Vin a pint. "There you go. Where's the vampy blonde? I thought you two could have used a little privacy." he chuckled.

“She’s gone. I am into that kind of girl, and you know that.” Vin stated, sipping his beer and looking around.

"I know, I know. Just as you know that I totally agree with you." Josh replied, following Vin's gaze and then looking at his watch. "Must check on Eileen." he murmured, searching for his cellular phone.

“Why? She’s not at the hotel?” the other asked then, curiously, trying to stifle a laugh when he saw the worried frown on his friend’s face.

"Nah, she's out...with Holly." Josh replied while dialling Eileen's number, and dared a quick glance at the other man. "Hey," he smiled when she answered the phone. "Enjoying yourself? Yeah? What?" he suddenly looked at Vin, trying to hear what she was saying over the noise of the club, an almost panicked expression on his face. "At...the Lotus Sound Lounge, you say? Oh shit."

From his side, Vin looked at Josh with a shocked expression on his face, trying to register the fact that Holly was coming there.

It was a wonderful occasion for him to talk with her without Sean, and explain everything about this accident on the set, and about that morning at the hotel.

“Did they reserve?” he asked then to Josh, a grin on his face.

The other shook his head, grimacing, and mumbled: "Nay, they're bickering with the big tough guy out there. What? Yeah, babe, I'm still with you. Listen, we're at the Lounge too, we're inside. I'm comin' to get ya."

“Okay, okay. I’m going. You’re far too good to talk to the ass at the door.” Vin grimaced back, standing up.

A few moments later, he cleared his throat at the back of the man that was talking harshly to Holly and Eileen.

When he noticed who was there, the bouncer smiled somewhat awkwardly, and Vin raised an eyebrow, trying to be menacing.

“Do you know that you’re bothering our ladies, don’t you?”

The man glanced from Vin to the women for a second, and then he lifted his head, and let them enter.

Vin smiled wickedly at Eileen, kissing her on the cheek, and then turned his attentions to Holly.

“Hey you. It’s been a long time”

“Yeah…” she smiled back. “Don’t you want to kiss me?”

When he heard those words, and saw the wicked smile on her face, he grinned, crushing her in a tight embrace, kissing her on the cheek.

"Don't want to...interrupt you two, but.." Eileen began a little insecurely, and then smiled. "Where's your table?"

"If you don't have any objections, I believe I could lead you there, ma'am." Josh said formally from behind them, trying not to chuckle, and the girl immediately turned to look at him. Only a moment later, she was in his arms, a content expression on her face. "I've missed you terribly, sweetie."

"Same for me." he smiled, glancing at the other two and the kissing Eileen's cheek in a quite affectionate way.

At the sight, Holly flashed an amused look at Vin.

Her friend had finally found happiness, and Josh seemed to be perfect for her.

Vin led her to the table, sitting at her side.

Josh and Eileen were at the bar, so Holy decided to finally talk to him.

“Why did you punch him?”

Vin sighed deeply in response, without avoiding her eyes.

“I didn’t mean to punch him. I was angry and nervous, but he didn’t give me the time to explain.” he stated.

“He has a big bruise on his stomach, and I think that it hurts.” she said sighing, too.

“I’m sorry…can you tell him? Please?” he asked then, a frown on his face.

“I will tell him.” she smiled. “You know, I’m glad to see you. It’s been a long time…”

“I’m glad, too. Because I want to talk to you about that day at the hotel...” he told then, eyes fixed on hers.

“Vin…it’s not necessary to explain. It’s…past.” she muttered, not wanting to hear what he was going to say.

“No, Holly. You have to listen to me. You owe me that, because you didn’t give me the chance to explain what was happening. You just turned your back to me, going on with your life and leaving me behind.” the man told then, in a somewhat angry tone.

“Okay. I owe you that…”

“She was a fan. I don’t know how did she entered the hotel, but I was having a shower and she knocked at my door. She asked me to let her in, but I said no. And you arrived as she was leaving. Nothing happened between us, Holly. Do you believe me?” he told, forcing her to look into his eyes.

The girl seemed shocked by his words. It was all too new, and she was desperately searching for a sign that would tell her that he was lying.

But there weren’t. Vin was telling the truth. She had been wrong, and didn’t give him the possibility to explain.

Just like she did in Prague. So much time they had wasted!

But now there was Sean. And she couldn’t simply leave him. He was important to her, and the last thing she wanted to do was break his heart.

As if reading in her mind, Vin smiled sadly, and sighed.

“I know that there’s Sean at your side now. I don’t want to get between you two. I just…want to know that you believe me.”

Holly nodded, and would have told him how she was feeling, but Josh and Eileen came back to the table, and she smiled at them.

Vin tried to smile, too.

It had been hard to pretend that he wasn’t suffering to see her with Sean. To make her believe that he was almost happy to see that she had moved on with her life.

Josh handed Holly a glass before sitting down at the table, and smiled at her. "Mojito, miss."

"You know what..." mumbled Eileen then, sipping her drink pensively. "I'm supposed to send a draft of the article I'm working on in two days, and I can't write anything about this guy here. I just can't be unbiased when it comes to him, and I'm afraid to be writing something like An Ode to Josh Brolin. You guys think they'll fire me right away?"

"Probably." Josh grinned, gaining a grim look from his lover. "Okay. Just...joshin'." he smiled, then looked at Holly. "Ask her to fix it up."

“Me?” Holly asked then, eyes wide in surprise.

“Oh, no way, I’m a photographer and I don’t want to ruin your work, as I would probably do, considering that I’m an horrible writer…”

“We can do it together.” proposed Vin, glancing alternatively to Eileen and Holly.

"See?" Eileen smiled triumphantly, looking at Vin and then at her co-worker. "Come on, Vin will help you...I’m asking you please, please, give it just a quick review...I need a straightforward opinion of that article. Pretty please?"

“Okay, okay, I’ll do it…” she answered, flashing a quick smile to Eileen.

“Should I come to your home? Or will you come to my room at the hotel?” asked then Vin.

Holly had forgotten that particular aspect of the situation, and she thought a lot about that, looking at Josh for a little help.

She couldn’t go to his room, and at her home, there was Sean.

"I would suggest you Holly's house, to avoid troubles with Sean..." Josh said quietly, exchanging a glance with Eileen. She smiled at him, looking into his eyes, and lovingly caressed his cheek before looking at Vin. "You think you could bring Holly home if we go back to the hotel?"

“Sure!” Vin nodded enthusiastically.

“I’ll be more than happy to accompany her. And I want to talk to Sean, too.”

At those words, Holly just nodded, hoping that Sean would not get mad at her.

The last think she needed was a fight with Sean that evening.

"Good." Josh nodded, and took the last swig of his beer before standing. "See ya tomorrow then. Enjoy yourselves." he said, smiling, and drooped to kiss Holly's cheek while Eileen gave Vin the keys to her car.

"There. You can give 'em back to Josh tomorrow. Don't speed along."

“No, mum, don’t worry!” chuckled Vin.

Two hours later, they were outside Holly’s house, waiting for Sean to open the door.

Holly was looking at the floor, silently praying for a not too harsh reaction from Sean.

After a few moments he opened, and seemed indeed quite taken aback when he saw that Holly was in Vin's company. He stared at the other man for a while and then shifted his gaze to Holly, frowning.

"Welcome home..." Sean mumbled quietly, and, without another word, he turned around to walk to the couch, leaving the door opened.

“Shit…” she muttered, forgetting Vin and walking towards Sean.

“I…forgot the keys.” she explained, trying to force him to look at her.

But he averted his gaze.

At that point, Vin entered and looked at Sean.

“May I speak to you? From man to man?” he told to the older man.

Holly didn’t move, but looked alternatively to Vin and Sean.

“C’mon, babe, I promise I’ll be a perfect gentleman with him.” Vin smiled at her, trying to get her to leave him alone with her boyfriend.

But she still didn’t move and remained, looking at Sean.

"Go ahead." Sean said curtly, gazing at his watch and then crossing his arms across the chest. "You've got three minutes of time. I'm watching the Blades and I don't want to miss the match."

Sighing deeply, understanding that Sean would not talk to her, Holly just turned back and walked slowly towards the bedroom.

What should she expect from him?

It was impossible that those two would be friends, nor that they would be able to talk politely with each other.

She disrobed and put on an old Sean’s t-shirt and a pair of shorts, walking with bare feet to the balcony.

Looking at the sky, she sat down on the floor, curled in a ball, waiting for him to calm down.

“Why are you acting like this?” Vin was asking to the said man.

“You shouldn’t be so harsh to her, but to me. I’ve just accompanied her home, because Josh and Eileen went back to the hotel and Holly hadn’t got her car. You should understand that we’re just friends. Friends, can you understand? I don’t want to take her away from you, she’s happy and I know that you are making her happy. I would never ruin her happiness, but even a blind man could see how she suffers seeing that we don’t like each other. I’ve nothing against you, Sean. I’m a professional actor and that’s what I’ll do with you. Act. Because it seem impossible for you to be my friend. The three minutes are finished. Give her a kiss from me.”

He knew that he should have been there to listen to what Sean had to say.

But he had been too much upset to see Holly threatened harshly from that ass.

It had been hard to him, to say those words, but it was the right thing to do.

And he really hoped that they could be happy together.

The only thing he need at the moment was a bottle of scotch, and nothing more.

He drove Eileen’s car at the hotel, and stopped to the bar, to buy some alcohol, before coming back to his room.

Sean was still in the lounge, watching the match without really seeing it. He shifted uneasily on the couch, looking at the door and then at the stairs, and sighed.

Shit. Shit, shit, shit.

After another couple of minutes of restless twitching and sighing, he turned off the TV, shook his head, and finally made his way to the upper floor. Once in the bedroom he noticed that the door to the balcony was open, and leaned against the doorframe to stare at Holly's back, trying to find the right words.

"I'm sorry."

“Don’t be.” she just muttered, without turning to look at him.

“I’ll tell Eileen that I won’t review her piece about Josh. I should do it with Vin, but I’ve had enough of you two.”

Sean sighed again. "How should I feel, Holly?" he asked, his tone gentle despite his inner turmoil. Seeing them together had made his head spin helplessly, his stomach clench, his breath to get caught in his throat. He was terrified, again, and panicking at the mere thought that his Holly could eventually choose Vin and leave him.

She didn't reply to his question, though. And she didn't turn to look at him. "I...I'm frightened to death." he admitted then, his voice low and slightly trembling. "I know I behave like a fool sometimes...I don't...do it on purpose."

“I should have known that this situation would never be simple,” she murmured, her tone low and husky.

“I should have talked to my boss and gone back home before that all this could happen…I’m feeling…hurt, nervous, stressed, and I can’t think clearly…”

Slowly she wiped a lonely tear on her cheek, passing a hand through her hair and sighing.

"This is all my fault." Sean murmured as if talking to himself, shaking his head. Then he sat on the floor next to Holly, not daring to hug or kiss her, just staring at the sky.

"You should think about your own happiness,” he murmured quietly after a while. "I wouldn't blame you."

“I am happy with you.” she quietly stated, finally turning to look at him.

“It’s you that isn’t happy with me.”

Sean turned to look at her, frowning. "Why do you say such a thing?" he asked softly, reaching to move a lock of chestnut hair away from her face. "I love you more than anything. I couldn't be happier than this."

“You suffer every time I’m with Vin. You get angry with me even if I assure you that I want to stay with you. And…sometimes it’s just that I can’t understand you… and I want you to be happy. This is not happiness, Sean.”

"Okay." he muttered, averting his gaze. "So what is that you are suggesting? A warm handshake and a friendly parting?" he said bitterly, staring at the ground.

“If…you want that…yes. I’ll go back to my room at the hotel, or if you don’t want me around, I’ll go back home…” she muttered, looking away, trying to keep back the tears.

Of all the things she had imagined, this wasn’t how her love story with Sean should have ended.

Sighing, she stood up, not wanting to hear his obvious answer, entering the bathroom, and locking the door behind her.

Just then she fell to the ground, her back pressed against the door, and cried for what seemed an eternity, barely knowing that Sean could hear everything from the bedroom.

Sean remained on the balcony, cursing his foolishness and staring blankly at the ground. When he eventually heard the door of the bathroom click open, he stood, determined to face Holly and make things clear.

"I want to know what you want to do, Holly. You're right; we can't go on like this. I love you...but I won't force you to stay by my side if that's not what you want. And you know that."

“I want to stay with you Sean!” she almost cried out, exasperated.

“I love you, how can I make it clear to you? I just want you to be happy, but it seems that you aren’t with me…so if-if you want me to go you just have to tell me.”

"I don't want you to go...I want you to stay with me." he replied, nearing Holly and looking intently at her. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to live with you, I want to marry you, I want to share everything I have with you. How can you not understand that?" he whispered, folding her within a tight embrace. "God, Holly, I love you so much."

“I love you too.” she whispered, unable to speak clearly, sobbing like a child, looping his neck with her arms and clinging to him for dear life.

"Don't cry..." Sean whispered, and began to soothingly caress her hair, all the while holding her tight against his chest. "Everything will be all right, I swear I will never leave you...we'll be happy together." Then he tilted Holly's head up, gently cupping her chin, and brushed his lips over hers. "Marry me, Holly..."

The tears were blurring her view, and she wiped them, focusing on his face.

“Would you be angry at me again if I tell you that I would think about it?” she murmured, afraid to fight again with him.

“It’s an important decision and I just want to be completely sure…I just want to think a little...”

"Think about it," he replied softly, smiling and still holding her face into his hands. "And kiss me. Now."

Smiling happily, she tilted her head to caress his lips with hers, closing her eyes and kissing him fully, with fierceness and passion.

“I love you.” she told him when they parted, her voice low and husky.

"I know." Sean murmured, a hint of a grin curving his lips. "But it's good to be reminded of such wonderful things once in a while." He sighed contentedly, wrapping his arms around her, and nuzzled his face against her neck. "I love you too. And I owe you a whole night of intensive kiss and cuddle. Shall we go to bed, my love?"

“Of course, love.” she smiled wickedly, leading him towards the large bed.

Sean sat on the edge of the bed and placed his hands at Holly's waist, lifting his head to look into her eyes. "Can I have the honour of undressing that beautiful creature that happens to be right in front of me?"