ELISA
Penelope’s reaction was a huge relief. I was so scared that she would hate me and that I would lose my best friend, but she was supportive and understanding. She told me that she had always known that Patrick had a crush on me, and she was happy that we were finally together.

My life had changed in a matter of months. I was no longer the girl who was clueless about love. I was no longer the girl who was scared of facing her feelings. I was a woman who was in love with her best friend's younger brother. A man who was no longer a "little brother" but the love of my life.

One night, as we were having dinner, Patrick took my hand and looked at me, his eyes full of love and adoration.

"Elisa, I love you. I have loved you since I was a kid. I know it took me a while to tell you, but I'm telling you now. I want to spend the rest of my life with you," he said, his voice trembling with emotion.

My heart was pounding in my chest. I couldn't speak. I just looked at him, my eyes filled with tears. I had always known that he was special, but I had never imagined that he would be the one for me.

"I love you too, Ricky," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I have loved you all along."

We leaned in and kissed, a kiss that was a culmination of years of pining, longing, and love. It was a kiss that sealed our fate, a kiss that proved that our love was real.

A few months later, Patrick and I were on a trip to the beach. We were walking on the sand, our hands intertwined. The sun was setting, and the sky was a beautiful canvas of orange, red, and pink. It was the perfect moment.

"Elisa," he said, his voice full of emotion. "Will you marry me?"

I looked at him, my eyes filled with tears. He was holding a ring, a beautiful diamond ring that sparkled in the sunset. It was a ring that was meant for me.

"Yes, Ricky. A thousand times, yes," I said, and I hugged him tightly.

I was no longer the girl who was in a bottomless shit. I was a woman who was in a beautiful, wonderful, and perfect love story. A love story that was a mystery, a secret that had woken up beneath the surface, but a love story that was all mine.

The night that proved love was not a night of shame or regret, but a night of destiny. It was a night that led me to the man I was meant to be with. It was a night that proved that love can conquer all, even in the most difficult of circumstances.