Esper Harem in the Apocalypse

Chapter 1104: Speed Running Life events (4) || Elena

The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the city. Rudy flew over the streets, his senses heightened and alert, scanning the surroundings for any sign of Elena.

He remembered the first time he had met her, her eyes filled with curiosity and warmth. He recalled the moments they had shared, the laughter and the tears, the joy and the pain. He thought about the love that had blossomed between them, a love that had transcended time and space.

Quite literally time and space.

As he flew, his mind filled with memories of Elena, his heart aching with longing. He knew he had to find her, to be with her, to hold her in his arms and tell her that he was back, that he remembered everything, that he loved her more than anything in the world.

Rudy had called Eric before to ask him if he knew where Eleanor was, but he hadn't picked up the call. Sure, he could call Eleanor directly, but he didn't want to ruin the surprise for her. He wanted to see her reaction when he revealed that he remembered everything.

Rudy flew over all the construction sites and business Elena owned, but there was no sign of her.

'Could it be that she is overseas?' he wondered. 'If that's the case then…'

Rudy let out a sigh and took out his phone. He dialled Eleanor as he prepared a script in his mind.

A few rings later, she answered the call but didn't say a word.

"Umm… hello?" Rudy spoke first.

But still, no answer.

"Eleanor? Are you there?" he asked with a worried look on his face.

[Rudy. Yes. What happened? It's so rare of you to call me. Is everything alright?]

"Uhh… yeah. WHere are you right now? Actually, you see, mom wanted to talk to you about something and she is saying that she will only say it when you meet her face to face. I told her that you are a busy woman and all, but she is not listening." Rudy made up an excuse.

[I am at the airport.] She responded. [I am just about to board the plane in a few minutes.]

"Oh! Are you returning? At what time will the plane land here? I will come to pick you up."

[Ah, no. I am leaving, actually. There is a business expo that I have to attend, and since I am handling this project personally, I will have to travel around the world. I will return after a month or so.]

"..."

[Come to think of it, it's your birthday after a month too, right? Do you want me to bring you anything? I will be visiting all the major cities of the world, so you can ask me for anything. I will make sure to bring it for you.]

"Yes, there is something I need."

[Great! What is it?]

"But I don't think you can give it to me."

[Come on, don't worry about anything. Just tell me!] She insisted.

"What I need is not something you can give me on my birthday. I need it now."

[Well, that's not a problem. What do you need? I will ask Eric to get it for you.]

"..." Rudy didn't say a word.

[Rudy?]

"..."

[Hello? Can you hear me?]

Then, Rudy opened his mouth and simply said one word. "Elena."

Silence.

[...] Now, there was no response from the other side.

"I want to see you, Elena," he said calmly.

[Where… where are you…?]

Rudy could hear her sniffing.

"Turn around," he said.

Rudy stood in the airport's waiting area, his eyes locked onto Elena as she turned around. The moment their gazes met, her face crumpled. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over as she took in the sight of him.

"Miss, your ticket please," the airport worker repeated, but Elena didn't even glance her way. She left her carry-on bag and purse abandoned on the floor as she rushed toward Rudy, her heels clicking urgently against the tile.

Rudy opened his arms wide just as Elena crashed into him. She buried her face against his chest, her arms wrapping around him with desperate strength. Her fingers dug into the fabric of his shirt as if trying to fuse their bodies together. A choked sob escaped her throat as her entire body trembled against him.

"I'm here," Rudy murmured into her hair, one hand cradling the back of her head while the other rubbed slow circles between her shoulder blades. He could feel the dampness of her tears soaking through his shirt where her face pressed against him.

Elena's breath came in ragged gasps. "You remember," she whispered brokenly. "You actually remember me."

Rudy tightened his embrace. "Every moment. Every lifetime." His voice was rough with emotion. "The way you smell like jasmine after rain. How your laugh sounds like wind chimes. The exact shade of your eyes when sunlight hits them just right."

She pulled back slightly to look up at him, her hands framing his face. "You.." she muttered, her voice cracking. "You left so suddenly without saying anything. I… I couldn't even…"

"I am here now," Rudy said simply. He covered her hands with his own, pressing them more firmly against his cheeks. "And I'm not leaving again. Not ever."

Elena made a broken sound between a laugh and a sob. "You arrogant bastard," she said, though there was no heat in it. "Making promises about eternity like it's nothing."

Rudy smirked, though his eyes remained serious. "When you've lived as many lifetimes as we have, love, eternity starts to feel like a reasonable timeframe."

She shook her head, fresh tears spilling over. "I missed you," she whispered. "Every second of everyday since you suddenly disappeared."

Rudy captured her mouth with his own, swallowing her words. The kiss was desperate and deep, a collision of grief and relief and something far more primal. When they finally broke apart, Elena's lips were swollen and her eyes dazed.

She jumped on Rudy and began kissing him like a maniac. And Rudy let her kiss him and he kissed back until she was satisfied.

"Come home," Rudy said, his voice rough. He kept one arm wrapped around her waist as he reached for her abandoned luggage with his free hand.

When they turned around, both of their faces turned pale.

Eric was standing in front of them with a baffled look on his face.

"What… what the hell were you two doing?!"