FINALE Chapter 5 - Chapter 5 – “His FINALE”

FINALE

(Cindy's POV)

Local time : 6 am – Nashville, TN

- Private Clinic –

"He's doing well." Warren approach me.

"Where is he?"

I was about to come inside of Andy's room but then I stopped on my track.

I see him talking to Andy beside his bed.

After he's spacing out watching Andy sleeping, he gave him a hug. I could hear his sobbing here.

I decided to head to the waiting area to not disturb him.

(Phone rings)

Gasps. "Right. I have to go back…" I rush and leave the building.

(Sam's POV)

"Sir, you have to take your lunch before leaving here."

I saw the bag on Warren's hand. "What's that?"

"Oh, it's from Ms. Cindy, sir. She was here earlier. Said this is for you." Warren handed me the bag.

"She already left?" I wonder why she didn't stay for a bit.

---

"Are you sure you're really in the good condition now?"

"Don't worry about me."

"You know, you don't have to go now —"

"Can you please stop worrying about anything?" I unintentionally raise my voice at her.

"Sam…" looks at me with eyes widen.

Close my eyes and sighs heavily. "Andy has to be taken to somewhere away from here —"

"And you're gonna leave with him?" Cindy cuts me off.

I just look away.

She just looks down nodding. "Fine…"

I was about to exit the door —

"Sam Joseph McKee…" breathes heavily. "Be well…"

(Cindy's POV)

Without saying anything, he left.

---

I'm at my room figuring out about the key and the reason why they can't let everyone know about the device.

Taking off the necklace that my sister gave me. The device's initials sign is similar to my necklace.

"H.B" I furrow my eyebrows.

(Flashback)

- Cheekwood –

"Ms. Cindy Greene Miranda?"

I was shocked someone called my full name. I turn around and saw an unfamiliar face.

"I'm sorry but do I know you?" I asked.

"I need to talk with you, this is about your sister."

"What?"

"I shouldn't tell you my real name, but since you're a very important person. I am Philip Goodman. It's very pleasure to meet you. I was once a CIA agent and I worked with a person you know."

I look at him, confused.

"Ms. Gwyneth Greene Miranda. Yes, your sister."

"I don't understand…"

"8 years ago, it was my last service to the CIA. I worked on the last mission with her."

(8 years ago) DURING THE INCIDENT

"Phil… listen to me, you have to live… you have to come out here alive!"

"What are you talking about?!"

"You have to make sure Cindy's alright!!! Don't just protect the key, please, I beg you… take care of my little sister…" Ms. G looks at Philip straight in the eye.

Philip is trying to hold back his tears. "Ms. G…"

"You're a good person, Phil." Ms. G tapped his shoulder. Ms. G sighs. "This doesn't ends now, but someday it will be…"

Agent Philip Goodman hands her the remote control with tears flowing non-stop. "I just want you to know, that working with you made me forget how hard my life is. I will never forget you, Gwyneth."

She responds to him with a smile and they bow at each other.

(Explodes)

(End of 8 years ago flashback)

"Your sister is a legend. She did everything she could to stop it and protect you at the same time. She believed you can figure it out someday."

"So, you're saying you're not part of the CIAs anymore?" I asked.

"I left when she's gone. I couldn't stand it, going to the same place where I used to see her around with me."

I slowly nod. "I understand you…"

"I know where they placed the dominant device where you can disable it with the key. All of them."

I was ready to tell it to him but —

"You should go there without a big group of people. A group of guys are waiting for the rookie named Sam Joseph McKee. Everyone in that hotel was disguising to keep an eye of him. He's not safe anymore."

(End of Flashback)

Heavy sigh. "I have to do this courageously…" whines. "What am I gonna do?" rubbing my hair with a thought of leaving everything behind, and fly to Denmark where the dominant device was place at.

Exhales heavily.

Philip Goodman: "You have to do this without worrying about anything, just prepare yourself in any way. Your life will be difficult for a while but you're gonna be okay after everything. I promised to your sister, and I will never betray you and her. You don't just have to trust me, but trust yourself that you can do this."

Holding tight to my necklace. "I'm being watch over by you in the heavens, right?" Chuckles. A single teardrop comes out. Sighs heavily, closing my eyes. "I can do this…"

Philip Goodman: "Once everything is done, you will wake up seeing your name all over the media, you would think that your life ends now."

Local time : 4 am – Nashville, TN (Winter season)

I'm packing up my things while thinking deeply about everything.

(Flashback)

"You know, you should always take breakfast before you start the day. You'll get through a lot of unpleasant experience."

(End of Flashback)

Sighs. "He's just like mom…"

Having my breakfast this dawn and thought. "I have to go there first before he could. I won't let them come at him. This will soon be over, sis."

(15 years later)

📍 LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

(Sam's POV)

Local time and date : 29th of April, 5 am – Las Vegas, NV

"The sun is rising, birds are chirping. Cold air brushes through my hair…" I'm sitting right now at the living room, reading a book with a cup of tea.

As I finished the last sentence of what I read, I glance to the window only seeing the sky starting to get brighter as the sun shines so early. I suddenly remember her. Beyond my mind, I'm still wondering how is she now.

Sighs. "There you go. Another day…" Stretching my arms up. Tying up my hair.

Book title: HEART

📍 BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

(Someone's POV)

"Ms. Calla Greene Miranda, I am very pleased to have finally meet you. Please, have a seat."

I greet her with a bow. "Thank you so much for having me here, ma'am."

"Oh, no. I am so happy to work with you. I have seen your work and you already have my heart."

I was really overwhelmed by her words and I couldn't be any more happier for knowing how my works comes out very well.

"Actually, everything is ready. Your book is ready to be publish worldwide and rest assured, it can be available in more than 20,000 stores and libraries across 100+ countries!"

"That is really great to hear. I am so honored. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity, ma'am!" I can really feel my heart jumping and just wanna scream out loud for how happy I am right now.

"We're so happy to work with you. Oh! So where do you plan on holding your celebration? I have heard it's almost your birthday next week."

"Oh, yes. It is a pretty good reason to celebrate. Haha! Well, I am planning on spending it somewhere else." I said and she gave me a question look.

"So, you're going somewhere. I sincerely congratulate you, dear. And have a safe trip!"

---

Exhales heavily. "I can't believe I'm about to publish my 2nd book!" A happy sigh.

Glancing at the book I am holding now. "This brings back memories…"

(13 years ago)

"Aster and Winter?" The publisher starts to ask me for the interview.

"Ah, yes. As in the Aster flower and the Winter season." I respectfully explain the title of my book.

He tilt his head to the side. "Can you tell me why your pen pal name is... Autumn?"

I chuckle. "Oh, well. The Autumn season has always been precious to me, sir. That's why I decided to use it as my pen pal name —"

He looks at me with a confused face. "I am sorry, Ms. Miranda but your book didn't give me an excitement to read it. It is simply not interesting. I am afraid that I'll have this disapproved."

---

I head to my apartment after the interview. Seeing the night sky with full of stars and a half moon. Sighs. Thinking about the book that I wrote myself during the old days, made me remember him.

"Sam Joseph McKee…" forms a little smile. "You know what, my book was disapproved. I admit I felt disappointed to myself, thinking that maybe I didn't worked that much. But… I realized that failures are always there, but it doesn't mean I will give up, right? First times aren't always the best anyway…"

Sighs heavily. "Ah, today's weather is nice. Are you seeing this, too?"

«We met at the Autumn of 2022»

(End of Flashback)

Thinking about the old times, I'm still the Cindy before. My name changed but the girl who does everything to achieve something in a day is still in me. The same girl who's perfectly imperfect but tries to live right.

(Phone rings)

"Calla? Hey, you're really leaving tomorrow?"

"Yeah, Danny, I really have to…"

"Awe, okay. Too bad I can't come with you. How about let's meet tonight?"

I nod smiling. "Okay, let's meet at our usual meeting place."

"Great! See ya!" Danny hangs up.

(Sam's POV)

Local time : 5:43 pm – Las Vegas, NV

- Library –

Searching for books cause I'm really indecisive right now, I want to focus on something after having a mission last 5 days. I have to spend my leisure time wisely.

"New arrival?" I pick up the book from the 'New arrival' Section. "Excuse me, is this —"

"Oh, it's a newly published and new arrival, sir. From Brooklyn." Said the librarian.

I nodded and glance at the book. "Aster and Winter…"

---

I head home after going to the library.

(Phone rings)

(On the phone: "Consider this… as your last assignment. I guess I have relied on to you with such trust in the past 15 years and never have you ever disappoint me for giving the exact hard work to the tasks I've been giving you.")

Sighs. "I just did what I have to do, Chief."

("Thank you for staying even if it meant to be apart from someone you cared a lot…")

Hangs up.

I pick the book I just bought earlier.

Book title: Aster & Winter written by Autumn

As soon as I opened the first page, the format and the visuals of the book is so familiar to me.

And I thought it's really cute and simple.

Even the scenarios were so familiar.

"Aster flower means love and faith, their bloom time is on late summer and early fall. Aster flower has a good winter hardiness, but without a proper timing and care, a winter can kill aster plants.

When we think deeply to it, related to this story of mine, love is perfect with faith. But timing is also relevant. One can remain brave for their relationship, but when bad timing rules over, there's nothing we can do but just like aster flower and the winter, they have to be apart from each other.

I hope when you find your winter, please remain strong just like an aster flower. So, no matter what happens, even if you won't be together for a long time, you'll eventually meet again. In another season, perhaps."

Highlight of the book: "We met at the Autumn of 2022" that is why I chose this as my pen pal name. And if I won't get to see you again, I'd still wanna say, I love you."

(Flashback)

Warren rushed to me. "Sir, do you saw the news?"

«A female citizen from Nashville, Tennessee 'Cindy Miranda' reportedly annihilated the most protected device of several countries. Which is the "Hero Bomb". It was said that they will search for her to query for her committed crime.»

"She did what?" I couldn't even breathe reading this article with her name on it.

"The devices, sir. There were 57 total that was left. She flew all the way to Copenhagen, Denmark the 3 days before we could get there. She knew that a group of disguised people were waiting for you there, exactly in the building where the dominant device was place." Warren sighs. "The legend rookie 8 years ago who disabled the 18 device, it was her sister, Ms. G."

"Is that why she didn't want me to go? She just couldn't say it out loud…" rubs my head.

"Can you track her where she is?"

"I'm afraid not, sir. She's probably hiding now and lost connection with everything that they could find her. She protected you, sir, now she have to protect her own identity."

(End of Flashback)

Exhales heavily. I still can't get over with her to the fact she didn't just saved my life, she is helping me out with my mental health unconsciously ever since we met.

"Cindy…now that God let me go to the place where I met you, I'm not gonna waste another minute."

(Phone ringing)

"Andy, I'm going somewhere. If you need anything, just call me. I'm gonna be at the other side of the world."

("Eh? You're flying abroad? New assignment?")

"Uh huh, probably the last. And I'm paying a visit…"

("Who?")

"Someone whom I wish to see for a long time now… gotta go!"

("Oy, update me whenever, kay? Take care!")

Local time and date: 5th of May, 6 am – Las Vegas, NV

Breathes heavily. "Ah, the weather ought to be nice tomorrow."

📍 Nashville, Tennessee

(Cindy's POV)

- Cheekwood –

"I'm so happy for you! Happy birthday!"

I happily respond. "Thank you so much for coming! Please, help yourselves."

(Sam's POV)

Arrived here at Nashville, Tennessee at 8. Now, I have to drive from Natchez trace parkway to Cheekwood, like before, but this time it would be without her.

– Flower shop –

"Can I have this white calla lily, please?"

Smiles. "Thank you, have a nice day!"

After I went to the shop to get flowers for her, I instantly drive to the Natchez trace parkway.

Driving through here, mesmerizing the road really brings back time. We are indeed gonna see each other again, but I never thought it would be this way.

The weather's nice just as I expected it to be, air brushing through my long hair that's tied up.

(Cindy's POV)

As I am accompanying the visitors, chatting with them, my eyes just landed on a random area and just happen to saw a familiar figure from afar coming towards here.

He's holding a bouquet of flowers, looking around. He's wearing white polo shirt, tucked in a brown pants with a fedora hat.

I got distracted by my friend calling me to join them in a chat.

Was about to go to them but —

"Cindy…"

Not hearing that name for a while now made me turn around to see who was it, only to see the person I've been longing to see for a long time now.

He approach me with his brightest smile. He smiled the way I loved. That smile I never seen for a while now.

"It's been a while…" he's still have his smile on his face.

Several words and things I wanted to ask him but all I can say was. "How have you been?"

He chuckles. "I've been alright, much better now because I saw you." He added. "Happy birthday." He handed me the bouquet he's been holding.

I gladly accept it. "Thank you. I- I… it's really good to see you."

I made him laugh. "How have you been? I just knew your dream came true. You become a writer just like you've dreamed of."

I am really overwhelmed right now that I can't even talk properly. "Yeah, I uh it took a while but thankfully it's all worth it."

He smiles. "I'm happy for you."

"What about you? Are you still doing the same thing before?"

"I've been on to it for 15 years now… just like Mr. Murphy, I'm finally getting the feeling of realizing what I really need." He added. "He told me that it takes time to get to know what you really desire for living just the way you needed."

"You're really working hard. I see, your hair grew longer now."

"See, you just noticed this." Laughs.

"I knew you're doing well… I'm really glad you are." I smiled at him.

He looks down. "Won't you ask why I left? I did something wrong to you —"

"Yes, you did left. But you just did what you had to… what happens before, it's all because we have reasons to it. We just didn't get the chance to open up to each other…"

(Flashback)

"So, we have to take Andy away from here."

"But, we can't take Ms. Cindy with us, Sir. I'm afraid Chief won't let it happen as well."

Sighs.

Right. I shouldn't involve her just like I did to Andy. I can't afford to see someone I cared about being in a situation I never want to happen.

She has a dream to fulfill. I don't wanna take it from her.

(End of Flashback)

"It's not everyone's fault…" I smile while holding back my tears. "As a matter of fact, as much as I am glad I see you again, I am really happy to have met you, Sam Joseph."

I added. "How did you find me, anyway?"

He scoffs and shows me something.

My eyes widen as soon as I saw it. "That's…"

"That's the book that you gave me, yes…" he hands it to me.

"And my new release book, too…" I can't believe he still has it for a long time already. He even got my new book. "Wow. You really are a spy."

He laughs. "It's always been hard for me dealing with everything all by myself… but I just realized I wasn't alone. That helps me a lot with every worst things I came through, I've think of happy things…" he looks at me in the eye.

He added. "Your dream of being someone who gives comfort and understanding to those who seem to be helpless, you did became to that someone. And cause you are that someone to me, I never thought the Finale I've been looking for was you all along."

I just look at him trying so hard not to cry.

"Thank you, for being my Finale. You're always be that someone who feels like home. Every seasons in my life."

---

(Sam's POV)

I left Cheekwood and take the bus where I would do my last assignment.

"Woops! Careful with that." A guy beside me picking up the thing that was dropped by the guy who bumped into him.

I glance at the things that was dropped then to the guy who passed by.

He has gun in his pocket.

"Are you okay? Hahaha, sorry about that. I'm quite clumsy at times, really." The guy beside me asking me while he's fixing himself. "And yeah, the name's Danny. Danny Wright."

I just bow a little and look away. I notice the guy beside me hands out something from his pocket.

A photo.

He looks at me. Smiling sheepishly. "Her name's Calla. I'm surprising her today since it's her birthday."

I just look at him and then to the photo. "She's beautiful."

He turns his body face to me. "You think so, right? Hahaha. I've been courting her for 3 years now. I hope she'll say yes this time."

I just look at the photo knowing she's someone special that I know. "You chose a good book. She's a whole poem."

He just responded with a giggle and said. "She won't expect me to be here today, since she's celebrating her birthday away from me."

I look at the guy from earlier that passed by. He just went to the front seats.

I muttered to myself. "I see, my last assignment starts now."

I stood up and went towards the mysterious guy. He noticed that I'm onto him.

"Well, hello there, good day." I said raising my hand as a "Hello".

I pulled him in to the driver's seat and securing him with a knot.

"I see, you have it underneath your clothes.", I said to him as I knew he planned it as a suicide bomb.

Sighs. "Ah, bummer, I don't have my briefcase with me." I shrug dramatically. "Hold on tight, little rope."

I stood up and alarmed the passengers. "Excuse me, just wanted to tell you that the machine has been acting weirdly, I'm afraid everyone should go down and at least go for a little distance away from the bus."

But the guy just shout things that'll scare and freak people out. "There's a bomb here! We're all gonna die here!"

As expected, the passengers started panicking.

Even the driver is driving improperly. The bus is starting to move in a dangerous way.

"Pull off the bus!!!!!"

"Everyone, get out of the bus!!!!!!" I started screaming and the guy beside me earlier looks at me with fear in his eyes.

Panting. "Hey, you, promise me you'll be by her side even if it seems she feels like her world is falling apart, just be there for her. Okay?! You got that, Danny?!!!"

He nods crying and he gets out of the bus without looking away from me.

I pulled out the driver and let him out of the bus.

The suicide bomber is in the driver seat and he's driving it in a wrong way.

I fell on the bus floor from the improper driving. Grunts. "Urgh, my ankle." Hardly breathe.

In the middle of this situation, all I can think of is her. I'm still wondering how could she just be like that to me. I broke her heart but she still acts the same way as before. She never questioned for who I am the way like no one else could ever be.

There were many times I've been asking myself to do another task. Am I ready for this and can I take this on? Every day, I have to ask myself: Am I ready to do this today or even next month?

If I think that I couldn't, then it's over for me. But living in this harsh world and not giving up will make sense someday. And I'm thankful that she's part of it. After all, she is my Finale.

I pick up my phone and texted Andy. "Take care of yourself, live without regrets. Live well, Andy."

"Warren…?"

"Sir, what's going on? You didn't lend me your location. Thanks to your pen, I found you."

I stand up straight as I heard what Warren said. Proud smile forms on my lips. "Indeed that old pen is doing its job ever since then."

Just remembered I insert that pen to the book that she gave me years ago.

Scoffs. "God does make a way, where there's seems to be no way. Warren…"

"Sir, I'm here.", Warren answered with his voice louder.

"Take care of everything, including yourself. That's my last cue to you."

"Sir? What —"

I came near to the bomber even with broken ankles.

While disabling the bomb, I asked the guy. "Why are you ruining your life?"

He scoff. "I've got tons of bills to pay. Got nowhere to go. What else is the point of living?"

"Who sent you? You're not just risking your own life, you're including innocent ones, too."

"I don't know why they sent me to bomb this thing, all I ever know is that they're doing this to set as vengeance. I... I was crazy for letting them drag me into this situation…". His eyes are filled with fear and remorsefulness.

"Have you ever heard of anything like this? The moment you realize you're doing wrong, is the moment you can possibly do things right. Every moment is a time you can change…"

He looks at me but —

(Bus bangs and crashing sounds)

(Cindy's POV)

News: 18 passengers saved including the driver, 1 severely injured, 1 died from a bus from Nashville Airport (BNA) to Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge in an accident. It was found that one of the survivors has a suicide bomb and have tried to explode the bus on purpose. A CIA agent happened to be the one who depart this life from saving everyone else from the bomb. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances, the bus strikes to the wrong way which caused an accident.

"Natchez trace parkway…" hearing the news makes me feel like there's something more terrible.

(Phone rings)

"Hello, may I know who is this?" unknown number.

("Cindy?")

"Andy?"

---

- Natchez trace parkway bridge –

I rush to the crime scene after getting a call from Andy.

Sam Joseph… it was him.

There are many people here, which shows that they're the passengers.

"Excuse me, officer —"

"I'm sorry, Ma'am, you can't come in over here." A police officer said.

"No, I'm just —" someone cuts me off.

"Officer, you can talk to her." He came near to us. "She's the girl in the victim's belongings."

"What?" the other officer asked.

"This is her…"

The officer keeps on looking at the paper then to me.

---

"You can come with us, ma'am." Officer said

Bows. I sit down and he's in front of me on a hospital bed.

I can't even stand looking at him in this state. I just don't know what to do.

He's severely hurt and there's nothing I could do but whimper beside him.

I remember feeling this kind of despair, the moment that you hate yourself to the fact that you can't do anything about it once it's already happening. The day I lost my sister. I couldn't even imagine how many times I have cried and I never expected I'd feel the same way again.

I just pick up the paper the Officer gave me earlier that was said it was Sam's.

Other than his phone, I see a paper that was folded. I opened it only to see a sketch of a girl on a stage and a message that was written beside it.

(The night when he drew this)

- Honky Tonks –

I came here for the second time but I bring my sketchpad and pencil with me. Didn't get a drink since there's no coffee here.

Just came to distract my mind. It's not that noisy here anyway.

There are many great artists that plays a show here.

A moment of silence, a group of boys climb up to the stage with one girl.

I knew this figure is familiar to me. Then there I see her.

"Psh, look at her, giving all her energy in the very beginning of the performance. Now, she's almost out of energy…" Sighs. "She tends to act strong and all but she gets weak afterwards…"

Message: (A person that reminds me of a happy child, she tends to be blissful and energetic and she acts strong and all, then she instantly loses energy. But just like a child, she's someone I could just look at and I'd feel better even the times I feel so beaten down.)

I immediately check his phone and the message inbox shows up in the screen.

Send to: Cindy

"To my beautiful flower that gives life to my empty and lonely pot, which you can tell it's my life. Cindy Greene Miranda, I love you."

Message not sent!

(Flashback)

"When I do my work, I'd tie my hair up. And when the time I take the tie off, it just means that I'm going to rest… so, that's one of the best part of my day…"

Sam looks at me and said something that I never thought it would stuck in my heart and makes me on my knees for the rest of my life.

"If my hair is longer now, it would feel a lot better untying it when I'm with you."

(End of Flashback)

As I can't help to just cry beside him, I lean down to him holding his hand.

Sees his hair tied up.

Smiles and takes off his tie. "You did great, you worked hard…" Inhales deeply. "I'm here… sleep tight…"

"You're the most extraordinary man I've ever met. I love you more, Sam Joseph McKee."

(End)

Chapter 5: Chapter 5 – “His FINALE”

CREATORS' THOUGHTS
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Chapter 5: Chapter 5 – “His FINALE”

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CREATORS' THOUGHTS
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