My heart thuds lightly in my chest as I follow Alex to the bedroom. This is the exact moment I've been avoiding all these days. All along, I knew Alex seemed to be fine with me but he's only human and I know a huge part of him probably still wants to know everything going on. Or rather, that went on. It's been nearly two weeks since the incident and so far, we've both done a good job of acting like something life changing didn't go on. As sick at it is, a part of me actually hoped he'd have forgotten. Like he could. I'm such a fool. I focus on the ripple of muscles on his back as we make out, racking my head actively for what to say, anything at all to lessen the tension."How was it at the hospital?". I ask quietly. What I really mean to ask is how is he? I'm a bit scared of that answer. Because I know I don't want him to be fine."He's….the same". Alex says, his voice neutral. I resist the urge to let out a sigh of relief. He's stitin the coma. Why the hell won't he just….die alread
Alex pulls the duvet up to my chin, tucking me in fully before coming to settle beside me. As he stares at my face, for some weird reason, I can't stop imagining what he sees. Does he just the red eyed, puffy faced me, or perhaps….is there a layer of disgust over it? Not that I'd blame him one bit. I hold my breath as he brings a hand up to caress my cheek lightly, his gaze burning fiercely into mine. And yet, he doesn't say anything. I suddenly feel the need to break the silence."I ran away when I was 15". I say, my voice hoarse. He sighs softly and just continues to stare straight at me. It's almost as if he's afraid to say something, scared to have the moment crumble away. I'll take that as my cue to continue. "One day when my mum went to work and Ace was in school, I snuck back home from school and took my things. I never looked back ever since that day. But perhaps that was a mistake because he found me in New York". One of Alex's eyebrows go up in surprise but he still doesn't
When I open my eyes the next morning, it takes a little while before my brain processes my surroundings. For the past two weeks or so, I've been in one space, waking up in the same bed, to the same ceiling and to the same warm, reassuring hand wrapped tightly around my torso. Today, things are different. Much different.I roll over on the bed onto the side of my good arm and just….stare out the window emptily. Slowly, my brain does a reboot of everything that lhappened yesterday. This is it. As hard as it was, I finally managed to talk about the weight that's been holding me down, hanging over my head and shoulders. That alone brings a small smile to my face as I register the light feeling in my chest. It sure feels good to offload to someone. It seems like a thousand year's worth of weight has been lifted, I guess talking about all of it was good for me afterall. But now that I have….what now? What next for me? Are things really going to stay the same between Alex and I?My mind flas
My heart thuds loudly in my chest. What the hell have I done? How do I convince a smart, grown man that he heard me wrong. Of all my truths, this was the one thing I wasn't ready to divulge. How did I get so into my feelings and give myself away like that? "Alex…. it's not what you think". I hate the way my voice comes out small. I have always been a bad liar so if my voice doesn't tell already that I'm lying right now, my face must. Either ways, I'm caught. "Nicole, then tell me what it's like". He still manages to exercise good control over his voice. I'm impressed. And I need to learn that at least from him. "Alex….". So fast, our roles have been switched. Suddenly, I'm the one who wants to slide closer and reach for his hand and make sure I'm holding him close to me so he doesn't go away. I resist all urges to do that as I wring my hands in my lap. "Alex….I have something to tell you". I look at him tentatively through my lashes. His face is impassive, just staring at me directl
The rain began to pour heavily and the taxi driver wound up the windows as they sped past other cars on the busy highway. What had been a bright and beautiful day now sported dark grey clouds that downed their contents on the earth happily. Despite the weather, Nicole's mood remained piqued. She was just as excited as she had been when she had gotten out of bed this morning knowing Alex was coming home today and she had the best news awaiting him. They were having a baby. Her hand came to rest on her flat tummy instinctively and she smiled to herself. She was just 5 weeks gone. She wasn't sure if her hormones had something to do with it but her heart swelled even more these days when she thought of Alex. He had been on a business trip to Florence for the past two weeks and is to be back today. She missed him so much. An hour ago, he had informed her that he'd be landing by roughly 12am. She smiled and checked her watch. It was just 9:17pm. She glanced at the bag that sat next to her o
The whole house became so silent that Nicole was sure she would be able to hear a pin drop if she listened hard enough. Now that it was out and the whole house was staring at her like she was some kind of alien entity, Nicole didn't know how to feel. She glanced at Alex, willing him with her eyes to say something, to say she was right, to save her from looking like a fool. Instead, he only stared forward at the plate in front of him, his jaw clenched in what seemed like anger."Is that true, Alex?". His father asked.He was quiet for a few seconds before finally letting out a small sigh. "Yes, Dad. Nicole is my fiancee". "What?". Mrs. Van Lewis whispered. She turned to Nicole and eyed her in open disgust before turning back to her son. "Her?". Her meaning was so clear that Nicole felt a wave of inferiority wash over her at the woman's condescending tone. And yet...Alex said nothing. "I must say……your taste is rather poor, Alexander". It came from the blonde woman beside her. Even he
Six years laterNicoleI chew on my pen nervously as I pace the distance of my team leader's office. I desperately hope there has been a misinformation of some kind. "Nicole". I hear Aurora call my name as she enters the office. "You are here. Tell me it's a lie please".Aurora smiles and goes to stand behind her desk, arranging the documents that litter the table. "It's not. You are….."."But I can't!!!". I realize my voice has probably gone higher than it should have. Hastily, I walk over to Aurora's desk and lean over it, whispering into her face furiously. "I can't do the presentation, Aurora. I can't"."Why?". She doesn't even look fazed. "You handled majority of the project in my absence anyways. You know about it more than anybody….even me". "But….". I groan. "..... I can't stand in front of all those higher-ups. I'm definitely going to flop…. nervousness and all"."You won't". Aurora says as she tucks a batch of documents into a chest of drawers. "I know you, Nicole. You ar
NicoleFor a moment, I think I'm dreaming. This can't be happening. But when I dig my thumb into the soft flesh of my palm and feel the small jolt of pain, I realize it's not a dream after all. He looks the same, yet so different. He still stands tall at 6'2, but he looks slightly bigger. He has definitely started hitting the gym more constantly. Six years ago, he was bare faced, but now he sports a dark, well carved beard. He has also lost the short ponytail I used to love so much, now he has a fuzzy undercut and his remaining thick mass of hair has been styled to taste. Somehow, his physique isn't even the most different thing about him. Something bigger has changed. His confidence. He has turned into a man whose presence commands attention and respect when he enters a room. By a mere look at him, I can tell.Alex is finally the man I've always wanted him to be. I should be impressed by this, but after my initial shock, all I feel now is a roiling anger in the pit of my belly. I cl