The amber rays colored the horizon, manifesting a crown of crimson and pink above the setting sun. Lines of birds flew across the sky in the direction of their shelter; melodic twitters of them felt like an announcement for the darkness to befall.
I took in a deep breath, filling my lungs with the cool evening air.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Dad said, sitting on the car hood beside me.
I nodded, a smile curved onto my lips. “Yes, very. Thank you for bringing me here, Dad. It’s been so long since I last visited. I really missed our sunrises and sunsets.”
We used to come to this meadow at least once a week. Well, at least me, Dad, and Tobias. Mom and Tess were too lazy to join every time. It was like a tradition for us. The tradition my grandfather started with Dad. But after my move to New York, I couldn’t join Dad and Tobias anymore.
“Me too, princess. Without you, our visits here didn’t have the same meaning.” His tone filled with nostalgia.
“Yeah, that idiot had all the fun for himself,” I joked, mentioning my brother. He couldn’t join us due to an important meeting this evening. “But I’m happy you came here with me this time. It’s my turn today to have all the fun.” I grinned.
Chuckling, he shook his head. “Nah, our time here became pretty boring as even Achilles stopped joining us after you left for your high school.”
My smile slipped at the mention of his name.
He used to accompany us regularly to watch the sunrises and sunsets. But after his father’s death, his visits became less, until it stopped totally. I still remember my extra enthusiasm for the ride here, even at four in the morning, to see him. Meeting him was more important to me than watching anything else.
I heard Dad heaving a sigh. “Sometimes we’ve to let go of the past to live our present, Emerald. Because until you live your present, you won’t be able to accept your future.”
I knew what he was trying to say. Though my family didn’t say anything, I knew everyone has sensed my distance with Ace even after so many years. But I couldn’t explain anything to them even if I wanted to. They didn’t know the whole truth, so they couldn’t understand.
“But what if it’s too difficult to let go of the past?”
His gaze locked with mine. “Nothing is impossible, sweetheart. Sometimes we indulge ourselves so deep in our pain that we can’t see anything past that. All you’ve to do is open your heart a little more, and let go of the grudges. Don’t let the past hold you from your happiness in the present.”
I put my head on his shoulder, saying nothing.
Could I do it? Could I be that brave to let go of everything and move on? I haven’t been able to in years.
The buzz of my phone cut off my thoughts.
“Who is it?”
I put my phone back. “Cassie. She and Beth want us to have dinner together at our regular place.”
Nodding, his gaze turned back to the chromatic horizon.
After spending some more time talking and refreshing memories, we headed back to home. Once dropping him off, I turned the car around and drove to Nova’s Diner, where the girls were waiting for me.
But all the way, the only thing that consumed my mind was Dad’s words. I knew he was right. I couldn’t let go of the past because I held grudges. Grudges against my sister, grudges against Ace, grudges against myself.
I could understand the reason I blamed Tess and myself for being so naïve. But Ace, he didn’t deserve my hatred. He’d never promised to take care of my heart that I’d blamed him for breaking. But the heart couldn’t see anything other than its ache. And it knew, it’d to hurt others if it wanted to prevent another ache.
After talking to Tess last night, I decided to give us another chance. Maybe it was time to let go. Even if it was just a tiny step, it was something. I couldn’t just hold over something that happened years ago.
And maybe, it wasn’t all I thought it was. Last night’s conversation flashed in my mind.
“Did you love him?”
Her irises didn’t flicker as she answered, “No.”
“Then why did you do it? Why did you do it even after knowing you’d be hurting me by doing that?” I asked, my voice was desperate.
A look of sorrow had covered her features. “I didn’t want to hurt you, Em. I’d never hurt my little sister like that, no matter how much different we were from each other.”
“Then why?”
She’d cast me a look of apology. “I’m sorry, Em. I can’t tell you why. But you will know soon.”
She didn’t explain anything after that, just told me to think over her request and left, leaving me alone and confused.
What was she hiding? I didn’t know.
“So, you decided to forgive her?” Cassie asked, raising a brow.
I shrugged, twirling the fork into my spaghetti.
“I’m happy that you’re solving your problems with your sister, Em. Life is too short to hold grudges forever. I agree with your dad.” Beth smiled.
Cassie scoffed. “These things only sound good in your stupid books. They’re not that brilliant in real life. Once a bitch, always a bitch.”
“Cassie!” I sent her a look of reprimand, causing her to roll her eyes and take a sip from her smoothie.
“I wouldn’t forgive my sister if she’d done something like that to me. Thank God, I don’t have one!” she remarked.
Beth scowled at her. “Don’t listen to her, Em. You do whatever your heart says.” She wiggled in her seat. “Uh, now that you forgave Tess, will you consider doing the same to Achi—”
“I don’t want to talk about him right now. Let me just enjoy my dinner with you guys, will you?” There was nothing to forgive Ace in the first place, but trying to get my relationship good with him meant sacrificing my heart again. And I knew better. Just some days more, and then I will be gone. Far away from him.
“Well, I see your wish didn’t get granted at all,” Cassie commented, looking at her right.
“What’re you talking about?” My eyes widened when I followed her gaze to the furthest corner of the diner.
Beth gasped. “What’s he doing here?”
Three suited men and a woman in her late twenties sat around the table. She sat right beside him, too close to just be a business associate. With fiery red hair, porcelain skin and soft features, she was gorgeous.
At something one of those men said, she laughed, delicately placing a hand on his shoulder. And he, too, reciprocated with a soft smile he only displayed on rare occasions.
A pang felt in my chest. Turning around, I gulped the lump down my throat.
“Oohoo, I thought he didn’t have any barbies in his life.” Cassie whistled.
“Cassie!” Beth hissed, throwing me a concerned glance.
Cassie straightened. “I’m sorry, Em. I didn’t mean to… We can leave if you want.”
I waved my hand in dismissal. “No need. I don’t care if he is here or not, or who he brought here. We’re here to enjoy our dinner, and we will just do that.” I cast another glance back at them. She was now whispering something in his ear; the grip on my fork tightened.
“You sure?” Beth whispered.
I nodded, putting a forkful of spaghetti in my mouth, not wanting to give them any attention. But it was difficult when her high-pitched laughter burned my ears.
Beth and Cassie sent daggers at them with their hostile looks.
“Look at him! Getting so comfortable with that leech, and here I thought his sending you messages and flowers meant something.”
“Will you shut up, Cass?” Beth glared and then looked at me. “She could be just a friend. And after what he did and said at the racetrack, it proves that he likes you. I don’t think he is that shallow that he’d try to pursue one and roam around with another.”
“I don’t think so, look at them. They look too cozy to be just friends,” Cassie remarked.
Another pang made me grit my teeth. “I don’t care if they’re friends or not. Why should I anyway? It’s not that I’m his girlfriend or something. And whatever he did yesterday, it didn’t mean anything. So, let’s just forget about it.”
My fork kept playing with the food, I seemed to lose my appetite. Even if I didn’t want to, my gaze went back to them.
Her arm was now linked with him as his hand patting hers. And my treacherous eyes stung, heart squeezed with something.
Thunder cracked outside, announcing the upcoming downfall.
I didn’t look away when his gaze met mine. Surprise flashed into them, and then something else I couldn’t decipher. Seeing his lack of attention, she followed his gaze. Her eyes widened slightly as she untangled herself from him once she noticed the direction of my stare. But he remained as comfortable as he was. As if he didn’t care.
And why would he? It’s not that he really cared for you or he’d any soft corner for you, anyway. Everything he said and did was just a pretense.
A sense of suffocation engulfed me.
Turning away, I stood abruptly, grabbing my purse. Cassie and Beth went to follow me, but I stopped them.
“You guys finish your dinner. I’m done.” When they went to protest, I shook my head. “Don’t. I will see you guys later. Bye.”
A storm was building in my chest, wanting to be released. My fingers clutched my purse in a vise grip. My jaw was tight, holding the emotions that threatened to surface.
I needed to go away. I needed air.
Just as I stepped out of the exit, a shoulder bumped into mine.
“Em? What a pleasant—are you all right?” Caleb held my shoulder. His face held concern. The flash of lightning fell on us.
Without giving him an answer, I moved away and walked into the open air.
“Wait, where are you going? It’s raining!” he called out behind me, but I didn’t pay him any heed.
Drops of rain slapped against my face, along with the gust of cold wind. Goosebumps rose across my arms as the water drops pricked my skin. But it didn’t stop me.This storm was nothing before my inner one.
The rage that boiled inside me, it didn’t make any sense. But it did bother me. It did bother me to see him with that girl, even if I didn’t have any right over him.
It hurt. It hurt like a bitch! And that’s what frustrated me. I didn’t want to feel, but I couldn’t help it.
My car wasn’t parked where I left it. The valet must’ve parked it in the parking lot. So, ignoring the rain and howling wind, I strode towards the parking lot.
What would it take for me to get over him? What would it take for my heart to heal the wound I’d given myself?
The tear that slipped from my eye, the pouring rain washed it away. I hope it could take away the ache also.
A flash of blinding light fell into my eyes, causing me to cover them with my hands. A shout of my name came with a screech of tires as a pair of strong arms moved me away from the way.
The driver yelled out some curses, driving away when my gaze remained in no particular direction with my heart pounding in my chest.
“What the hell is wrong with you! Where was your attention? You could’ve died, God damn it!” He shook my shoulders, getting me out of my shock. Stormy gray eyes blazed with fire under the cold raindrops.
He was done with his lady love and came after me?
“So what?” I snapped, pushing him away. “It’s not like you’d care if I died! Go enjoy your dinner with your girlfriend!”
His jaw clenched, grabbing my arm. “She’s not my girlfriend. And don’t you dare talk about—”
“I don’t care! Leave me alone! And do not touch me again, I’m warning you!” I jerked my hand from his grasp and turned to my car.
A gasp left my lips as my chest collided against his. Wrapping an arm around my waist, he grabbed my nape with the other hand. “I won’t leave you alone. Get that into your beautiful head. And about touching you—” he leaned in, his nose brushing mine, “—no one can stop me from touching you. Not even you, Rosebud. Because you’re mine to touch.”
His forehead pressed against mine. With our noses touching, stormy gray clashed with my turquoise as strong arms clutched me to them in a possessive grip.
My breath hitched at my throat, heart racing. My blood streamed hot in my veins, breathing came out ragged as he pulled me closer, cupping my cheek.
Raindrops rolled down his head to the thick lashes as he gazed at my lips with unmistakable dark desire. My own lips parted at the heat of his body against mine. My insides burned for something.
“Mine. Just mine,” he rasped, placing his hot mouth at the corner of my lips. My eyelids threatened to shut, drunk in his intoxicating warmth.
My heart whispered his name.
Lingering his mouth on there for a moment, when his lips went to meet mine… A honk of a car jolted me out of my trance. As soon as I got back to my senses, I pushed him away.
Surprise and something close to disappointment flashed across his hard features. His hand shot up to reach me again, but he stopped himself from doing so. Closing his eyes for a second, he opened them again. This time, they held calm and composure.
“Emerald, I…”
Shaking my head, I turned around and ran to my car. Fumbling with the keys with trembling hands, I somehow managed to get in and drove away. His silent yet rigid form grew distant in the rearview as I went further and further away until he vanished out of the sight.
Slamming on the brakes, I stopped at a corner. My grip around the wheels tightened as a sob left my mouth. I let the tears free, placing my head against the seat. The pounding of my heart still didn’t die down. How could I let it happen? How could I let him so close to me? Even after everything, how could I let myself sway? How?
“You’re mine to touch! Mine. Just mine.”
His words rang in my head.
I shook my head. No,no, no. I can’t let it happen. I can’t let myself get hurt again. I can’t let him do this to me again. I won’t be able to live through another heartbreak.
My phone blared in my purse.
Wiping my cheeks, I fished my phone out.
Tess.
“Hey, Em! Sorry if I’m disturbing you. Dad told me you’re with your friends,” she said from the other side.
I have to do something.
“Em? Are you listening?”
I blinked. “Yeah, tell me.”
“All right, so I called to tell you that we’re having a family dinner at Caleb’s place tomorrow night. It’d be a great chance to get our families together again. His uncle is also coming. So, I’d be really happy if you join,” she explained. “You will come, right?” Her voice was full of hope.
Silence.
“Em? You will join us, won’t you?”
“I’m sorry, Tess. I can’t.”
“But—”
I cut the call and dialed Warner’s number. After two rings, he picked up.
“Hello?”
“Book two tickets and pack your bags.”
“What? Now? But why?”
“We’re leaving. Tonight.”
