Song: 'All Of The Stars' by Hayd
Funny how time moves fast
While other times, it feels so slow
When we first fell in love
And when we had to let it go
All that we've done is try
Now all we can do is fold
Doesn't mean that we failed
It only means that now we know
And I hope you know
If all of the stars align in the sky
Then I would be yours and you would be mine
But not in this life, it's not the right time
It's not you and I
If all of the pieces fell into place
We'd make it all work through time and through space
We know it's too late, know we can't wait
It's better this way
.......................................................................
HANNAH'S POV
I hit the snooze button of my alarm, feeling more warm and cozy than last night.
Five more minutes passed and my alarm went off again. But this time I didn't hit snooze because if I did I'm sure I'll miss out on my presentation. The most important day so far!
I clenched my eyes without opening them but afraid that I might fall back asleep I sat up too quickly on my bed and sprained my neck a little in the process.
Huh, bed?
Where am I?
I looked around to see where I was and realized that I never made it to my bed last night and was still on the couch in a humanly impossible position.
Well, that explains why my neck feels so stiff.
But what's unexplainable is when did I wrap this couch throw around me? I don't remember taking it on me at all.
I shrugged thinking I must have taken it on me in my deep sleep.
I got up and walked back to my room like a drunkard and took a relaxing shower. I decided to wake up earlier than usual today so I could put effort into getting ready today and still reach the office on time.
Or as Miles has instructed, "Dress to impress, Hans, so if in case your presentation somehow falls short, seduce them to surrender," I laughed thinking back to our last conversation.
I took my attire for the day, also courtesy of Mila.
It's a suave black flared pants paired with a bougie off-white sleeveless blouse, thank God for last month's trip to the laser clinic. There's a black jacket too which I won't wear because I feel so constrained in it.
And that's the last thing I want for this presentation.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
Boy, I look hot!
My outfit is hugging me in all the right places enhancing my physique. And most importantly it's hiding my food baby bulge.
It's not as comfortable as what I regularly wear to the office but still, it's much better than that tight pencil skirt Mila sent. I felt like someone glued my legs together when I tried it.
Looking at the clock I realized I should hurry up. I did quick minimal makeup unlike my usual tinted sunscreen and natural lip tint. I mean, makeup is all about blending techniques and color theory, and being an artist I know a thing or two about both.
I blow-dried my hair into soft waves. Ditching the stilettos I opted for black pumps for stability and style, definitely don't want to fall today. Finally, I wore my Cartier watch instead of my Apple smartwatch and switched from the bag pack to my Coach bag to complete the look.
Wondering what happened to me?
Nothing has happened to me, I've always owned these fancy things but always preferred comfort over style, I'm too lazy to play dress up every day. Also, I'm not a complete dud, if I don't do it doesn't mean I don't know it, your girl is a natural when she wants to act like a girl.
I sprayed on my Chanel perfume and finally left the room.
I sat in the lounge as I waited for my Uber, meanwhile, I played with Dodi too. It's a good thing he has his own dog house and caretakers who look after him while we're not home, otherwise the little guy would've been homesick while being at home. On the weekend, I ask his caretaker to make him stay with me as long as he wants and take him back if I'm not around. Yeah, you can say I'm obsessed with his dog. To be fair I think he likes me better.
While playing with him, suddenly, I realized that if I slept on the couch the whole night, does that mean he saw me sleeping like an octopus when he left in the morning?
I don't know why but it embarrassed me.
..............................................................................
ELIJAH'S POV
I woke up drenched in sweat and with heavy breathing.
Nightmare.
It was that same nightmare back again.
I don't remember when was the last time I had a good night's sleep without the sedatives, perhaps years ago.
Most probably the last time I had Rachel in my arms.
Probably back when the last thing I would see before falling asleep was her beautiful face and would wake up nuzzled in her neck.
The peace of those moments was lost after that day.
Everything changed after that day.
That fucking day.
It still haunts me, it chases me like a monster.
The nightmares felt so real, they made me unable to sleep for more than 3-4 hours every day.
After taking years of therapy, I'm not on sedatives now but they help me sleep now and then, the nightmares aren't as frequent as they were before but even now on some days, it's harder than ever to cope.
Sometimes the memories come crashing down like an earthquake, shaking me to my core and turning my life upside down again.
Just like tonight.
Reminding me that you're not here anymore, Rachel, you left me forever.
Never to be seen again.
Never to be touched again.
But I still feel you, your presence, your fragrance, your love all around me.
It's almost 4 AM now, I knew I wouldn't fall back asleep, so I decided to go for an early run and after that, I could go where I always do when I miss her.
I changed into my tracksuit and went out of my room.
Just as I was crossing the living room, I thought I saw something from my peripheral view, I decided to step back and check what it was.
What I saw confused me.
What is she doing here at this hour?
I moved to the front to get a better view and saw her awkwardly sleeping on the couch. Slouching on her right side her head rested on the headrest, one leg folded backward on the sofa seat while the other one lazily touching the floor, her arms folded in crisscross to keep her cozy on a cold night, her mouth a little ajar and her hair messed up in all directions covering her face.
She looked so innocent and funny, I was amused looking at her.
But why is she sleeping here, is something wrong with her bedroom?
I saw the laptop in her lap almost falling off.
She was working all night and fell asleep right here.
I felt guilty for not stopping Eva when she gave that short ultimatum without my knowledge, she clearly wanted to overburden her.
I was so near her that I could see her clear baby-like skin, her every pore and freckle.
She looks so beautiful, almost angelic.
Her eyes now have bags under them that weren't so prominent before, her whole demeanor looks tired. I've seen her working continuously since she heard about the presentation and that too on a minimum of sleep. I checked the time last night too when she went back to her room, it was quite late. I hate to admit but even I can see how hard she's working. I felt a slight ping of sympathy for her.
But why is she doing it, overstressing herself? It's not like this is the final presentation, there's still too much to be done, things get changed last minute, and these are just the initial layouts that we'll keep building on.
Probably proving to you that she's not a gold digger?
I hissed inwardly thinking back to her comment from last night.
She'd rather prefer to ride in an Uber with a stranger than with me.
You're a stranger too, the one she knows.
Did she really think I'd call her a gold digger for just a drive-along? I would never do that.
You've been calling her that without as much as a car ride, it's what she expects of you to think about her. In your eyes, that's how she sees herself. And she's not delusional because that's what you keep reminding her despite now knowing better.
I huffed, deep down feeling the remorse for my actions, she'll never know it though.
I reached forward and removed the untamed strands of her hair away from her face and carefully tucked them behind her ear, my hand at its own accord moved towards her cheek and stroked it ever so slightly as if she's made of porcelain, my heart skipped a beat at the touch.
Her skin feels so soft and gentle under my rough hands, I don't know how many seconds passed while I sat there on my knees stroking her cheek, being so near her filled me up with a peace I didn't realize I was feeling.
She stirred a little in her sleep and I backed away instantly afraid what would happen if she woke up.
Thank God she didn't but wrapped her arms more tightly around herself.
How deep in her sleep she is despite feeling cold and being in such an uncomfortable position?
As she settled back into her sound sleep I acted out on a whim and without thinking of the consequences, I stood up, leaned forward over her, put my hand under her head, and with easy hands directed it on the cushion for her to lay down properly. Then I went on to straighten her folded leg as quietly as I could trying not to wake her up and then put the other leg on the sofa too. Much better.
She looked more comfortable than before and at ease now, her one hand still wrapped around her while the other dropped down straight on the side. I moved both her arms and laid them over her stomach. With light hands I carefully extracted the woolen couch throw from underneath her and covered her with it, instantly her body relaxed from its warmth.
Thankfully she didn't wake up all this while.
I kneeled again, my face much closer to hers now than before.
I looked at her lips, naturally plump and so full with any surgery or fillers, even while sleeping they looked so juicy and tempting.
I know how amazing they feel against mine, so fulfilling yet leave me wanting for more.
You crave them, don't you?
Just the thought of tasting them again takes my breath away. I'm having all sorts of visions in my mind while she sleeps in oblivion.
The image of her lips moving against mine in perfect harmony sometimes gives me the illusion that maybe I don't hate her as much.
Or maybe not at all.
Yeah, she is mad and arrogant and outspoken but there's something so childlike, so innocent about her that draws everyone towards her.
Or as you like to call her, a flirt.
My thumb grazed lightly on her lower lip, the urge to kiss her awake suddenly taking over my mind. My lips stretched to a side and I refrained myself.
Suppressing the temptation of smashing my lips to her, unknowingly, I placed a light but lingering kiss on her forehead. The contact of our skins filled my insides with bliss I don't know how to put in words.
I closed my eyes to savor every second of this when an image from the past popped into my head.
A rather horrific images.
I backed away with the speed of light, my breathing coarse for a different reason now and my eyes wide with realization.
What the hell am I doing?
Just what were you thinking, Elijah?
You were missing Rachel, weren't you, the only girl you'll ever love, and now just some moments later you're kissing someone else?
How could you do that to Rachel?
How can you forget that her absence from your life is the reason you haven't slept properly all these years?
How can you say you miss her and then completely forget her pain the next moment?
Has your love for her gone stale or have you moved on?
Is that why you have this girl on your couch that you hate?
Is that why your all attempts to hate her turned out to be a failure?
Is that why she's the one who always creates a distance yet you're so drawn to her, feeling at peace at her closeness that you've run away from for so long?
How could you let her distract you? I can't believe how pathetic you've become.
Tugging hard on my hair I reprimanded myself for losing control.
Without wasting another second, I got up in an instant and left the house needing the fresh yet cold air now more than ever.
................................................................
Author's note:
Hannah is all ready to slay and stay.
She's put her battle armor on and she intends to win this battle.
Whereas our star warrior is losing on all fronts.
For how long can he resist Hannah and sulk on his own closing all doors of happiness on himself because of his past?
What must've happened with him that he's so shattered on the inside and tries to break all those who threaten to heal his wounds?
Stay connected as the upcoming chapters reveal more about them and take them on rollercoasters they are unaware of.
Please, please, please, like, comment, and share so we can have a wider readership. I swear it is not a conventional story you want to miss out on.
Much love.ð¥°