Prioritizing the completion of the company's clients, the afternoon was well spent on tinkering through various blueprints. As the gem was meticulously adjusted to sit comfortably on the band, a knock resounded off my office door. With my back still facing the door, I continued to tilt the stone until I was satisfied with its position.
"Who is it?" I asked, hearing the door open as the person treaded in; footsteps drawing nearer to where I sat. A chest pressed against my back as two arms stretched out to pull me into an embrace.
"We're going to be late if you don't stop working on that necklace." The smell of him surrounded me while he pressed his lips against the crook of my neck, the cushion of his lips and breath tickling me, prompting me to set the jewellery down for fear of letting my work go to waste.
"Alright, alright. Just hold on for a minute." Nathan pulled away, allowing me to place the necklace neatly in the box. I proceeded to clear the workstation from the instruments used, packing them into their rightful place before switching off the working lights. Reaching for my coat and belongings, I strolled over to Nathan and entwined my fingers with his, an action that became so natural to me.
"Where are we going?" I asked, noticing that Nathan had taken the wrong turn.
"I'm just going to pick up a little something." He answered, parking his car in front of a florist shop. When the engine came to a halt, he withdrew his car keys and unbuckled his seat belt. "Wait here."
Within a minute of entering the shop, Nathan came sprinting back to the car with a bouquet of flowers. The sweet scent of pink lilies decorated with stalks of lavender and baby's breath, added a vibrant tone to this black-furnished vehicle.
"Here, hold this. They're not for you, by the way." He simply said before starting the engine once more.
"Ouch, and here I thought that I'm the luckiest girl in the world; that my boyfriend would shower me with flowers." I teased.
"Well, I have an entire lifetime to make you the luckiest girl in the world." I rolled my eyes upon hearing his smug comment. "But now, it's your parents that I have to please and win over."
With what my parents said the night before, it was clear that they have already accepted Nathan as my boyfriend. However, a part of me felt that I didn't want Nathan to be too content over the fact that he had already won them over.
"Good luck with that."
"Luck? Honey, I do not need luck. I just need you by my side."
"My goodness, stop being such a cringe!" I slapped his arm, burying my face into my palms as the heat began to spread from the cheeks to other places.
"But you love it." He commented, causing him to laugh at my reaction.
"Just focus on the road, dummy." I snapped, switching on the radio before singing to the melody.
"Ava..."
"What?"
"Has anyone ever told you that you are an awful singer?" Nathan sniggered, prompting me to glare at him.
"Oh shush! I'm a woman of many talents but it just so happens that singing isn't one of them." I retaliated, knowing that perhaps I was just a 'jack of all trades but a master of none.'
"Oh really? Like what kind of talents?" He questioned while the car finally approached my house.
"Like... jumping out of the car while you're parking!" Leaping out, I made a dash towards the door, only to be hauled back in his grasp as he held the bouquet in the other grip.
What is he? A cheetah?
"How did you get here so fast?"
"Just like you, I am a man of many talents."
"Whatever you-"
"Nathan!" Mom called out, giving him a tight hug. "I'm so happy that you could join us! Please come in." As soon as she ushered him in, Nathan proceeded to present the flowers he got for her.
"Thank you so much, their beautiful," she thanked while smelling the flowers. "Come on, dinner is ready!"
"It's great to see you again, John." Nathan greeted, showing off his charming smile and neat rows of pearly white teeth.
"It's great to see you too. Please, sit."
Settling down beside me, we soon tucked ourselves into the home-cooked meal. Unlike the last time, the atmosphere was a lively one as we engaged in a dialogue of how my parents met, one that I have heard too many times. As I watched the smiles that decorated on the faces of my parents and Nathan, my heart sung and soared to new heights. It was an emotion that could not be dampened even by the cold and heavy rain that poured down from the night sky. Things are finally starting to turn out the way I wanted them to be.
As the night progresses, dinner was over and so did all the merry; drawing to an end. With the hour hand striking ten, it was time for Nathan to return. But the patter against the windows only grew louder, no doubt saturating the soil and grasses with its necessity.
"Why don't you stay the night, Nathan?" My mom suggested, almost causing me to choke on my warm beverage.
"What?!" I exclaimed, still in disbelief at what mom had proposed.
"Oh relax, Ava. It's not as if he is going to sleep in your room. Besides, it's a heavy downpour and I'm worried for his safety." The exasperation in her voice was unmistakable. "So, what do you say, Nathan? If you would like, I could prepare the couch for your rest."
"Sure, I'd love to, Helen." Mom responded with a soft smile.
"And as for you, young lady. It's time for bed." She nagged before springing into action, scurrying into the room to grab a few extra pillows and a blanket to make Nathan's sleep a pleasant one.
I, on the other hand, was not ready to part with Nathan just yet. However, with a long day ahead tomorrow, I knew that an early rest was mandatory. Reluctantly, I said my goodnights; feeling a tinge of disappointment that I could not give Nathan a good night kiss, not with my parents around.
***
It was now one in the morning as I lay in bed, pondering over Nathan's story; his childhood. I felt a compulsion deep within to share my story, a secret that has been kept from others for far too long; Alice being the exception. The struggle to sleep was intensified with the tossing and turning as I grappled over the issue of whether to tell him or not.
Blast it!
Planting my feet on the ground, I made my way out into the dark hallway and crept slowly down the stairs, in hopes that the sound of the creaking planks would be minimized. When I had finally reached the living room, the soft thuds of my feet sent Nathan perking up, looking for the source of the sound.
"Can't sleep?" He asked as his gaze finally landed on me.
"I need to tell you something." Nathan, who must have realized the change in my tonality, pushed away his blanket and invited me to lay with him. Accepting his gesture, I snuggled in with him, our bodies in full contact before tucking the blanket over us.
Pushing my head against his chest, I took in his scent, one that I was sure I would never get tired of.
"What did you want to tell me?"
By now, the rain had lessened, reducing to a lower and softer resonation that echoed through the house while his fingers drew circles on my back, sending tingles down my spine.
"Do you believe in time travel?" I whispered.
"Why the sudden question?" My clutch around his waist tightened as I was afraid that what I was about to say would make him think that he was dating a lunatic. But I have made up my mind.
There was no turning back.
"You might think that I am crazy. But, apart from Alice, you are the only person that I'm going to share this with."
Nathan pulled away from me, just enough so that he could see my face under the dim light that came from the outside. "I'm listening." He said, propping his elbow to support his head.
"It happened five years ago after I realized that Adrian was cheating on me. That night, I met a woman. I don't know how, but she knew all about me, my life, and even my grandpapa. I thought it was all a sham until I saw her again in my dreams. She told me that I will find a better someone. And after that, all I could remember was me falling into darkness."
I gulped, preparing for the big entrance of my story.
"Now... here comes the crazy part. By the time I woke up, I found myself back in 1855. Thinking back on how I acted, I was truly rowdy teenager." I laughed as I thought about how badly behaved I was; stuffing my face at whatever food I saw. But my feelings soon turned sour when his face appeared in my mind.
"And then, I met him. Nicholas. He was an arrogant lad, but nonetheless, a good one at heart. He taught me everything I needed to know. Sure, we quarreled and wrestled around, but as his student, I grew from respecting him to falling in love with him. He became someone important in my life. You know, I thought that he would be my forever. But soon, I realized that it was all a fraud."
I pursed my lips, hoping that somehow, it would soothe my quivering heart.
"He cut me deeply, Nathan. When I saw him took the hand of his bride, everything just fell apart. Everything I knew vanished at that moment, all because of an unpleasant family history; a scandal. Eventually, the betrayal of both sides from Nicholas and my 'family' took an emotional toll on me. I was tired and confused. I wanted everything to end. I wanted to go back to where I belong. I wanted to escape the pain and agony of it all. And so..."
Taking in a deep breath, I continued, "I took my life, hoping that in some way, I might be able to return back to this time. And indeed, I went home, together with the scars afflicted by Nicholas. Every now and then, I am haunted in my dreams, with his figure walking away from me, abandoning me over and over again. I know that I am supposed to hate him. But no matter how hard I try, I just could not do it. For five years, I was in misery, burying this secret deep in my heart, together with the many nights that were spent crying over him. The truth is, despite all that was done to me, my feelings still held strong for him, and that I have already forgive him."
"Then, I met you," I said, looking up at Nathan who was staring intensely at me. "Although you remind me so much of him, so, so much of him, the two of you are different. Please don't misunderstand that I'm dating you just as a replacement for Nicholas. I'm not. On the contrary, I'm dating you because you have made me fall in love again. And I'm so glad that things are finally falling into place. But when I saw Aurelia, I couldn't help but feel afraid to think that this too, may be a façade. I'm scared, Nathan. I'm scared that I will lose you too." My voice trembled, not against the cold but a terror that history might repeat itself.
"I won't let it be," Nathan spoke. "This time, it will be different. I promise." He spoke firmly, melting a kiss onto my forehead. I smile at his action, reminded of his confession.
Please believe me when I say that my heart belongs to you.
"I know. I believe you..."
When all words were said, the huge weight on my shoulders were finally laid to rest. My eyelids drooped lower as I spiraled deeper into slumber, until the sounds faded into a white silence; knowing that I will be safe in the arms of my lover, and that the memories of the past will haunt me no more.
.
.
.
.
"But would you still forgive me if you knew all the things I had done?"
***********
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Hope you guys are enjoying the recent chapters! Do comment if there are any mistakes or places in need of further improvements :D
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