Will Be Yours Ch. 04

Later, they also spent some time at a small coffee shop, watching the sun go down behind the mountain in the distance over a hot cuppa. It was an entirely different experience for Luke who worked out of a swank office but craved the warm comfort of his parents' farmhouse where he could play with the dogs and ride the horses. At some point, the thought of staying back in Velmont Town had also crossed his mind. But no one would need a business consultant here.

While he drove Cynthia home, she remained quiet, gazing outside at the evening sky and trying her best to keep her eyes open. It had been a hard day for her. Although he was aware that she had shared only a part of her story with him, he still felt honoured that she had found him worthy enough to know her past. He wouldn't press, wouldn't ask anything more. But he'd definitely make sure she wasn't alone when she visited Birmingham.

***

"Thank you," Luke said as we stopped in front of my house. "I had a great time today."

"Me too," I smiled, "There are many more interesting place here. I will take you to all of them."

"Have you ever considered being a tour guide?" he asked as I took off my seat belt. I laughed, leaning closer to him.

"Now that you say, I might give it a thought," I said cheekily, "But I prefer handsome guys to a crowd of tourists."

I kissed his cheek and thought it still smelled a little of aftershave. "Goodnight," I smiled, "Have a fun dinner."

"You have fun... err... in bed," he winked at me. I got off the car with a laugh and walked up to the front gate of my house. Once I had waved at him from inside, he turned on the combustion again and backed out, waving at me. I stood there and watched the car as far as possible. I had kissed him. Was it too bold of me? Was it imprudent? Never mind, I told myself. At least his cheeks were as smooth as I'd thought they'd be.

It had been a long day for me. I still didn't know why I had shared all that with Luke. Maybe because he too had experienced the loss of someone close and knew the feeling. Or maybe because he was so easy to talk to. No pretentious air, no attempts to impress. Just his usual cool and friendly demeanour. I knew it was usual because Scott and Carrie had confirmed it.

Scott was the only other person I had told everything all those years ago. Since then it'd been a closed chapter. Julie's wedding had messed it all up again.

Unable to resist the tug at my heartstrings, I went up to the wardrobe and fished out a printed cloth bag, which contained, among other things, a diary- my only connection with my past. My heart pounded and fingers trembled as I opened it and turned the pages, feeling strange how one event could change the course of a person's life. What was I doing there anyway? Wasn't I supposed to be climbing the corporate ladder, going places, basking in the glory of being a name to reckon with?

A tear rolled down my cheek and landed on an open page. I looked at the words, scribbled by my own hands.

The Crossword Bookstore, Friday, 23^rd March, 2012.

A day I wished had never happened.

(to be continued)