No wonder Warren is hurt.
Uncle places a calming hand on my shoulder. I didn't notice that I am visibly shaking. He guides me to one of the stiff plastic chairs aligned along the walls. “It seems that he just recently discovered her affair. Just the day of your audition to Juilliard.”
Was that the reason Rachelle didn’t join us for lunch? Why he was distracted the whole time? But then, he told me to be the one to plan the bridal shower.
As if she read my mind, Aunt Sylvia whimpers. “My son thought the baby was his.” She breaks down again. “Oh, my god. My poor Warren.”
I force the bile down my throat.
This is the Warren I know. I burst into tears at the thought that I doubted him. That woman deceived him.
His only fault is loving her.
“Coffee?”
I jump at the sound of Johannes’ voice. I must be dreaming, but I don’t care! I immediately turn around and find him standing a few meters back, holding four Starbucks Grande.
He offers me a small grin. “I thought we could use some caffeine while we wait.”
Before he can even take a step, I fly into his arms, nearly spilling the coffee he’s carrying all over the floor. My tears won’t stop flowing. I bury my face at the crook of his neck while he awkwardly tries to embrace me back.
“Woman, you tackle like a world wrestling champion.”
I smile at the craziness of this situation. I can’t believe it.
“You’re here.”
He chuckles.
“Oh, no. I’m just a figment of your imagination,” he teases with an eye roll. “You daft woman! Of course, I’m here! I’ll be wherever you are. Besides, we can always reschedule your flight. You still have a week away.”
I hold onto him tighter, just to make sure he’s real. If I am hurting him, he doesn’t say anything. “I – I thought you gave up on me.”
“Even if it’s just three percent,” he kisses the tip of my nose, “no, even one percent. Heck, even less than one percent. As long as I have a chance, I’ll keep on fighting. I will make you fall in love with me.”
“You’re stupid.”
“I know.”
“A complete moron.”
“I know.”
“I’m nearly there.”
“I kno – “ His jaws drop as he processes what I said. “You are?”
Yes. I am halfway there. You and your impeccable charm, how can I not fall?
I simply smile at him and pull away, not without an innocent peck on the cheek. Just that action makes his ears go red. I smile wider. I give Uncle’s and Aunt’s their portion of coffee, which they accept gratefully. There are attempts at small talk between the four of us, but all in all, we are all fairly nervous about Warren’s condition.
I am glad that I have Johannes’ holding my hand the entire time.
I am nearly there, slowly, steadily . . .
“Carla?” Aunt Sylvia wakes me up. Both I and Johannes have fallen asleep on the uncomfortable seats in the hallways. He’s snoring softly beside me, his mouth slightly open. His hand is still in mine.
I cover my mouth with my other hand as I yawn. “Yes?”
She smiles down at me, her eyes twinkling.
“Warren is transferred back to his private room, and he wants to talk to you.”
My face lights up. “He’s awake?”
She nods, and I shake Johannes’ shoulders with no abandon. “Hey, wake up!”
“Huh? What?” He mutters groggily. “Have you already given birth, Carla?”
I slap the back of his head as my cheeks redden. Aunt Sylvia snickers. “What dreams are you having, you pervert?!”
Aunt cordially excuses herself and leaves to eat breakfast in the canteen. Good. I need to have some alone time to drill some sense and decency into someone's brain here. I want to throttle him so badly!
“Johannes! I said, wake up!”
It takes me a full minute to have him finally wide, wide awake. Seriously. He sleeps like a log. I can’t blame him though; for someone of his size, he must have had trouble sleeping on these chairs.
He lazily grins at me. “Morning, girlfriend.”
Blushing furiously, I tell him to shut up and go home, that he doesn’t need to stay with me here in the hospital since he isn’t officially my boyfriend. He scowls and accuses me of being a meanie. I smack him in the chest.
"Revenge!" he laughs, and I swear, his bear hug is suffocating me!
"Get away from me!"
Truth be told, I only want him to take a proper rest. I know how busy he is; he simply pretends like he’s always free so that he has an excuse to hang out with me.
When I met his grandfather, I’ve been told exactly how crazy Johannes’ daily schedule is. That’s why I appreciate everything he had done for me. More so, because he doesn’t flaunt it and shove it to my face like the other arrogant pricks I know.
He rolls his eyes, brushing the remnants of sleep from his face. There is something in his eyes. . . disappointment? I can’t be sure.
“Right,” he drawls. “Warren wants to see you. I’ll escort you. Where’s his room?”
“I don’t need a walking compass. It’s not like I can get lost.”
“Whatever, woman.”
He stubbornly shadows me. Since it’s still too early for me to argue with him, I let him be. Besides, I never win. What’s the point? Once we reach the room, I pause in front of the door.
Johannes unlocks the door and opens it for me like a gentleman. I stare at his hand on the knob.
He sighs. “You don’t want me inside. I know. I’ll go home to get a shower. Text me if something happens, 'kay?”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“I know.” He watches me intensely, and I step back, caught off guard by such a heated expression. He merely smiles, one that doesn’t reach the eyes as he walks away. “I’m awesome like that.”
If only I knew that it would be the last time I'm going to see him, I should have never let him go.
Comments? Just 2 more chapter folks. Vote-a-thon, and maybe I'll update faster?
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Best Friends
Short Story"Once you loved someone, you can never stop loving that person. Maybe more or maybe less, but it never stops." This is more than just a story. This is their reality. About a girl waiting in the sidelines, a boy who made his choices and their beautif...
11 - Time
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