"Is it really you?"
Tears of joy streamed down my face as I group-hugged my parents as tight as I could.
I laughed delightfully, "Of course it's really me. Oh, I've missed you guys so much."
They released me, both smiling widely as tears pooled in their eyes. They ushered me to the sofa where they started to bombard me with questions I was already expecting.
"Baby, what happened that night?" Mom began.
"It was late and the customer, Jack, had offered me a ride home. As we were about to leave, a group of men entered the shop and shot Jack. I managed to run away. I ran as fast as I could."
"Why didn't you come home?" Dad questioned.
"I...I was scared. I wasn't sure if the men saw my face. I didn't want to come back here and put you in trouble. So, I ran until I found someone and explained to him what happened. He offered to help me. He gave me a room in his house where I've been hiding for the past four months." The lies just kept slipping through my teeth with ease. I almost believed my story.
"Oh, thank God for him. We're so glad you're safe." Mom cooed, wiping away her tears.
"Why did you take so long to come back though? We almost thought...you...you were dead." Dad muttered, his voice laced with sadness.
"I wasn't sure if the men were searching for me so I wanted to stay away as long as possible."
Dad nodded in understanding and mom pulled me into another hug, gengly rocking me.
"Guys, please cheer up. I'm here now and I'm happy to be back home. I just want to forget about it."
"Of course. You must have been so traumatized."
"Your room is exactly how you left it. We didn't trouble anything. I guess a part of us believed you'd come back. Go take a bath and get some rest. We'll get started on dinner." Mom advised, sniffing slightly and releasing me.
I smiled sweetly at her before glancing at my father, "I love you guys."
"Oh, we love you too." They cooed in unison.
"Oh, and, the police advised us that if you should ever return, we should give them a call as you may be the only witness. The case is still open." Dad informed me.
My eyes widened in panic, "I have to talk to the police?"
"Yeah, it'll be fine, sweetie. All you have to do is just answer their questions. You'll be alright." Mom said.
I pretended to be fine, and forced a smile onto my face before heading to my room. My chest heaved eccentrically in panic. I couldn't talk to the police! What if they don't believe my story? What if my answers somehow gave them an idea of who really killed Jack?
Entering my bedroom, I glanced around with a smile. My parents were right. Everything was just as I had left it that day. Oh, how I missed my room. As I basked in the old memories I shared with my room, my panic gradually faded away.
I placed my phone on charge while I took a long shower. It was good to be back home, where I belonged.
♡
I needed to talk to Carter. I had to. He owed me an explanation. I sat on my bed, staring at my phone that was filled with over a hundred missed calls and messages from my parents, other relatives, Maria, Carter, Genevieve and my boss.
It was important to let everyone know I was home and fine, but I just wanted to speak to Carter so badly. I was just nervous. I owed him an explanation too. Would he believe my story like my parents did? Only one way to find out. So, I sent him a text.
Me: Hey. I'm home. We need to talk ASAP.
My phone buzzed with his response not even a minute later. Nervously, I read his reply. I needed to change his contact name. It no longer suited him.
Bae: 😳 Hey, I'm so glad you're back. Are you okay?
Me: Yeah, I'm fine
Bae: What happened?
Me: Let's meet and talk.
Bae: Yeah, sure. I'm free now. I'm actually at the park.
I bit my lower lip anxiously. He was available to talk immediately. I was delighted to be able to talk to him but I was so freaking nervous. He was my boyfriend; the man I believed I would grow old together with, but, I could tell we had grown apart. I could feel he was no longer mine and I was no longer his.
Me: Be there in 30.
♡
It was three in the afternoon when I arrived at the park. The park was Carter and I's favorite place. It was where we had our first date in junior year.
I knew where he'd be sitting: on the rocks near the beach. My heart raced as he came into view the further I walked towards him. I still missed him but a part of me just wanted to get this over with and move on with my life.
I slowly sat on the rock beside him, looking at the sea.
"Hey." He greeted, staring at the ocean.
"Hey."
"I've missed you." He breathed, finally turning to me.
I stared at him. His eyes were empty and sad. They held a certain pain I couldn't quite describe.
"I've missed you more."
"What happened?"
There went the question I'd been dreading to answer. Was he as gullible as my parents?
With a deep breath, I told him the story I told my parents.
"I'm so sorry." He cooed, awkwardly pulling me into a hug. I guessed he believed me.
It felt good being in his arms again, but it also felt weird and foreign. Upon releasing me, he asked,
"So, Ares was the guy who helped you out? Gave you a place to stay?"
I gulped. "Uh, yeah."
"So, how did you become his submissive?"
"I...he...um, he told me about it and I...I decided to try it." Fuck, why did I say that? Now, he's going to think that I willingly cheated on him.
"So, we both cheated on each other through BDSM." He chuckled humorlessly.
"How did you get into BDSM?" I quizzed.
"I read about it. I knew it was something you'd never be interested in so I went on a BDSM site where I met my first submissive."
"Why didn't you talk to me about it first?"
"Would you have become my submissive?"
"Well, no."
"Exactly."
I released a deep sigh and glanced out at the water.
"So, how many submissives have you had?"
"Uh, three. Look, I'm really sorry I didn't talk to you about it. It's not that I didn't love you anymore. To be honest, I still love you very much. It's just that lately our relationship has gotten a bit dull. It's not as exciting as it used to be. Gosh, I sound like an asshole. I'm sorry." He breathed.
"Yeah, you do sound like an asshole, but it's okay. I appreciate your honesty. I think it's best for us to just move on and find someone new."
"Yeah."
"I love you so much, Carter." I sighed with teary eyes.
I definitely still loved him. How do I just fall out of love with someone? I knew I'd probably never forgive him for cheating on me but the least I could do, for my sake, was to end us on good terms.
"I know, I love you too." He breathed.
As we sat there, embracing each other for the last time and staring out at the ocean, I knew I'd be alright.