Anastasia took off her shoes, stepping by the side of the river, feeling the coldness of the water on her skin. She chuckled, “It’s cool out here. Never knew there’s a place like this in Chicago.”
“It’s beautiful, huh?”
“It’s fantastic.” She walked a few steps into the water.
“Be careful.” He said.
“I am. You said you have some thing to tell me, I forgot to remind you.”
He laughed. “I can’t believe I forgot that actually. Well, I wanted to tell you that I’d be leaving the state in two days. I’ll probably not be around to tomorrow, so, I doubt we can say good bye.”
She turned to him, the smile on her face faded off. “How long will it take you?” She asked.
“A month or two, not certain yet. I’ll be taking my father’s place at an urgent business meeting. I’m sorry this is coming late, I never expected it either.”
She was about to walk out of the water when some thing in the water made her fall. She struggled to pull out but she was some how stuck in the water which was slowly drowning her.
“Help! Help me, Jay! Please, help me!” She screamed, waving her hands above the water.
He took off his jacket, throwing it to the ground. He rushed into the water, grabbing her hand. With force, he pulls her out of the water. He carried her in his arms until they were out of the water. He drops her to stand on her feet, “Are you alright?” He asked, concerned.
She nodded her head, staring at the ground. Her wet hair stained around her face, her gown clung to her skin, exposing the shape of her body.
“What happened?” He asked.
“I think there’s some thing in there. I felt it but my legs and I fell.”
She looked around. “My glasses. My glasses.” She said, attempting to go back into the water.
He goes back into the water and he finds it floating on the river. He brings it out, cleaning it with his handkerchief. He gives it back to her and she puts it on.
“Thank you.”
He shifted her wet hair to the back of her ears, raising her face to himself. “I don’t want you to miss me so much, I just want you to be happy.”
“You’re leaving me for two fu*king months and you expect me to live like nothing happened?”
He caressed her cheeks. “Your health is my concern, I don’t want you stressing your brain just because of me.”
“Do you think it’s that easy? To forget the little memories we shared? To live a life like every thing is alright when the love of my life is out there in a different state? I can’t stay without you, Jay, I want you by my side every single minute. I want your face to be the only thing that gives me hope. You make me feel happy, you give me hope that I ain’t alone. I can’t just let you go, I want you, Jay.” Tears clouded her eyes while she said those words.
He didn’t say a word. His eyes were on her lips, the sudden hunger to have a taste of those lips hungered him and he was becoming impatient to bury a kiss on it. A kiss to remember.
He leaned closer that their faces were barely inches apart. His hand moved to the back of her neck, pulling her face closer to his. He grabbed her lower lips, kissing, sucking on it like a hungry lion. He thought she wasn’t gonna kiss him back, he was scared she’d play mute to him.
But no, she didn’t. She kissed him. She kissed him back, passionately, hungrily like never before.
****
Back at the restaurant. Bella has decided she won’t go home until Anastasia shows up. Just then, while she was deep in thought, Tessa tapped her by the shoulder. She looked at her, and she gave her an eye sign which directed to the door.
Bella moved her eyes, expecting to see Anastasia standing by the door. Seems like she’s been over expecting things that actually weren’t what they are.
It was Pablo standing by the door. He was wearing a worried face, plus the fact that he wasn’t seeing Anastasia. “Where is she?” He asked.
“She went out on a walk. She said she wanted to be alone.” She lied.
“How long has she been away?”
“Few minutes ago. Close to twenty minutes, I guess.”
He walked towards the counter. “You said there is some one seeing her in my place, who is he?” He asked, serious and mean.
Bella was already feeling pity for Mr Jayden’s sake, she didn’t want to expose him, at least not yet. She wasn’t expecting he’d be this serious about it, and she doesn’t know how to compose the entire story that she was only lying to get him come to the state.
“Honestly, he left yesterday for a business trip. You know, he’s a rich billionaire and has a lot on desk, so he hasn’t been around lately that’s why Ana decided to have a walk alone.” She said, making sure every word was put in order.
But the whole story changed the moment she walked into the restaurant, her body soaked wet with Jayden’s suit jacket on her body. Bella slowly moved her gaze at Tessa who did the same to her.
“What. The. Fu*k.” She mouthed.
Anastasia didn’t notice Pablo who was already staring at her. She thought he was one of the late customers so she didn’t have much interest in him.
“Bella, I’m feeling cold. I don’t think I can wait any longer, I’ll catch you two tomorrow.” She said, the sadness of Jayden leaving sounded in her voice.
“Ana…” Bella called. “You have a guest.”
It was then Anastasia noticed Pablo’s presence. Her eyes opened like she had seen a ghost. Every thing felt like a stand still as they exchanged glances. That face, it looks so familiar, she has seen it before… some where.
But then, she seems to remember the face, it was the face of the man in her dream, the very one she told Bella about back in the hospital. Surprisingly, she was staring at him in reality, standing right before her.
And he was staring at her like the love of his life, but she was staring at him like the stranger in her dream.
~~~~
To Be Continued…
