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As I gaze at the painting, a mixture of emotions engulfs me. I feel a wave of nostalgia, transporting me back to the girl I used to be and the boy who held such significance in my life. Yet, here I am, years later, in his house, the physical proximity contrasting with emotional distance between us.
I take a deep breath, I struggle to contain the overwhelming flood of emotion. The painting serves as a stark reminder that our shared history can’t be completely erased, and it is time to face our past, no matter how daunting it may be. But as I stand there, the thought of seeing Jeffrey and potentially disrupting the peace we have found makes me hesitate.
I turn away from the painting, leaving the showroom and retreating to the solitude of my room. The weight of my secret feels heavier than ever. I wonder if I hold any place in Jeffrey’s heart.
19
JEFFREY
Opening my eyes, I am greeted by a comforting warmth. Without even glancing down, I know it’s Phebe beside me. taking in the softly lit room, my focus returns to her.
The way her hair spills across the pillow, the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she breathes, and the delicate curve of her lips, even in slumber, captivate me. For a brief moment, I enjoy the ethereal sight.
My love for Phebe is deeper than I ever thought possible, and it fills me with fear. The thought of a life without her now feels like an immense void, one I never anticipated. How did I manage to resist for almost two decades, only to fall so deeply in love?
My heart is intertwined with Phebe’s in ways I never imagined, and this realization both thrills and terrifies me. It’s a vulnerability I’ve always guarded against, yet here I am, unable to imagine my life without her. I crave more of her presence. Although we spent the entire night together. It still feels not enough.
I slip away from Phebe’s embrace with care and head towards the connected bathroom. Closing the door quietly, I relieve myself. After washing my hands at the sink, I splash cool water on my face. As I lift my head and gaze at my reflection in the mirror, conflicting emotions arise. On one hand, I find joy in being with Phebe, but on the other hand, I fear the possibility of being hurt again.
Exiting the bathroom, I suddenly hear my phone ringing on the bedside table. Hoping not to disturb Phebe’s peaceful slumber, I approach it swiftly and answer the call without checking the ID.
“Jeffrey, what the hell is going on?” Mildred’s voice crackles with anger on the other end. Glancing at the screen, I see Mildred’s name flashing. Surprised by the early morning call, I quickly step out to the balcony to take the call, avoiding any disruption to Phebe’s peaceful sleep.
“Good morning to you, too, Mildred,” I respond, sensing her frustration.
“Jeffrey, what’s this engagement talk I’m hearing?”
“Engagement? Mildred, what are you talking about?”
“Don’t play games with me, Jeffrey. I woke up to a barrage of messages asking about our engagement?” She says.
I lean against the balcony railing, my hand gripping the phone tighter.
“Mildred, what is this?”
“I’m asking, did you dump me for Phebe? Goodness, your pictures are all over the internet,” she says.
“It has been there for weeks. What I don’t get why any of this concerns you. We ended things weeks ago, remember? That means you have no say in what happens or doesn’t happen in my life.”
“Are you kidding me, Jeffrey? You can’t just dump me like trash after everything we’ve been through,” she exclaims. I have to take my phone away from my ear for a moment before bringing it back.
“Mildred, we didn’t really share anything. You didn’t go through anything with me. Our relationship was convenient. That was why you stayed,” I explain.
“What! Why would you say something like that?”
I close my eyes briefly, struggling to keep my patience.
“Mildred, we both know it’s the truth. Besides, whatever relationship you think we had was based on convenience. We never discussed anything permanent.”
“And so, what? I knew that bitch was up to no good!” She says. This infuriates me.
“Don’t you talk about Phebe like that, am I clear?” There is a long pause before she responds.
“Jeffrey, why?”
“Mildred, please. Let’s not blow this out of proportion. We had something casual, and I end it with you weeks ago. I apologize if there was any misunderstanding on my part.”
“I thought you didn’t mean it. I thought you would come back to me.”
