I BLINKED. It was really Charlie. He was standing near the counter and checking out our collection of bestseller books there. He was wearing a black short sleeve polo shirt and faded jeans. His black hair was a bit longer than the last time I saw him. His skin got tanned. What was he doing here? All along, I thought it was Gideon. But of course, why would he fetch me when he won't come home to his house? Our house. "Oh, there's Bianca," Kelly announced on the counter. Charlie's eyes automatically snapped at me. "Hi," he greeted. A smile appeared on his face. He put down the book he was holding and then slowly closed the distance between us. "Bianca." I gave him a small smile after I recovered from my shock. "Charlie, I didn't know you're already back." "I just came back yesterday." Yesterday? Does it mean he and Gideon saw each other at their parent's house? "Oh… uh." I noticed Kelly was watching us. "This is where I work," I said to Charlie. "And this is Kelly, one
MY shoulder-length hair was blown by the wind as I stood in front of the Henry mausoleum. I ran my fingers through my hair before I crouched in front of my daughter's tombstone. "Hi," I whispered as I caressed the marble tomb. "I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit you often." A sad smile appeared on my lips. "I came here to apologize, baby." I remembered what Helen and I talked about last night on the phone when I called her. "You're right, Helen. I'm in love with Gideon…" I shut my eyes. "Charlie and I met yesterday…and I finally realized my feelings for Gideon. I… I'm in love with him." "Finally, Bianca," her answered from the other line. "But I'm guessing you haven't talked to Gideon yet." Helen could really read me, huh? I let out a loud sigh. "I don't know if I'd act on it, Helen. Yes, I'm in love with him. But he's the person who ruined my relationship with Charlie. He made me suffer, Helen. He hurt me. He made my life a living hell." "He's a different person now,
"WHY did you decide to buy this?" I looked at Gideon who was behind me. His arms were snaked around my waist, his head resting on my shoulder blades. Last night, we made love together for the first time. Yes. For the first time. I knew that everything that had happened to us before was far from lovemaking. But last night, it was different. He was able to replace all my past experiences with him with a good one. Gideon made love to me with such gentleness. "Sweetheart…" Gideon whispered while his lips were making their way to my ears. I let out a soft moan escape my lips when I felt his teeth graze the shell of my ear. His warm breath sent shivers down my spine. This feeling was strange to me. This was the first time I'd felt this with Gideon. Everything was new to me. The way he kissed me. The way he touched me. The way he explored every skin in my body. Gideon was doing it with so much gentleness. With so much care. "God. You're so fucking sweet," he murmured as hi
"WHAT is this all about Gideon?" Amelia asked after we all settled down at the dining table. Gideon asked his parents to have dinner with us. But then Amelia insisted on having it in their mansion. "You said we are celebrating something. What is it?" Amelia stood up and opened the champagne bottle that Gideon and I brought here with us. Gideon smiled at his parents, then he turned to me. His eyes glittering with happiness. Those blue eyes of his… they're as beautiful as the ocean. "Bianca and I won't get a divorce. We both decided to give our marriage a second chance." Gideon softly smiled at me. He held my left hand and caressed the ring on my finger. The one he gave me last week. "What's this Gideon?" My eyes widened when I saw the ring on my finger. It was a gold band wedding ring. We were walking around the vineyard when he suddenly slipped something on my finger. I didn't expect it to be a ring. "You aren't wearing any wedding ring, sweetheart." I bit my lower
I SWALLOWED. "It's nothing, Gideon. Charlie and I… were just talking about the surprise for you…" I turned to Charlie to ask for help… but his jaw was clenched as he looked at Gideon. "Surprise?" Gideon's brows were in a deep frown. "I heard you, Bianca. You mentioned something about the past. Are you hiding something from me?" My heart hammered inside my chest. My throat dry. My palms wet with sweat. I didn't know what to say. I wanted to escape this moment… but I knew I couldn't. I never thought this moment would come. I knew the possibility but I never expected it. "G-Gideon…" "What is it that you're hiding, Bianca?" I tried to move my feet to take a step closer to him. "Gideon… let's just talk about this at home. I'll tell you everything there. But not here." "I wanted to hear it here," Gideon said, his frown deepening. "Why do you look so nervous?" I opened my mouth to speak, but Charlie beat me to it. "You have to know something important, Gideon," Charlie sa
"DO you have any idea where Gideon is, Charlie?" I asked Charlie when I saw him at the Henry mansion. It had been three days since that night happened. Gideon hasn't shown up yet. We all thought he just wanted to be alone. But he was suddenly gone. According to Denver, Gideon asked him to drive him home. But when I came home, he was already gone. He even left his phone in our room. I thought he'd go to Napa Valley, but I didn't find him there. "What if something bad happened to him, Charlie?" "Gideon's a grown man, Bianca. He can handle himself. If something ever happened to him, I'm sure he'd be in the news. He's Gideon Henry, after all." I looked at Charlie. I couldn't believe he'd be able to do this. "I hope you're happy with what you did, Charlie." He sighed. "Gideon needs to know the truth, Bianca. It's inevitable." "But not in that way." He looked at me, his eyes sad. "I only did this for you, Bianca. I don't want you to get hurt in the end." He shook his head.
"THIS is nothing, Bianca," Gideon answered. His jaw clenched while trying to look away from me. I blinked as I continued to examine the small bruise on his face. "Did you get into a fight?" "I was drunk last night." My lips parted. I found him at the bar tonight. Was he drinking for the past four days? I looked around at the apartment he was staying in. It was only a couple of blocks away from the bar. It was too small compared to his own room at home. What was he doing here? "Have you been drinking?" I examined him. Aside from that bruise, he looked like he hadn't shaved since the last time I saw him. He didn't answer my question. He just sighed. "What are you doing here?" I swallowed and stood up from the couch. "Everyone is looking for you. We're all worried." He took a step away from me. A sad smile appeared on his face. "What else did I do to you? Tell me the truth, Bianca. The baby you lost. Was that mine or Charlie's?" I covered my mouth with my hand. "G-g
Six months later... "WE'RE hanging out at Joe's bar later. Do you want to come with us, Bianca?" I pursed my lips at Devi. "I'm sorry, Devi. I'm going to Portland after work." Devi smiled. "It's okay, Bianca. Next time, then?" "Yeah. Next time." I returned her smile. I've been back here in New York now for almost six months. I was able to get back my old post in NYPL when the woman who replaced me before resigned from her job. After I got off from work, I drove my car to Portland. I was now living alone in an apartment in Manhattan, but once a month I go to Portland and stay at my parents' house for the weekend. Yes. I live alone for six months now. Gideon and I were already divorced. After our divorce was finalized, he left the country. Since then, we haven't seen each other again. "Hi, Mom and Dad," I whispered as I placed the bouquet of flowers on my parents' tombstone. I let out a small smile as I remembered a certain memory. The last time Gideon and I talked, we