"I know. It was horrible. Thank god you were there to save me." I kissed him lightly on the cheek.He kissed me back and rested his forehead against mine.I smiled. "Come on, let's go eat lunch."We sat side by side in silence for several moments. Then he spoke up again."How does it feel to be free now?""Huh? What do you mean?""Being a celebrity," he clarified."Ahh. Yes." I answered hesitantly. "It's nice. Better than I expected. The money's good, too. And I'm doing things that I enjoy doing.""What do you do these days?""Not much. I'm working part-time at the office. Nothing special.""How long did it take you to get used to being famous?"I chuckled. "A couple of weeks. Not much. I already knew it was coming. At first I hated it, but now, I kinda like it. Especially since I can act like an idiot without anybody judging me."Sergio smiled at me."And...what about you? Do you have any plans for the future?"He chuckled and nodded. "Yes. I plan to become a model."I grinned. "Good
Sometimes it feels like a burden to carry the guilt that is attached to me everyday. I try to ignore it, but sometimes the guilt gets to me. I think it gets to everyone too. Even those who pretend they aren't bothered. Like people who have a lot of responsibilities. And even more, people who are burdened by the burden they carry. Like me. And Sergio. He carries a huge weight on his shoulders, and that makes it even harder for him to smile sometimes. Maybe that's why it hurts me to see him struggling.I can tell that he loves me. In fact, he adores me. And he's trying hard to show me that. But it's just not enough. The pain is still there. The guilt. The guilt that comes with being a human being. I know it's wrong of me to blame myself, but it's easier for me to live with that than to admit that I'm the reason behind all of this. And that's why I've been trying my hardest not to acknowledge my feelings towards Sergio. I know it's not right, but if I can just hide them for a little w
"Well, I'll let you decide then. I'll be right back." He said, and then hurried off to the back of the café.I placed my hand over my mouth when I heard a chuckle coming from across me. Turning my head to my side, I found Sergio grinning amused at me. I scowled and turned my attention back to the menu."What's so funny?" I asked him, frowning once again."Nothing, nothing. It's just nice to see you acting this excited over something like this." He answered smiling, placing his hand over mine."Shut up." I muttered, crossing my arms in front of my chest. But Sergio simply chuckled once again."Okay." He said, and then leaned closer to kiss me quickly on the lips. "I'll be back in a moment. Enjoy your menu." And then he hurried off as well, disappearing through the back door.I rolled my eyes. But I couldn't deny that I loved the feeling of Sergio's lips against mine. The way they tasted so sweet, but firm at the same time. He was clearly a very good kisser. That made me blush slightly
"Sorry. It's just that you didn't give me a chance." I said looking down."Irish?" He called my name in a quiet voice.I looked back up at him. He was staring at me intensely, like he wanted to ask me something but didn't know if he could."What is it?"He didn't reply immediately. Instead he sighed heavily. "When you told me last night that you love me too. I thought that you meant that you love me more than a friend. I thought you actually meant that you love me as more than a friend." He explained.My cheeks started turning pink. I hadn't expected him to mention that, because I hadn't even realized it myself. Of course, I loved him as more than a friend. I mean, I wouldn't have ever admitted it to him otherwise.I shrugged my shoulders. "Well, it's true.""Yes. But I'm afraid I didn't understand you. Because of course I love you too. And yes, you're my best friend, but I also love you as more than that.""Well, maybe I love you differently. You're my best friend, but I also love yo
Dear Irish, I must apologize. Yesterday I was quite upset, and I don't want to add to your troubles. I know that I shouldn't have taken that way out. I hope you don't take it to heart. When I told you that I loved you, I meant every word. It was very hard for me to say those words, because I'm afraid that I'll lose you one day. Maybe even today. And it would be very painful for me, to lose you. However, I know that I'll never forget you, because I always see you as my best friend. I'll miss you. I love you. I love your smile, your laugh, your gentle ways, and I will always remember them. I will cherish every single second with you. Sergio.I sighed deeply and put the note back on the sink. Tears began to fill my eyes once again. I wiped them away quickly before turning around to leave the bathroom, closing the door behind me quietly and walking down the corridor towards the kitchen. I could hear the sound of the water running. My mother was sitting at the table with her head resti
"Of course, we'll try it." I answered reluctantly, earning a big smile from my dad. "I mean, it sounds perfect.""Great!" She exclaimed happily. "I'll be right back." She hurriedly rose from the chair and left the kitchen.We waited a few seconds after she disappeared into the hall before my father cleared his throat. "So.. where is Sergio?""I'm not sure. I didn't see him anywhere in the house." I lied, frowning.I was worried that he might have gone out somewhere. But I didn't want to worry my parents. They needed all the happiness they could find right now. Besides, I hoped Sergio was alright. He'd probably feel bad if he saw me crying over what had happened. I felt horrible about what I had done to him. I had never been so cruel to anyone before, especially Sergio.After a couple of minutes, my mother walked back into the room carrying a small plate with two plates. There was some kind of pasta and cheese on each plate. The smell alone brought a big smile on my face as I sniffed
But it was hard when I could hear him chewing slowly, every movement accompanied with loud chewing noises which weren't exactly quiet, yet somehow they still managed to reach me. And when I looked up and looked into his beautiful brown eyes... I lost control. Every fiber of my body wanted to jump into his arms and run away from the awkward tension that was surrounding us. And I just couldn't seem to resist."Would you like more coffee, dear?" My mom asked.I snapped out of my thoughts and focused on the question that she had just asked."Yes please." I responded, giving her a weak smile.She nodded her head and made her way toward the kitchen. I heard Sergio move closer to me and stop right beside me. I remained silent while my mother prepared my coffee."You don't have to stay with us," I stated softly. "We're not forcing you to stay. I can handle things perfectly fine on my own. You don't have to stay."He didn't respond to my statement. Instead, he continued to watch me silently un
"Is it okay with you if we go out for dinner tonight?" Sergio suddenly asked, breaking the silence between us."Why wouldn't it be? That sounds awesome." I answered smiling. "What are your favourite restaurant?"He chuckled lightly at my enthusiasm, and then told me his favourite restaurant nearby. After ordering our meals, we started to discuss our plans for tonight. Although we hadn't talked in a long time and neither one of us was sure about what we wanted to do, we still decided to try to spend some time together. Since we weren't going to be able to talk about what we were going to say later, we decided to keep some of it simple. Just a few casual questions about each other's lives. Then after we finished our meal, we would decide where to go next and what we were planning to do for the rest of the night.It was nice spending time with Sergio again. After everything had happened the last time we spent time together, I had missed him so much. He was someone whom I missed dearly.
Today marks the first day back after what happened last week. A lot has changed since then. Since we've gotten married, my mother has completely stopped trying to convince me to marry her son, although it has been clear throughout the past weeks that she hates him. But she has also been very understanding towards Sergio, even if she hasn't accepted us yet.My father is currently living with us, as my brother had kicked him out of the apartment last week. He didn't seem very happy about it, especially since it meant that his boyfriend would have to give up their house to live with him. I didn't mind that much though. The less attention that I get from my family, the better.This morning, I decided to wake up early so that I could get some breakfast ready before everyone woke up. I quickly made myself breakfast and put it in a bowl for Sergio. I then proceeded to walk around our apartment getting ready for the day. I was brushing my teeth when the bathroom door burst open and Sergio ra
"Baby, you know that I won't do that ever again. Never. You know that I will always protect you. Always, always. Forever and ever." Sergio reassured me.I nodded in response."Do you remember when you said you needed a break?" I asked quietly."Yeah. Of course I do. Why? Are you feeling better now?" He asked me, rubbing circles on my back."Kind of, yeah." I replied shakily."Well, it's late and I think it's time for us both to sleep. Come on, let's get up and make some coffee so that we can get some rest." Sergio suggested.I reluctantly opened my eyes and slid out of the covers. I followed Sergio out of the room and we entered the kitchen. We poured ourselves two cups of coffee, drinking them gratefully. After putting the cups in the sink, we carried them over to the sofa and sat down."Do you want to talk about it?" Sergio asked me gently, taking my hand in his."Not really." I admitted. "Maybe later?"Sergio smiled at me reassuringly. I leaned forward and kissed him softly, trying
"Wait. What?" I interrupted. "When did that happen?! Why didn't you tell me that you were leaving? What about us? Where were we during those years? Did I know what you were doing? Why did you hide that from me? What happened between you and my brother?"Sergio closed his eyes."You know that it was my fault...you know that I didn't mean for him to become involved with you. It was my choice to leave you alone. But he insisted that you came back with me. That he loved you enough to be willing to sacrifice everything and everything. I tried to convince him that it was in his best interest to stay away. But he wouldn't listen. He was stubborn and refused to change his mind.""He convinced my father that you two were meant to be together. He told my father that you were perfect for each other and he was determined to get married sooner rather than later. That he would wait until you were both eighteen and that it would be worth it because he was sure you'd love him as much as he loved you.
For a few minutes, we just stared at each other, not saying a word. I decided that now was a good time as any to ask him about his relationship with Sergio."So, you and Sergio....?" I started hesitantly.Sergio looked up and stared at me for a few seconds before turning away, his expression unreadable."Yes, we're together." He replied. "But it won't work out." He added when he saw how shocked I looked. "We love each other, I know that. But you'll never be able to understand us like you do. You don't know everything about us. You've known us for all of a day.""How long have I been here?" I asked, not understanding why we were talking about this. Wasn't that supposed to be my question? I had the feeling that I already knew the answer."About seven days." Sergio replied calmly."Seven days?!" I yelled, surprised. "And you didn't think that it was important to tell me that I've been unconscious for seven days?""We thought you needed time to adjust. We wanted to give you some space to
Tears kept spilling from my eyes as I tried to run harder than ever before to catch up with them. Suddenly, I found myself at an empty street. I looked both ways to try and find any sign of the couple and I spotted a familiar figure sitting under a lamppost a little way ahead of me. I broke into a sprint and rushed towards him. As I approached, I began to realize that the man wasn't wearing a jacket, so I figured he must have been freezing.When I got close enough, I could see that he was looking straight ahead with his arms resting on his knees, completely unmoving. I slowly came to stand right next to him, hoping that he would acknowledge my presence. But, he didn't. His expression remained the same and I knew that he was ignoring me. For a second, I stood there, staring at him without moving, completely dumbstruck by what was happening."Are...Are you alright?" I whispered, afraid to make a sudden move lest he would snap out of whatever trance he was currently in.He didn't reply
"Not really. I don't know. I'll probably just hang out with the guys, but that might take a while." I answered."Okay. I'll pick you up at seven then." He said. "How does that sound?""Perfect." I said, smiling slightly. "I'll see you then.""See you then." He responded, hanging up.I stared at my phone for a few minutes longer. I knew there was nothing to worry about. He wouldn't come to pick me up if he knew something was bothering me. He was just being friendly. After a few moments though, I realized that it was already nine in the morning and that the time to wake up everyone else was approaching rapidly."Great. Now everyone else will wake up." I said with a sigh. I picked up my phone and dialled the number of the person who most definitely was not going to appreciate waking up this early. She answered almost immediately."Irish, I was expecting you to call earlier. Is everything OK?" She asked me."Yes, I'm fine. I just woke up and wanted to check if you were awake.""Ah yes. T
"What's so funny?" He asked, frowning at me."Nothing... I was just wondering why you're behaving like this." I said with a chuckle."I'm not behaving like anything." He protested."Oh please, Sergio, don't play dumb. You know exactly what I mean. I saw the way you looked at me." I told him.He looked up at me, puzzled."Look, Irish, it's not what you think. I didn't mean to stare at you, ok? It was an accident." He explained quickly.I shook my head. "You know perfectly well that you couldn't have meant to stare. Look, Sergio, you don't seem like yourself these days. You look more serious than ever before. And besides, there's no need for you to feel guilty. You didn't do anything wrong."He stared at me for a while longer, as if trying to find the right words to say."I know. Please. I am sorry, Irish. Can we start over? Forget what has happened." He pleaded earnestly.I sighed. "Okay. I forgive you, Sergio." I said, reaching across the table to touch his hand.He took my hand gentl
"Is it okay with you if we go out for dinner tonight?" Sergio suddenly asked, breaking the silence between us."Why wouldn't it be? That sounds awesome." I answered smiling. "What are your favourite restaurant?"He chuckled lightly at my enthusiasm, and then told me his favourite restaurant nearby. After ordering our meals, we started to discuss our plans for tonight. Although we hadn't talked in a long time and neither one of us was sure about what we wanted to do, we still decided to try to spend some time together. Since we weren't going to be able to talk about what we were going to say later, we decided to keep some of it simple. Just a few casual questions about each other's lives. Then after we finished our meal, we would decide where to go next and what we were planning to do for the rest of the night.It was nice spending time with Sergio again. After everything had happened the last time we spent time together, I had missed him so much. He was someone whom I missed dearly.
But it was hard when I could hear him chewing slowly, every movement accompanied with loud chewing noises which weren't exactly quiet, yet somehow they still managed to reach me. And when I looked up and looked into his beautiful brown eyes... I lost control. Every fiber of my body wanted to jump into his arms and run away from the awkward tension that was surrounding us. And I just couldn't seem to resist."Would you like more coffee, dear?" My mom asked.I snapped out of my thoughts and focused on the question that she had just asked."Yes please." I responded, giving her a weak smile.She nodded her head and made her way toward the kitchen. I heard Sergio move closer to me and stop right beside me. I remained silent while my mother prepared my coffee."You don't have to stay with us," I stated softly. "We're not forcing you to stay. I can handle things perfectly fine on my own. You don't have to stay."He didn't respond to my statement. Instead, he continued to watch me silently un