Alan's POVAfter getting off the call, I’d be a fool to even think of falling asleep.Groaning in frustration, I chugged off my clothes and walked into the shower to get some help with that. While I struggled to put a name or reason to my annoyance, the cold water easily slipped down my back.Reeling a deep breath in, I tried to focus all my attention on what was running through my body and less on my mind. That was a technique I had managed to master whenever I felt clueless. I was someone who proclaimed to have an idea about everything, but that, like many things in my life, had evidently changed in the past few weeks.Since I knew that my thoughts were in a very toxic place right now and that if I pondered on them, I would just end up thinking about the wrong things, and thereby react in a reckless manner, I thought it fit to temporarily seek a distraction.Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was her. Generally, the idea of her staying on my mind all day long was appeasing
Alan's POV“Hello?” Her voice sounded rushed, somewhat like a tired sigh.Worried she was busy, I asked, “You busy?”“No.” Came her quick reply. I couldn’t miss the eagerness in her voice. “No, no, not at all. Why would I be? I’m home. We just took a break, we’re not busy. I mean, Emilia and Mark are, but I’m not. I’m not busy.”“Right.,” I mumbled, silently wondering why she was acting so tensed. “Well,” I swallowed. “I didn’t like how we left things off earlier. How I left things off. I’m sorry for hanging up on you like that, it was not my intention to act like a dick. I’m really sorry.”I could hear her unsteady breath sounds from the other end, which motivated me further to add, “When you called, I was already worried about Sasha. I was suspecting Douglas. And when I heard that Marla met you, I was just... I panicked, you know. I was worried.”“I know,” She said in a low whisper. “I understand why you reacted that way. I’m not angry with you. I just, as I said, I didn’t know how
Rachel's POVWith an insuppressible grin on my face, I walked back into the flat. A hint of a smile was still dancing on my lips as I walked into the living room but it was fazed when confusion swarmed over my brain, "Where's Mark?"Emilia narrowed her eyes at me, studying me unusually whilst she replied. "Him? He's gone to bed."Tilting my head towards left, I frowned, slightly, "Already?""It's way past midnight so yes." Emilia shrugged and kept her lingering gaze on me nonetheless."Already?" I mumbled to myself as I stole a quick glance at the clock hung on the wall. True to her words, the time was almost 1 AM."What's the matter with you? Why are you so happy?"Shrugging, I avoided her gaze. "No reason.""Was that a sex call, then?""Of course, not!""Well, you do look awfully... pleased by the phone call so I'm guessing he did more than just apologizing."Heat climbed to my cheeks at the mention of him. For reasons previously unknown, just a mere thought of him was producing ver
Rachel's POVShaking my head, I tried to stop the ensuing tears that triggered to fall. Instead, I struggled out of Emilia's grasp and clasped her hands on my thighs."Enough about me though. Tell me about your date."Ever since she broke up with Caleb, Emilia had been particularly careful when it came to men and relationships. When Dylan Wright, a popular doctor from the dermatology department at the hospital we worked at, managed to take her out on a date after meeting her on Tinder, she had a very shy amount of hope that it could turn into something serious.I had seen him from afar only a few times but the gossip among the nurses say that he was quite a charming lad. Sweet and caring were the frequently used words by his patient when leaving a report about him. In many ways, he reminded me of Caleb, the man that broke my poor friend's heart, and in a few, he was completely in contrast to him.For instance, Caleb and Dylan were similar in that they were both very compassionate and
Alan’s POV“You’re in a very delightful mood this morning.” My mother gazed up from the brim of her tea-cup to pass on an amused smile. “Do you want to share the happy news?”“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I shrugged in a nonchalance but smirked back at her nonetheless.“Oh, of course, you know what I’m talking about,” She set aside her cup and leaned in eagerly.“Truly, I don’t.”“Is it that girl then?” Busted.“She’s got a name, you know?”“Yeah, I know. So it is about her, isn’t it?”“Mom, leave me alone. Let me enjoy my tea in peace. I’ve had to deal with a terrible migraine last night.”“Quit lying to my face, Alan. You look more peaceful and healthy than I’ve ever seen you before.” She scoffed and leaned back to fold her arms across her chest. Narrowing her eyes at me, she gave me an accusing look, “Are you in love with her?”The sip of the hot tea I’d taken just milliseconds before she said those words had ultimately sent me into a round of choking and I was forced t
Alan’s POVMy mother shook my head, "Alan, I know that you think you can, but handling suppressed emotions is a lot more difficult than hiding acknowledged . The more you try to suppress them, the more obvious and clear they become. Before you know, they'll be all over the place.""So what do you suggest I do? I can't confess to her yet, that's completely off-limits. She asked for some space and time and that's what I'm giving her. I am willing to wait for as long as she needs. That's the only thing she had ever asked of me and that's the least I can do for her.""Well, I get where you're coming from, Alan, and I know that you won't like what I want to say so I'm going to refrain from it. But I will suggest this - go with your gut feeling. I appreciate that you're thinking logically about this because when you do that, you often avoid unnecessary damage. But please, there will be a time where the situation demands you to act in a way that pleases your heart. Listen to it."When the ri
Rachel's POV“What took you so long?” Henry scowled as soon as he spotted me.“Yeah, what did Sugar daddy want with you? Was he trying to talk you into taking the fellowship here?” Mark asked. “And please don’t tell me you’re actually considering it.”Damn, there goes the conversation I’ve been trying to avoid for a week now. “Can we please not talk about it? I’m in the mood for some celebration right now.” That was a blatant lie.“Yeah, this is the tenth time you’ve dodged this conversation. Don’t think we haven’t been noticing it.” Emilia warned in a strict tone.Groaning, I rubbed my temples in despair. “I know. I just haven’t made up my mind about it alright? I’m not sure if I want to move across the country for a fellowship. It’s not that easy a decision to make. Let me have a breather.”“Fine, but just promise us you will give it some serious thought and won’t let silly things hinder your career.”“Fine.” Not really.Though unconvinced, she gave me a nod nonetheless. Since we we
Alan’s POV“He’s lying.”He had to be. There was no other way he’d be breaking so well under the pressure if it weren’t for the lies he was so cautiously masking under that deceiving face of his.“I wouldn’t be so sure.” Mused the gentleman in uniform.Both of us were standing outside the room where the interrogation was taking place. The man I had been intently observing the entire day was proving to be very annoying as he was insistent on standing on his original answer.He confessed that he was a poor man that could barely make the ends meet every month. His old Volkswagen had been troubling him for quite a while now, and since he earned just enough to keep the family from drowning, he had managed to ignore the services that were demanded by the faulty vehicle.He paid the price of his ignorance when the brakes on his vehicles betrayed him right when he was speeding past the expected limit in one of the deserted streets of London. Unfortunately, he was not the only person who had p