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Chapter 23
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Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 24
I place a cup of coffee on Julia's desk and collapse into the chair across from her, letting out a deep breath. "Long weekend?" she questions, bringing the coffee to her lips. "Perfect weekend. I didn't want it to end." I smile, thinking back to my time with Elliot. My boyfriend. "Oh?" Julia raises an eyebrow at me. I nod. "You remember that date I mentioned that I had brought to the wedding?" "Mhm? But I thought you said- –no insisted- –that they were just a friend," Julia hums, placing her coffee down. She leans forward, positioning her elbows on her desk, lacing her fingers together, and resting her chin on her hands. "Well... we're officially together. We've known each other for a couple of months now as... friends. And now-–" I grin, feeling like a school girl talking about her first crush. Julia squeals, she covers her mouth in embarrassment and peeks out of her office door. No one else has seemed to notice, unphased by her excitement. "Kris, that's amazing," she says i
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 25
I rest my hand on Elliot's thigh, my nails digging into the fabric of his pants as the plane takes off. I'm seated beside the window, hesitant to peek outside to watch the safety of solid ground disappear. Elliot sits in the middle seat beside me with, the aisle seat left empty. My stomach drops, my breathing picks up speed. The plane roars as it lurches upwards. You're fine, Kristine. You're fine. Dying a slow painful death by falling from the sky isn't that likely, right? Elliot chuckles as if reading the irrational thoughts racing through my mind. He pats my hand before prying it from his leg and lacing his fingers with mine. His thumb traces in circles over the top of my hand, my skin tingles at his touch. "Not a fan of planes?" Elliot teases. I shoot him an annoyed look and scrunch my nose. "What gave it away?" Elliot leans over and kisses my temple. I close my eyes and take in a shuddering breath, biting the inside of my lip. I rest my head on his shoulder, he places his c
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 26
"You know... I don't think I want to go back home tomorrow." I laugh, folding up some of my clothes and placing back into my bag. The last day and a half has flown by. We spent the majority of our Saturday at a local park with Raymond, Allison, and the kids. Ending the evening with a dinner in the city with Elliot's parents. "Weekends here go by too quickly." Elliot agrees. I nod and change into my pajamas, tying my hair up in a bun on the top of my head. Elliot walks up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, his nose nuzzling the back of my head. "I told you that you would be completely fine with my family. They really like you." He murmurs. I rest my arms on top of his and lean back against him. "I'd take them over my family any day." Elliot laughs and spins me around, lightly caressing my face. He's quiet for a moment before his lips twist into a mischievous smile. "I think everyone is asleep." He whispers. "
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 27
"You're here in one piece, so I assume the weekend went well,." Julia teases, sitting down in my office. For it being early on a Monday morning, she's as stunning as ever. Her fair, blonde hair is tied into a tidy bun on top of her head, eyes bright and defined with mascara dragged through her lashes. She taps her wedding ring against the ceramic mug in her hands, waiting for me to share the more intimate details of my weekend away. "You know, it went a lot better than I anticipated. I'm glad you encouraged me to go." I smile at her as I unpack my work bags. "But," I raise a finger at her. "I am not going to tell you that you were right." "I still can't believe you two are together, It's taking me some time to process this." She rolls her eyes and laughs. "But you two seem like a good pair, I thought so right at the beginning." "Oh trust me, I'm still processing too." I scoff. "But, I don't know, something about it just seems right." I shrug. "It's like he knows me and understands
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 28
I lay on top of Elliot in stunned silence, pretending to be asleep despite my eyes being t wide open. I try to keep my breathing steady, but my heart races. His words echo in my head. He's falling in love with me? Do I say it back? Am I ready to say it back? Fuck. My phone begins to ring on the table, the vibration against the wood makes me flinch. I take in a deep breath, acting as if the call had woken me up. I reach for it and see Kate's name on the screen. "I'll be right back," I tell Elliot as I ease myself off of his warm body. I enter my bedroom. Closing the door behind me, I answer the call. "Kristine! Oh my god! Are you okay? What the hell happened?" Kate shouts. "Slow down, what? What are you talking about?" I sit down on my bed and run my fingers through my hair. "There's a video of you on the fucking news. They're saying that some maniac showed up at the county office. The clip that's circling around shows some guy throwing a bottle of booze at the officers, while
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 29
"Six months is a big deal, Kristine," Kate says, dropping down onto the couch beside me. "Did you ever imagine you'd be here six months later after anonymously hooking up and then having a friends with benefits arrangement?" She laughs, taking a sip from her wine glass. Honestly, no one could have expected this. "I don't want to make a 'big deal' out of it and make it awkward. It's only been six months." I shrug. It's been half a year with Elliot in my life and I cherish each and every moment of it, despite having a hard time admitting it. In all honesty, I'm still scared of what could happen, what he could do to hurt me. I love Elliot and I love who I've become when I'm with him. The nightmares are few and far between, I'm excelling at work because I have someone who supports my career, and for once, my mother has nothing to criticize about my love life. I'm significantly happier, it's something that everyone can see. But from time to time I feel myself pulling back, afraid to le
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 30
Elliot rises from the chair across from me, fixing his tie and brushing crumbs from his suit jacket. He lets out a sigh and looks down at me and I know that our office lunch date has come to an end. "I should be getting back to the office," he says. I pout and nod. "I know but I don't want you to." Elliot gives me a sad smile. "If I had my way, neither of us would be at work today." He leans over my desk, giving me a quick peck on the lips. "But I'll see you tomorrow for dinner with Kate." "I'm looking forward to it." I hum. Elliot tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear and turns to leave. I watch as he exits the office, admiring his long strides and firm backside. I drag my bottom lip through my teeth, thinking about what he looks like under that suit. That's all mine. Once he's out of sight I slump in my seat and cross my arms over my chest, looking at his empty seat on the other side of my desk. I never thought I would be this girl, sad and disappointed when I wasn't spendi
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 31
I take the train to Kate's apartment, not wanting to be alone at home. I use the spare key and let myself inside. I find her asleep,, sprawled out beneath the blankets in her bed in the back corner of the studio apartment, realizing the time, I remember she had worked third shift last night at the hospital. I feel bad waking her but I don't know what else to do. I drop my belongings on the couch and crawl into bed with her, snuggling up in the blankets. She rolls over and yawns. "Kris?" she mutters without opening her eyes. "What are you doing here?" I sniff, trying to hold back more tears. "I—we—" my voice wavers. Kate opens her eyes and says firmly, "Kristine? what's going on?" "First fight." I groan, covering my face with her blankets. "He was a complete asshole and—Ugh!" Kate sighs and wraps her arms around me. She doesn't say anything, she just holds me while I cry. Time passes slowly as I calm myself down. My gasping breaths are beginning to balance out and the remnants of
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Unforgettable Encounter Epilogue
"Do you still think about him?" Anna asks quietly, stroking the hand of the small blanketed bundle in my arms. I nod, meeting her eyes. "I do. Every day," I sigh. "I really thought I'd be able to build a life with him. Get married, have kids..." I look back down. "...have something like you and Ben do." Anna chuckles softly. "Be glad you can wait a little longer on the having kids part." She takes the baby from my arms and lays him in his crib. "Leo has quite the personality of his own already," she says, admiring her son. Motherhood suits her. I've never seen Anna glow the way she does when she looks at her child. I take one last look at Leo, my godchild, sleeping soundly before following Anna back out into the living room. I sit down on the couch across the room from her, folding my legs beneath me and hug a pillow to my chest. Their home has finally come together, the last touches being Leo's nursery. The living room and kitchen are now an open floor concept after my destruction
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 44
I brush my thumb along Elliot's jaw line, feeling the soft stubble on his chin against the pad of my finger. He sleeps soundly, softly snoring, his naked body barely covered by my bed sheet. I love you... I rest my head on my arm and clench my eyes shut. My mind races and my body aches. I think back to a year ago, when Elliot and I had first met in that loud, sweaty club. When he had taken me home and reawakened my body that night. When his company and his touch made me crave him more and more each day. And now... I loved every minute of what happened earlier in the evening, feeling like we were one again, like there was nothing wrong. And yet, nothing was the same. We've changed. I've changed. Three months ago, I left him. Everything we built together had come to an abrupt end. I love him. But I can't forget what he'd done. And yet, after I left him, he sat by my side for days on end until I woke up in the hospital. He loves me, endlessly, unconditionally which is a love I've ne
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 43
"Three more!" Kate cheers. I groan, sweat drips down my forehead, my muscles beg for me to stop. One, two, three. I let out a deep breath and collapse onto the floor, lying flat on my back. "Careful of your head!" Kate gasps. I shoot her an annoyed look. "I'm fine. It's been three months, Kate." "Okay if you're so fine, get off the floor by yourself." Kate stands back and crosses her arms over her chest, looking at me skeptically. Fuck. Come on, Kristine. Get up. I sit up and ease myself onto my knees, I push myself off of the floor using extra support from my hands. I wince as I stand up straight and I breathe hard as I place my hands on my hips. "Ha. Did it." I stick my nose up in the air. "I wish I could have gotten a video of that, you looked ridiculous," Kate snorts. I playfully punch her arm. "Get out of here, go home," I laugh. "Happily." She sticks her tongue out at me. "But first—" Kate steps toward me and checks my eyes and my heart rate, before taking a quick lo
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 42
"Welcome back!" My co-worker's voices echo through the office, catching me off guard and causing me to stumble backwards. My hands fly to my mouth in surprise. Bouquets of fresh flowers, cards, and treats overflow on my desk. I smile and drop my bag onto the floor, picking up some of the cards and looking through them. "Guys, this is too much. You didn't need to do this," I say, teary eyed. Julia wraps one arm around me. "We wanted you to know we missed you and we're happy that you're back. The last two months without you have been too quiet." I brush the tears from my cheek with the back of my hand. "Thank you everyone." After receiving gentle hugs from each of my co-workers, I close my office door and ease myself down into my chair. My body is still sore, my movements are slow and rigid. I take a deep breath and rest my head against the back of the chair. The day has barely even started and I'm already exhausted. I open my laptop and turn it on, the screen coming to life for the
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 41
I peel my eyes open and look around the dull, white hospital room. The lights are harsh and I find myself squinting because of them. The sanitized smell of the atmosphere burns my nose. Elliot is asleep in a chair at the foot of the bed, his head rests on his arms which are folded on top of the mattress. The beeping of multiple machines reverberate in my ears. I examine the wires attached to my body. An IV in my hand, pulse oximeter clip on my index finger. EKG chords attached to my chest and a thin oxygen tube positioned beneath my nose. I brush the tips of my fingers against the oxygen tube and wiggle the finger with the pulse oximeter attached. "Kristine? Honey?" Mom whispers as she leans forward in her chair. I slowly turn my head to look at her and the corner of my mouth pulls into a pained smile. I try to speak but nothing comes out. "Don't talk, you've had a tube in your throat. You're going to be sore for a little while." I nod. I drop my hand from the oxygen tube and plac
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 40 aftermath
"The surgery was successful. Bleeding is under control, it doesn't look like there will be any long lasting damage. Recovery from wounds like this could take time, but she was very fortunate." "Thank you, thank you very much doctor," my mother says through muffled sobs. I hear footsteps retreating and the click of a door closing. Mom sits down beside me and runs her fingers through my hair. "Did you hear that, baby? You're going to be okay." **** "Elliot, go home and get some rest," Mom says softly. "You need to clean yourself up." "I can't. I can't leave yet." Elliot's voice is strained and hoarse. "Honey..." My mom's voice cracks. "You still have her...her blood all over you. Please. Go home, shower, change, there will still be a place here for you when you get back." "My shirt... I–I didn't even realize..." **** "Three stab wounds to the abdomen. Two broken ribs. Concussion and minor brain bleed as a result of a skull fracture?" Kate lists off. "Her neck and face are cove
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 39
"No, please." I try to fight him off. "Mr. Harris—" "Shut up," he hisses in my ear. A slight whimper escapes my lips. He turns around and hits the emergency stop button on the elevator panel. "You've ruined everything for me. I've lost it all. My home, my wife, my kids, my job. It's all gone and it's all because of you," "Doing this... Won't help your case..." I spit. I ball my hand into a fist lift my arm, attempting to hit him. He wraps his meaty hand around my wrist and pins it against the elevator wall. "Probably not, but it sure does make me feel better." He removes his forearm from my throat, replacing it with his hand. I take in a quick breath before I feel his thumb and fingers press against my airway. "I haven't got anything else to lose." I've reached my limit. My sadness, my disappointment, my anger, spills over all at once. I haven't got anything else to lose. "You fucking did this to yourself," I force the words past my lips, I'm finding it harder to breathe. "What
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 38
A recess is called and I'm ushered out of the courtroom, Brian and Elliot escort me back to the conference room where Julia is waiting. Julia rises from her seat as we enter the small room and I quickly put distance between myself and Elliot. "They seem satisfied with what you've said, Kristine. I believe you and Julia can leave,." Brian tells us. "Thank you," I say as I quickly throw my bag over my shoulder. "Good luck, gentlemen," Julia says as she recollects her papers. We hurriedly exit the room, leaving Brian and Elliot behind. "Kristine!" Elliot calls after me in a hushed tone. "Wait a minute!" I stop walking, close my eyes and inhale. I flex my fingers before clenching them together, my nails digs into my palms, the sensation grounding my emotions. "We can keep going, Kris. We're done here." Julia grabs my arm, gently pulling. I shake my head. "I'll meet you at the car in a few minutes," I tell her. "He's going to keep trying. I need to just hear what he has to say." Sh
Unforgettable Encounter Chapter 37
"Shit!" I hear Kate mutter, followed by a soft thud. "Dammit.""Are you okay?" I call from the bathroom. "Have I ever told you that you own a lot of shit?" She groans. I stifle a laugh,. "Yeah, once or twice." While I had been with my parents, Kate managed to recollect all of my belongings from Elliot's apartment. He had been there while she was repacking some of the boxes, but wouldn't tell me much more than that. Part of me wanted to know how he was doing, the other part of me wanted him to not exist. "I have another apartment showing scheduled tomorrow, you'll only have to deal with me for a little longer." I've been sleeping on Kate's couch for nearly two weeks now, and today is my first day back in the office after taking some personal time to recollect myself. While I'm not whole, I'm at least functional. "You know you can stay here as long as you want,." Kate tells me, leaning against the bathroom door. "Maybe I'll just move into the storage unit with the rest of my thin
