Wonderings: Terrence's Letter

[Terrence]

After the meeting with Kael, I went to the library to pick up Amelia. When I got there, she was already waiting for me.

"I'm sorry for making you wait." I said but she shook her head.

"I didn't wait for long. So, where are we going?" She asked. I started the car and drove off.

"We're trying out Italian food. Are you okay with that?" I asked. She nodded and gave me a smile.

We arrived at the restaurant and were seated almost immediately. I ordered food for the both of us and while we were waiting, we listened to the live band.

"Amelia, how have you been?" I asked. She looked at me and smiled.

"Never felt better." I was about to ask her something when the waiter arrived with our food. We talked about work while we ate dinner. After dinner, I took her back to my car and decided to take her somewhere.

"Where are we going now?" She asked. I didn't answer; I just smiled at her.

We arrived at Arashiyama. I thought it was a good idea to bring her here. We strolled along the stone-paved streets.

"The Sakuras are blossoming." She said as she pointed to the line of Sakura trees. The wind blew and the Sakura flowers swayed in the wind. One managed to land on top of Amelia's head. As the flowers slowly fell to the ground, I saw a glimpse of sadness in her eyes but she quickly covered it with a smile.

"There's a flower on your head." I said. She tried to reach for it but she couldn't find it. I got it for her and she put it in her hand.

"Sakuras have a very interesting meaning, don't you think?" She said.

"Yeah, they represent the beauty of life." I said.

"The beauty of life, however short, is still worth living." She said those words with a serious tone. She blew on her palm and the flower flew away from her hand. I held her hand in mine and looked into her eyes.

"Amelia…" I said. She didn't say anything. She just looked at me with a smile on her face. I pulled her in for a hug. I want to feel your warmth. You're the first person to make me feel this warm inside. I don't ever want to let go.

"Terrence…" She whispered. I pulled away thinking she might've felt uncomfortable.

"I-I'm sorry… I d-didn't mean to…" She cut me off and shook her head.

"It's fine. I don't mind." She said. She wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me. I held her in my embrace. The park was quiet. We stood there, in each other's arms.

"Ahem." We were interrupted by a voice. We turned to look and I saw Eliana standing with her arms crossed.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. Amelia looked at the both of us.

"Who is she?" Eliana asked. I was about to say something when Amelia spoke.

"Good evening. My name is Amelia Young. I'm friends with Terrence." She bowed in front of Eliana.

"Just a friend?" Eliana asked. Amelia raised her head and nodded.

"Yes, we're friends." She said. We're friends for now but I plan to change that in the future.

"I'm Eliana Marks. Terrence's fiancée." Eliana said. I don't plan on marrying you. Stop telling everyone you're my fiancée. I looked at Amelia but saw that she was smiling. I expected her to be surprised but she doesn't seem so.

"Is that so?" Amelia spoke but I cut her off.

"Eliana, why are you here? Were you following me?" I said. Amelia stepped back.

"Your father wanted me to look for you. He said you need to come with me to my parents' mansion. Your grandparents are there too." She said. I took out my phone and saw a few missed calls from my father. I sighed and put the phone back in my pocket.

"Go back to my car. Wait for me there." I told Eliana. She nodded and left.

"It was nice meeting you, Eliana." Amelia said while waving to Eliana. Eliana smiled at her and left us.

"I'm sorry about that. Let me take you home." I offered but she shook her head.

"Family comes first. I have to pass by the pharmacy anyway to get a few things." She smiled at me.

"I'm really sorry, Amelia." I held her hand and she smiled at me.

"It's okay. Don't keep her waiting." I nodded and turned on my heel. But before I could leave, I turned back and held her in my arms.

"Terrence?" She said. I cupped her face in my hand and pulled her in. I felt her soft lips on mine. I pulled away and looked at her. A single tear fell from her eye but she quickly brushed it off.

"I'm sorry, was I too forward?" I asked. She shook her head.

"No, it was fine." She said. She hugged me again and afterwards, I went back to my car. Eliana was waiting for me. I started the car and we drove to her parents' house. When we arrived, we were greeted by her parents at the door.

"Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Marks." I greeted them politely.

"Terrence, let's talk in the living room. Eliana's father said. I followed them and saw my grandparents and parents already waiting for us.

"Have a seat, Terrence." I took a seat next to my father.

"The engagement party will be held next month." Eliana's mother said. What? I wanted to object but my father held me down.

"After the engagement, the wedding will follow shortly after." Her father continued. I badly wanted to speak but I wasn't allowed. Suddenly, Eliana slammed her fists on the table.

"No." She said. We all looked at her, confused.

"What are you talking about, Eliana?" Her father spoke.

"I don't want to force Terrence. Let us be friends for now. If something develops then we'll continue with the engagement and wedding. But if not, then that's the end of that." We were surprised by what she said. I looked at her and she smiled at me.

"I agree with her Mr. Marks. Let's let love blossom within the two of them first." My father said. I looked at him and he had a cheeky smile on his face. Have you been planning this? Eliana's father signed and eventually agreed. They left and Eliana and I were left in the living room.

"You owe me." She said. I laughed.

"Why did you do that?" I asked. She shrugged.

"I was the one who made a mistake 3 years ago. I don't want to force anything." I felt relief. She held out her hand.

"Friends?" She said. I held her hand and pulled her close to me.

"Friends."

It has been almost a week since the agreement between our families. I thought my troubles were over when a new one emerged. I've been busy for the past few days that I haven't had a chance to see Amelia. I texted her but she has yet to respond. I tried calling her but she wasn't answering. There was a build-up of tension in my body. Something doesn't feel right. I decided to go see her in person. After my work, I went to the public library. I went up to the librarian at the help desk.

"Excuse me, is Ms. Young here?" I asked. She looked at me with an eyebrow raised.

"Amelia doesn't work here anymore. She quit about a week ago." I suddenly felt disoriented. Did I do something wrong? I tried calling her again but she still didn't answer. I was about to leave the library when an old lady called me.

"Excuse me sir, are you by any chance Mr. Terrence Grimes?" She asked. I nodded.

"Amelia was my assistant. She told me to give you this if you ever tried to find her here." She handed me an envelope. I thanked her and went to my car. I opened the envelope and there was a letter inside.

"Dear Terrence,

I'm sorry if I suddenly disappeared in your life. I didn't want to but I had to.

You were the first friend I had ever since I moved here in Tokyo. I never expected to meet a person like you. You never made me feel like I could be forgotten. You made me happy for the whole year that we've known each other. I wanted to be by your side more but I can't.

You were one of the best things I could've ever asked for. I'm sorry I couldn't love you like you wanted me to. I loved you like a best friend. And I will continue to love you even after I'm gone.

I want you to promise me something. Promise me you'll be happy even without me. Promise me you won't waste your days thinking of me when I'm not there. Promise me you'll find the rainbow after the rain.

Love, Amelia"

I couldn't move; I felt confused and disoriented. What did she mean by leaving me this letter? Did she leave? I tried calling her number once more but she couldn't be reached. I was concerned for her well-being. She wasn't exactly in a healthy state. I quickly got into my car and drove to her apartment. I knocked on her door but there was no answer. I got desperate the longer I stood there and I started banging on her door. One of the neighbors got out of their apartment and must have heard how loud I was becoming. 

"Excuse me, could you please stop banging on the door?" A slightly older lady walked up to me. I looked at her and lowered my head.

"I'm sorry..." I said in a hushed voice. She looked at Amelia's door and then back to me. 

"If you're looking for the tenant here, she's long gone." She huffed. 

"What do you mean?" I asked. 

"I mean, she's not here anymore. She paid the rent here but she never stayed for long. Last week, she paid off the rent for the month and took all of her stuff away. She was a quiet one, we never knew anything about her except that she worked for DRIVEA." She answered. I was dumbfounded. How could she have left just like that? Where could she have gone? Before I could get my thoughts together, my phone rang. I picked it up without looking at the caller ID. 

"Terrence, where are you?" I was surprised to hear Kael's voice. 

"I'm at Amelia's apartment." I answered. He was silent for a while.

"Did you find her?" He asked. Kael must've gotten word of Amelia's disappearance. The older lady who I was talking to went back to her own apartment. I went back down to my car and I just sat there with my phone in my hand. 

"Terrence?! Answer me!" Kael's voice echoed in my car. I put the phone back up to my ear. 

"She's not here." I answered. I heard Kael's mumbling in the background but I was too distraught to actually listen to what he's saying. 

"Are you listening, Terrence?" Kael shouted. 

"What? I'm sorry I couldn't.." He cut me off.

"Help me look for her... please." Kael's voice broke when he said the word please. Amelia's disappearance has taken a toll on him too. Even though we haven't been the best of friends, I still want to help him look for Amelia. If I can't be there for her as a lover then maybe I can be there for her as a friend.

"Don't worry. I'll help you." I answered back. Kael was silent for a while before he had the courage to answer.

"Thank you." I was so surprised to hear him say thank you to me. It feels as though he's a new person. Not the same one that's been constantly trying to provoke me into a fight. He ended the call and I drove back to my house. I wasn't in the right mindset to be looking for her right now. I decided to stay at home and calm myself down. 

Where are you Amelia?