Chapter 48

After storming off at dinner, Nicholas went to his apartment to brood. He didn't go to a bar, he didn't feel like drinking. He particularly didn't feel like talking to anyone. He had more or less expected such a reaction from his parents. Of course they would conveniently blame it all on Cara. And his spineless brother would only sit and watch and agree with them, even when he knew they were wrong.

His father had called him later in the night but Nicholas let it go to voicemail, his anger still boiling. He listened to some of his voicemails, majority was business related, although there was one from Malory. She claimed that Cara's parents found a way to contact her and had sent her numerous texts, Malory wanted to give Nicholas her contact if he wanted to talk to her.

He didn't call her back, even though he planned to.
The next day he woke up bright and early and went back to work. Just like nothing had happened, even after been away from work for such a long time.

His employees were cordial and respectful, if there was a change in their mood or their attitude, Nicholas didn't notice it.

Marcel his friend was the first person who called him, telling him that the sale of Cara's family company was complete and his brother had finally and legally handed over to them.

That was good news, he liked that. He supposed now he could rub the information in his brother's face when he wanted to but Nicholas wasn't really particularly feeling up to that either.

He wasn't feeling up to anything either these days. He had only come to work on a whim, hoping to get rid of the emptiness that was building in his chest.

He contemplated giving Malory a call, the thought of hearing Cara's voice soothed him. It wouldn't be such a bad idea to call her.
Things were dying down. The news that was once a hot topic was now something of the past. Only close friends or the people who truly knew them still carried the knowledge of it in the way they looked at them. And Nicholas hadn't particularly been looking at anyone recently.

His phone rang. He was intent on ignoring it till he noticed it was a strange number, a number that he didn't recognize.

It could be a prank call but he wasn't particularly sure.

"Hello?"
He said but the person remained silent. He looked at his phone again and saw that the line was still connected, but the person wasn't speaking.

"Hello?!"

He said again with more urgency, his mind started connecting the dots. It could be Cara. She could be the one calling him, it was possible, he told himself as he heard the gentle breathing of the person on the other line.

Nicholas slowly became convinced that it was Cara.

Then after a short while he asked softly.

"Cara?"

No answer, only that the breathing became a little faster. Oh it was definitely her! She was on the line! She was talking to him or at least attempting to.

He was going to tell her everything, exactly how he felt about her and he wasn't going to hold back, she needed to hear it. She needed to hear all of it.

"Cara. I know you can hear me."

"I love you Cara. I always did and I still will."

"Take all the time you need. Come back when you are ready. I will be here waiting."

He heard a small sound on the other line and he almost shuddered in relief, she was listening. She could hear him. He wouldn't stop talking.

"I haven't stopped thinking about you. Every day. Since you left. You're the only singular thought that occupies my mind."

The line went dead.

Abruptly, unexpectedly.

He wasn't done yet. He still had more things to say. He tried calling the number again but there was no reply. That was okay, he would keep trying. As long as it took.

He dropped his phone and looked at his laptop, looking at the next available flights to Hawaii. The nearest and fastest one was in the next four days, too long, but it was all he could find in such a short time.

Nicholas booked the flight.

He would see her and he would find her and he would tell her everything he wanted to say to her in person.




After calling Nicholas and hearing his voice, Cara finally had the courage to call her parents. She called her Dad, knowing she would find it much easier to talk to him than her mother.

He picked up on the first ring.

"Cara?"

He asked and she nodded her head slowly.

"Yes. It's me Dad. How are you doing?"

She asked and he sighed.

"I've been waiting for you to call. I knew you would."

He answered and Cara sighed.

"I'm so sorry Dad. For everything."

She could hear her father mumbling.

"No Cara, your mother and I are sorry. We should have never let you go through with it. We were too desperate.."

"I'm really sorry Dad. I mean it. Nicholas and I, we tried, we tried so hard."

"But you couldn't get away from each other right? I know that feeling Cara. I understand."

"More than you."

He added and Cara sighed.

"How are things at home?"

"They're fine. We're just waiting for you to come back home."

Cara sighed. He was probably lying to make her feel better. There was no way in hell things would be fine at home, after everything that happened, Cara could only imagine what her parents would have gone through.

"Oh you don't have to lie to me Dad. I know things must be hard and it's all because of me."

"Oh I wouldn't lie to you Cara, things are fine. Your mother just seems to be worried every now and then. The Greenes too seemed pissed but they've gotten over it."

"When are you coming back home?"

Her father asked eagerly and Cara shrugged.

"I don't know Dad. I plan on staying here a little longer, just till everything is in the clear."


"How long are you going to hide Cara?!"

A voice said from the line and Cara winced, knowing it was her Mum.

She heard what seemed to be an argument between her parents before her father then sighed.

"Cara?!"

Her mother said and Cara sighed too. Her father seemed to have lost the argument. And now her mother had the phone. She wasn't quite ready to speak to her yet.

"When are you coming home?! You know it's not safe for you to be there alone!"

"Oh it's perfectly safe Mum. There's nothing going on here."

Cara said and her mother scoffed.

"You can't be too sure. Men will prey on young women they perceive to be alone on vacations, I read it somewhere and on the news. You should come back now!"

"Mum..."

She hesitated.

"If it's about what happened you have no need to hide. You brought this upon yourself and this family and you deserve to face the consequences of your actions."

Cara winced. Her mother was at least straightforward. She would give her that.

"I didn't say I wasn't coming home! I'll come home. I just don't know when."

She finally snapped and her mother's voice softened.

"Okay. Okay. Just know we're waiting for you. And every night, I'm worried sick about you. I'm so sick I can't sleep properly in the night  and the doctor said it can affect my blood pressure."

"Do you want me to die because of you Cara? Is that it?!"

Her mother said and Cara rolled her eyes.

Her mother could be dramatic, but she sounded serious and Cara's stomach was suddenly knotting in fear.

"You blood pressure spiked?"

She asked and her mother nodded on the other line.

"Of course it did! How could it not!"

There was another bit of commotion and Cara suddenly heard her father's voice.

"Don't worry about your mother. She's just being dramatic but I assure you she's fine."

"Your friend Malory came over trying to reach you. You shouldn't stay away from your friends Cara, they miss you too."

Her father said and she nodded.


"I know Dad. I'm trying my best. I really am."

She said as she massaged her temple.

"I'll be back home soon."

"Tell mum that. Tell her not to worry about me."