CHAPTER 23: A Day With Him

KATE’s P.O.V.

“Hey, Kate,” he stated.

“Elij...” I came closer towards him.

“You’re here. It’s good to see you again,” he flashed another fake smile but this time, I didn’t buy it.

“You’re staring at me. I saw you earlier. Are you stalking me?”

His goofy fake smile is now gone. I wonder why. Maybe because he finally realized that I know what he’s doing.

“Your eyes were probably just tricking you,” he blankly stated.

“No, Elijah. I saw you. And then I followed you... Now we are here.”

“Go home, Kate. I’ll see you in your wedding.”

He turned around, then he started to walk away. My breathing got heavy, as I realized that he probably thinks that I don’t remember what happened that night. But I do. It was a crystal clear memory inside of my mind. When I saw his face, only then that I realized that he have a wound at the corner of his lips.

“What happened to you? Did someone punched you in the face?” I asked, worried.

“Nope. It’s nothing, really.”

“Please tell me about it. I wanted to know...”

“Fine.” He starting to look so annoyed at my presence. “It was Darren. He punched me in the face when I tried to stop him from marrying you.”

I was stunned, didn’t know what to do or say next. So I decided to ask the stupidest question in the whole world.

“But why? Why did you tried to stop him?”

“Because...” he trailed off, maybe remembering something.

I can’t help but to think if he also drool over about that night. If I’m not the only one who keep on thinking about it.

“Never mind. Forget about it, Kate. You probably don’t even remember it. You’re drunk that night.”

“No! I remember everything, Elijah... I remember that night...” I trailed off.

He faced me again, and I feel hurt seeing the anger and disgust in his eyes.

“You remembered, but you still choose to marry my bestfriend. Stop playing around, Kate. You’re not a child anymore to play with someone’s feelings.”

“Elijah... I wasn’t playing or anything... I knew what I’ve done... But I was left with no choice...” I explained.

“You always have a choice. But you chose wrong.” His brows are now furrowed. He sighed, before saying another word. “Bye, Kate... I’ll see you soon. I’ll be at your wedding day as your groom’s best man.”

I felt stiffened, didn’t know what to do. When he tried walked away again, I chased him. I grabbed his hand to make him stop.

“Elijah... I-I... I...”

“What?!” he raised one of his brows.

Ever since that day when Gabriel told me that I’m just a user, I’ve been so afraid to confessed to anyone anymore. I’m scared to be rejected again, and to received some hurtful words.

“I can’t say it, Elij... I’m sorry.”

“Then let me go now.” He removed my hand from him.

When he tried to walk away again, I grabbed his hands once more, my grip is tighter this time. It was as if I didn’t want to let him go anymore.

“Please stay...” I almost beg.

“No, Kate. Stop... You’re getting married with my bestfriend... We shouldn’t be having this conversation right now.”

“Elij...”

“I said stop!” He harshly pushed me away, causing me to fall down on the ground.

I instantly burst out into tears, not because it was hurting physically but because of the unbearable pain in my chest. I looked up, seeing Elijah with a stunned expression plastered upon his face that later on been replaced with guilt and worried. Maybe he didn’t expect that he pushed me way too hard causing me to fall.

“Kate... I’m sorry...” he kneel down in front of me.

He offered his hand to help me out, but I avoided it. I’m too afraid that he’ll hurt me again if ever I touched even just a single strand of his hair. When I looked up into his eyes, it was full of guilt and pain as well.

“I didn’t mean to hurt you... I’m sorry.” He looked down, secretly wiping his cheeks.

Is he crying? But why? I wanted to asked him, but I couldn’t find my tongue anymore. I felt him move closer towards me again, before he wrapped his arms protectively around me.

“I’m sorry... Kate. I just... I don’t want to betray my bestfriend. I...” he trailed of, thinking for a moment before he decided not to continue his sentence.

“Say it, Elijah... Just say it once and I’m not going to continue this stupid wedding anymore...”

I looked up to him. My eyes are almost begging for him to fight for me. Just one phrase. Right after he said that, I will tell my Dad to cancel this wedding.

“I-I c-can’t... I’m s-sorry, Kate. Darren treated me as his own brother... But I promise... I’ll find a way to fix this... Only after that is when I could finally claim you as mine... Only mine...” he whispered into my ears. “Would you wait for me, Ms. Frias?”

I nodded, holding on to his little promise. He kissed my forehead before helping me get up. He held my hand without any hesitation, before asking me one question that brought even just a little hope to my heart.

“Will you spend this day with me?”

I bit my lower lip, suppressing my tears before nodding. He smiled, holding my hand tightly as if he didn’t want to let go of me ever again. Hand in hand, we walked towards the path where we both didn’t know where it leads. The only thing that we both know right now is the promise that our hearts been holding onto until we are still free.

He brought me to a place I’ve been before. The place we can say that it’s ours. On the rooftop of the highest building inside of our high school campus.

“You really did became a teacher, Elij. I’m so proud of you. I’m so proud of you and Claire. You did it...”

He hugged me from behind before putting his head on my shoulder. In this place, we both feel safe and free. No one could see our secret and untold love story... Our hearts felt secured knowing that we can fully express our feelings without any hesitation and worry in this place. The one that no one knows about.

“I thought I would never see you again, Kate. I’ve been looking for you ever since our graduation day. Though I’m not as rich as Darren so it took me so long... But now you’re here. You unexpectedly came back... That’s the only thing that matters to me the most right now. And if ever that I need to wait another eight more years just to be with you, I’ll do it. I will never get tired of waiting for you to be in my arms again just like this.”

I felt his hugged tightened, causing me to blush as I just realized that for the past eight years of my life, I was busy searching for someone who will love me for who I am when in fact, he’s already here. He never been gone in my mind and soul. His amending touch will stay forever in my heart.

“I wish we could stay like this forever, Elijah.”

“Someday soon...”

He made me turned around, so I am now facing him. He cupped my face before slowly moving closer towards me. I felt his lips on mine, and we share another kiss. A rectifying kiss that made both of our souls completed.

A bead of tear escaped from my eyes, for I’m not sure when will I ever spent another day with him. Everything is unpredictable. And I couldn’t see our future for now. But as long as I am with him, I’ll make every single second counts.