Tell her the truth
James’ pov
I’d never felt this way about a woman before, not until I met Juliana. She’s more than a spark; she’s a full, blinding wildfire, and I’m tangled in it, completely unable to escape. Every time I see her, my thoughts are a mess—should I reach out and hold her close, or would that only cheapen everything we have? She has me so twisted up that I’m afraid even a touch might send the wrong message, making her think all I want is something fleeting. I’m not used to feeling this vulnerable, but I’m completely, undeniably drawn to her, and I can’t just walk away.
As I was buttoning up my shirt, my phone rang from across the room. Instinctively, I thought it was Mum calling, ready to remind me of my promised visit. But when I picked up the phone, I froze for a second. It was Juliana.
“Hi, Juliana,” I answered, my voice softening as her name left my lips. “How are you doing, my darling?”
She paused, and then replied with a hint of formality, “I’m fine, but for now, just call me Juliana.”
I chuckled, feeling that familiar warmth in my chest. “No problem, Juliana.”
There was another pause before she spoke again. “Can you do me a favor?” Her tone sounded both shy and daring, as if even asking made her nervous.
“A favor? You don’t even need to ask,” I said, probably sounding a little too eager.
“You haven’t even heard what it is yet,” she replied, laughing softly. The sound made me grin.
“As long as it’s you, I don’t need to think twice.”
She paused for a moment, then took a small breath. “I have a conference at the end of this month. I’d like you to come with me... as my partner, so to speak. We’d need to stay for at least three days. Would that be inconvenient?”
The thought of spending three entire days with her, just the two of us, made my heart race. I barely had to think before answering.
“There’s no inconvenience at all. Since you told me in advance, I’ll just adjust my schedule,” I replied, trying to hide the thrill in my voice.
There was a soft, almost breathless sound on the other end. “Thank you so much, Ga–” She stopped herself, fumbling over her words. “I… thank you,” she finished, sounding flustered before abruptly ending the call.
For a moment, I just stood there, smiling like an idiot. Did she almost say something else? I wondered, my mind replaying the conversation. Whatever it was, I hoped it meant she was feeling as uncertain, as drawn, as I was. The thought of us traveling together left me buzzing with anticipation.
After I pulled myself together, I got into my car and drove to Mum’s house. It was nearly dusk by the time I arrived. As usual, Mum was in the living room, glued to the evening news. I walked over, kissed her forehead, and settled into the seat next to her.
“Mum, I need your help,” I started, knowing this conversation was long overdue.
“What kind of help?” she asked, though her eyes remained fixed on the TV.
“I’ve… met someone,” I admitted, my voice a bit hesitant. This wasn’t the first time I’d come to her with tales of women, but this was different. This time, it mattered.
She glanced at me and shook her head, muttering something under her breath as she increased the volume. “Oh, here we go again. Another woman? You change women like you change socks, James.”
“No, Mum, please listen,” I pleaded, stepping in front of her to block the TV. “This one’s different. Since I met her, I’m… I’m even afraid to make a move. I can’t stand the idea of messing this up.”
She studied me, her face softening as she took in the seriousness of my words. “Are you really afraid of losing this woman?”
I nodded. “Yes. Her name’s Juliana, and for the first time, I don’t want to rush anything. I just want to be around her.”
Mum’s eyes widened with interest. She lowered the volume again, leaning forward. “This woman must be something special.”
“She is,” I replied. “From the beginning, I lied about my name. I didn’t expect things to get this serious, and now she knows me as Gabriel.”
Mum raised an eyebrow, skeptical. “So you’re hiding your real name from her? And yet you’re thinking about introducing her to me?”
I nodded slowly, feeling the weight of my decision settle in. “She wants to know more about me, to understand where I come from. But I told her only you could tell her everything.”
Mum let out a sigh. “If she’s truly interested in knowing who you are, then maybe… maybe she’ll accept your past. But she deserves to know your real name.”
A flicker of panic passed through me. “But, Mum, it’s complicated. She’s friends with someone I… well, someone from my past.”
She turned to look at me, eyes narrowing. “Are you telling me she’s close with a woman you had feelings for? And you’re hiding your real name because of that?”
I bit my lip, realizing how tangled everything had become. “It’s… it’s not that simple.”
Mum leaned back, letting out a long sigh. “James, if you truly want something real with this Juliana, you have to give her the real you. No more hiding behind lies. If you can’t be honest, you risk losing her in the worst way.”
Her words hung in the air, each one digging into me. I’d never felt this weak, never had to expose myself this way for anyone. But as I thought about Juliana, I realized Mum was right. I wanted more than just a passing connection. I wanted something true, and that meant facing whatever came from honesty.
I rose, running a hand through my hair. “You’re right, Mum. It’s time I tell her everything—my real name, my past, all of it.”
Mum nodded, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “Then, maybe, you’ll finally have the love you’re searching for. But remember, real love means taking real risks.”
As I left her house that evening, I felt a strange sense of clarity and courage. It was terrifying, yet exhilarating. I’d tell Juliana the truth, no matter how difficult it might be. Because for her, for us, it was worth every risk.
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