8!Meeting her!

Logan 

I sprinted after Sylvie, my long strides eating up the distance between us. I had to talk to her, to explain, to apologize. But as I watched her quicken her pace, her heels clicking on the pavement, I realized I was losing ground. She didn't want to hear from me, and I couldn't blame her.

As I finally caught a glimpse of her face, I saw tears streaming down her cheeks. My heart sank. I wondered why she was crying and seeing me had clearly made matters worse. I stopped in my tracks, my feet feeling heavy, as she reached her car and slipped inside. The engine roared to life, and she pulled away from the curb, leaving me standing alone on the sidewalk.

I stood there for a moment, feeling like I'd been punched in the gut. I had missed Sylvie terribly since she'd left me. All those years, I'd treated her badly, convinced I'd never love her. But the truth was, I'd been blinded by my own insecurities. I'd pushed her away, criticized her, and belittled her efforts to please myself. I remembered how she'd carefully laid out my clothes for the day, how she'd wake up early to make me breakfast, only for me to ignore it or worse, mock her for trying.

The memories flooded my mind, and I felt a wave of regret wash over me. I'd been so wrong about her. She'd never done anything wrong; I'd just been too proud to see it. As I stood there, the bustling city around me faded into the background, and all I could think about was the void I'd felt since she'd left. It was like a part of me was missing, and I didn't know how to fill it.

After a while, I shook off the melancholy and turned, heading back into the hospital to find Maryann. I had a project to discuss with her, and I hoped she could provide some insight immediately. As I walked into the hospital, I couldn't shake off the feeling that my life had changed and was still about to change in ways I couldn't yet imagine.

With a sense of determination, I made my way to Maryann's office, ready to discuss the project that had brought me to the hospital in the first place. I needed to sort things out quickly and take my leave soon.

I walked into the hospital, my eyes scanning the familiar surroundings with a mix of nostalgia and unease. The sterile smell of antiseptic and the soft hum of machinery transported me back to a time when life was simpler. I made my way to Maryann's office, my footsteps echoing off the walls.

As I approached her office door, I could hear her voice, low and measured, speaking with someone on the phone. I knocked twice, and she called out, "Come in." I pushed open the door, and she looked up from behind her desk, a hint of a smile on her face.

"Logan," she said, her voice warm. "I didn't expect you so soon. Please, have a seat." I sat down in the chair opposite her desk, taking a moment to collect my thoughts. "I wanted to discuss the project," I began, "and see if you've given any more thought to our proposal."

Maryann leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers together. "Actually, I've been thinking about it a lot," she said. "And I have some ideas I'd like to run by you." She leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I think we can make this project work, Logan. But we'll need to be strategic about it."

As we began to discuss the project, I found myself getting lost in the details, my mind racing with possibilities. But every so often, my thoughts would drift back to Sylvie, and the way she'd looked at me outside. The pain in her eyes still lingered, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd hurt her more than I'd ever realized.

"Logan?" Maryann's voice cut through my thoughts, and I looked up to find her watching me with a curious expression. "Are you okay? You seem a bit distracted."

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But something about Maryann's expression put me at ease. "I ran into Sylvie outside," I admitted. "It was...unexpected."

Maryann's expression changed, a mixture of surprise and concern crossing her face. "How did that go?" she asked, her voice soft.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Not well. She's still hurt, Maryann. More than I realized."

Maryann nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "You have to forget about the past Logan, She didnt look back when she was leaving, she left everything one who cared about her, and you think she is hurt, no, I don't think so," she said. “This project can be a start of something new.”

“True though,” I said, with an half smile, “But why did she leave here crying, is there any issue going on?”

“Well, she just lost her father, so she is grieving, there is nothing much going on.”

“Ohh, I see, but didn't you also loose your husband who is her father?” I asked curiously, surprised she doesn't look a bit sad or worried.

“People have different ways of grieving Logan, might not look like it, but I am.”

“Okay,” I said, getting up from where I was seated, not wanting to push further 

“Okay, so I would communicate with you when there is progress on the project.”

“Okay, thank you.”

“Yeah, before I forget Logan, I would like Emily to join us for this project if it is okay with you,” she said, staring at me deeply.

“Why?” I was confused.

“That's because I don't know as much as Emily does concerning this project. She has taken this same project as a course back then.”

“Okay, if you think that would be ok,” I told her, wanting to end this meeting.

“Okay, then good day.”

“Mmmm,” I said, then walked out.

Leaving Maryanne's office I walked straight to my car, not bothering to respond to anyone, hey's and hello’s.

The car engine was running, but I didn't care. Thank God this was one of those days I decided not to use my driver. I really needed to be alone. I needed to talk to Sylvia. 

I had done my best these past few years not to think too much about her, but after seeing her today, I couldn't just help it. The grief, the anger I felt when I realized I hurt her so badly, had been eating me up, and today was worse than before.

I could feel sweat dripping down my face although the Av was on. I decided to start moving because it was getting depressing to sit in the car.

I would try to figure out how to get Sylvia to talk to me later, I really needed to talk to her.