The freedom

Ella’s POV

I felt genuinely content that things were moving in the right direction between Felix and me. Every moment I spent with him made my heart fuller. Being around him felt like home. He meant everything to me, and waking up next to him each morning had become the best part of my day.

Now that he was getting used to his new job and settling in, I knew it was time for me to go back home, for now. Until the day we officially became husband and wife, I still considered myself a visitor in his house. He had promised that we would be married soon, and I was holding onto that promise with all my heart. I believed in him, and I believed in us.

That morning, I carefully packed my suitcase. I folded my clothes slowly, feeling a tinge of sadness. I wasn’t in a rush to leave, even though I had planned to. Since Felix was heading to work, I figured we could leave together. I had a car, but I preferred taking a cab most of the time. Driving had never really been my thing, especially when I wasn’t in the mood.

“Babe, are you done? I’m going to be late for work,” Felix called out. He was already dressed, looking sharp as always, and clearly waiting for me.

“Almost ready, babe!” I responded, quickly grabbing my suitcase. As I walked out of the bedroom, I smiled. “I’m here now. Let’s go already.”

Just as we were about to step outside, Felix stopped me. I turned to face him, and the serious look in his eyes made me pause.

“Babe, wait a minute.” His voice was softer now. “When will you come back again? I’m going to miss you so much. I just want you here, always, honey.”

Hearing those words made my heart melt. Those eyes of his, so full of emotion, made me want to cancel my trip home entirely. I wanted to stay, to be in his arms every single day.

“Babe,” I said gently, stepping closer to him. “You know how much I want to be here with you. You mean the world to me. If you want me to come back before the week ends, I will. Just say the word.”

He smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It’s okay, don’t worry. I’ll manage. If I miss you too much, I’ll call you and beg you to come back to me,” he said, pulling me into a tight embrace.

I buried my face in his chest and closed my eyes. Wrapped in his arms, I felt safe. I felt like nothing in the world could go wrong. In that moment, I truly believed that he was the man I was meant to spend my life with, and that nothing could ever break us apart.

Felix’s POV

Honestly, I was relieved Ella was leaving today. Finally, I would have the space I needed to think clearly, and to make my move. As much as it made me feel guilty, she had been the only thing standing between me and Sarah. Now that she was gone, I felt like I could breathe. Like I could finally do what I wanted, without interruption or guilt staring me in the face.

Sarah had taken over my mind completely. I was obsessed. Every moment away from her felt like something was missing. I couldn’t stop thinking about her, and now that Ella was out of the picture, temporarily, I intended to get closer to her.

I had put on quite the performance earlier, telling Ella how much I would miss her, holding her close, pretending like I couldn’t live without her. But in truth, my heart wasn’t in it. It hadn’t been for a while now. I wasn’t sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way, my feelings for Ella had started to fade.

And now, I was stuck in a promise. A promise of marriage I had made to a woman who deserved someone more committed than I was becoming. The guilt scratched at me, but the excitement of something new, of Sarah, was stronger.

I hailed a cab for Ella and helped her with her suitcase.

“Babe, travel safe. Please call me when you get home, okay?” I said, leaning on the car door as I looked at her.

She smiled at me sweetly, her eyes full of warmth and trust. “I’ll call you, babe. Now go. You’ll be late for work if you don’t leave soon,” she said with a little laugh.

That was one thing about Ella, she always kept track of time and helped keep me in check. With her around, I never arrived late anywhere. As her cab drove off, I stood there for a moment, watching until it disappeared from sight. I should have felt something, but all I could think about was Sarah.

As I reached the office gate, the last person I expected to see was standing there, Sarah. Her bright, beautiful smile hit me like a bolt of lightning.

“Hello, Felix,” she greeted, her voice like a soft melody that lingered in the air.

I looked around, and when our eyes met, I froze for a second. She looked radiant, again. My heart skipped a beat.

“Hello… how are you?” I responded, completely unprepared. My brain couldn’t form anything clever. I had forgotten all the lines I had rehearsed in my head. Her presence just disarmed me.

“I’m fine,” she replied, flashing a charming smile. “You look handsome today.”

Those words sent shockwaves through me. Did she just say that? Handsome? My chest tightened, not from panic, but from excitement. I had hoped she might notice me, but this? This was more than I expected.

“Ooh, really?” I stammered, grinning like a boy with a school crush.

She giggled. “I never lie.”

We shared a few more light-hearted words before I had to head toward my workstation. My entire mood had lifted just from seeing her. She had become the brightest part of my day, and I wasn’t ready to end it here.

In fact, I had already decided. Today, I would ask Sarah to come over for dinner. I had to see her outside the office, spend real time with her. I didn’t know if she’d accept, but I hoped, deeply, that she would. I was desperate for more moments like this… for more of her.