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2. 7. Fuck You, Clinton
To say, I was in a phase for a while would be an understatement.
I blinked at the cameras, the flashing lights, blinding smiles send my way and the people I didn't remember much, now seemed blurry to my memory.
But I nodded their way, smiled at their mentions, answered what I thought was polite enough for them and the only one holding me throughout it was Olivia.
Bless her soul, she was really into this.
When I asked her about it, she only said, 'I always give everything my best'.
And that was it. She matched my vibe, complimented me the way she should've as my date. Light hearted jokes and all smiles despite her playfulness.
An aristocrat American indeed.
But she wasn't Justine.
Who I still hadn't spotted in the party. Nor Ben.
Liza and Camilla by the bar, donned in beautiful gowns.
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Than There Was Us 2. 8. I Did It
The rest of the evening was very uneventful. I hated every second of that party.I felt like the most lonely person I've ever felt in a while.So, I left the party as soon as possible. Not telling anyone about my whereabouts.I just wanted to be alone. And I made sure nobody could find me while I practically spend a week maneuvering around every other person possible.Keeping myself to a minimum as much as possible.In my week of isolation, I took my time investigating into Clinton's death further.In the midst of my research, I got worried calls from Mom, Ben, Justine, Olivia and even Liza. But I hardly paid it any attention.For some reason, being alone and taking it all in sounded way better than to actually face any of them.I knew I was acting like a brat but I did have all the right to do so. They had time to process his death, I didn't.
Than There Was Us 2. 9. Unfamiliar
And so forth, for another week I was MIA. To be honest, nobody even bothered to contact me this time.I would sniff, smoke, inhale the hell out of my stash of pills and weed. The high of the drug would make me feel better for a while like it always does in the beginning.But sooner it's effect deflates, coming back with twice the pain and the hunger for more. You can't help but keep consuming it until it consumes you.Luckily for me, I had been through a dozen of these phases and came out of them, not stable but stable enough to know when I need to stop.To say, it's not easy would be an understatement. Every time it's twice harder than the last time and had I been my younger self, I wouldn't have been able to get out of it without someone's help.Thankfully, I'm not that person anymore. I'm a changed man. My self control has exceeded in the past few years and to say I'm proud would not do me
Than There Was Us 2. 10. Everything Was Okay
The moment our lips made contact, I lost sense of everything. Something snapped in me in a way that made me take every last bit I could take from those lips.It was everything.My hands went around her waist and I pulled her against me, not letting anything come between us. The thought she might've pushed me away didn't even strike me for a second because she was giving me all of her like I was giving it to her.The heat of it ringing in my ears. Her moans, her gasps, her sharp, laboured inhales of breath, I swallowed every little bit of them.Her fingers in my hair. Twisting, taunting, pulling me closer like I was the air she needed to breathe.My own hand on her cheek, holding her face to me, guiding her. We got lost to the point we didn't realize who was chasing who with their lips. Our eyes closed, her body snug against mine, our noses dodging each other's if only for our lips to meet again
Than There Was Us 2. 11. Conundrum
Inhaling it in, I let it wander down and about before blowing it out.The wind whips past me as I stand alone in the empty graveyard with just a cigarette in hand.I smoke occasionally but today I needed it. Hopefully, I don't make a habit of it.I look down at the headstone I'm standing next to and the flowers in front of it. I had read somewhere once that poppies were a sign of peace after the end of something.Pretty ironic but I didn't know how else I would've done justice to the situation.Clinton's grave was the last place I wanted to be right now.I had avoided Justine for the better half of a month, it was pretty easy considering she wanted to avoid me too.I had caught upto the work, I had made sure I was upto my neck deep into work this entire time. If only to avoid Justine or even let the thought of her enter my mind.It was until Ben sto
Than There Was Us 2. 12. Weary
As soon as I was over with my hangover or so I thought, I called in George to pull up the car and set off for work.Even though I scrubbed myself to almost skinning my skin, the pain from my head and the sleep from my eyes didn't waver one bit.Still I pushed forward.On the way over, I dialed mom to inform her on the bullshit lawsuit Justine told me about before."Hey, mom""Hey, I was just about to call you", her voice is too preppy for a morning like this.She seems eager but I have to let her know about the most important matter at hand first."Whatever it was, I hope it can wait because there's a lawsuit in my hand and guess who gave it to me? Justine", I tell her holding in my yawn."What? What happened?", she sounds shocked."I don't know but its something about patent. The document says stealing our technology and fraud whic
Than There Was Us 2. 13. Equation
We walk out of the conference room, hand in hand.And I can already feel the winds changing.We find Sarah in the hallway who was apparently waiting for us."Sarah, please cancel all of my meetings for the rest of the day. I think I've had enough for one day", she nods at her"Now, I'm heading out for lunch with Jason. Call the car upfront in five. I hope you booked my place for the lunch....?", Justine drags out as she asks Sarah.An immediate smile graces Sarah's lips."I'll get to it right away", she nods obediently.She leaves us but not before subtly winking at me behind Justine's back. Almost as if she was poaching for me.I give her a surprised look which changes to a blank expression within seconds when Justine turns around to face me."I'll just gather my things and we'll be on our way. Just give me a couple of minute
Than There Was Us 2. 14. Smiling Through It All
The next day was nothing short of unexpected.The whole day was going perfectly great until Liza dropped with a bomb in my office.I was working on overlooking some files when suddenly my door is pushed open with such force, I'm startled out of my seat.I watch as Liza barges in through my office door, stomping all the way.With the way her face is set, I'm assuming only the worst.My secretary stumbles in behind her, trying to stop her but Liza seems to be on a mission today.My secretary, Aria's pleas go to unheard ears. I motion for her that I'll take it from here and she leaves us alone in my cabin.Before I can say something, Liza is all ready to eat my head off. She slams her hand so hard on my table, laying her palm flat against it.I watch as she removes her hand to reveal her phone.What
Than There Was Us 2. 15. Weekend
It's the weekend. To say I'm tired would be an understatement. All I want to do is relax but apparently I can't.Ever since mom heard the news from that tabloid blowing up places with mine and Justine's affair, she has pulled everything to a halt. Just to nag me.Yup.I'm officially fucked.Although the PR is handling the situation now, mom's being her own investigative self. Trying to pry me to tell her stuff. What kind, I honestly don't know myself.Having lost her patience with me, she has now dragged me to Justine's on a Saturday evening for dinner.So here I'm, with my mother. Another gift in my hand for little Cole and a packet of Justine's favorite chocolates. Mom brought her best wine because apparently a gossip session was in the schedule.I roll my eyes at her wide smiling face. Her excitement is almost unbearable in the elevator upto Justine's. So much so, I'm a little concerned her
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- Than There Was Us Acknowledgements
- Than There Was Us E P I L O G U E
- Than There Was Us 2. 25. 3. Safer In Your Arms
- Than There Was Us 2. 25. 2. Baiting The Pawn
- Than There Was Us 2. 25. 1. Anxiety And Angst
- Than There Was Us 2. 24. Rely On Me
- Than There Was Us 2. 23. Bring Me Back
- Than There Was Us 2. 22. Aftermath
- Than There Was Us 2. 21. Dilemma
