Ch-5

005

Alora's POV 

    The drive home was silent. Even inside the car, all that could be heard was the soft whir of the engine revving and signaling that everything was in good condition. Well, everything except my mind that is. 

My mind was a mess, and a million and one thoughts ran past, all at once. Sometimes, I used to wonder how human beings developed mental issues and went crazy right off the bat or when you least expected it. Now, I understood it clearly, and if I didn't get a hold of myself as soon as possible, I could be very well on my way to craze town. 

I sighed, but it did nothing to calm my nerves. My thoughts were all over the place, and no matter how many breathing exercises I tried and how hard I tried to push away the many thoughts roaming my mind, they came back. Every single time. 

I didn't mean to remember the events that led up to this moment, but the second I pressed my eyes shut, they came rushing at me. 

I knew the world was cruel, and most times bad things happened to good people. What I didn't know, was that when life decided to treat you like shit, there was usually no stopping it. I had figured that out last night and believe me when I said it wasn't a pleasant experience. 

When I'd decided to end my life, I had already mapped it all out in my head. Once I got to the rooftop, I would count to ten but jump when I got to nine. I even imagined what the world beyond would look like. Was my soul really going to burn in hell, or perhaps God would have a little bit of mercy on me and let me through the pearly gates to make up for all the suffering that led to my death? 

It didn't matter though, not anymore, because someone just had to interrupt me and in the nick of time too. 

I slowly peeled my eyes open, and I came face to face with the man at the steering wheel. I wasn't exactly sure if he could see me, but the mirror overhead granted me a view of his face. 

His blue eyes shone with determination as he sped down the tarred road. From time to time, I watched the city lights leaving streaks of blue, white, red and even green colored lights on his perfectly chiseled face. Even though his lips had been drawn in a thin line all night, I couldn't deny the effect that very action had on my insides. 

Fredrick hadn't changed one bit. Growing up, I never failed to mention how deep his blue eyes were, and even after a couple of years after, they were the first things I recognized. I'd wiped my mind clean of every thought while I prepared to jump, so imagine my surprise when someone interrupted me. And not just anyone random person, Fredrick. 

Fredrick and I were in love, a long time back and if our love story wasn't the most perfect one I history, then I had no idea whose story could match up to ours. Our relationship was nothing but total bliss, until it wasn't. Fredrick, went missing out of the blue, and that had to be the worst memory of my life. 

We searched high and low, but no matter how hard we tried, Fredrick was nowhere to be found. After three years of our search being futile, everyone gave up. Fredrick was a born adventurer, so lying to myself that he had probably died on one of his trips, was the best way for me to move on. 

As time moved on, I began to forget him and then Eliaz walked into my love. I fell harder in love with him and if I had known this was going to be the result, then maybe I wouldn't have. 

I still couldn't believe my eyes. That the man I was once in love with, was seated only a stone’s throw away from me. I had thought I was hallucinating, but he helped prove otherwise. 

After giving it little and much thoughts all at once, I had taken his hand back at the rooftop. Even after he'd guided me down to solid and stable ground, I still couldn't believe that he was standing in front of me. 

“Fredrick?” My voice was a brutal whisper. “Is this really you?” 

“Yes.” He nodded once. A wide range of emotions flashed in his eyes, but they gave way to concern the moment his eyes fell on my hospital gown. “Alora? What's wrong? Talk to me.” 

I hadn't answered him. Instead, I turned my face away, just so he wouldn't see my tears. I'd been so sure I wanted to end it all, but Fredrick showing up had only but put a nick in my plan. 

“It's okay.” His soft tone washed over me. “Come on, let's go.” 

I allowed him pull me back into the hospital with a flourish. With my directions, he led me back to my ward.  While I waited, I overheard him speaking to the doctor I'd met with earlier. While he handled details about me being discharged, I couldn't but wonder if the doctor would let him know my condition; that I had recently lost the child I so desperately wanted to have. When Fredrick eventually returned, I didn't question him. When he motioned that I followed him, I didn't so just as utter a word or try to protest. I had no idea why or where …. 

“We're here.” Fredrick spoke up, his deep baritone piercing through my thoughts. “Welcome to my humble abode.” 

I should have known that he was going to bring me here. Where else did I think I was going to go? Eliaz and Cynthia had very well marked their territory, and I no longer had my father. 

Fredrick's penthouse belonged in a museum, and with every step I took further into the house, I couldn't help but be amazed. His house mainly had two colors, black and white, but I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said it was the most gorgeous shade ever. 

“Have this.” Fredrick pressed a mug into my hands once I had settled into the couch in the living room. It was warm and just from the aroma swirling around my nose, I knew exactly what it contained. “It should help you feel better.” 

“Thank you.” I muttered. I allowed a couple of seconds to pass before taking a sip. The liquid slid down my throat immediately, and even I couldn't deny how good it felt. 

It was a steamy cup of hot cocoa with a little hint of chamomile tea, just how I liked it. It was an all time favorite and Fredrick remembered it. 

“It helped didn't it?” He flashed me a smile as he settled into the seat opposite mine. For a minute, I didn't miss the toned abs underneath his shirt that seemed to hug every muscle like its durability depended on it. “In a matter of minutes, you should be feeling better. Are you hungry? Do I warm you a bath? Or should I fix you something to eat first? I can also get you some clothes to change into and…..”

“Fredrick Cole Henshaw.” I called out slowly. From the wisps of steam escaping the mug in front of my face, I watched the man in front of me gulp, but I didn't care. “Where the hell have you been for the last three years?!”

The silence that settled between us was deadly, and tension crackled in the air. In a minute, everything had gone from a zero to a hundred. 

If Fredrick had thought that he could just easily walk back into my life, then he was joking.