A Love Restored

hapter 52

He reached for the cigarette in my hand. I handed it to him, and he took a puff himself. He made a face. “It’s sweet.”

1 giggled. “Its minty!”

He smiled, shaking his head. “You’re still such a kid, Flora

“What?” I grinned, “Because I like minty cigarettes? I don’t think kids like any cigarettes, Felix.

He didn’t say anything to that. He took another sip from the bottle of whiskey, I downed the whiskey in my glass, too. He poured me some more.

The estate garden sprawled before us, a tapestry of midnight hues under the brooding sky. Felix and I were sitting on the grass, surrounded by the symphony of rustling leaves and distant thunder, the cold air wrapping around us. I shivered. I wasn’t cold. It was just the moment.

I shouldn’t be drinking, I thought to myself. I have to be at work again, tomorrow. And I have to drive home. And it’s going to rain.

But when would I ever have this moment again? Him, next to me.

I cradled the glass in my hands, the warmth seeping through my fingers, a stark contrast to the chill in the air.

The moon cast its glow upon Felix’s face, revealing a contemplative expression that mirrored the storm clouds gathering above. We drank in unison, the whiskey igniting a gentle warmth that spread through my veins.

I was getting drunk. Quickly. Felix was already drunk, I think,

Felix’s gaze lingered on me, his eyes reflecting the play of moonlight and shadows, “How was your day?”

“Productive,” I answered too quickly. “I mean, I got a lot done. I made you fried rice for dinner. And stir fried veggies. You didn’t have breakfast at home. I made a smoothie for you for breakfast but you never came and now it’s just in the fridge.”

He watched me. “I’ll have it tomorrow.” He was speaking slowly, but he was slurring his words a little. His eyes were hooded. The alcohol had done its thing

I sat silently, swirling the whiskey in my glass. “So, Lexi and Gray. Guess we’ll be at their wedding together.”

He leaned back, his silhouette a stark contrast against the garden’s dark canvas. “Yeah. How do you know her?”

“She’s my best friend,” I replied, a faint smile playing on my lips. “We used work together. She was the one who…uh…referred me here.”

Felix was looking up at the sky, a faraway look in her eyes. “Tilly was your best friend,” he remarked casually, as if he was reminiscing it, “She’s in med school, now.

The mention of Tilly made my heart beat so fast. In med school? Oh, Tilly. I was so proud of her. Tears jumped to my eyes. I blinked them away. Felix noticed. His hand enveloped mine, and he squeezed. I felt a sudden urgency to make this moment last, as if the impending rain would wash away the fragile connection between us. I held our entwined hands with my other hand, forcing him to not leave my hand.

“She talks about you, whenever we see each other.” He remarked, “I saw her a few months ago.”

“How is she?”

“Good. She’s dating a woman, now.” I smiled, I always knew that would happen. I was just glad she had found herself and accepted it. And that she was happy. “Can’t believe she’s gonna be a doctor. God, she was so stupid in school.”

I rolled my eyes. She was never stupid. He just hated her guts.

“And how’s Nick? And the others?”

Felix turned to look at me. His gaze swept over me, and he clenched his eyes shut in pain. “You’ve grown up so much,” he said it so fast it was almost gibberish, “You’ve gotten so thin.”

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Chapter 52

1 gulped. “I mean, you’re still beautiful Felix mumbled. My eyes widened at his statement. He quickly turned away from me.

“You’ve grown up, too.” I said softly. I lightly stroked his hand with a fingernail. “Lexi told me you took over. I’m proud of you.”

The tips of his ears turned red, He didn’t say anything.

The distant rumble of thunder underscored our conversation, and I couldn’t escape the nagging doubt that clouded my mind. Would we be talking like this if Felix wasn’t drunk? A lingering doubt remained, a fear that maybe the warmth of the moment was merely a mirage, a fleeting respite from the

Tomorrow, things would go back to how they were.

safely

The high was coming down, for me. I kept my glass to the side, not wanting to drink any more. I was already too drunk to drive saf

“And how are you, Felix?” I asked courageously.

He shrugged. His hand left mine, and I was left without his touch again. Bereft of any trave off

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“why did you pretend you didn’t know me?” I blurted. I regretted it as soon as I said it. But I had to know. God, I was dying to know. Did he hate me so much? Or worse, did he just not care about me anymore?

Felix’s lips were pursed. He shook his head, and chuckled to himself. He didn’t look at me, but he answered lowly, “I’m so fucked up, Flora.”

Silence ensued. A minute, maybe hen went by.

“And I’m so sad,” he sighed, his voice breaking. “Five years. I’ve been fucked up over you.”

Tve been sad, too. F

Felix.” So sad. Miserable, still. Except during the ten minutes of the day I get to see you.

“Oh fuck off” He scoffed. It stung, and I dug my nails in my palm to keep from saying anything

“And

The began, but suddenly stopped

The main had began to fall. It was so raining so much, so suddenly. I could tell it would grow into a storm.

“you should leave,” Felix’s tone was clipped. I nodded. I stood up quickly and began to run to my car. I needed to get home before the rain got worse.

I ran, my feet splashing in puddles, getting mud and dirt on my legs. Just as I reached my car, I felt a hand grab my shoulder and turned me around. Felix. His hair were well and the water from the rain streamed down his face in big droplets. “It’s late. And raining. And you’re drunk,” he said, “Stay.”

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