A Love Restored

The image of Felix, etched with anger and disappointment, flickered in my mind’s eye, a searing reminder of the events of today. I was dreading going home. But I was excited to sleep. After spending the entirety of last night on the toilet, I needed the rest.

I really hoped my father wasn’t home…

Quickly sitting down in my car, I fumbled with the keys. The first turn, the second, the third- each met only with a disheartening silence. The engine coughed once, a sputter of hope for me before settling back into a stubborn silence.

Ugh. Nothing was going right today.

My annoyance flared, a hot counterpoint to the chill in the air. It was too cold for a walk! And I was so tired. And I wasn’t even wearing shoes, I was wearing flat sandals.

What a shitty, shitty, day,

Well, walking it was, then. A long, lonesome walk through the streets awaited me. I dug inside my purse for my earphones. They were…not there. Wow, no music, too? I was really such a lucky girl,

I got out of my car and closed the door with a loud bang.

“Flora?” Liam’s voice startled me. I turned around to look at him.

Liam stood leaning beside my car. The awkwardness settled between us like a tangible fog, heavy with the memory of our near–kiss and the unspoken questions it had spawned. And not to forget, the bad feeling he now gave me.

“Hey, Liam,” I offered, my voice flat, the effort of civility plain but limited.

“Car trouble?” he asked, his gaze flitting nervously between my face and the silent engine.

“Just needs a mechanic,” I shrugged, the lie smooth on my tongue.

“Ah, right,” he mumbled, stepping back awkwardly. “Well, goodnight then. I won’t keep you.”

I nodded and turned on my heel and began to walk towards the gates of the estate. I was halfway there when he called from behind.

“Flora! Whit.”

I turned around slowly. He jogged to me.

“I’m sorry,” he blurted.

“About the other night… L. He stumbled, then blurted out, I’m sorry. That wasn’t… I wouldn’t have…”

His apology, raw and unexpected,

disarmed me.

I waited for him to continue.

“You came to my

my house, and I took advantage of it. And you were drunk and i He took a long, deep breath. “I feel really bad about it.”

I nodded at him, “It’s nothing, Liam. We can move past it.”

“I mean, don’t be mistaken,” he grinned sheepishly, scratching the hack of his head. “I’m not saying I didn’t want to do it. But I’d like to do it right. Take you out, buy you a nice nizal. And then do it.”

I shifted uncomfortably.

“Can I take you out this weekend?” He pressed, “Drinks. And some nice food”

Rejection was difficult to do and would make things even more awkward.

Realization dawned on his face. “Oh!” He stepped back, “No worries, Flora I understand.”

“I just…don’t date coworkers.” I said smoothly, trying to pacify the situation.This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

He smiled, “That’s not a bad rule. I respect iL

“Thanks.”

His face softened, a genuine smile peeking through the clouds of his awkwardness. “So, can we still be friends?”

His question hung in the air, a simple plea for normalcy. I considered him, his hesitant eyes, the vulnerability in his demeanor.

“Friends,” I finally echoed, a sliver of a smile curving my lips.

His relief was palpable, washing over him in a wave of genuine warmth. “Great! So, I can drive you home, if you want, since your chariot…”

He gestured towards my car, the question hanging in the air.

Then, I remembered the conversation he had had with his mom, the hushed whispers about a flower garden, the chilling suspicion that had wormed its way into my head. Could I trust Liam, this man who was both a beacon of comfort and my only friend in this place, but now also a source of unease?

arm to stop his fall.

My lips parted, ready to decline, but the then unexpectedly. Liam tripped out of nowhere. He fell forward, and grabbed my an

“Careful,” I said, reaching out to steady him. His fingers brushed against mine, a spark of familiarity.

And perhaps, just perhaps, that was enough.

Liam straightened, his cheeks flushed. Thanks,” he mumbled, avoiding my gaze,

“No problem,” I replied, a lightness creeping into my voice. “Thanks, Liam. But I want to walk.“

He offered a hesitant smile, and nodded. I waved him goodbye.

The storm seemed to erupt from nowhere as I walked, swallowing the wide road of wind and rain. One moment, the sidewalk pulsed with the tired hum of commuters, the next, I was sprinting through a world sculpted by darkness.

Then, the sidewalk betrayed me. A hidden dip, and my foot stuck in it. I went tumbling down. God! Of course this would happen today. Mud, cold and gritty, smeared across my hands and kneestj. My clothes were all dirty now. There was mud on my face that I wiped with the back of my hand.

My palm was

If someone looked at me right now, I’d be a mocking echo, a reflection of the mess my life had become, Rising, I spat out curses and rain. My scraped and blood flowed freely from the wound. Pressing the wound, I hurried onward.

Suddenly, a low whistle, broke my revery. Two figures emerged, their outlines blurred by the downpour. The two men were leaning against a white car. One of them was smoking a cigarette.

“Well, well, look what the wind blew in,” one slurred, his voice gravelly. His words were slurred and his grin was downright creepy. “Lost, mama?”

Their words, dripping with predatory amusement, sent a shiver down my spine.

“Leave me alone,” I spat, my voice trembling but laced with steel. My step quickened as I tried to run. Fastly walking, but still not fast enough.

They chuckled, stepping closer, their silhouettes looming larger, bolder. “Alone?” the other cackled, reaching out to grab my arm. “We never met a sweet girl who needs to be alone on a night like this.”

“Come on, sweetheart, don’t be shy. Stop and chut for a bit,” his voice chimed in, the words dripping with a sense of entitlement that sent shivers down my spine. “Show me that sweet ass, baby ”

I thought off all the worst possible scenarios. This wasn’t fair.

fair. I just wanted to get home. I had no interest in dealing with the shit of these people

I clutched my nag tightly to my side and kept walking. The men ran up to me, and circled. One behind me, one in front of me. I was gone and done tor, I think. There was nothing left to do,

“We’ll be nice, we promise.” The man’s gaze was zeroed in on my boobs. The wet dress I had on accentuated them to no extent. I felt dirty.

His hand, clammy and cold, clamped onto my sleeve. Panic exploded into fury. With a primal scream, I dug my elbow into his ribs, the shock momentarily stunning him. I wrenched free, my movement fueled by sheer terror, and darted into the side street.

back.

Their outraged yells spurred me on. My lungs burned, my legs pumped acid, but I didn’t dare look b

Rounding a corner, I slammed into a brick wall, my breath knocked out of me. Mud, mingled with raindrops, streamed down my face. My heart hammered against my ribs, my hand hurt.

A hand reached out, strong and steady. A familiar voice, gruff but reassuring, cut through the storm’s noise. “Flora”

I looked up, my vision blurred by the rain

I breathed the biggest sigh of relief possible.

“Oh!” I let out. The familiar touch on my arm calmed me. Felix

“…I was…” I stammered, words failing me.

“Get in the car.” He nodded his head to the right, and sure enough his car was there. How had I not noticed?

of sorts

I didn’t ask any questions. What place was I in to ask him anything? He was a savior, of

I got into his car quickly, not caring that I was drenching the seats. Felix got in the driver’s seat. He looked at me shivering and turned on the heater.

We sat silently till I felt better. The shivering subsided, but my clothes were still wet and my hand was still bleeding. He silently handed me some bottled water. 1 drank it all in one gulp

“Thanks.” I handed him the empty bottle, which he tossed in the back seat.

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