All out

Chapter 77 All out I honked impatiently at a truck moving slowly in front of me. It was almost time for the dinner but I was minutes away from home. Dad had decided that he'd host us to a sumptuous meal. I knew how badly he hated late coming,so I was in a hurry to get home. Finally, the truck took a left turn and I was able to speed off. The automatic gate at the entrance of the mansion opened and I drove in. Maybe it was because I was away for years,the structure of the house looked new to me, making me appreciate it more. I turned off the car engine and got out of the car, walking hastily to the door of the house. I could tell that the table had been set as the aroma of steak and garlic wafted through my nose. Dad was just coming downstairs when I entered and closed the door. I waited for him below the stairs and we walked into the dining area together. 'I thought you wouldn't make it," he said as he took my hand in his. 'Never! I couldn't do that even if I wanted to. I don't want to waste anymore time. All I want now is memories to hold on to for a lifetime." He squeezed my hands as I said this. The head of the table was empty when we got in. However, the seat beside it was occupied by Percy , with Christian sitting opposite him. Dad walked to his seat while I sat beside Christian. Surprisingly, Percy said the grace,a mixture of prayers and thankfulness for the battle we had just won. After that we all dug into our meals. It was my favourite, so I had no problem clearing it off within a while. I cleaned the sides of my mouth with a napkin and then looked up to see that the men were still eating. I had accepted to come to the dinner because I had a confession to make. I was leaving New York. Over the past months, things have been suffocating for me. I didn't feel free like I thought I'd be. Everything and everyone reminded me of who I used to be and I don't like that a bit. It gets even more worse with the way most people look at me with pity in their eyes. 'Can you all spare me some minutes?" I asked, clearing my throat. Christian who sat beside me could already sense the seriousness in my tone because when I looked at him, he was frowning. Not only that, he had the ‘I'm worried about you kind of expression on his face'. 'So, I dropped a resignation letter at Crest Oils today," I said. The entire room remained silent as I dropped the bomb and for a while, no one said anything. Dad was the first to recover from it. He dropped his cutlery, looked towards me and folded his hands on his chest. 'I take it that means you want to return to Jay Automobiles then?" He asked with hope in his voice. 'No, I'm not doing that." I replied. You resigned at a job you just got and won't even come work for your father. What do you plan to do then?" He asked and resumed eating. Percy on the other hand didn't say anything while Christian still had a gloomy expression. 'I'm leaving New York…for a while," I added. This got Percy's attention, making him almost choked on the steak he was as chewing. 'You just won the greatest battle in your life and you want to leave after barely enjoying it?" He asked in surprise. 'That's the problem, I fought for my justice, not some world war II. I want to start all over again,free from all prying eyes. Everything here reminds me of the past. I want space," I said. 'You all have been trying to make me feel at home but the truth is that I want to spread my wings and that means leaving New York." 'It's no point telling you to stay right?" Dad asked and I nodded, smiling weakly. 'Where will you go from here?" He queried. 'I haven't decided but I know I want it to be somewhere far from here." I replied. Percy and dad nodded andI took that to be their blessings. I looked at Christian again but he looked away as our eyes met. I could tell that he didn't like what I said but he has no say in it anyway. It was time to leave and that's what I must do. *********************** 'You've been quiet since dinner and it seems you are avoiding me even," I said as I joined him at the balcony. Dad and Percy had retired to bed but I couldn't. It feels frustrating that Christian was ghosting me. I had decided to take some fresh air outside when I noticed that he was standing alone in the balcony, rocking a glass of wine. 'Well, I just don't know what to do. I don't want you to leave but I know you have too. I'm torn between what I want and what's best for you." 'I need this more than you can even imagine," I said and he nodded. 'So, where does that leave us? I know that you are leaving but could you try to not shut me out completely?" 'Christian…we've been through this. I don't want to do anything that'd hurt you. I don't want to make any promises," I said in all honesty. 'If you don't want to hurt me, then at least let me have access to you. Give me a constant update on how you are fairing. I love you Myra and even if you leave, you'll always be in my heart." He said, making my heart squeeze in a way that I didn't like. He was getting me emotional and I didn't like it one bit. If I continued, It might be difficult to leave. I turned away from him, ready to leave but he stopped me by holding my wrist. I was about to turn around to face him when he hugged me from the back. 'Don't push me away Myra. Don't," he said. He released me, giving me the opportunity to face him. As I did that,I saw countless emotions crossing his face. He moved in close to me and his lips came crashing on mine hungrily. At first I tried pushing him away but at some point, I stopped fighting it because it was no use, my body was responding to him. Finally he released me, we both calmed down and steadied our breathe, our head still touching each other. 'Goodbye Myra," he said and stepped away. I looked him deep in the eyes one last time and then turned towards the door.