chapter 15

Alexa I know now that my heart is starting to betray me right now. I can't let this happen because I might get hurt again. That's a good thing that he has to go back to New York. So, the last time I saw him was at the fair, and that was two weeks ago. Right now, I'm at the coffee shop near my office. I order a hot cappuccino because the weather is quite chilly. The aromatic smell hit my nose as soon as I got inside the shop. I love how the smell of it can make me feel at peace. Right after I got out of the shop, I nearly dropped my coffee because I bumped into someone. It is a good thing because my coffee does not spill onto his suit. I don't want to cause any trouble this early in the morning. Gosh, that's a clumsy move. "I'm sorry.." I said that and walked past him. "Alexa?" I stopped after I heard my name being called. I turned around to see someone who is somewhat familiar, but I can't remember when I met him. "Alexa right?" He asks again. I nodded my head in confusion. "You know me?" I ask dumbly. He looks so familiar, but I can't recognise him. "It's me, Joseph. Elijah's best friend, Joseph Sanchez, You can't remember my handsome face?" I look at him, but still, I can't remember him. It's because when I was Elijah's wife, he just brought me to meet his friends like twice or three times. That's why I can't remember that face, even though it's familiar. "Ummm hello. Nice to meet you." I said, "This is really awkward. He pulls out his hand for a handshake, and I take his hand. I smiled at him. "Nice to meet you too, Alexa. You look so different now, and I can say your life is good now. Oh, by the way, are you busy? If not, maybe we can have a talk?" He asks, and I find myself nodding my head. "Cool, let's go." He leads me back into the shop. We sit at the empty table near the window. I put my coffee on the table and looked at him. "What do you want to talk about?" I ask. It's still early, so I just agreed to 'talk' with him. "It's good to see you living your best life now, Alexa," he said, smiling. "I guess it's just luck? I don't know, but yeah, I am grateful for what I have now," I said to him. "Good for you. Well, since we meet here, let me just go straight to the point because I don't want to waste your time too much. I know you have lots of work to do. Okay, I know I shouldn't say this, but I just want you to accept and take Elijah back." He said that, and that got my attention. What the hell? "Are you here because he asks you to talk to me like this? You act like we happened to meet outside and then help him beg me or what?" I ask, and he quickly shakes his head and says no. "Elijah didn't ask me to do anything. I'm in LA because I have some work here, and our meeting is not in my intention. I just think I should help him get you back. You know what? He's changed, and all he wants is you, not anyone else." He explains, but I don't have any interest in listening; he's talking about Elijah. "Of course you could say all this because he is your best friend. Every best friend in this world wants to see their best friend happy." I heard him take a deep sigh. "Alexa, You know, I'm not the type of man to easily say this to a woman, but I think I have to. Please rethink accepting him back. I want to see him happy, just like in the old days. Please." Did he just beg me to go back to Elijah? I just stay silent and take a sip of my cappuccino. "When he was back in New York two weeks ago, I didn't know why he was so gloomy, and you know what? He just fired his employees because they were late for about 30 seconds, and that's crazy. What did you do to him until he became like that?" He explained, and then he asked me. "I didn't do anything. I guess." I replied, and that's right. He's the one who's stressed out about bringing me back into his life. I didn't force him to. So I guess that's not my problem if he becomes like that. "Well, whatever it is, why don't you give him one more chance and let him show you that he's changed?" Should I? No or yes? "I'll think about that. Now, I have to go because I have an appointment. See you later, I think." With that, I stand up and walk out of the shop, heading to my office. Now he puts me in a difficult situation. He acts so unprofessionally just because of me. Even so, it is still not my fault. ****** "I have to go to Italy next week, but I don't think I can bring Gabriel and Gabriella." I said to Hera Just as I was talking to Hera, suddenly my office door opened. I look at the door and see Elijah. Here we go again. "Hera, can you go out for a while? We will continue this later." I said, and she nodded her head, then walked out. "Why are you here again?" I stand up and am near him, then ask as soon as the door closes. "I miss you, of course." He said it and hugged me. I don't know why, but I think I like his hug. His gentlemanly cologne fills my nose and my office. When he broke the hug, his lips immediately claimed mine. I push him before he goes further. "I thought we were cool," "Cool? What's that? A high school couple had a fight and then let it slip with a stupid kiss? Elijah, how many times do I have to tell you that I don't want to be with you anymore? I don't have a heart for you." I said to him, but he didn't say anything but claim my lips once again. I know this is the stupidest move I've ever made, but I kiss him back. Yes, you heard me. I fucking kissed him back. I think this is because it's been quite long for me to be single, and I miss getting kisses. I don't know. I swear this is the last time he kisses me like this. We broke the kiss after a few minutes. He looked at me and gave me the sweetest smile he had ever given, and that smile made me nearly melt. I shake my head and step a few steps behind. "I have a lot of work to do. Can you go now? "Oh, and I thought you were in New York?" I ask him and go back to my seat. He takes a seat on the chair in front of my desk, and I look at him with my eyebrows raised. "I need to give myself a break from all my problems in New York." He said to take a seat. "I told you to leave, not to sit. Leave." I said it with a more stern voice. "I'm here because of two reasons." He said he was ignoring what I said just now. "What's your reason?" I ask him. "Well, the first one is because I miss you, and the second one is because I want to ask your permission." I look at him. "Permission?" I ask. "Yeah, I was wondering if you could give me permission to bring Gabriel and Gabriella to meet my parents." He explained, and I nodded my head. "When is it?" "Ummm, I decided to bring them four days from now. How about that? Can I?" I stay silent and think about it. I never want to be separated too far from them, but I think that's a good idea because at least I don't have to be too worried when I go to Italy next week. To be honest, I don't think Dolly can take care of them well after she knows that Gabriel and Gabriella are Elijah's blood. I keep thinking negatively about Dolly because I can't help myself from thinking like that. Lots of things can happen, and I, as a mother, feel worried about my babies. Even though I know Dolly won't do anything stupid, as a mother, I just don't feel right leaving my kids with her alone for a few days. "Sure you can." I answer. "Really? Thank you, Alexa." He said. "But I have one wish," I said. "What is it?" He asks me "Can they stay at your parents' home for at least one week? Because I have work outside of Los Angeles." I tell him. "Work? Where?" "You don't need to know; I just want to know, can they?" "I'm sure my parents didn't mind that, and I think they will be super happy to know that Gabriel and Gabriella will stay for a week with them." He replies, and I smile at him. ***** Four days later "Gabriel, Gabriella, listen here. Don't be naughty there, alright? Be nice and don't even make them mad." I said this to them, and they just nodded their heads. "Mommy loves both of you so much." I hug them, and then I see Elijah walk to us. "Ready?" I stand up and look at the twin. "I guess they're ready. Bye." With that, they run to the car and get in. Well, it seems they're so excited to meet their grandparents. At least I can finish my work in Italy in peace. "Okay then, I guess we will get going." He hugged me tightly and then smiled at me when he released the hug. When he started to walk away, I called him, and that made him turn around. "Hmmm?" "I forgot to tell you this: Gabriella can't eat peanut butter because she is allergic. I hope you remember that. If she eats peanut butter, she will have to stay in the hospital for a whole week. I don't want that to happen," I said to him. "Gosh, that'd suck. Thanks, baby, for telling me that. I love you." With that, he walks to the car, and as soon as he gets in, his driver drives away. I look at the car, which is slowly fading away. Well, tonight will be so boring and silent because the twin is not here. I get in the house and head to my room. I have to take a shower and take a rest. It's been a while since I pampered myself. So I decided to take a long bath. After one hour in there, or maybe more, I don't know, I finally get out of the bathroom with a bathrobe wrapped around my body. I just looked at my phone and bought my ticket to Italy in two days. Then, I walk inside my walk-in closet and wear my night gown. After that, I think it's already ten or something, because I feel so tired and sleepy. The next thing I do is lay in bed and close my eyes. It only takes about a few seconds before I slowly drift to sleep. _________________________________________________________