Now That I've Found You

Now That I Found You : Chapter 6 "Confessions"

The sound of the bustling café and conversations from the surrounding area seemed to increase in volume to Sophia. As much as she didn't want to think about the past it seemed to creep back up in her mind slowly, lingering."Sophia I have yet to ask the question and you already seem so tense" Nikita's voice bringing her back into the present. With a resolute sigh, she took a sip of her tea and placed it back down."I know, I know. Girl I'm trippin'. I'm just not used to talking about myself.""I understand that." She patted the back of Sophia's hand. "I won't ask the hard questions. I'll keep it simple."Sophia rolled her eyes at Nikita. "Right. Your questions are never that simple." Taking a deep breath. " Okay, let's hear it then.""I know you often hang out with Gwen and you can't be ignorant of the fact that she is attracted to Braxton." The server brought another cup of tea for Nikita. "Mmm-hmm." "So," tilting her head to the side, Nikita continues. "Being as that you are close to him...has he expressed any interest in her?"Sophia's brow creased with thought. She was trying to recall any moment Braxton might have expressed any affection for Gwen.""No. Not to my knowledge, but I doubt he would share that with me." "Really?""What?!"Sophia you have been around Gwen at Braxton's house and you mean to tell me they haven't spoken to each other? Little laughs here or there. Braxton sitting with you both in the kitchen, NOTHING?"" Nikita, believe it or not, Braxton is a busy man. He has too much going on which is why I also fix meals for him during the time I'm prepping."
"I don't know. It's going on 8 months now that you and Braxton have been hanging out, getting close. I mean gurl his parents love you. His mama can't get enough of your cooking."If she could blush, she would be red in the face. She figured this would come up and didn't think anything of it only because she didn't see a problem. She enjoys Braxton's company and she is grateful he offered her a space to cook for her business. He has been a supportive friend, always there for her. She truly appreciated that."Any woman would be lucky to have a man like Braxton. I'm just not that one, Nikita."
Nikita has an incredulous look on her face and before she could respond Sophia was up out of her seat, heading over to the counter towards a guy putting in an order. She tapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Lionel?" He turned with a surprised look on his face and then recognition set in."Soph! Wow! It's been forever.""I know. What are you doing here? I thought you were going to be a big photographer somewhere in New York.""I got offered a position here in town. So here I am." She laughed and they both hugged each other. "Come let me introduce you to my friend." He grabbed his drink as she grabbed his hand and brought him over
"Nikita, I'd like you to meet Lionel" Sophia introduced him with a broad smile.Nikita stared as she watched Sophia grinning so hard as she introduced him. "Hello, Lionel it's a pleasure to meet you," Nikita softly replied in confusion."The pleasure is all my mine" as he leans forward to kiss the back of her hand."Oh my gosh! You're such a player" Sophia rolling her eyes."And you're such a hater!" They both laughed and Sohpia pulled up a chair for Lionel to sit with them.
Nikita sat back and watched as Sophia and Lionel chatted. She thought to herself 'She completely dismissed our discussion. We'll have to come back to this at a later time. Something about the way Sophia shot down the possibility of any kind of connection with Braxton or anyone for that matter...it just nagged at Nikita's mind.

Braxton pulls into the driveway, puts the vehicle in to park, his cell rings. He grabs his briefcase and gets out and as he walks up to the entrance. He answers the phone."Mom""Hey, sweety. How are you?""I'm fine mom, just getting in from work. Is everything ok?""Yeah, everything is fine""Okay. What's up?""Oh, nothing sweety. I didn't see you with Sophia today. So just wanted to call and check on you. Sophia was so kind enough to drop off my order." She paused for a moment. " Your father and I would like to stop by and visit you for a bit. If that's okay with you."
As he got into the foyer and closed the door behind him, he paused."Are you sure everything is okay.""Of course sweety. Just want to stop by and share some news, in person." Braxton made his way to the kitchen and as he placed his briefcase down on the counter, he walks around to the microwave, checked it, and then hit start to warm up the food Sophia made for him."Okay well, I'm gonna jump in the shower real quick. You have a key to the house, If I'm not out just come in.""Okay, sweety." After hanging up, Braxton went to the room, got undressed, and stepped into the shower. At the same time, Gwen pulled into the driveway. She noticed that Braxton's car is here but not Sophia's. She called her and Nikita several times with no luck. She got out of the car and thought. They might be on their way back. It looks like Braxton is home early. This attracted Gwen's attention. She could finally come forth and express her feelings for him without an audience.
Gwen walks up to the house and rings the doorbell. She rang it once more no answer. She remembered the emergency key Sophia uses to enter into the house. The key is hidden underneath a rock that is placed to the left of the door. She walks in and closed the door behind her, then makes her way to the kitchen. There she noticed the briefcase on the counter and the microwave beeping repeatedly. She walks over to reset the microwave as it reads complete on the screen. She figured that Braxton had just gotten home and warmed up the food Sophia left. She took the food out of the microwave.
Braxton steps out of the shower and heads to the kitchen. "Mom, Dad I heard the doorbell rang. You can use the house key I know you guys were on the way." He didn't notice Gwen had been standing in the kitchen, he was preoccupied with drying his head with a towel. "Heyyy, Braxton!"
Braxton stops completely taken back at the sight of Gwen standing in his kitchen. "Gwen, what are you doing here?" "I tried calling Sophia and Nikita several times and no answer. I thought maybe I should just stop by and wait for them here since -"Braxton interrupts Gwen, " How did you get into the house?" "Well, there's the emergency key to the left of the door...Listen Braxton I really need to talk to you about something." Braxton holds up his hand and stops her from continuing her thought."Look, right now isn't a good time. My parents are on the way here. I'll try to call Sophia for you to see where she is but I know they are not coming back.""Oh okay, well that explains them not answering my call. Maybe they are at the coffee shop or something. But look I do need to speak with you and your schedule is so full.""Gwen, we can talk as I walk you out, okay." With a towel wrapped another his waist they proceed to the foyer. At that very moment, Gwen thought it was now or never to go after what she truly desired.
"Braxton, I've developed feelings for you. Between the moments we met up for coffee and the times we worked with me on my projects. Even the car rides home, I don't know when I developed feelings for but I have. I would like to know if you feel the same for me?" Blurting it all out with an urgency she felt. Braxton tensed, he didn't expect to hear this from Gwen. Before he could respond, at that moment his parents had unlocked the door and had walked in. Everyone stared at each other. All confused and stunned at the sight of it all. Braxton in a towel, Gwen in close proximity with his hand under her elbow. His father smiling as if he understood what had gone on prior to them walking through the door. His mother elbowing his father in his side.
Braxton quickly replied "Mom. Dad, it's not what it looks like. Let me go put on some clothes. You two have a seat in the living room." He looks at Gwen and says, "Don't move I'll be right back to walk you out."Gwen always finds herself in sticky situations. This was by far probably the most awkward situation she's been in. She sighed deeply and wondered this could have waited. Not knowing when that opportunity would present itself seeing that he is always busy.
Braxton quickly got dressed and hurried out to the foyer to walk Gwen out. His mind is racing running over the things Gwen confessed to him. At no time did he think, that she would make more out of his kindness. He saw now that he had to be careful and very clear as to where he stood with her.
As she gets into the car, she says, "I am very sorry if I complicated anything with your parents.""Don't worry about that.""Braxton, no seriously, I've been talking to Sophia and Nikita, they encouraged me to talk to you about how I feel. I had to build up the courage to tell."Deep down Braxton was shocked at what Gwen just revealed. Sophia was encouraging this, no wonder she brushed off his advances and dismissed the kiss they almost had. He felt frustrated.
"Gwen, listen. I'm going to be very honest with you, I don't have feelings for you. I am sorry if I did anything to make you feel otherwise. I see you more as a sister." He noticed Gwen's faced look of disappointment. He continues on."I would understand if you don't want to continue our friendship. I but like to remain good friends." For a moment she was silent."Yeah, I understand. I'll need more time to process." she says with a grin. She pulls off and he heads back inside the house.
Braxton walks towards the living room and could hear his mom and dad's low tones."He should know better and you could have said SOMETHING."" Oh, honey. He is not a little boy anymore, he is a grown man. His mother sat with her arms crossed."It just wasn't appropriate."With that being said Braxton walked into the living room and sat down across from his parents.He took a deep breath before starting."First before you think the worst. I assure you nothing happened. Second, she was actually here for Sophia. She tends to make meals for me whenever I'm doing overtime at work. Again it was just a slight misunderstanding." His father reached a hand out to lightly touch her hand."See honey. A simple misunderstanding." With that, he turned to his son. "We actually came over here to share some good news.""What good news?" he asked. Braxton's father looked over at his wife, who hadn't said a word since he sat down. They sat there for a minute and she then turned to face him. "Before we get into that..." She was picking at the invisible lint on her skirt. Then she stopped and looked at her son. "Braxton I"m sorry. I don't mean to think the worst of you because... I know you know better. It's just that you have accomplished so much. I am so proud of you and of all, your achievements." He smiled and nodded his head in agreement. She continued, "You have a wonderful job you love and you are so smart. Son I just don't want you to go and make any mistakes that you would look back on and regret." As he sat there and listened to his mom. Braxton understood what his mom was saying and he appreciated it. As much as he may be an adult and no longer living at home he loves his parents so much and acknowledges all they have done to support him even when they couldn't always do so. "Mom, I do understand. Thank you for sharing with me how you feel. I respect you and dad a lot, but I also want you to trust me enough to continue making good decisions and applying what you and dad have taught me." " And I do-" she said adamantly, but her husband placed a placating hand over hers."We know honey, We know. Now share the news."
From the sound of Mr. Chase's voice, he was about to lose his patience. His wife nodded and then she delivered the news that Braxton felt he could have done without. "So I was talking to Mrs. Pierre today and she told me that her daughter FINALLY stopped by to see them 2 days ago. Can you imagine?" His mom's incredulous tone wasn't a surprise to him. Almost everyone wondered why she dropped off the face of the earth. "It's been how many months since you all graduated and she didn't even bother to at least contact her parents." As she finished her spiel. Braxton sat back and just took in what was said.
He thought if he had heard of her return that he would feel angry, bitter, maybe even a little bit of excitement that she is in town. Yet as he took in his own feelings. He simply felt relieved to know that she was ok and that she actually decided to reach out to her family, that was a good thing.
He wasn't sure what to say or think anymore when it came to Patricia. He hadn't thought about her in a long time. If you had caught him a year and some months ago, he would have probably been more than happy to give his input. But he let all that go. Moved on with his life. His dad was watching him silently, as he usually did when he was observing his reaction to the news of Patricia.
It's good to know that she actually got around to seeing them." He felt it was time to come clean about how he felt about Sophia but then he thought better of it. He had been trying to keep it professional with her but he realized that somewhere down the line his feelings changed and he wanted to explore that, but he didn't want to push her either. It's actually been a year since they have been friends.
He asked, " So how are you guys taking it?""We were more concerned about how you would take it." his mom responded."I'm fine mom, really?""I thought you wanted a life with her?" Mrs. Chase said.Taking a deep breath, Braxton got up and walked over to the window, looking out the window. "My head wasn't in the right place then. I'm good now." He turned to face them. "Really."
Mrs. Chase stood up and smoothed her hand down her skirt, walked over to him, and smiled up at him. "Okay. As long as you are happy, I'm happy." She then quickly turned away. " That's all we wanted to share with you and now that you know. We will take our leave but before we do I need to use your restroom." "Sure mom. Go ahead." She left them alone. He looked at his father who was still observing him, then his dad got up and headed to the foyer.
"Dad? You okay?" his father's hands were in his pocket. Braxton walked over and stood in front of his dad."I don't know son, it depends on you. Are you okay?""What do you mean?" he responded. His father shook his head and smiled."If you feel like you want to talk you know I'm here for you."
Braxton took that opportunity to tell his dad about Sophia. "Thanks, dad. I want to talk but it's not about Patrica." His dad bemused at his son's response."Okay, what is it? You know you can tell me anything Braxton.""Yes, dad I know. Well, it's about..." he paused."It's Sophia, I really like her but nothing is going on. We're just friends. We've been spending a lot of time together, this chemistry between us has gotten stronger."
"Well, have you told her about how you feel?""No, I haven't told her," as Braxton rubs the back of his head, his father placed his hand on his shoulder."Son, the only thing you can do is talk to her. Let her know how you feel." He looked over at his dad."It's not that simple.""Braxton, you young folk make things harder than it needs to be. If you like her then tell her, simple as that."
"What are you two talking about?" Mrs. Chase walking down the foyer toward's them standing at the door."How complicated people can be." Before she could respond he asked, "You ready?""Yes." They hugged and Braxton watched his parents leave. As he went back into the house, his mind was made up. He would talk to Sophia tonight and make it very clear how he felt about her and also talk to her about Gwen.
He reached his office and picked up his cell phone and sent her a text."We need to talk."