Substitute Bride

Chapter 9

Chapter 9 - Moving On

I sat down and pressed my head against the seat. I rubbed my finger that was now missing it's ring and sighed. My plane just landed in New York, it wasn't home, but it didn't matter. I didn't want to go back just yet.

I needed a break.

As the plane went onto a complete stop and the flight attendants escorted us out, I grabbed my bag and walked out to the busy streets of New York. I looked up to see tall skyscrapers from far as the eye can see and neon lights flashing all throughout the city. I was dazed at seeing all the unique things the city had to offer.

I walked and walked, taking pictures, looking at art, watching performers and stopping by little shops. My mood lighten up and just for a second I forgot about my worries and pain. I breathed in some air and took a walk through central park while grabbing a salted pretzel to eat. I toured the city mindlessly for all of the afternoon until I noticed the sun was about to disappear.

I decided to stop by a small coffee shop and grab a latte before heading towards a nearby hotel I was planning to stay in. When I heard my order being called, I took the coffee and started for an empty seat when all of a sudden I bumped into a hard figure and spilled the hot coffee.

I gasped in horror as I saw the brown liquid spread through the person's suit and tie.

"I am so sorry, I wasn't looking and I accidentally spilled this coffee on you. I really am sorry!" I stammered as I tried wiping off the coffee with my bare hands. I looked up to see who it was and I clicked my tongue in distaste.

"Well, well, well. Look who we have here. Miss trying to get herself run over by a car, or should I say Mrs." Jace laughed at my surprised face. "How have you been?"

I grunted and took my hands off his chest.

"Out of all the places I can't believe I met you." I huffed as I began to grab my stuff and march straight out of the shop. Jace quickly followed behind as I stretched my long legs forward towards a hotel.

"Aw come on, we just got to see each other. Tell me, how was the wedding?" 

As soon as he said that I stopped dead on my tracks and suddenly I could feel myself break. I didn't say anything and I just hunched my back while staring at the ground aimlessly.

"What happened? You didn't get your fairy tale ending huh? Life is harsh right. You love and give everything to a person and then suddenly they just turn their back on you as if nothing has happened. As if you never existed to them. Havn't I told you before Eliza... love isn't real. It's a scam, a lie a motive of hurting a person."

"SHUT UP!" I yelled, turning my face towards him. I looked at him with rage in my eyes and I began pushing him as hard as I could, but he strong stance resisted him from falling. I pushed and pushed but he held me back as he grabbed my wrist.

"Shut up! What do you know? What do you know about anything. You don't know me, you don't understand me!" I told him. As I said those words Jace rushed towards me and pinned me down by a nearby wall.

"I understand you. When I look into your eyes I can see your pain. I see that you're hurt, afraid and scared of everything that is happening to you. I can tell that you're tired , you trying your best but your also tired of trying. I know what you're feeling and I know it's the worst feeling in the world. You and I are the same. We are the people that get hurt Eliza, we are the ones who get sharp end of the knife in love." 

I let tears fall out of my eyes and he said that to me. My limbs felt weak and all I could do was nod because he was right.

He was absolutely right.

I am hurt, I am afraid and I am tired. I really am tired...

Jace gently took my hand and lifted me up from the wall. Suddenly, as if the world truly wanted to add in to the sadness, it began raining. Hard. I didn't move or run from where I was at, instead I stared at the ground, dazed with all my thoughts running through my head. Jace still held my hand and he was trying to get me to move but I just stood there, letting the ripples of water splash on me. Finally Jace managed to pull me to cover in his car that was parked nearby. He opened the door for me and placed my seat-belt on as I was still unable to move. Jace got in the drivers seat and looked at me for a moment.

"Where should I take you?" he asked.

"Anywhere, as long as you can stop my pain." 

Jace started the car engine and we drove off. I didn't care where I was heading to, I just need to let go for a while. I need to get things off my mind, I just want a way out of this mess.

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Jace parked the car at the driveway of a large two story villa. I was impressed by the structure of the house as it stood tall with the other mansions in the neighborhood. We both got out of the car and Jace grabbed my bag from the back and he led me to the front door. It was already dark out and Jace offered me his home to stay in. I accepted. I trusted Jace enough to take the offer and I knew it would be good for me.

As soon as we got into the house Jace took of the jacket of his stained suit and unknotted his tie. We were both drenched from the rain so it was easy to see through Jace's white collard shirt. He popped off some bottoms and he took me into a nearby room. He  slid off my wet coat and placed a towel over my head. He than began to slowly rub my hair try with the towel while giving me a large sweatshirt and loose pajama pants to change into.

"Sorry that's all I have." He told me while I tired to secure the pants from falling. I didn't mind, I was thankful to have some dry cloths as I left most of my stuff in Hawaii. Jace was also changed into a white tee and sweats as he plopped onto the bed that was nearby. I laid next to him as we stared at the blank ceiling with our hands resting on our chest.

"Hey.."

"Yeah.."

"Does it ever get better?" I asked him.

"Yeah, you'll be okay. For now you're going to feel alot of pain, and who knows when you're going to heal, but soon you'll be numb to those feeling." he replied.

"Really?"

"Yeah, take it from someone who knows."

Hello Readers~ Sorry for the long wait but I finally managed to write and upload this chapter. Thank you so much for all the support and messages I've been getting for this story. Leave any comments of feedback below and I will try to upload as soon as possible.

                                           -Mika