The Make-Up Artist: Part 2

Chapter Thirty Six: Pen Pals

"Left for London? What do you mean, left for London?" You repeat as you are already dreading the answer. Your heart is beating wildly in your chest as you wait. Richard walks toward you, glass in hand, then offers it to you. You take it without even thinking, then gulp down half of it, wincing as it burns its way down. You never did like red wine.

"He left after the event. To go back home. To London", he adds as if you don't understand. You're not sure you do.

"Without saying goodbye?" You ask, the impending tears blurring your vision as you stare at Richard.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what to say. He got back from the event, packed his things and told me he was heading for the airport. He barely even had a chance to say goodbye to me." He watches you as you stay standing in your spot at the door, then reaches his hand out to grasp your arm lightly. "Come on, lets sit", he instructs as he guides you to the couch. Sitting with your glass still in hand, you take another sip and swallow it down along with the large lump that is now residing in your throat.

"But why? I thought he was leaving tomorrow..."

"I don't know lass", he says quietly. "All I know is that he was leaving after the HFPA event. I guess that meant immediately after." You nod your head slowly, processing this information. Taron had only said he was leaving after the event, he never actually said when. You had just assumed it was tomorrow and apparently that was incorrect.

"Ok...", you murmur, then set the wine glass down and stand back up. Richard does the same and looks over at you with apprehension in his eyes. You are so tired of people looking at you like that. Wanting to be alone, you announce, "Thanks Rich, I'm going to bed." He nods in response, then watches as you retreat into your bedroom.

After you've showered and gotten into bed, you check your phone one last time before going to sleep. Pulling up your email, your heart squeezes when you see you have an email from Taron. This is not a usual means of communication from him so you are a little more than surprised as you open it and read with anticipation...

My dearest love,

First let me start by saying how sorry I am that I left without saying goodbye. I knew we had already said everything we needed to say for now, and I really didn't think I could handle another tearful goodbye. So please forgive me. I'm writing this email at the airport so I will most likely be in the air by the time you read it. I miss you already and I don't know how I'm going to survive the next few months without you. Please don't be a stranger. I know you said we could still talk and I truly hope we are still friends above all else. I will be in London for a couple of weeks doing a few events then I will be off to Japan. I wish you could be there with me, but I understand why you can't. I'll be back home after that and I'm looking forward to spending some time with my family and friends. I hope you and I can stay in contact during that time. I would love to hear how the Pilot goes and more importantly, I want to know what happens with the hearing. I know I can find out from Richard, but I'd really like to hear it from you. I will keep you up to date on what's going on with me, if that is something you want. I also want to apologize for my poor behaviour this week. As you said the other night, I was just hurt and wanted to get back at you I guess. But I realize now that was wrong. I guess we've both made some mistakes, but hopefully we can move past that now. I believe you when you tell me you love me and that you trust me. You know how much I love you and that I'm willing to wait as long as it takes for the timing to be right. That being said, I need you to understand something else. I'm not going to chase after you anymore. I'm not giving up on us, but you've made it clear that you are not ready to be my girlfriend so I'm not going to try and force you into anything you're not comfortable with. I will let you come to me when you're ready. No matter what happens or how much time passes, I believe in my heart that we are meant to be together so I'm not giving up. Please write back soon if you feel moved to do so. Let me know how you're doing and just know that my heart is with you. Always. x