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Twenty Seven

SEBASTIAN

My head pounds as my eyes slowly open. The light beaming in from outside my window doesn't help the hangover. I haven't been this fucked up in a long time. A groan escapes me as I roll over, facing Madelaine's side of the bed.

Madelaine.

Shit.

I jump up and start searching the apartment for her.

She was here.

She put me in the bed.

Or did I imagine that?

No.

I felt her skin.

I felt the electricity that always sparks between us.

I check the living room, my eyes frantically searching for her. Next, I check Aurelia's room. The door was open and my heart soared at the thought that maybe she was still in there. I stepped in to find yet another room that held no trace of her.

Suddenly, the memory of the empty apartment next to me flashes through my mind and I dart to the hallway, quickly grabbing the spare key from under the fake plant beside her door. I swing the door open and walk in. The sight of the bare walls, cabinets and even the bare mattress I could see in the bedroom was enough to bring me to my knees.

She was really gone this time.

I hold my face in my hands before I brush my hair back, taking a few deep breaths. Tears slowly escape my eyes.

God, I really fucked up.

I shouldn't have argued. I should have just listened to what she had to say and tried to understand her. I shouldn't have been so overbearing. I should have never suggested being apart.

Somehow, I manage to drag myself off the floor and leave the apartment. My own apartment feels colder, emptier. I hate it.

A glimmer catches my eye and I look over to see a glass of water sitting on the counter with what looks like pills next to it. My hands shake as I make my way over to it and find a note next to the glass.

It's her handwriting.

Take these two pills with the whole glass of water, please.

I can't help but smile a bit at her very pointed directions. She knew I would drink two sips of the water and pour the rest down the sink.

The next part of her letter leaves me breathless.

You still have my heart.

-Madelaine.

I feel an overwhelming urge to find her, to get down on my knees and beg for her to come back. I need her here. Aurelia needs her here.

Shit, Aurelia.

How am I going to explain this to her?

I slide my hand up on the counter to brace myself and feel something cool, like metal.

I look down and find Madelaine's bracelet on the counter. It's enough to make me angry. That was a gift. She should have kept that. Damn it, if I hadn't of been so drunk maybe we could have fixed things. Maybe I could have convinced her to stay.

I down the pills and the entire glass of water as requested before taking out my phone and dialing a number I never thought I would dial again.

"Hello?"

"Hey, we need to talk." I say flatly.

"Oh, okay. Where would you like to meet?"

"Let's go to the cafe about two blocks from my place." I decide quickly.