Now That I've Found You

Now That I've Found You : Chapter 7 "Ajar"

She walked to the rental car, unlocked the door, got in, and sat there for a few minutes. She allowed her memories from the past to fall over her. It was great visiting Ryan, Emilie, and their two beautiful twins. She was able to talk to them about what she did after they left college. Explained why she fell off the grid for a while. Granted they weren't happy with her at first and she didn't blame them, but they were very understanding and wished her well in her decision.
Patricia missed them but she knew now more than before was that she did not want this domestic life. The life she lives in New York is completely different from the life she once lived here. She wanted to come clean and be honest with all her loved ones but...after talking to her parents. She knew not everyone would be accepting of her choices or the career she wanted for herself.
She had decided she was leaving tomorrow but before doing so she had to see Braxton.Patricia owed him an explanation. She knew he was upset with her. He expected something more but she couldn't give him that in return. He deserved so much better than the way she treated him. He was so kind and never treated her any other way than with respect. She looked up to him. Shared some of her secrets...well all but one. That door had been left ajar for so long it was time to open it wide and walk through it. Only then would she be able to move on and live her own life.
As the café bustled with business. Nikita, Lionel, and Sophia were so into the conversation they failed to see Gwen slowly walking up to the table. They spent so much time conversating they failed to see the time going.Laughing Sophia looked over Nikita's shoulder.
"Hey!" Nikita said as she looked up at Gwen"Hello." Gwen dragged out as she just stood there with her arms crossed."What's with the face?" Nikita asked with a dreariness. Gwen sighed dramatically and sat down beside Nikita which is when she noticed Lionel."I'm sorry. Lionel this is Gwen, Gwen this is Lionel. We attended college together."They shook hands."Nice to meet you, Lionel." "Likewise." He looked at his watch. "Listen I need to cut out, but we'll meet up again, Soph. Alright?""Yes. I'd like that," and with that, he turned and left.
Gwen sat there quietly for a moment as the women chatted."Whelp nobody missed me except Gwen here asking where we were," Nikita said as she went through her phone."I completely forgot my phone was on silent. I'm so sorry." Sophia said to Gwen."Yes. I tried to call you but there was no answer," mumbled Gwen."I also have a message from Braxton saying 'we need to talk'," she said under her breath but loud enough for the women to hear.
"Oh WOW! I apologized. Can't he just be a gentleman and just.... you know...leave it alone!"Both women looked at Gwen in shock at her outburst. Sophia put her phone done, still surprised by Gwen who suddenly sat up and looked at both Nikita and Sophia."I blame you both. I actually thought that there was a chance Braxton would like me and so." At that moment Sophia felt a small bit of nervousness roll through her stomach."Gwen what did you do?""Listen it's not as bad as it could have been.""Gal jus' tell us what happened, man!" Nikita accent coming out."ALRIGHT ALRIGHT! I used the spare key to get into Braxton's house and he was in a towel. His parents also showed up while we were sort of close in a heated conversation.""Whaaat!?" Sophia got up and paced for a bit, then sat back down. "Why would you do that Gwen!?"Nikita just stared at Gwen as if she had two heads. "Gyal yuh mad? Yuh a guh mash up Soph business wid di man. REAALLY?"
Gwen stood up and held her hands out in front of her at both women."Wait okay... I know I messed up and Sophia I'm sorry. I really am.""Oh my gosh! Gwen, what were you thinking? He's probably pissed at me.""It was both you and Nikita's idea for me to tell him how I felt."
Nikita smacks her hand on the table. "Ah, Wi tell YUH? Ha!" Nikita shook her head. "No ma'am. Yuh naah guh blame mi." Nikita got up to pay for her drink order. Sophia stood there for a minute trying to process. She had to figure out how she was going to fix the situation. She shook her head and then looked over at Gwen."I told you to tell him how you felt... but Gwen? You could have called. You basically broke into his home without permission." "I realize how it looks now." Embarrassed she continued. "I just wanted a chance at being with him. I saw the opportunity and took it." Sophia couldn't sit there any longer. She wasn't sure what to do but she knew she couldn't continue to listen to Gwen right now."I have got to go. Nikita, see you later. Gwen... " She couldn't even be bothered with her right now. "When I fix this, you and I will have a whole different conversation. Right now I can't."She turned and walked out. While making her way to the parking lot she began to wonder. The more she thought about everything the more, panicked she felt about it all. What if he decided that she could no longer use his house for her business. Or that he wants nothing more to do with her. It seemed as though she was over analyzing it all. She stopped and stood at the door of her car. "What am I thinking?" She said out loud. 'I'll just have to explain to him, it's a simple misunderstanding. We're friends and friends communicate. So stop overthinking.'
Nikita came back to the table and sat across from Gwen who was visibly upset and obviously browbeating herself on the inside.She couldn't fathom what would make someone go overboard like that. Not just that Gwen could not be this silly. She is a beautiful woman. She could have any guy at the drop of a hat. Why do something that could jeopardize a friend's job? Shaking her head in disbelief. She would never understand it.
"What Nikita?" Gwen could feel her staring at her. "I am trying to figure you out. Did it ever occur to you that he just likes you as a friend?"Gwen said nothing. She sat there thinking, clearly it was all one-sided. He simply treated her as just that. A friend. "When did Braxton returned your affections?""He didn't and before you continue I already talked to Braxton and I apologized. I am not proud of what happened Nikita." "I understand. Just know that you can't force something that isn't meant to happen. Sometimes you have to wait. What's meant for you will be for you."Gwen stood up. "This day has been a bummer. I'm heading home."
Sophia went through the rest of her day helping her sister with the planning of her event. As she did that she responded back to Braxton. Letting him know that she would text him the moment she was on her way.It's wasn't until around later in the evening, Sophia pulled up to Braxton's house. As she got out of the car and headed to the entrance he was there. Waiting on her."Good Evening Brax." She entered and she noticed that he seemed a bit tense and silent. He closed the door behind her. She stopped and turned to face him. "Is everything okay?" "Yes and no. Come with me." He took her hand and led her to the kitchen. He let go and walked over to the fridge."You hungry?""Not really." He grabbed a bottle of water and closed the fridge, turned around to face her. Standing across from him on the other side of the island she looked anxious."How was your day?" He took a drink and then placed it down on the counter. "It was good. Nothing different so the rounds were basically the same."
As she spoke he came around the island and stood in front of her. She is suddenly aware of how tight the white t-shirt was on his chest and his joggers hung low on his hips."I want to ask you a question and be honest with me.""Okay." Sophia could feel her heart beating in her chest. He moves back to get his water.
"Gwen was here earlier today. In my house and she apparently used the emergency key to let herself in.""I know and I am so sor-" He held up his hand "you know?" Silence filled the space between then. "So you spoke to her?""She caught up with me and Nikita at the café." She took a step towards him. " She told us what happened."" So she also told you that she has feelings for me?" Sophia nodded. "How long have you known?"
Sophia paused for a second before responding. "A month or two. Braxton, I really didn't think-""Maybe that's the problem, Sophia." She felt like he slapped her with that response."Excuse me?" "While you were taking in Gwen's feelings about me. Did you ever once consider that I might NOT feel the same for her?" Sophia did, but she didn't want to be the one to tell that to her friend."It wasn't my place to tell her that!" She snapped out."Sophia that's crap and you know it."
"Hold up! How?!""In all the time we spent together, you and me. You never thought about us being together. Never felt some sort of attraction?"Speechless, she didn't expect him to ask that. Getting her mind back on track. "Braxton, you are a single male. You can't tell me that you have not had women find you attractive. Gwen expressed that. Granted she went about it the wrong way, but now you know." Suddenly Braxton crowded her against the island caging her in. She was now looking up at him, her heart skipped a beat and it suddenly became warm in the room."You didn't answer me." His tone was deep and Sophia's heart was racing and she couldn't keep her eyes off his lips for some reason."Wha- What are you doing?" For some reason, she was suddenly breathless. Braxton leaned down brushed his lips across the left side of her cheek and skimmed his way along her jaw." Waiting. (kiss) For you. (kiss) To an answer. (kiss) My question." As he kissed her neck, she was holding onto him and afraid to let go.

She couldn't seem to remember the question."Wha-?" He whispered into her ear."Are you attracted to me, Sophia?" He pulled back. "Cause the only person I prefer to be in a relationship with is you." With that, he was devouring her with a passionate kiss.
He immediately loved how soft her lips were and was relieved she felt as he did. In Sophia's eagerness, her arms were around his neck. Clutching him closer. It was as if she couldn't get enough of him. She was lit up and flying only to find herself sitting on the island with her arms and legs wrapped around him. At some point, he had put her there and her shirt was missing. She had to stop this and now.
"Wait." She pulled back slightly. Breathing in and out hard. She looked into his chocolate brown eyes and could see more than what she was ready for. But she couldn't hold back how she felt either. "Yes, Braxton I am attracted to you," Sophia whispered. As she said the words she still ran her fingers down the back on his neck and kissed the corner of his mouth. "But I can't give you what you want."Braxton, shocked, stepped away from Sophia. She slowly slid down off of the island."I'm going to the restroom." She walked around him quickly.
"I will be arriving later tonight but I'll have all the contracts ready by tomorrow morning."Her assistant went over a few last-minute details for a meeting she had scheduled. Patricia had to leave tonight but before she did, she had to make a stop."Listen I have to take care of something. I'll call you back the minute I'm at the airport."She sat in the car for a moment looking at the house. Braxton has done really well for himself. She tried to call him earlier but he didn't pick up the phone. She noticed a vehicle in the driveway, it's obvious he's home. She got out of the car.
As Braxton waited for Sophia, he heard a knock at the door. He walked to the foyer and because he wasn't expecting anyone he checked the peephole and stepped back. He checked it again. Then opened the door.There on his porch was the last person he expected to see." You gonna invite me in?" She grinned at the shocked look on his face. He stood still and said nothing she pushed past him and walked inside. She looked around as her high heels made a staccato sound echoed off the floors. Closing the door, he slowly follows behind her. "Patricia." She turns to face him. "Braxton," she purred slightly. Her glossy lips tilting up at the corner where her dimple appeared. "I'm confused. Why are you here?""Well, I didn't want to be rude and leave town without stopping by to say goodbye to an old friend." As she said it, Patrica wandered around his home and ran her fingers across the counter. Taking in his living space. "Honestly Braxton you have done well for yourself. " She looked at him over her shoulder. "Did you think I wouldn't" before she could respond he held up a hand," Don't answer that, it really doesn't matter to me what you think." "Excuse me.""No there is no excuse. Patricia, I know you have knowledge of technology so I know you have access to a phone, email, and/or WIFI. We're not kids anymore. You can't just come showing up to my house whenever you want."She walks over to stand in front of him."Well if you had picked up your phone when I called-""When did you call?" He walked around her to go grab his phone to check, his phone was on silent."I called your phone 2 times on my way over." She stood there arms crossed over her chest.He tossed the phone back down. "And you still came over?" She placed her purse on the counter and then walked towards him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Braxton stiffened."I know I've been away but...I missed you and I didn't want to leave things the way they were. I just wanted to apologize." Braxton was no longer angry at Patricia. Everything that he felt at the the time was in his adolescent days and now that he has matured, he understands that both of them are on two different paths.