The Defendant ✧ (Bill Gambini x reader)

28.

A/N - Friendster is a real website launched in 2002, it's basically like Myspace because Instagram didn't exist back then haha #old

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It was a Saturday and I was working from home. I was usually good at keeping my focus but that day, I just couldn't keep my head straight. I often found myself daydreaming about the office days with Bill. The way we'd exchange smiles at each other or the way he'd offer to take me out for lunch. I missed those days. I missed Bill.

My shift was only a half-day so I was finished by around 1 pm. No matter what I did, I couldn't occupy myself with something to stop me from thinking about the past. In the end, I settled on doing some snooping on Blair the witch. I typed her name into Friendster which was the latest social media platform. Her profile was the first to show up.

As I looked through her recently published pictures, I couldn't help but grimace to myself. The woman that ruined my life appeared to be living her best one although I noticed her baby daddy wasn't in any of the photos. Slowly I could feel my blood boiling again and I had to log out before I would do something irrational like punching the screen imagining it as her. Could I forgive her? Only time would tell.

I hadn't heard from Bill since the day of his wedding but I decided I was going to change that. Grabbing my phone, I dialled his number and held the mobile to my ear. Waiting and waiting, ringing and ringing. Nothing went through, no answer. That didn't stop me from leaving a voicemail.

"Bill...? Hi. It's Y/n and I know we haven't spoken in a few months but I just couldn't hold it in anymore. I miss you, I really fucking miss you. I can't imagine how you felt after the way Blair treated you but when you just disappeared my life fell apart again. I'm back home now in Alabama. Pops is good. I hope you're good. I-"

I wanted to say I love you, but the words didn't come out so I hung up. What if he didn't feel the same? I'd look like a fool. With that out of the way, I felt like I could finally focus on something different. After a pretty much lazy day, it was fast approaching 7 pm. I was busy watching a random game show on tv when a random number called me. "Hello?" I answered. 

There was silence. 

I frowned, I didn't approve of those silly prank calls.

"Look buddy, whoever this is I don't have time for this foolishness! Get a life!" I scolded. Before I could hang up, a voice stopped me right in my tracks. "I see you're still a fiery one Y/n" Bill chuckled. I felt frozen like I couldn't believe it, my stomach bursting into butterflies. "I heard your voice note, I'm glad you reached out."

"Really?" I squeaked. It was a total surprise.

"Of course. I know I dipped for a while...I had a lot of thinking to do. I also lost a lot of my contacts so it feels like I'm starting all over again with this phone" he replied. "Bill I- I don't mean to rush but I just have to know. What about us?" 

There was silence again. I thought that was his answer until he gave me one that was an even bigger surprise. "Well, why don't you open the door so we can talk?"

The disbelief I felt at that moment was surreal. Apprehensively, I went downstairs and opened the front door wide. Eyes widened, my phone dropped to the ground as I clamped my hands over my mouth. 

Bill Gambini was resting against his mint green Buick Skylark, his precious smile plastered on his face. I was so overwhelmed that I couldn't stop the tears that flowed down my cheeks. With no hesitation, he held his arms out for me. "Cmere you" he greeted. Like an excited kid, I ran over to him and jumped into his arms, now a fully sobbing mess.

"Aren't you happy to see me, pretty girl?" He asked, rubbing my back.

"More than you'll ever know" I managed to choke on my words. 

Bill chuckled again before leaning in and meeting my lips. That one kiss alone spoke a thousand words I'd been dying for and I never ever wanted to let him go as he carried me inside.

[not finished yet!]