His Rectifying Graze [COMPLETED✔]

CHAPTER 40: His Comfort [✔]

KATE’s P.O.V.

        As he slowly walk towards my direction, I felt numb, unable to move my feet. I blinked several times, trying to make sure that everything I’m seeing right now is real.

“Kate...” he melancholically smiled at me. “We met again... I’m sorry for your lost...”

        He put the rose at the top of my Dad’s coffin before returning his gaze upon me. When I still didn’t say a word, he reached for my hand, and I felt his warm touched me once again.

“I understand if you’re still not ready to face me... But please... Say something, anything, Kate...”

           I didn’t say a word. Instead, I pulled his hands towards the little garden of this funeral home before I finally let him go. There, we both stood up like an idiot for it’s his turn to be as silent as me before.

“Elijah... I... I didn’t expect to see you in here,” are the first words that came out of my mouth.

“Why?” he asked. “Did you thought that I wouldn’t be here because of your parents? I came here for you, Kate... Because I wanted to see you... It’s been five years...” He looked down, and I felt so guilty about it.

“I’m sorry, Elijah.”

“It’s fine if you don’t want me to be here tonight... I guess I should leave... I’ll just talk to you when you’re finally ready to face me again.”

        He turned around and was sa about to leave when I reached for his hand, not wanting to let him go.

“Please... Stay. Don’t go, Elijah... Please...” Tears started to fall down from my eyes after pleading him to stay.

           His facial expression became soft. He reached for my cheeks, wiping my tears away before cupping my face.

“You don’t need to beg. Just say a word, and I’ll stay.”

“Then stay, Elijah... Stay with me...”

           He smiled, before pulling me in for a tight hug. I cried on his chest, remembering every moments that we shared together. After five years, nothing change. He’s still the guy I left here in this country like what he’d promised to me.

“I missed you so much, Kate...”

“I missed you too,” I whispered.

         After a few minutes, we just found ourselves crying for an unknown reason. I could see how he’s trying to suppress his tears while hugging me tightly. We stopped, and hand in hand we found some place to sit down. We sat at the nearby bench to talk about some things... Things that we’ve done inside of that past five years.

“So... How are you, Ms. Frias?” Elijah asked and I thrifty chuckled.

“I’m fine... I’ve became a fashion designer and a horror film director.”

         I heard him laughed, so I softly nudged Elijah’s shoulder.

“It was a dream come true for me. Everything that I wanted to do before, I did it... I’m pretty proud about it so please don’t laugh at me.”

“I’m glad that you’re happy, Kate.” He stared at me for a moment before flashing a sweet smile at my direction.

“Yeah... I think those past few years didn’t turn out to be a failure or waste at all. It became worth it...”

“Seeing your face again makes it all worth it...” He didn’t bother to look away.

        I avoided his gaze, thinking of another topic just to save our conversation. I still wanted to talk to him about everything that happened for the past few years. And I didn’t wanna ruin that chance of mine by crying in front of his face again. I need to act as tough as possible, specially now that my Dad is already gone.

“I didn’t know that Claire and Darren have a daughter,” I stated, out of nowhere.

“Yeah... Me too. I just found out about it three years ago, after Darren finally found Claire in New York.”

“Cloey is a... She’s a good kid.”

“You met her earlier?” he asked curiously.

“Yep,” was my short reply.

“Good thing it looked like she instantly got your heart. The first time I met her, she did the same thing to me. She hypnotized me with her cute little blue eyes...”

“Yeah... She’s really cute. So Darren did find Claire...”

“Yeah... Sometimes, he’s asking me why I didn’t chase you like what he did before to find Claire... But I know you wanted some space. And I trust you enough to be able to hold on to that promise that someday... Someday you’re gonna back here again...”

“And it finally happened... ” I whispered.

        He looked at me, confused and uneasy. I wanted to ask him why, but he already said a word before I did.

“You’re staying here? I thought... I thought you only came back for your Dad...”

         I looked down, realizing the painful reality that my Dad is already gone is still here. But it felt nice having his comfort that made me forget about that even just for a moment.

“I guess so, Elijah... Maybe I’ll stay here for good since Mom doesn’t have anyone else left except me, I guess.”

“You know what, I wanted to rejoice right after you said that... But, I know you’re not happy.”

“What are you saying?” I asked, confusedly.

“I know your not yet ready to face everyone after five years, Kate... Mr. Armando... If he didn’t die... Would you still come home?” he asked, and my tongue got twisted so bad.

         I wasn’t able to say anything because I didn’t know the answer to that question as well. Elijah’s right, maybe I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for my Dad. Maybe he thinks that I’m still regretting coming back here, in this country.

“Elijah...” I called his name.

         He didn’t look at me. He just continue to stare at the empty air in front of us, maybe thinking about something. I wanted to get his attention so I reached out for his hand before gently caressing it. It worked and he finally looked at my direction. I wanted to rejoice because I did it, I got his full attention.

“I... I’m not regretting coming home right here... The first time I saw your face, I instantly knew that I won’t be able to come back in Paris anymore...”

         He put his other hand at the top of mine, before leaning in to give me a gentle kiss on my forehead. I missed him so much... I missed his touch and kisses... I missed his scent. I missed everything about him.

“I’m still the man who’s willing to provide you a shoulder to cry on every time you needed it. I’m still here... I already waited a long enough time for you to come back, and now that you’re finally here, I wouldn’t let you go again anymore...”

          He gave me a tight embraced, and as I closed my eyes to feel his body warmth, I felt my tears started to stream down on my cheeks. This time, it wasn’t because of sadness and pain. It was because of too much joy and love.

          Maybe I’m the luckiest person alive on Earth by having Elijah as my lover. He waited for me for over eight years before, and now, another five years just to give me some time and space to think. I wouldn’t be able to know the feeling to be loved and how to love someone if it wasn’t for him.

“I love you, Kate... After all these years, it’s still you...”

“I love you too, Elijah...” My voice broke down.

            When I looked up, I saw his handsome face again. I reached for his cheeks, gently caressing it using my trembling hands. He leaned in, and before I knew it, his lips were already pressing onto mine. Maybe time could really mend the broken lines and gaps of our love story... Maybe, just maybe, this time will be the perfect time for the both of us.