Perfect Strangers

Chapter 7

Once Mathew was calmer, he finally emerged from the cocoon of Molly's arms and dried his tears from his flushed face, both of them ignoring the red rim of his eyes.

"I'm sorry I hurt you," he said, his voice wet and guilty. "I wanted to believe in your honest, kind, caring personality, and treasure you, but my fears always got the best of me and made me run. Meeting April after so long again just made it worse and I told myself that it would be better for both of us if I didn't get close after all, but a part of me just can't let you go anymore," he confessed, looking down ashamed.

"Mathew," she called softly, gently making him look back up at her, a reassuring smile on her face. "I understand." she simply said, making his eyes widen. "I can't say I wasn't hurt by your actions, but I understand. I don't want to let you go either but you have to try to trust in me more," she said, her thumb gently stroking his cheekbone.

"I do trust you, I'm sorry I ever made you doubt that," he replied, his gaze clear, open, and earnest for her only.

"No more apologies. Let's just keep doing our best, but this time we do it together."

"Together," he repeated, relief and infinite fondness and thanks washing over him.

What had he done to be so lucky?

"You should speak to April too," she added, making him withdraw a little unconsciously, a look of fear flashing through his eyes.

Faced with his unease, Molly took his hands a trace circles at the back of them with her thumbs.

"I know it's not my place to say anything, but talking can only do you good," she said, continuing to trace circles as he held her hands tighter. "Even if it ends in disagreement or goodbye, at least you would have said what you never got to. It will free you more than you realise," she reassured, and he could say nothing against that.

"Come with me?" he asked, small and short of shy, his eyes shining with a plea that saddened her but also warm her heart.

"Always," she promised, pressing her forehead to his.

At last, her heart felt lighter again, and she felt closer to him than she ever did before. If only the world could just pause at this moment forever.

"Good work today!" said the photographer pleased with the shots he got of April for her newest album covers.

"Thanks." she simply said, completely drained as she went to sit with a heavy sigh.

"Here," said Mike, handing her a bottle only to frown at her unresponsive state. "April," he called sharply, making her flinch.

She got like this sometimes. She would completely zone out no matter where and sometimes it was rather scary or disruptive if it was in a crowd.

"Huh?" she asked, turning to look at him confused.

"You spaced out again," he told her handing her the water.

"Oh," she said blankly, making his worry increase.

"Everything alright?" he asked eyeing her cautiously.

"Fine, stop looking at me like that." she insisted, draining half of the bottle.

"You sure?" he pushed, not convinced.

"Yeah, just..." she trailed off, staring off at something that wasn't there.

"Just?" he prompted when she didn't continue bringing her back to reality again.

"Today's our last day in London," she mumbled, understanding dawning on Mike.