Allure (ENG)

Chapter 25 - Harry

"Where were you?" Frozen in time I simply stand there. Was she just here? For me? If she came back, did she come back for me? All kind of thoughts run through my mind. "Where were you?" Eduardo repeats. His face is blank. Not happy, no smile. Eduardo sounds distant and cold. Exactly the opposite of how I know him.

I clearly feel he expects me to explain myself. When I wonder why, the answer already pops into my head. Because of my past. Spending a night in a club without knowing what really happened the next day. Disappearing for nights without being reachable. Showing up late at the bar. I'm not like that this summer. Can't he see that?

"Kristy didn't have anywhere to stay." I grab a glass from the cabinet.

"So you had to arrange that for her?" I hear behind me. I can't see his facial expression, but it's clear how he feels about it. The irritation is evident in his voice. I don't know if that's because of me or because it involves Kristy.

"I can't really let her sleep here when Emily comes over, can I?" I snap at him. As if Emily is the whole problem. While I know fully well that she isn't.

"Do you really think she'll be back?" He asks me the question, but it sounds as if he already knows the answer.

"She was just here, wasn't she?" I fill the glass with water and lean against the counter.

"So you figured you'd get the best of both worlds then." Eduardo avoids my gaze. "You haven't changed one bit." Eduardo crosses his arms. His whole body tells me he's angry, while his voice still doesn't show any emotion. His temper flames in his eyes. There's no escaping it with this Spaniard.

I try to keep calm, but it proves harder than I anticipated. There's a million thoughts running through my head. It feels as if the anger covers my eyes and I emerge in the darkness of my rage.

"You're the one that let Kristy in this morning!" Eduardo steps towards me and slams his fist into the countertop.

"Hey! This is your problem, and I am not helping you fix it!" He raises his voice. He searches for the words to say next. "She came her for you, so leave me out of it." I feel the anger boil within me, but I can't be angry. Not at Eduardo. He has nothing to do with this, and I know it. If he hadn't opened the door to Kristy, we would have been here fuming in front of each other right now. Deep down I know he is right though. I am the one that has to fix this.

I need to find Emily. I need to talk this through to her, to explain. I finish my glass of water and put it back on the counter.

"Where are you going?" It is like Eduardo can read my thoughts.

"I am going to find her."

"Who?" he yells frustrated.

"Emily." Eduardo murmurs something indistinct. It must have been something in Spanish. With a questioning look I stare at him.

"Leave her be!"

"Why would I? If I leave her be, it will be like Kristy all over again. Then I will disappear after work tonight, you won't be able to reach me and I won't be spending the night in my bed." I dish out the summary of how it all went wrong between Kristy and I. Eduardo sighs.

"Hijo de puta," he says, shaking his head. He turns around and walks back to his bedroom.

Fears creep in. I value Eduardo's advice dearly, but now I am all alone in the kitchen without any advice. Without useful advice. What am I supposed to do now? Listen to Eduardo's advice? Leave her be? I would rather punch myself in the face than not do anything right now. She could be on her way to the airport for all I know. I have to find her. I can't let her go. My first impulse is to call her, but she doesn't answer. Her hotel room, it flashes through my mind.