14 Days With You

Chapter Four

Sera was intensely aware of Zachary. The kiss made her feel like she was alive, that she was a woman who needed to be loved. But why did Zachary Reynor make her feel so? She had no idea. She ate quietly not able to look into his eyes out of embarrassment. 

"Sera, won't you talk to me?" He asked in frustration. Did she start hating him for kissing her? He didn't repent his actions at all. It was all he thought about the whole night. 

"I'm sorry Zachary but it won't work. Please let me be," she told him in a sad, soft voice. 

"It could work. You're not even giving me a chance to prove you wrong, " he insisted.  He wouldn't give up. His resolve started becoming an obsession.  

"No, I don't want to get hurt," she said, finishing the pizza and pasta that he brought. 

"What makes you think you'll get hurt?" He asked in confusion. 

"I don't do casual relationships and you don't do serious ones. You've got to see we're not meant for each other," she said,  getting up and going to the kitchen. 

Zachary started thinking seriously.  This was harder than he had expected. She just wasn't giving in. He never worked so hard for any girl. Then there were his weird feelings, which he couldn't decipher. 

He followed her to the kitchen. "I can change for you, Sera. Give me a chance, please?" He asked in urgency. 

She kept washing the dishes, deep in thought. Zachary had college to attend to. He couldn't stay longer even if he wanted to. "I'm going now. Will get late for my classes. Will see you later. I want my answer, then, " he said, going out of the kitchen and leaving. 

Sera stared at his retreating back. She wasn't ever going to say yes. Maybe he would lose hope and leave her. 

River opened her door and came out. Her face was a mess, but that could be fixed. What couldn't ever be fixed was her broken heart. Sera didn't realise that River loved someone so deeply. No wonder she was so against true love. Such a thing didn't exist for her. 

Sera didn't ask a single question about the guy who betrayed her. If she trusted her enough she would tell her. She simply offered her coke and some pizza. She ate in silence while Sera sat down beside her and checked her email. There was an email from the librarian terminating her employment. 

"I used to live here when I was young. Since I was twelve, I had fallen in love with my best friend Carmella's older brother Tyler. I used to regularly go to their house. One day, I confessed my feelings to him, but he simply took it as a joke. He's seven years older and treated me just like his kid sister. After a year I moved away from here with my parents. I lost touch with Carmella.  Yesterday, when I went to her house, I found out that Tyler had married his girlfriend. I couldn't see them together, Sera. Even after all these years, I still love him," she said, as she stared at some distant object, lost in her own thoughts.

Sera stared at her dumbly,"True love cannot be forgotten River. But since he's married, you need to forget him and move on," said Sera. 

"Yeah, I'm trying. He's the reason I wanted to come here of all places," said River, her eyes flooding with tears as she tried to control them.

"At least now you know, you don't have any hope with him," said Sera. 

"Yeah, but I was happier not knowing, " she told her.

"No River. It's better to live in reality than in some dream world," Sera told her.

"You're right. I'll take a shower and fix myself first. Then let's see what we can do," said River, getting up and going to her room.

Even Sera went to take a shower. Afterwards, she tried to call Carol many times on her phone, but it was switched off. She went to the living room and stood at the small balcony, not knowing what to do. How long will they stay here for Carol? She had lost her job at the library. She would have to find a better job once she returned home. 

Carol came and joined her. "I called Carol many times. Her phone's switched off," said Sera. 

"Oh, her husband might be having her phone with him," said River. 

"I've lost my job at the library. The librarian sent me a letter of termination. I don't have much money with me, River. I'm at my wits ends. I think I'll look for a temporary job here, " said Sera. 

"No, you will sit quietly here. Las Vegas isn't Huntsville. Here you won't be able to work at all. You'll be sexually abused if you aren't careful. And you are too naive, my dear. I have money. We'll survive, don't worry," said River.

They sat quietly on the balcony and stared at the skyline of the city. The park was just at a stone's throw away. They could see it from their balcony. Sera thought about Zachary. He would come again and demand an answer from her. No she wouldn't be able to have a relationship with him. 

They lazed around in the apartment the whole day. River was not in a mental state to go out and Sera didn't want to go anywhere alone. They cooked together and ate and tried calling Carol. By evening, River received a phone call from one of her friends of their college in Huntsville. Stanley had visited their college and when he found out that Carol was missing, he created a commotion there. 

He threatened the authorities for lack of security and wanted to sue them. The situation had gone out of control and later the security guards had to restrain an angry Stanley from violating rules. 

"Stanley's the reason why Carol won't return to Huntsville, " said River and Sera stared at her.

"Oh, I think we should inform her about this Stanley case, " suggested Sera. River agreed and tried calling Carol but her phone was still switched off. 

The doorbell rang and Sera opened the door. A grinning Zachary stood staring at her. "Were you eager to see me like I was?" He asked softly. 

"No, I forgot about you," she said, moving away so that he could come inside. 

"We have to do something about that so that you never forget me," said Zachary only for her ears as he passed her to go inside. 

They chatted for some time. Zachary brought them dinner and they tucked in hungrily. "Let's go for a walk, " suggested Zachary.  

"I'll go to sleep. I haven't slept last night," said River, dragging herself to her room. "You guys go ahead."

"Sera let's go for a walk," he said, picking up her keys and holding her hand, pulled her outside with him and closed the door. He didn't want to hear her no. He was desperate for his answer.  He didn't leave her hand till they reached the park. 

They walked silently for sometime till Zachary could take no more. He stopped and caught her arm and pulled her into his arms. His hold tightened around her as he stared hungrily at her.

"Tell me Sera, will you give me a chance?" He whispered, his face inches from hers.