Sliding Doors - 2 (English Version)

Chapter 50

Josephine

I kissed Hero.
I really did.

After weeks of telling myself how much I hated him, it only took a day together for me to fall back into his arms.

I was wrong. I should have spoken to him earlier, clarified with him...

I sigh as I carefully observe the road ahead.

We are going home... Together!
Is that wrong too?
Probably so.
But I'm going to clear everything up as soon as we get there.

"Are you okay?" He touches my hand and I hint at a smile.

"I don't know..." I sigh "I don't know anything..."

I hear him sigh as well, before looking out the window again.

I remain silent until we arrive in front of the house.
He looks around curiously.

"You come?" I watch him as I turn off the car and open the door.
He nods and follows me to the front of the house.

"Are you sure I can stay?" He asks hesitantly.

"I do not know..."
It is now my standard answer.

"I can go back to the hotel and see you tomorrow... Or whenever you want..." he looks at me worried.

I remain silent for a few seconds, looking at the ground...
With one hand under my chin he makes me look up at him.
"Hey Jo... Can you tell me if I did something wrong? please..." He whispers.

A tear falls on my face and he collects it with his finger.
"I don't want to see you like this because of me... You're angry, I understand it! But tonight I thought that..." He sighs and doesn't continue the sentence.
I remain to observe it in silence.

"You haven't done anything wrong..." I whisper closing my eyes "I'm confused."

"Confused about... us?" he takes my face in his hands gently.

"Is there still a... Is there still a - us -?"

"I hope so..." He says with a faint voice "Do you want me to be here?"

"I'm confused about everything..." I shake my head looking down.

"Would you like to talk about it?"

I take a deep breath and close my eyes.
"I can't run away again... It would be stupid, even if I'm tempted ..."

"I know. Talk to me Jo, let's solve this thing. You don't have to do anything, you know that, right?" he brings a lock of hair behind my ear.

I remain silent trying to regulate my breathing.

"Let's talk and then I'll go back to the hotel... See you tomorrow if you want to help me again for the audition." He looks intently into my eyes.
"Okay? What do you think?"

I nod and look for the house keys in my purse.
I can't find them and I get nervous.
Is it possible that nothing is found even in tiny bags?

"Wait..." He stops my hand which is nervously rummaging through the bag."We stay out here... do you want to?" He points me to the steps leading into the house.
I nod.
At this point I don't want to make any decisions, not even the most stupid.
We sit and remain in silence, with our gaze towards the sky to observe the few visible stars, due to the too much lighting of Los Angeles.

"I realize I'm inconsistent." I snort.

I am more angry with myself than with him.
He turns and listens attentively.

"Before I'm angry and then I kiss you as if I wanted to rip your clothes off..."
We both giggle.

"Actually..." He teases me "But if anyone has to talk now it's definitely me, you know?"
He comes closer to me, shoulder to shoulder.
I nod and listen.