Love me for 3 months

Chapter 3 Elia, James and the beach

Elia woke up, covered in sweat and her poor heart was racing in fear. She had just awoken from a nightmare. The guilt was killing her. She was never once selfish about her life and knowing her time would end soon, the soul inside of her dying body was attacking her. All she could do after every nightmare was say these words, "I'm sorry..I'm so sorry, I should have loved myself. I'm sorry..."

James didn't want to meet Denise, under any circumstances. He'd afraid he might say hurtful words to her. He headed to the garage and got into a black Sudan and slipped away from the house. He wanted to get away from everything, everyone. He was tired of living this life of his. He needed an escape. 

James used to go the beach with his mother all the time, before the accident. Since then, he just didn't felt like going anymore, but that moment, something inside of him urged him to go to a beach. His feet wanted to feel the sands. His skin wanted to be kissed by the sun and the salt the sea breeze carries around. He wanted to smell the ocean.

He drove three hours. there was a beach house that he received as a birthday gift from his parents ten years ago. He never stepped into that house, not even once, until now. He made sure to turn off his cell phone before leaving the house. There was no one important that he'd expecting a call from, and the other way around.

It's not the first time he had disappeared from his father's eyes, he had done it so many times, whenever he felt overwhelmed. This time, it was too much to bear.

Elia wanted to visit as many people as she could as she was running out of time. She had visited  some of her family members, her friends and a got in touch with some old ones as well. This time, she was meeting Andy, one of her mother's former boyfriend, and the man she sees as a father figure. He was never a married man, in fact he almost married her mother, until he found out that she had an affair with his own brother. Andy left the family and moved to an island but he had always kept in touch with Elia. He even had assigned Elia to be his next in kin.

Before she visited him, she decided to take a walk at the beach on the way to his house.

Elia parked her car and crossed the road when a car was fast approaching towards her. With a sudden brake, the car tires screeched and the car did 180 degree turn, causing other vehicles to stop as well. Elia panicked and curled up on the road, fearing for her life. 

The man stepped out of the car and quickly ran towards her. He prayed that he had not caused an accident. He felt sad seeing her being vulnerable. He knelt down next to her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

"You're safe now," his voice was gentle. 

Her body was still shaking in shock. Slowly she tilted her head and looked to her side, it was the man behind the wheel.

"Are you hurt?" he asked.

"I...I don't think so," she stuttered.

"Come on," he helped her up on her feet and took her to the sidewalk. "Wait here," he told her before getting into his car. He apologised to the crowd and parked his car right behind Elia's and he joined her again.

"Do you need to go to the hospital?" he asked.

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern." She was calm and composed again. 

"I'm James, and you are?"

"Elia."

"I'm sorry, I was driving a bit fast earlier..."

"It's alright."

"Were you heading to the beach?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"Me too, perhaps we can go together, and I hope if you don't mind, I'd like to buy a meal, as a sign go my apology to you."

Elia hesitated, but she agreed to it. "I'd prefer Flat White."

"Great."