WALK ME DOWN THE AISLE

* Chapter Twenty Four *

After the chaotic filming session of the movie, it felt like all the problems centered around me had disappeared. People constantly spotted me with Andrew, who cunningly acted as if we were still involved romantically. Amidst this tense atmosphere, I unexpectedly received a text message from Scott, expressing his wish to meet up.

Knowing that my boss, David, and Andrew, would vehemently disapprove if they discovered I had plans to meet up with Scott, I clandestinely arranged a discussion with him and carefully requested him to my house.

When he finally settled into my living room, I welcomed him with a smile, making sure to mention that I was relieved he hadn't gotten lost. "It's a good thing you didn't get lost. Please sit down," I said, motioning towards the couch.

I wanted to ensure that he felt welcome in my home. To my surprise, he then replied, dismissing my statement. "Not really. Frankly, it's easy to find your house here in Santa Monica," he said, his eyes wandering around the room, taking in the photographs on the table and the plaques adorning the walls. I couldn't help but notice his curiosity about my achievements as a writer—the visible recognition of my hard work and skill. I discreetly observed him, his restlessness noticeable as he absorbed the details of my life that were on display.

Realizing that I had been watching him, I called out to him passing him a beer to break the silence. "Um, thanks for the beer," Scott said, accepting the bottle I had handed to him. His appreciation seemed sincere, but there was a hint of surprise in his voice as if he hadn't expected me to conform to him.

Feeling a hint of nervousness, I stammered, trying to regain my composure. "Of course. Ah, so? What exactly do you want us to talk about?" I asked, struggling to find the right words. There was an air of uncertainty hanging between us, and I was unsure of what to anticipate from Scott and this unexpected conversation.

"I apologize for whatever my father said to you, Danni. It seems like some people just can't resist meddling in the lives of others," Scott reasoned, his voice laced with sincerity, but I was astounded by his apology, I couldn't help but feel a surge of guilt. "Shouldn't I be the one to apologize, Scott? You don't need to take the blame for this. It was my actions that started everything. I'm sorry," I conceded, my words tinged with resentment.

A mix of emotions flashed across Scott's face as he leaned towards me, his voice filled with remorse. "I've read your book, Danni. At first, I thought it was only detrimental to me, exposing what I went through to everyone. But I acknowledged that maybe I was the one without the boldness to tell those people the truth. I should have been the one telling the story, just like I did with you," he apologized.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I listened to his words. Everything suddenly fell into place. "That's exactly what I meant, Scott. This book isn't about them; it's about you. I wrote it to show how special you are because you haven't seen that for yourself," I stated, my voice trembling with emotion.

Scott's gaze softened as he reached out to hold my cheeks gently. His captivating green eyes were filled with a mixture of remorse and hope. "I'm sorry for not realizing that sooner. I truly hope you'll give me another chance," he murmured, his words sufficed with sincerity.

And when he kissed me right then, I was taken aback for a moment, and my mind started racing. In that instant, I couldn't deny how much I had longed for his touch. Despite everything, I couldn't bring myself to admit that I still loved him, even though I knew deep inside me, we were not meant to be together. It felt as though we were only passing through each other's lives, using one another as a means to heal from our heartbreaks.

Standing up with the reality that I need to let him go, I can't help but feel an ache of sadness. I know that I must teach my heart to move on from him and to accept that our time together was just a temporary detour on our different routes.

It's not easy, though, but I have to remind myself that holding onto something that was never truly meant to be will only hinder my personal growth and happiness. So, I take a deep breath and resolve to focus on moving forward, even if it means letting go of the love I still have for him.