Hate You Not

CHAPTER FIVE

Adrian
Twenty-nine, Present
Westwoods, Norfolk

I am starting to lose my mind. Every moment, every second, with each breath, all I can think about, is her. I know this is more than obsession now. It is a need. She has become my addiction, a drug that I need to even fucking breth.

Each day, the need to have her keeps on increasing. Ten years. Ten agonizing years. I spent this time, dying over and over again in her absence. Not anymore.

I will do whatever it takes to have her back, even if it means destroying everything that comes in my way towards her.

She is the same. She still has that beautiful smile that made me lose my mind in the first place.

She still has those mesmerising hazel eyes that shined each time I told her that she looks beautiful.

She still has those soft brown hair, the colour reminding me of milk tea, only they have grown a little longer.

She still has those pink, soft lips that melted against mine, every time I kissed her.

She is still the same girl that I fell in love with. Still my Rose.

She looks so oblivious. Unaware of the truth that awaits her.  I won't let her do that, she must come back to me. She will come back to me. I will make sure of that.

I watch her finger moving ever so softly over the piano keys making it look so effortless. I watch her submerge herself in the deep notes of the piano.  I drink in her melodious voice. I drink on every little detail of her body. The way her hair flows down her spine, confined in a silk bow.

   Does she know how much I yearn to run my fingers in her soft hair, like I used to?

  Her eyes closed, hiding those beautiful hazel eyes of hers. I know what they look like, how they shine when rays of sun strikes against them. Does she know, how I lived those days when I could no longer see them? She doesn’t. But soon, soon she will know.

          My eyes travel down to her leg, wrapped in a thick bandage, reminding me of our earlier encounter this week. Anger clouds my vision, if only I can make it better. She must be in so much pain.

My love, why is you so clumsy? Then again, you were always like this, that’s why you needs me by her side. I will protect you. I promise.

    Her melodious voice stops, the room becomes quiet, then I see them. Her captivating eyes. As I said, still the same, they still shine when she sees me.
I can’t help but whisper the name I crave to call her, Rose. I feel warm inside as I watch her watch me. Her eyes holds a fraction of what I feel for her, but I can work with that for now.

     I watch her with a craving so deep. If I could cage her, away from this world, in a world where it's just us. I would, but I know that she won’t want that, and how can I ever do something to make her upset.  I will do anything to make her happy, even if it means , holding back my desires.

         I watch her eyes roaming over me, taking in every detail. Good, I want her to see me, memorize me. I want her to crave me as much as I do. I want her to feel every emotion that I feel. I want her to burn for me, like I do.

              The sound of clapping broke the thick tension between us, her eyes left mine but mine never does.

My fist my palms as I see her eyes leaving mine and drifting towards my brother, Aaron. He didn't deserve her attention, I did.

     I watch her eyes travelling back to mine and her breath hitch and she visibly looks scared. I realise I must have scared her with my angry look. But then I take notice of her flushed face. A smirk makes its way on my face when I realise it isn’t fear in her eyes, her face flush more red when she realise that I am looking directly at her.

      She leaves the room after a quick thank you. I spent an eternity craving for you, I will not lose you this time.

       "She hasn’t changed at all. Still the sweet beauty she was before." My brother is the first one to break the silence. “Can’t wait to see how this goes.”

       "You will stop speaking at this moment if you wish to live longer, Aaron. And don’t think you won’t have consequences for the way you interrupted.” I don't want to ruin this night by letting my annoying brother get to me.

      My day was hers; my thoughts were hers and nobody could take that away tonight.

"Did I offend you brother? I am just appreciating the girl my brother's been obsessed with for years.” Aaron added in a fake hurt voice. “I missed her.” His face turns serious.

"Good luck, Reed." Kian speaks as he rises from his seat and buttons his suit jacket, “I will take my leave now. Enjoy the reunion.” Then he walks away.

    He is my business partner and someone I consider as a friend. He is sensible and clever, a man of many secrets. We both made sure to keep out of each other's business but I do owe him this one favour. Finding her.

  "I will take care of it. Aaron leave.”With that, I walk off before my brother could complain.

       Westwoods is a small town in Norfolk. Only a few hours away from London. A town still enclosed in the confines of history, each corner hiding a secret, sometimes useless, minuscule, sometimes big enough, ones that could destroy everything. A perfect place for someone who's hiding a secret or is a secret themselves.

            I pass by the corridor leading to the small garden at the back of this place. I know she's there; she often spends her time here after her classes. She is often sitting on that swing.

      I made a quick turn towards the door. She will finally meet me. The day she bumped into me in front of this place, I wanted nothing more than to embrace her and keep her with me forever. The moment I saw her winching in pain in front of my car, all I wanted was to carry her into my arms and take her pain away. But I couldn’t back then. But now, nothing is stopping me.
   
I have burned for her every minute, and now she is here, just behind this door, so close to me. I grab the doorknob and push the door open, and there she is, sitting on the swing, her favourite place.

      The soft voice of her humming fills the place, her left hand holding a small blue flower, a book resting on her lap.
A book again. What can I say, my girl loves to read.

Unwilling to break the spell she put me in. I just stand enchanted.
A faint sound put me out of my reverie, a gasp. Those beautiful eyes whose attention I want so desperately are finally on me.

“Hello love.” I smirk.