MISSING LINK

Chapter 9

On a balmy April evening, Link and I decided to venture out for a night on the town, choosing a popular rooftop club lounge in NYC. As we approached, vibrant neon lights bathed the entrance in a colorful glow. We held hands as we crossed the threshold together, ready for a fun night ahead.

The club pulsed with energy, and the bass from the music reverberated through our bodies. People of all ages filled the dance floor. We found a cozy corner where we could enjoy the music, conversation, and each other.

Link excused himself to get drinks, leaving me alone for a few moments. I watched him walk away, his tall and lean figure drawing the eyes of those around him. A group of lively, flirtatious young women nearby couldn't help but notice Link as well. Their laughter was contagious, and their vivaciousness - magnetic.

My heart clenched as I observed the women vying for Link's attention. They giggled and playfully touched his arm and back as he stood at the bar, waiting for our drinks. Suddenly, I felt like an outsider, aware of the age gap between myself and these women. I couldn't help but feel threatened by their youth, charm, and beauty.

Link returned with our drinks, unaware of the silent turmoil brewing inside me. He handed me a cocktail, his smile warm and inviting. "Having a good time, baby?" he asked, leaning in to kiss my cheek.

I managed a weak smile. "Of course, I am," I replied, though my voice wavered. I took a sip of my drink, my eyes darting back to the group of young women who continued their thirsty pursuit of Link.

As the night wore on, my jealousy intensified. I tried to engage in conversation with Link, but my mind kept drifting back to the group of women. Insecurity gnawed at me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that Link might be drawn to their youthful energy.

Link noticed the change in my demeanor. He gently touched my arm and leaned in close to speak over the music. "Is everything okay, Misty? You seem far away."

I hesitated, then decided to be honest. "It's just... those women over there. They're all over you, and I'm not gonna lie. It's messing with me."

Link chuckled softly, his eyes filled with adoration. "Misty, there's no one in this room that can compare to you. You're the most beautiful woman here, and you have my heart completely."

His words turned me to putty, but my insecurities remained. I realized that my jealousy was unfounded, and it was my own confidence that needed a boost. I leaned in and kissed Link passionately, allowing the world around us to fade into the background.

As we danced together, my earlier jealousy transformed into a newfound sense of empowerment. I knew that Link loved me deeply, and no amount of youthful charm could change that. The night became a testament to our love, but it also opened my eyes to something deeper. I couldn't help but feel that Link might not desire, but deserve the youth and vivacity these women exuded.

When we finally left the club and made our way back home, a palpable tension filled the air. It wasn't Link; it was all me. As we lay in bed that night, doubts and insecurities took root in my mind and threatened to suffocate the love that had been flourishing so brightly.

"What's bothering you, mon amour? Not those girls at the club, I hope."

"Let's just go to bed, Link. I'm tired."

"I love you," he whispered, kissing the back of my neck.

I loved him more than he would ever know. He held on to me tightly until we both fell asleep.

As summer approached, I could feel an ache slowly metastasizing within the intricacies of my soul. The year of Link's international stay was winding down, and the impending departure weighed heavily on my heart.

Then, one day, as if out of the blue, Link surprised me with a proposal. "Marry me," he said, his voice filled with earnestness. "Marry me so I can stay in America with you and spend the rest of my life making you happy."

I was flabbergasted. We had talked about the possibility of him returning for another year, but marriage had never entered our discussions. It was a proposition that caught me completely off guard.

In that moment, a whirlwind of emotions swirled within me. I knew what I had to do, even though it tore at the very core of my being. There was only one way this could go, and it meant I had to let Link go, for his sake. I couldn't shake the feeling that I wasn't enough for such a wonderful man with so much promise and so many opportunities lying ahead of him.

As I looked into Link's eyes, I could see the love and sincerity in his gaze. It was a love that could have weathered storms and transcended distance, a love that had grown stronger with each passing day. But I also knew that love alone couldn't erase the doubts that still lingered within me.

With a heavy heart, I took a deep breath and spoke the words that would change the course of our lives. "Link, I love you more than words can express, and I always will. But I can't be the reason you give up your dreams and your future. You deserve a life filled with endless possibilities, and I can't hold you back from that."

Tears welled up in Link's eyes as he realized the weight of my decision. "Misty," he whispered, his voice trembling. "Don't say this to me."

I reached out and pressed my hand against his lips. "I want you to go back, Link. Visit your mother in Guadeloupe, then chase your dreams, become the amazing doctor you're meant to be in Paris, and find someone who can give you the life you deserve there."

It was a painful choice, one that left my heart in tatters, but it was also an act of love, a sacrifice made in the name of the man I loved. Link and I shared a tearful embrace that night, knowing that our paths were diverging, but the love we had shared would forever remain a cherished chapter in our lives.

Tangled in raw emotion, we made mad, passionate, and sometimes tearful love to each other every day leading up to his departure. It was as if we were trying to etch each moment into our memories, to make up for the impending separation.

I woke up early, and alone on that fateful morning. The sun had barely risen, casting a soft, golden glow across the room. Link's room door was slightly ajar. I quietly opened it and found him lying on the floor, his gaze fixed on the abyss of uncertainty that lay ahead. His eyes, once so full of joy, hopes, and dreams, now seemed clouded with a mixture of sadness and despair.

I approached him slowly, my heart aching at the sight of his blatant sorrow.

Without a word, I lowered myself to the floor beside him, our bodies close but our emotions even closer. I never dreamed I'd feel so encumbered by heartache such as this.

He grabbed my waist and spooned me into his hardness. My hybrid between man and myth. Someone I had believed could only exist in my fantasies had entered my life, rendering me vulnerable. We lay there in silence, our fingers entwined, as if trying to draw strength from each other.

After a long while, I turned to face him, and I saw a myriad of emotions flicker across his face—love, sadness, longing. He cupped my cheek in his hand, his thumb brushing away a stray tear that had escaped my eye.

"Misty," he whispered, his voice filled with both tenderness and regret. "I wish you would reconsider."

I shook my head tearfully, unable to find the right words to express the ache in my heart. We both knew that this was the path we had to choose, the path that was best for him and his future.

As the minutes ticked by, we remained locked in a silent embrace, cherishing the last moments we had together before he had to leave. Our love was a powerful force, and even though our journey was taking us in separate directions, I knew with a certainty that our souls would be entwined eternally.