Deceived Me

Chapter 8:

" No. Nothing." Alice wanted to lean and hold her hands that held her face but she held herself back.

" Alright. Don't stand here. Let's go to the living room."

Stella pulled her away with her and Alice just followed without a word like an obedient puppy.

After sitting down, Stella let go of her hand and said.

" It's already eight pm. Should I just order something? What would you like Alice?"

" I am not really hungry. Just order anything."

" Then, I'll order some light chicken dish. "

" Hmm. "

Stella looked for some dish and finally ordered one. She put her phone down and saw Alice looking at her with that same familiar gaze. She smiled and asked her.

" How are you feeling now?"

" Alright. Nothing wrong with me."

" No. You took too much strain. It's harmful for your health. And... Sorry, I'll be more careful with you. I won't let you... Let you cry again like this again. " Cause it hurts more than my countless tears to see a single one of yours fall.

Alice didn't say anything else. Stella signed and got up to sit beside her. She held her hand and said.

" Alice, I promise I'll never ask you about leaving again. I'll never even mention anything close so please. Please just believe me. I would never ever stop loving you. If I did, then it would mean I had stopped breathing. If, God forbid, it ever happens, I can't imagine what could be the reason but all I know is that it has to be bigger than death itself. And it would only be for you. The day you really stop loving me, the day you ask me to leave, on that day only will I leave you. But I can't love anyone else but you. It's been five years and I tried for five years but I just loved you more than ever. Please, believe me, or at least give me a chance to prove myself."

Alice looked at her sadly and still did not reply. But she knew that it has become impossible for her to say no.

" Hmm."

Hearing that, a bright smile like never before came into her eyes. She smiled and said.

" Thank you. I'll not let you go. Ever again."

Stella leaned back on the sofa relievedly. She saw Stella sitting still and gently pulled her back too. She wrapped a hand around her and let her lay in her embrace.

Alice was stunned but then she also laid in her embrace comfortably. A sense of relief she hadn't felt for almost a decade came over her.

She closed her eyes. After a while, Stella said.

" Don't fall asleep. The food will be delivered soon."

" Yeah."

" Alice, do you, well do you want to know about how I've been?"

Alice looked up silently from her embrace. Her eyes indicated to keep going on. That she is interested. Stella smiled and said.

" So after you left, I applied for college. I started a little late and the studies were so hard. It took me a while to blend with others. Then I got myself focused on studies and did not do anything other than that. Finally, I finished my studies and started my internship around six months ago. I only shifted to this place three months ago."

Alice listened intently. Seeing as Stella stopped, she asked.

" What did you become?" Her voice was low and soft like it couldn't harm anyone.

" Take a guess."

" Journalist or something in the line or broadcasting."

" Why'd you think that?"

" It must be related to writing. A script writer maybe?" She knew this time she didn't enter the entertainment industry as she didn't see any news related to her.

" No. It's not related to writing."

" Really? Then... A civil servant."

" No. It's all wrong."

" Then what is it?"

" You would have never guessed it. I became a doctor."

" What?!" Alice sat up straight. This time she really didn't believe her.

" Yes. I wanted something that would make me feel connected to you so I became a doctor. I adopted your dream and it let me move forward for so long without you."