that august night - c.l.

47. He is just a man

"You sure you don't want to come with us? Maybe Isa will change her mind?" - Charles asked Elena as he buttoned up his shirt in front of a mirror. "I am sure. Plus, you know I don't like going out so much. I'll just invite Isa here and then we'll hang out." - Elena assured him.

It was the last two days of their vacation and Charles and Carols wanted to go out as they found a club nearby. Both of their girlfriends turned down their invites, not in the mood for all the stress about what to wear.

"Okay then. I'll be back around midnight. Maybe 1am." - Charles kissed her cheek, pulling her in a hug as she could smell his cologne. "Be safe. I love you."

"Love you too." - He walked through the door as Elena looked around the room, trying to find something that will entertain her and Isa for the night as they had already texted, agreeing on hanging out in Charles' and Elena's apartment.

"I can tell you two are made for each other." - Isa added, continuing the topic they started. Elena turned around to look at her while she held a glass of wine in her hand. "You think?" - She asked. "I don't think, I know it. The internet loves you, his fans love you, your friends support you and you two love each other. What could you possibly ask for more?" - She shrugged taking a sip of her wine.

"I feel that way. But I still don't feel loved, you know. I do feel safe and I do feel cared for... but love is something I don't believe in." - Elena answered, looking at her glass avoiding Isa's eyes for unknown reason. "Why is that? Have you two declared the love to each other?"

"Oh yes we have. Many times. But I don't think we are on the same page when we say I love you to each other. I tell him I love him because I appreciate everything he has done for me until now. I don't mean I'll love him forever. I don't know if we'll have forever or how much time we have. And of course I don't know what he thinks when he says it." - Elena twirled the glass in her hand while talking as they fell into comfortable silence.

"You don't see future with him?" - Isa broke it. "I can't say I see a future with him. But I think of it. More than I should probably. But my mind always goes to some dark places and I think about us not making it work, you know? Me with constant work, him around the world almost all the time... it's tough already." - Elena answered.

"But it has worked ever since you two got to know each other. Why wouldn't it work in the future?" - Isa asked once again as Elena debated if she should tell her about the e mail she got this morning. But it wasn't anything private. At least, if won't be.

"This morning I got an e mail. Back in Miami I had good reputation amongst police department. Back in Monaco when we solved that case, I got an opportunity."

"What kind of opportunity?" - Isa asked, confused to what Elena was saying. "I have a chance to go back in Miami and be promoted to the chief of police in the city. They told me I have few days to answer and if not, they'll find someone else." - Elena finally breathed out feeling the tension on her chest release for a moment. But it was back again once she realized she'll have to tell this to Charles as well.

"That's great for you, Elena. I am really proud of you." - Isa smiled but noticed Elena's worried face. "Charles, isn't it? Have you told him yet?" - Isa connected the dots then asked. "Oh god no. I didn't even have time to think about it myself. And when I tell him I know he is going to try and talk me out of it. He once tried and it almost worked." - Elena answered feeling pressure in her head, throwing it back on the couch.

Isa sat closer to her, pulling her head on her chest and slowly moving the hair away from Elena's face. "If he is truly the one, he should understand and support you in any decision. You know if it doesn't work now, then it isn't meant to work any time. Right now you have to focus on yourself."

"I know Isa, but I can't leave him. I can't watch his face when I tell him that I might be leaving to go back to Miami. I've shared such deep connection with him, and I don't think I'll find it with anyone else." - Elena complained, letting herself rest in Isa's embrace.

"But right now you are a priority to yourself. He is just a man. No matter how much he means to you, he will always be just a man in your life." - Isa continued, trying to get her on right path. Because she understood that this was maybe the biggest opportunity for her.

"He is not just a man, Isa. It's like he is a part of me. He shows up in everything I do. Every time I am listening to a song my mind reminds me of him. Even if I cook, brush my teeth, look myself in the mirror, I'll just remember him coming from behind me and pulling me in his arms. It's like I can't escape from thinking of him. It's like a sweet torture I love and hate at the same time."

"I know babes. I know it's hard. But once you talk to each other, everything will be clear for both of you. Just don't stress of it too much because you are hurting yourself. I am sure he wouldn't love to see you that way either." - Isa comforted her. But Elena couldn't escape from millions of thoughts running in her head. Mainly about the reaction Charles will have once she tells him about the opportunity.

"Is he seriously not answering right now?" - Elena paced through the room, with her phone to her ear just trying to calm herself. Its past 1am and as promised, Charles was supposed to be back by now. "Maybe he left his phone somewhere and is on his way home already?" - Isa tried to find the light in her friend's worry but it didn't work for Elena.

"That addict wouldn't leave his phone if you named him the price. He said he will be back by 1am. It's almost 2am." - Elena looked at the clock. She wouldn't be worried if he had texted her. But she got no text from him the whole time he way away.

"Let me try call Carols." - Isa took out her phone and few seconds later he answered the phone. "Hola, princesa." - Elena heard Carols answer Isa's phone which pissed her off for some reason. "Hola, mi amor. Is everything alright? You two are not coming back yet?" - Isa asked, putting Carols on speaker.

"Yeah, I am on my way back but I lost Charles an hour or so ago. I tried looking for him before I left the club but he was nowhere to be seen. I thought he left earlier." - Carols continued talking as Elena felt the angriness getting the better of her.

"No babe. I am here with Elena and he still isn't back." - Isa answered. "Weird. Have you tried calling him?" - Carols asked. "Seven times already." - Elena responded this time and even Carols could hear how angry and worried at the same time she was. "The last time I saw him he was sitting at a bar, taking his usual drink. And after I got back from the toilet he was gone. I asked few people who recognized us in the club if they had seen him and they said he went outside. That's when I assumed he left earlier and didn't call me." - Carols added as Elena rubbed her face with her hands feeling more worried than angry right now.

"Bueno mi amor. Get here safely, come to Elena's and Charles' apartment. We'll be waiting for you." - Isa ended the call with Carols, putting her phone back in her pocket.

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Wow, long time no see. Had a busy couple of weeks and many problems aside. Hope you aren't too mad, will try to upload more often now. :)

Love, A.