The Proposal

41 - Apology

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Why did he just walk away?

Why did he leave without saying anything at all to me?

A deep frown formed on my face, and I couldn't help but wonder what was wrong with him. While I stood there pondering, Elisabeth made her way towards me.

"Crystal," she started, her face holding a look of regret. "I am so sorry about what happened, and I am sorry for believing everything. I should have trusted my gut feeling that you were innocent and you couldn't have done that to Nicholas. Do forgive me," she said.

I bit the inside of my cheek, not knowing how to feel about her and her apology. I didn't really hold a grudge against any of them, I just didn't expect that she wouldn't try to reach out to me.

"I forgive you," I said, "it's not your fault. The allegations were strong and convincing," I told her.

"Oh dear," she said, and before I could react, she pulled me into a hug. I stiffened for a second before I hugged her back. My mind was elsewhere, and I wasn't concentrating on what she was saying or doing. I just wanted to know why Nicholas left like that.

When she pulled away, I looked towards the stairs, whether Nicholas was coming back. Maybe he needed to do something real quick before he came back to me.

Elisabeth probably noticed my confusion and sadness. "Do not mind Nicholas. He is like that sometimes," she said, and I looked at her, not understanding what she meant.

"When he messes up bad, he finds it hard to face the situation and ends up running from it," she explained, making it make a little sense.
"You should go and meet him," she then suggested. I looked at her, hesitating, but when she nodded her head in confirmation, I decided to go up the stairs to Nicholas's bedroom.

When I opened the door, I found Nicholas pacing back and forth in his room, but the moment he laid eyes on me, he halted. He looked at me as I walked in and closed the door behind me. Then I stood there and looked at him.

I could barely understand the expression on his face. His eyes looked to be red and filled with so much guilt. He took a few steps towards me until he was standing in front of me. I saw his chest heave up and down before he spoke. It almost looked like he was struggling and battling with himself.

"I don't know where to begin to apologise to you..." he started, "I feel like a complete fool for not believing you. I put you through so much humiliation, all for nothing. I let you suffer the pain of rejection and distrust and heartbreak just because I didn't believe your truth..." My eyes remained locked on him as he spoke. My heart was beating fast as well.

"How can you ever forgive me, Crystal?" He asked, but before I could even answer him, he held my hand and went down on his knees. My heart skipped, and I stared at him in utter shock.

What was he doing?

"Nicholas," I called, trying to pull him up, but he didn't budge. He stayed on his knees and gripped my hands tightly.

"I am so sorry, Crystal. I am sorry for hurting you like that. Please forgive me, " he pleaded. My heart clenched, and I felt overwhelmed with everything.

"Nicholas stand up." I urged him, but he only shook his head, bowing it and looking at my feet.

"Not until you forgive me," he said. He looked so much like a little boy at that moment.  I never thought I would see the day a man would kneel in front of me asking for my forgiveness. I had never heard or seen it before. So, I am experiencing it now, I couldn't bear it the way it made me feel.