This Time

Chapter thirty four

*LEAS POV*

We were shopping for Kimberly's wedding gift, when a familiar face came into view.

Mae.

As she came near, I noticed that she was holding a little boy and they were walking in my direction. She recognized me and smiled and walked straight to me.

"Lea!" She said as she walked towards me.

She still looks gorgeous just more mature and a bit stressed.

"Mae." I tensed a bit and Dan wrapped one of his arms around me.

"It's been a long time since I last saw you!" She said in a cheerful tone.

"Yeah. How have you been?" I asked.

"I've been really good these 2 years but the last four years...not so much." She looked at the little boy who was playing with her fingers. "This is my son, Elijah."

"Oh. Your son?" I was lost in words.

"You haven't introduced who this is yet." Mae said while her eyes scanned him from top to bottom.

"Uh this is my boyfriend Dan."

Dan and Mae exchanged nods.

"So, who's the father?" I asked.

I know it's rude but I'm just really curious.

"Some douche. Don't worry it's not Ben" Mae winked.

Dan squeezed my hand. "Baby I think it's time to go"

I nodded. "I would love to stay and chat but I have to go now. See you around?"

"Yeah, I'll see you around soon, Dan" She winked at him.

We walked into a shop and got a gift that Dan thinks would be perfect for Kimberly.

As we were eating lunch at McDonald Dan received a call from Kimberly telling us to visit. Dan thought it was a good idea so we went.

A pretty blonde opened the door and jumped on Dan when she saw him. Like literally jump on him.

"Dan!" She squealed. "It's been so long! Why didn't you call me when you got here?"

"Whoa calm down Kim and get off me, you're no longer 10!" Dan joked and she slapped him.

Watching them makes me envy their friendship.

Kimberly finally acknowledged my existence and hugged me.

"You must be Lea! I've heard so much about from Dan." She winked at him. "Oh my, you're more gorgeous than how he had described you!"

"Oh you're too kind. I've heard a lot about you too." I smiled.

"Come on let's go inside. Dad's waiting for you" she said and skipped into the house.

"Uncle bills!" Dan greeted the bald man sitting on the couch.

"Dan is that you?" He patted Dan's shoulders. "You've grown so much!"

"Where your fiancé Kim?" Dan asked.

"Um, I called Ben and he said that he's coming now." Kimberly replied.

Kimberly's father faced at me and I greeted him. "Hello sir, I'm Lea"

"You picked a good one Dan" Billy said.

I smiled and blushed a little.

"She's the best thing I've ever gotten in my life" Dan held my hand.

He says stuffs like that to me all the time but every time he says it, my stomach gets filled up with butterflies.

We stayed and chatted for more than two hours but Kimberly's fiancé still hasn't arrived yet.

"Are you sure Ben is coming?" Billy looked frustrated.

"Yes, there was traffic, he'll probably be here in any minute now." Kim said

My phone vibrated and it reminded me that I have an appointment to do my nails.

"I have to go, it's time for my appointment." I whispered into Dan's ear.

"Do you want me to drop you?"

"No, you can stay here and chat. I'll come back when I'm done"

"Okay."

I excused myself and left. As I closed the door behind me, a guy was jogging towards the house. He slowed down his pace as he came closer to me.

"Lea" his familiar voice rang in my ear.

"It's you" I was afraid to look at him in the eye.

"It's been a while huh?"

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

Wait......is he Kimberly's fiancé??

He didn't reply.

"Do you know Kimberly?" I asked.

"Yes" he hesitated for a while. "She's my fiancé. How do you know her?"

"Ha! This is such a small world. She's my boyfriend's cousin and we received an invitation for her wedding. So that Ben Pryor guy is really you."

"Oh" he looked down at his shoes. "We need to talk"

"No we don't." I said.

"Did you know that was looking for you everywhere? I was so worried about you. How could you just leave without anything but a stupid piece of letter?"

"I said I don't want to talk"

"No, we have to"

"Okay fine. What do you wanna talk about?"

"I'm.....I'm really sorry Lea. I shouldn't have trusted Mae. I'm so sorry."

"I forgave you a long time ago."

"Thank you. Thank you, I've been feeling very guilty after you left. I feel like the weight on my chest has finally gone." He hugged me. "Where did you go? I went to you house almost everyday to ask your mum where you went but she never told me."

"I went to England. I met someone there"

"That's good"

"Yeah. Kimberly seems like a sweet person. Very lovely too."

"Yeah she is. So, did your boyfriend come with you?"

"Yes, he's inside the house. You'll probably meet him later."

"Can't wait" he muttered.

There was an awkward silence.

"I have to go. I have an appointment." I said.

"Okay, I'll see you around? Maybe"

"Yeah"