Secrets of the Solomons

5. Unknown?:

*25th July, 2023*

The only time I could make it to visit Fiona was today. The car drive there felt long and tedious as I navigated through heavy traffic and construction zones. But it also felt exciting knowing I was going to see her after such a long time. When was the last time I talked to her? Probably the day of the attempted murder.

As I pulled into the prison's parking lot, my heart started beating faster. I could feel myself getting nervous. Wait, I'm getting nervous. What sort of joke is this? I never get nervous. Yet, as I walked towards the entrance of the prison, my palms began to sweat, and my mind raced with thoughts of what Fiona might say or how she might look. It was a strange mix of anticipation and anxiety that I had never experienced before. Never.

Never in my life had I ever been nervous since my mom died. I was calm and cool. Always. Maybe this was the sign that something new came into me as Fiona entered my life. Her presence allowed me to feel emotions like nervousness and vulnerability that I had long forgotten. It was both exhilarating and terrifying, knowing that she had the power to make me feel things I thought were long gone. She had a way of bringing out a side of me that I didn't even know existed. Her infectious energy and genuine curiosity made me want to open up and share parts of myself that I had kept hidden for so long. It was as if she had unlocked a door to a whole new world of emotions, and I couldn't help but be drawn to her magnetic presence.

I requested a visit with her to the warden and was allowed due to my name and status. Money truly can solve everything. If you have enough of it, you can gain access to people and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. In this case, my wealth and influence granted me the privilege of meeting with her, and I was determined to make the most of it.

My hands trembled with excitement as I sat down on the seat in the prison visiting room. As I waited for her to enter, I wondered how my presence would affect Fiona. Would she be happy to see that I, out of all the people, had come to visit her? Or would she be filled with resentment, thinking that I was only there out of obligation or curiosity? I couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and anxiety, unsure of what emotions would unfold in that moment when our eyes finally met.

Before I could delve deeper into the thought, I got caught off guard, and Fiona walked in. As soon as our eyes met, her eyes widened. She seemed surprised. And at the same time, she was caught off guard. The room fell silent as we both stood there, locked in a moment of unexpected recognition. It was as if time had momentarily frozen, allowing us to take in each other's presence. The air was thick with unspoken words and unanswered questions, leaving us both searching for the right words to break the tension.

Her eyes scanned my face as she sat down. The only thing separating us was the glass window. Her gaze was intense, filled with a mix of curiosity and nostalgia. Her dark blue eyes shone like jewels as she scanned my face, reading my emotions. I always maintained a poker face. Yet here I am with the most vulnerable expression, feeling exposed under her penetrating gaze. The silence between us was deafening. My confidence went down the drain as I looked her in the eyes. For a second, she seemed vulnerable too.

Fiona's lips parted slightly from the surprise. My breath caught on my throat as my eyes fell onto her lips. Never in my life had I ever felt the intense urge to yank someone towards me and kiss them.

She finally broke the silence. "So, why have you come to visit me?" As her question hung in the air, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, struggling to find the right words. The vulnerability in her voice mirrored my own, and I knew that whatever I said next would determine the course of our conversation.

"I don't know. I guess I just wanted to see how you were doing," I blurted out. Her eyes searched mine for a moment, and I could sense the hesitation in her response. It was clear that my answer had caught her off guard, and I silently hoped that it would lead to a deeper connection between us.