Secrets of the lost past

Chapter 9

May 14th- 10 pm

I'm so so sorry I didn't write, I was contemplating my life decisions. Here's why:

I was walking home from the café and I heard some weird crying noises.

-Anyone in there? -I asked from the alleyway with my voice echoing. -What are you doing here?

It was Darius.

-Nothing. Now, if you excuse me.

-Ugh what now? Did you regret abusing that poor woman and cheating on your girlfriend?

Well, I can say that that was the worst idea of my life, how nice. He turned back and started crying most sadly and depressingly. I just stood there like a statue.

-Yes, I do, because none of that ever happened! -he said as he told me the story just like Dimitry did.

I stood there in shock again not knowing what to do. My head was like: what do I do? Do I hug him? Do I tell him he's a good actor? What?

As a normal person, I went and did the first one. Now what do I say? I said:

-Oh, my gosh, I thought you were lying! I-I never knew.

-It's fine, I never really told anyone, but Dimitry.

-Come on, let me get you a tissue. -I said, wrapping my hand to his shoulders.

So, all of that "abuser and cheater" stuff wasn't real. Ella was the real liar and I defended her! I'm such a fool. Well, now here I am depressed. I feel so bad for him! We decided that we would go to the café again tomorrow and plan out how we can prove he's innocent. I hate myself for not believing any of them any sooner. We also decided that we take Eira with us to meet Darius. 

I'll make and eat breakfast now.

11 pm

Done. 

1 pm

I was still under myself when I realized I had one more thing to do. When I did realize, I thought this situation will all be fixed, one way or another.

I arrived at the street shop, and I crashed through hundreds of people, looking for the anonymous person I met a few days ago, and he was right. I did figure out his name: Jasper.

It looked like a hug was his way to say hi, which I didn't expect but I needed it more than anything. Feeling arms full of muscle holding on to me made me feel nothing else other than protection. Protection from a complete stranger.

I held the hug for more time than allowed, and he noticed immediately. He pulled away, gazing like he wanted to know the truth more than anything.

-What happened? -he said, flashing a slight smile to ease the tension.

I took a deep breath and I told him everything, word for word, even though I never intended to go that far.

I suddenly clamped a hand over my mouth, wishing to take every single word back. He didn't look as worried as he did minutes ago, he looked like he was genuinely bored.

-I recall I told you very clearly to not trust him, -he said, taking his hands off my shoulders. -You don't know him at all. His personality changes every time you see him, and never for the good.

I knew his words were supposed to make me feel better and get on my smarter side, but I still couldn't think anything other than before.

-But...His story seems so much more appealing this way, and he certainly isn't lying, I saw it in his expression, everything was made of the truth–I started, but he interrupted me.

-Sometimes an expression of truth hides dark lies. We all know him much better, he really isn't what you think -his tone became rougher, like he commanded me not to trust Darius. -It's for all of our safety.

I wanted to argue with him, but I sucked the sentences of explanations back. I took a deep breath instead, and I wanted to turn away to leave. I looked into his beautiful hazel eyes for the last time, then at his full face, trying to find what I needed, and almost got: comfort and protection, finding nothing.

I had finally turned away, yet I couldn't take a full step. He pulled me back by my waist, but not really the way he gazed at me before: there were no rough movements, just delicate hands rushing towards the middle of my back.

-I just want to protect you, Emerald -I had never heard that nickname before, even though I knew the point. My emerald-like dress at the masked ball caught his eyes more than what he recalled.

My legs started to weaken a little to his hair brushing the top of my forehead as he tilted his head closer.

-I don't want you, or anyone for that matter to suffer in his cruel lies. I know I met you a few days ago, but those are still days which are worth a lot in this world -he whispered, making shivers go up my back. His fingers caressing that back gave me a tingling sensation to go with the shivers.

No matter how amazing those things felt, how protected I felt being so close to him, I couldn't give him the truth. No matter how lovely it felt to feel the pressure of his body on myself painlessly, I still couldn't agree with him.

-I don't want you to die, Emerald.

I wanted to stay in that position for a couple more minutes, maybe even hours, but I pulled away after he said the last word, Emerald, which had me in a shockhold. The way he pronounced every single letter stayed in my head hours after. Emerald might've been my favorite word at that moment.

Regardless of the comforting feeling, I pulled away from his securing arms, took the actual final gaze at him, and I walked off.