Clash Into Clasp

CHAPTER 25 - Loved

Later, Carl insisted on sending her home and she wasn't able to win over his stubbornness. Their drive was silent until Carl spoke while his eyes were on the road. "Are you free tomorrow night?"

It stopped Alexis' wandering thoughts. She looked at him for a while before answering.

"I'll have dinner with Jeff tomorrow." She looked back up front.

Carl glanced at her in surprise. "Jeff? I thought you don't like to see him?"

"He talked to Sam and Sam talked to me." She glanced at him then sighed slightly before she continued. "Sam's right, I need to forgive him." She leaned her head back and looked ahead.

Carl was about to say something but hesitated. After twitching his lips, he spoke with his eyes still fixed on the road. "Okay. But you must be careful. I still don't trust that guy."

Alexis looked at him. "I don't trust him either. But I am always reminded that people change."

"But you still didn't know if he really changed or not," Carl replied seriously.

"Wait," he suddenly glanced at her. "What does he needs to change?"

Alexis instantly looked away and swallowed hard, trying not to recall a certain memory. However, her thoughts drifted still to the past.

"Alexis, if you won't tell me, you don't treat me as a friend." Carl made his speed slower and looked sincerely at her.

Alexis glanced at him and pouted. She really cannot turn down whatever he wants.

After sighing, she told him how her relationship with Jeff changed after he moved to Washington. Their long-distance relationship became tougher. Another woman was involved and she was also focusing on her studies. Their communication became gradual until it eventually stopped one day. She thought they were over and so she kept her silence until Jeff came back, and this time, he was different than the Jeff he knew. He insisted that they were still in a relationship and he became possessive and aggressive towards her. One time, the night after Grandma Mabel's burial, he tried to have sex with her. From that day on, she avoided him and when he talked to her, she broke up with him. He is no longer the man she falls in love with. He changed so badly that she doesn't know him anymore, therefore, her love for him was no longer there. Nearly a month after that, she flew to Chicago and never heard from him again.

Carl nodded slowly after hearing her brief narration.

"Now that I remembered, I don't know if I will still meet him or not," Alexis pouted her lips.

Carl glanced at her and then spoke. "Seeing him now, do you think there are some changes?"

Alexis shrugged. "I don't know. I feel nothing."

"Then don't go if you're still uncertain of him." Carl parked the car since they already arrived.

Alexis nodded and sighed as she unfastened her seat belt. She was about to open the door when Carl stopped her with his immediate serious voice. "Wait!"

Alexis subconsciously looked at him with a frown.

Carl looked at her. "I need to tell you something."

Under his intense gaze, Alexis instantly felt uneasy and her heart began to pound louder but she cannot remove her gaze from him.

Carl took a deep breath as he looked away. When he turned his eyes back on her, he spoke. "I think I'm falling in love with you."

He narrowed his eyes and continued. "No, I think I love you already. I don't know how it happened but recently, if I'm going to be honest, that is what I feel."