Dreams Can Come True

67. We have to talk

POV Bill

As Elise angrily turned and left the apartment, I stood rooted to the spot, bewildered by her reaction. I let go of the stupid balloon, watching it float in the air helplessly. With a sigh, I set the champagne bottle on the table and rubbed my forehead.
"What the..." I muttered to myself, my thoughts in disarray. What had just happened? Why did Elise react so strongly to the surprise I had organized for her? I had hoped to make her happy, to show her how much I care about her. But instead, I only made her angry.
With a sigh, I walked over to the couch and slumped down, my head in my hands. I needed to understand this, I needed to know why she reacted this way. As I sank into the couch, full of incomprehension about Elise's reaction, I felt hurt and frustrated. She had always wanted her own apartment so badly, and now that I was giving her this gift, it still wasn't good enough? She was the one who didn't want to live together, who wanted her own space. So why was she so angry that I gifted her this apartment? She should be happy that I did this for her. Who wouldn't want their own apartment?
With a sigh, I reached for my phone and called Tom, hoping for some advice and comfort in this confusing situation. It didn't take long for Tom to answer, his voice laced with his usual humor.
When he picked up the phone, I heard his familiar voice on the other end of the line. "Hey, aren't you guys tearing down Elise's apartment yet? I already feel sorry for the neighbors," he chuckled, unaware of the situation.
I sighed deeply, frustration still palpable in my voice. "Tom, I just surprised Elise with an apartment, and she completely freaked out. I don't understand it, man. What should I do now?" I explained to him, my voice filled with confusion and incomprehension.
I could still hear Tom laughing on the other end of the line. "I told you that balloon was going to make Elise run," he chuckled.
"Tom, come on," I almost pleaded, hoping he would be serious now. "She stormed off in anger."
"What was said?" he asked, his voice now also concerned.
I seemed to hesitate before answering. "Hmm," I muttered, then he repeated his question. "What was said when you made up?"
I muttered something, my thoughts returning to the moment of reconciliation with Elise. "I told her I understand that she needs her own space. And then..." I tried to answer, but Tom abruptly interrupted me.
"Then you must have made up in the bedroom," he interjected, his voice filled with a mischievous undertone.
"Tom, come on," I responded sternly, but couldn't deny that he was right. "Yeah, okay, that's pretty much all that was said," I finally admitted.
"Ooh, Bill, I clearly said you guys should talk? Instead of making up physically," he lightly scolded me. I couldn't help but admit that we should have talked better.
I knew he was right, but it was too late to change that now. "Send me a message when she gets home, Tom," I said, determined to set things right. "I'm leaving here now and will be home soon."

As I arrived home, there was no sign of Elise. An uneasy feeling crept over me, and I knew we needed to talk urgently. With my phone firmly in my hand, I waited anxiously for a sign from her. But the silence lingered, and my phone didn't buzz. Tom stood next to me and tried to reassure me. "Please don't worry so much about her," he said, but the worry continued to gnaw at me.
Uncertainty consumed me, and I decided to send her a message. 'Hey, where are you? We need to talk,' I typed quickly, hoping for a quick response. But the seconds passed without any reply. I felt powerless as my thoughts raced in all directions.
An impulse to call her overwhelmed me, but of course, I got no answer. Tom had already subtly checked with my mother if Elise might be there, but this wasn't the case. The uncertainty grew with every passing minute, and I hated feeling so helpless.
I knew I had to be patient, but the thought of Elise being somewhere outside made me restless. I could only hope she would respond soon and that we could resolve these misunderstandings.

Relief flowed through my veins when Bas called me and told me that Elise was safe with him. It was as if a weight was lifted off my shoulders, knowing that she was at least not alone and that she was with someone she trusted. I gave Tom a quick nod, a silent confirmation that everything was okay, and focused on the conversation with Bas.
"I can't reply to Tom's message, but Elise is here," Bas whispered hastily. "I'm in the bathroom for a moment, and she doesn't know I'm calling. She's completely upset. Bill, what happened?"
A mix of confusion and frustration welled up in me as I tried to understand what had happened. "I don't get it," I replied to Bas. "She wanted her own apartment to prove to herself that she could afford it," he explained. "The last thing she wants is for her rich boyfriend to do everything for her."
Bas' words hit me like a sledgehammer. How could I have been so blind? I hadn't understood Elise's deeper desires and fears, even though they were so clear to me. My frustration grew at the realization that Bas knew more about Elise than I did.
"How do you know this?" I asked, surprised by Bas' insight.
"Because I ask about it, Bill," Bas replied sternly. "Elise already finds it difficult to talk about her life in the other world. But if you ask about it, the answer will come."
His words sank deep and caused a wave of shame and guilt. I had failed in my attempts to truly understand Elise, and now we were both paying the price for my ignorance.
"I have to hang up," I heard Bas say. "I hear her getting closer."
"I'm glad she's safe," I said, my frustration still palpable in my voice, before ending the call.