Fragile Desires (18+) (GxG)

Eighty-Seven | Decisions

There's a certain fragility to apologies. 

They can blossom into beautiful gestures of regret, or they can crumble into clumsy attempts that miss the mark entirely. 

The right words, delivered with sincerity, hold immense power. 

This truth dawned on me after my very first apology, a testament to the impact even a child's actions can have.

At the tender age of seven, I was notorious for exploring my mother's closet. 

Trying on her dresses was particularly fascinating to me. 

However, this time, disaster struck. 

My sticky grape juice, a constant companion in those days, found its way onto a cherished silver dress.

And this wasn't just any dress—it held a special place in my mother's heart, especially since she held onto it after wearing it on her first date with my father.

Luckily, they were able to get the stubborn stain out. 

And I personally made sure my mother received my handwritten apology note written with a pink crayon—a clumsy yet heartfelt attempt at expressing my remorse. 

And while she appreciated the gesture (thoughtful was the word she used), she also offered a crucial lesson that day. 

Real apologies, she explained, require face-to-face interaction.  

They need to come from the depths of your heart, not simply be penned on a piece of paper. 

A note lacks the warmth of a sincere voice, the depth of a genuine hug. 

A lesson I wish Renata had learned before leaving me with nothing but a note after disappearing for months on end.

- Azzy

♛Chapter Eighty-Seven: Decisions♛

I made sure to speak to everyone at the event.  

Not one person was left out.

And yes, to a certain extent, it was my duty.

But at the same time, I was dragging every second of every minute out.

And Renata knew that.

Yet, she remained entirely unaffected?

She simply stood over by Armani conversing and patiently waiting.

When all I wanted was a reaction.

One that she got out of me on numerous occasions after she left.

"Haylen," I greeted the woman again as I stopped in the hallway right outside the event.