Tale of tree house

The Haunting of Memories Part 4

Lilly wanted to leave; coming back for Noah felt pointless now. The realization that she couldn't stay another moment washed over her like a cold wave. Noah, noticing her deep in thought, asked, What are you thinking about?

Nothing, she replied, masking her turmoil. I just have some commitments to take care of. My mom called too; she's feeling anxious alone, so I need to go back.

Noah nodded, "Alright." His voice was calm, betraying no emotion. But then Lilly added, Noah, I want to go to the tree house before I leave. Please."

Noah sighed, "There's nothing left there. Why do you want to go?"

"I just need to see it one last time, feel it again," Lilly insisted, her voice trembling.

"Okay, get ready. I'll take you there," Noah agreed, his tone still detached.

When Lilly arrived at the tree house, memories flooded back. Everything was just as it had been, frozen in time. She noticed the bracelet Noah had given her on her 14th birthday still hanging from a branch. As she looked at it, Noah was on the phone, and she drifted back to the past. She remembered when Noah first confessed his feelings for her at 14. Her dreams were elsewhere then, and she hadn't taken him seriously, laughing it off. Even at 19, when he confessed again, she thought it was just a phase. But now, seeing him engaged, she felt a sharp, undeniable pain. She couldn't live without him.

Lilly was lost in thought when she sensed Noah close by. She turned and saw him standing very near. She had never seen him this close before and silently cursed herself for what she had done. He looked incredibly handsome, his blue eyes like the ocean, his brown hair complementing his fair skin. Noah reached for the bracelet, and his cologne overwhelmed Lilly's senses. Her heart raced, and she felt like she might fall. Noah seemed to be doing this deliberately, knowing she had come back for him, yet he was in his own turmoil, not understanding why he was being so cold and distant.

The last time she left, she had shattered his dreams. Noah had everything now but still harbored resentment. He finally took down the bracelet and handed it to her, "Here, it's yours. It stayed here."

Lilly said, "No, leave it there. It looks good. It's a part of our memories."

Noah replied, "Since when do you care about memories, Lilly? You always wanted freedom."

She smiled sadly, "That's just how it is. What can I say?" She started to climb down the tree house, but Noah came forward and helped her down, lifting her just like he used to. Her legs felt weak, and her heart raced. Never before had she felt this way when Noah helped her down, but now it was different.

Once they reached the ground, Noah asked, "Are you staying here under the tree"

Lilly gathered herself and started walking towards the house, still feeling Noah's touch. She reached his dad and Samantha, thanked them, and asked for permission to leave. As she sat in her car, she saw Rebecca approaching. Noah walked towards Rebecca and hugged her. That was it for Lilly. She decided she wasn't leaving until she told Noah how she felt.

She got out of the car and approached Rebecca, who greeted her warmly. Noah introduced them, "Lilly, this is Rebecca, my fiancée. Rebecca, this is Lilly, my childhood friend and neighbor."

Rebecca smiled, "Nice to meet you, Lilly."

Lilly replied, "Same here."

Noah said, Lilly. I'm glad you two met."

Lilly responded, "Actually, my mom is coming, so I'll be staying at my house for a few days."

Noah seemed surprised but nodded. Lilly walked towards Samantha and asked for the key to her old house. When she opened the door, everything was covered in dust. She started cleaning, and Samantha helped her. But Lilly kept looking out the window, watching Noah and Rebecca deep in conversation.

Lilly asked Samantha, "When did Noah get engaged?"

"Two months ago," Samantha replied. "Rebecca was in his class and has been after him ever since. She's a smart girl."

Lilly didn't want to judge, but her heart ached. To her, Rebecca seemed like the worst person in the world.

Night fell, and Samantha left. Lilly was exhausted. After a hot shower, she sat down with her laptop. Samantha brought her dinner and said, "Uncle Frederick said you should have all your meals with us, so don't tire yourself out."

Lilly laughed, "They're so kind."

They had always been like that. When she was just a kid, Uncle Frederick and Aunt Helen used to take care of her so well. Now, she realized she had missed them all along. They were a part of her life. She had chosen her career over love and succeeded, but now she felt empty all the time. She wanted Noah at any cost. She was risking her business and her career one last time for her sake.

Noah dropped Rebecca back home and parked his car. He saw the light in Lilly's room and decided to go there. He knocked, and Lilly said, "Yes, coming." She opened the door, shocked to see him at this hour.

"I just came back from dropping Rebecca home and saw your light on. Do you need anything? Feel free to tell me," he said.

In her head, Lilly answered, "I need you, Noah," but she didn't dare to voice it. "Come have a cup of coffee. I'll make it good," she offered.

Noah teased her, "A businesswoman can make coffee? I can't believe it."

Lilly was hurt by his words but didn't respond. "Okay, make it. I'll wait here," he said.

Lilly went to the kitchen, feeling an empty pang in her chest. Noah followed her inside, watching her from a distance as she made the coffee. He suddenly felt the urge to be close to her and stood right behind her. Lilly sensed him and froze, afraid to turn around and bump into him.

Noah wanted to touch her, to feel her presence. The scent of her shampoo mixed with her floral perfume was driving him crazy. Lilly couldn't take it any longer and turned around, accidentally bumping into Noah. The mug she was stirring fell and shattered. She knelt to pick up the pieces, cutting her hand in the process. Blood started to flow.

Noah immediately grabbed her hand, putting it under the faucet. "How did you become such a big businesswoman? You're still the same little girl who always ends up hurting herself," he scolded her.

Lilly's eyes filled with tears. She pulled her hand away and said, "I'm fine. Go to the lounge. I'll bring the coffee. And stop belittling me every chance you get. Pursuing a career isn't a crime. I know I hurt you, but it hurts me more to see you with someone else. Your words hurt me. When will you stop punishing me?"

These words were in her heart, but she couldn't say them out loud. Noah said something, but he was so close that all she could hear was her own heartbeat. He was wearing a white shirt, now stained with her blood. Lilly looked at him and suddenly broke down, crying like a child. Noah thought she was crying because of the cut and tried to comfort her.

When he saw the blood wasn't stopping, he decided to take her to the hospital. He treated her like a child, even though she was a mature woman. The doctor gave her four stitches and a painkiller, which made her sleepy. Noah waited in the car, hoping she would wake up, but she fell asleep deeply. He carried her to his room and laid her on the bed, covering her with a blanket. As he turned to leave, he glanced back and saw her sleeping like a child.

She looked perfect with him. Whenever he got close to her, it felt like a magnet pulling him in, making it hard to stay away. What kind of spell did she have over him? His phone rang. It was Rebecca. He closed the door and stepped outside to take the call.