Off-limits Series: Never Enough

the present : dinner with the family

When we arrived at the family house, our parents greeted Emma and her husband with warmth and excitement.
The house was filled with the delicious aroma of dinner cooking, and the table was set for a feast.
“Welcome home, Emma and Robert!" My mother exclaimed, enveloping them in a hug.
“Thanks, Mom," Emma said, beaming. "It's good to be back.”
As we settled in for dinner, I found myself seated directly across from Robert.
The table was a cacophony of voices as everyone caught up, but my focus was on keeping my composure.
I stole glances at Robert, who seemed equally distracted.
“Elena, how's work going?" My father asked, drawing me into the conversation.
“It's been great, Dad," I replied, grateful for the distraction.
“We've been working on some exciting new projects to add a new food menu.”
The dinner progressed smoothly, the atmosphere warm and convivial. But beneath the surface, I felt the weight of unspoken words and unresolved feelings. I noticed how Robert avoided looking directly at me, his attention seemingly focused on Emma and my parents.
After dinner, we moved to the living room for dessert. Emma and my mother were deep in conversation, while my father and Robert discussed business like two businessmen do when they meet.
Honestly, I felt like an outsider, my thoughts drifting back to the last night with Robert.
He left me in the morning without a word.
Feeling overwhelmed, I excused myself and stepped outside for some air.
The cool night breeze and the soft waves sounds did little to calm my racing heart.
I was feeling uncomfortable by his return, so I sought solace on the patio. Leaning against the railing, I gazed upwards, captivated by the innumerable stars that adorned the night sky. As I focused on the twinkling constellations, I attempted to calm my racing mind and find inner equilibrium.
“Elena," a familiar voice called softly behind me.
Sigh, I turned to find Robert standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable to me anymore.
“Robert," I replied, my voice barely more than a whisper.
He stepped closer, the tension between us palpable.
“I noticed you seemed a bit off during dinner. Are you okay?”
“Just needed some air," I replied, trying to smile. "It's a lot to take in.”
Robert nodded, standing beside me and looking up at the stars.
"I understand. It's been a while."
I sighed, wrapping my arms around myself as if to ward off the chill that wasn't there.
I took a deep breath, the tension between us almost tangible.
“Yeah, it has."
There was a long pause before Robert spoke again. "So... do you have a boyfriend now?”
I was taken aback by the question, but I shook my head.
"No, I don't. I've been focusing on my career."
“As a chief.” He smiles.
“I'm proud of you that you're doing what you like to do in life.”

“Yeah, I like cooking.” I giggled softly.
Robert nodded, his gaze still fixed on the sky.
"That's good. You deserve to find happiness, Elena.”
I turned to him, searching his eyes for any sign of the old feelings.
“What about you? How have things been with Emma?"

He sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly.
"We've been good. Busy, but good. Alaska was a nice change, but it's good to be back in Miami."
I hesitated before asking, "And... how are things between you two?"

Robert glanced at me, his expression unreadable. "We're fine. We've had our ups and downs, like any couple, but we're working through it.”
I nodded, my heart heavy with the unspoken words between us.
"I'm glad to hear that.
I sighed, wrapping my arms around myself.
We stood in silence for a moment, gazing at the sea the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.
Finally, Robert broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Elena, I need to tell you something. What happened between us…. I've never forgotten it.”
My breath caught in my throat, and I turned to him, my eyes wide.

“Neither have I, Robert. You left me in bed without a word when I was sleeping.”
He took a step closer, his eyes searching mine for a while.
"It wasn't fair to you, or Emma. But I can't pretend it didn't happen. I felt scared.”
I felt a tear slip down my cheek, and I quickly wiped it away.
“I know. I've tried to move on, but it's hard.”
Robert reached out, gently cupping my face in his hand.
"You deserve to be happy, Elena. It wasn't right. I'm sorry.”
I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes as the tears flowed freely.
“Don't be sorry I was the one who asked for it. I don't want to come between you and Emma. But I needed you to know how I feel.”
My breath hitched as I met his gaze.
"I've never forgotten what happened between us, Robert. And I don't think I ever will.”
Robert sighed, running”
“Elena, we need to talk about what happened. We can't just pretend it didn’t exist.”
“I'm sorry, to run away after everything and without clearing the weather between us.”
My breath hitched as I met his gaze.
Robert sighed, his thumb brushing away my tears. “Sweetheart, we both need to move on. For Emma's sake, ours."
"I know”
“I'm sorry, to run away after everything and without clearing the weather between us. I felt something towards you that makes me scared.”
My breath hitched as I met his honest gaze.

"Neither have I, forgotten every detail about our sharing moments, but we both know it can't happen again. Emma... she means the world to me." His voice sounds hurt and deep.
"I know," I whispered, tears prickling more at the corners of my eyes.
“And I don't want to come between you two like I said. But I needed you to know how I feel.”
Robert's eyes softened.
“Elena, you deserve to be happy. You deserve better than that, and I'm sorry for what happened. It wasn't fair to you, or Emma.”
I nodded, the weight of his words sinking in.
"I understand. And I'll try to move on. I promise you that.”
Robert placed a gentle hand on my shoulder.
"We both need to move on. For Emma's sake, and ours. It's been years.”
I nodded, in understanding.

As we stood there, the tension slowly easing, I felt a sense of closure. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.
After a while I exercise myself returning inside, ready to face the future with a renewed sense of purpose, determined to put the past behind me and focus on the things that truly mattered.