Losing control

Pick up the phone

Demi POV:

Selena had already been living with me for several months. We'd just returned from a week in Bora Bora where we'd celebrated our one-year anniversary together. It was perfect, the scenery was magnificent, the weather was perfect, and we alternated between a day at the museum, discovering new things, and a day relaxing by the sea and sunbathing. But I sensed that something was wrong with Selena. She pretended everything was fine, but I was getting to know her very well. She couldn't hide anything from me.

Tell me what's wrong, baby..." I said, wrapping my arms around her. "I said, wrapping my arms around her waist and placing my head in the hollow of her shoulder. Her patchouli scent will never leave my mind.

"I told you... it's nothing very important" She withdrew my hand then dropped what appeared to be a letter into her bag.

"I won't let go until you tell me what's bothering you, and you know I keep my promises."

She huffed in annoyance.

"My parents keep sending me letters and I... I can't open them but I can't throw them away either"

"Oh babe, I think you should open them... it might be important"

"The last time I tried to talk to them they tried to ship me off to Seattle with them! "

After finding out about our relationship and trying to convince Selena to come back, they decided to leave. According to them, it was too hard for them knowing  their friends could find out the truth about us to face the judgements so, they preferred to run away from people's eyes.

"I know but... it's been months now... they've had time to change and then maybe it's about something else... babe, I don't want you to regret it. I can open it with you if you want.... "

"Fine. You're right... but not now, okay? Later, right now I just want to curl up on the couch with you, watch a movie
and eat a nice pizza! "

"It sounds great for me," I said before joining her and kissing her. "I think I love you more and more every day," I said, smiling stupidly. Yes, I'd become a lot more namby-pamby than with my other partners, but it was for the best. Besides, I couldn't help it, I loved her too much to control myself. "What? Can you say that again please" Selena said to provoke me. "haha very funny. But since I love you and I'm not ashamed to say it.... I think I love you more and more every day" I said several times in her ear before placing kisses on her neck.

—————

The days passed and despite my attempts, Selena still refused to open the letters from her parents.

We fell asleep on the sofa but were woken by a ringing phone. Unknown number.

"Pick up the phone", I said, curious and also worried.

She picked up and put it on speakerphone. All you could hear was crying and gasping.

"Hello?" Selena repeated several times. "Selena... I... it's Mum... I... it's your dad... he's just left us" she said in a voice that would break her heart. "What...? It's not possible... what are you talking about... but" Selena breaks down.

"I'm still at the hospital... I have to fill out all the paperwork to transfer the body. Your father would have wanted to be in here with you, near his daughter. I'll be there in the morning.

After that, it was a complete blank. I didn't really know what to do.  The house was filled with Selena's cries.

"This is all my fault. I should have opened those bloody letters... I... I didn't even get to say goodbye" "It's not your fault, you can't say that. It certainly wouldn't have changed the end of things unfortunately." "Yes, it would! It would have! I could have been with him instead of basking in the sun in Tahiti".

I knew she wasn't really mad at me. So I preferred not to even take her comment into account.

----

"You should stay here," said Selena, putting on her sunglasses.

"What? No, I want to be here for you. No "Demi... I know... and you will be but. I need to be alone with my mum" "Well... I understand that's normal. I hadn't thought about it"

The next few days were very painful. Selena had to take care of absolutely everything because her mother was completely confused and I understood her. But it was a lot for Selena. She spent the week at her mother's and came to see me for a few minutes at lunchtime. Her mother still refused to see me but agreed to let me come to the funeral. For my part, I was sad too, I'd grown to like David, he was a superb chef before everything changed and then to see Selena in that state broke my heart even more. Bloody cancer.

"Baby?" I said as I heard the door open. It was 10pm and she'd never come to see me this late.

"Hey..." "Are you sleeping here tonight. I'm glad." "No. No, I'm not. I came to get some more clothes. My mum's family are arriving soon and she wants me to be there. She doesn't have the strength to be alone... I hope you understand" "Of course... See you tomorrow lunchtime as usual?" "Sure."

I wasn't angry. It was completely normal for Selena to spend time with her mother. But what I was angry about was that I couldn't help and go through this with Selena the way I'd like to.

Weeks go by and I'm alone. Selena hardly ever comes to see me and she doesn't answer my calls or messages. Or with a simple ok or emojis. I'm now annoyed by the situation. But there's still nothing I can do.

"Give her time. It's normal for her to spend time with her mother. She'll come back to you soon enough," says Gisèle, pouring me a drink.

"I know all that. But I'm her girlfriend, she could make an effort and at least answer my calls. We haven't seen each other for a week, can you believe it!

"Look at you all possessive " said Gisèle, laughing.

"Don't joke... I'm really not well," I said under my breath.

"I know... Listen, Selena's going through a complicated time and I understand that you want to be there for her. If I can give you any advice, it's just to tell her how you feel. That you want to be there for her but you don't know how to deal with her mother..."

"I've already told her. She told me there was no point. She was well looked after by her family and her mother wouldn't change her mind about me".

"Ouch... Well, now you've hit a dead end. You'll just have to deal with it..."

" That sucks... "

" You want to go out? Clear your head"

" Why not " " Come on, you need a break "

We ended up in a seedy little bar in the city. The music was good but the people all seemed drugged up and unreliable. I didn't feel too comfortable, that soon went away after the third drink.

"Next round's on me!" I said as I climbed onto the bar to dance.

"OhOh it does look like Devonne is back for the night " said Gisele laughing.

Devonne is my alter ego when I'm drunk, beware of her, she's... uncontrollable.