Between Chords and Paragraphs (Polin fanfic) EN

Chapter 18

Penelope

The morning began like any other, though my heart seemed to bear the weight of a hidden truth. The hours passed slowly, almost deliberately, as I tried to focus on my work. The silence in my London apartment felt heavier than usual, as if every corner was saturated with the thoughts that had been tormenting me since I saw that photo of Colin and Cressida. Doubts and insecurities had settled like a dark cloud over my head, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to break.

The intercom buzzed, interrupting my thoughts, and I went to answer, not expecting anyone in particular.

—Yes? —My voice came out with a tremor I couldn't control.

—Good morning, Miss Featherington. I'm Jeremy, I work with Colin Bridgerton. I'm here to take you to the airport, —responded an unfamiliar but confident voice on the other side of the intercom.

Colin's name made my heart stop for a moment. Jeremy? Airport? Everything seemed out of place, as if I were dreaming.

—Excuse me? —I said, unable to process what I'd just heard. Perhaps I had misunderstood.

—Colin asked me to take you to Germany to accompany him to his concert tonight. I'm here to make sure you get there on time, —Jeremy repeated with a calmness that contrasted with the chaos brewing inside me.

—That's not possible, I have to work, I can't just... —I began to say, my words tumbling over each other. I couldn't just drop everything and leave. My life wasn't a game of impulses, and besides, the idea of facing Colin in person, after everything that had been on my mind, terrified me.

—I understand, Miss, but Colin was very clear that he wouldn't accept no for an answer. I'm here to take you, and I won't leave without you, —Jeremy said, with a determination that left me frozen.

I stepped away from the intercom, my mind a whirlwind. How could I do this? Had Colin really sent someone to take me to another country? And how was I supposed to react to this? I knew I wanted to see him, that my heart longed to be with him, but doubts tormented me. What if this was all a trap to make me forget about what was happening between him and Cressida? What if what I'd seen was just the tip of the iceberg?

I approached the window and saw Jeremy waiting outside the building, a middle-aged man, dressed elegantly, with a determined expression. Clearly, he had no intention of moving until I agreed. But what if leaving meant facing a truth I wasn't ready to hear?

I looked back at the coffee cooling on the counter. My life in London was orderly, controlled, safe. Going to Germany meant plunging into a sea of uncertainty. But the desire to see Colin, to understand what was really happening, was stronger. Maybe I wouldn't get the answers I needed if I stayed here, hiding behind my routine.

Finally, I sighed and made a decision, though still trembling with insecurity. I downed the coffee in one gulp, as if it were a shot of liquid courage, and headed for the door. My hands shook as I grabbed the handle and walked down the stairs with hesitant steps.

Jeremy smiled when he saw me exit.

—The car is ready, Miss. We can be at the airport in twenty minutes, —he said, opening the vehicle door.

—This is crazy, —I muttered, more to myself than to him, as I got into the car.

—It is, Miss, but sometimes madness is what we need to really live, —he responded, and for a moment, his sincere smile eased some of the burden on my chest.

During the drive to the airport, my mind kept racing in circles. I tried to imagine what it would be like to face Colin, what I would say to him, how I would explain my feelings without seeming desperate. But I had no answers. Fear and excitement intertwined, forming a knot that tightened with every mile that brought us closer to our destination.