Just for Tonight

28.

Part 2.

"Are you free now ?"

His first text message since he had left her flat.

It took him one week to send this.

"Yes, why ?" was her answer.

Few words with a deep meaning behind for each other : he wanted to see her but she didn't get why.

A soft knock at her door. He was already there. So tall and still so handsome. No smile on his face.

Her self-confidence had grown. He could tell by the way she stood in front of him. He finally smiled.

" Can we go for a walk ?", he asked.

"Give me two minutes to change my clothes. I'm coming home from work and I'll put on something more comfortable," she replied.

When she came back to him, his smile widened. It was definitely her. Black jeans, black T-shirt, converse on her feet and her grey scarf as well as her loose hair.

" It's... You", he whispered.

She looked at him, puzzled. " Of course, it's me ! Who did you think you were with?".

He approached her cautiously. "You look good in your street clothes, your sweater, your high heels, your bun. But the Chloe I knew is like that, you know, in my memories". He pointed at her from head to toe.

"Oh. I see". She didn't smile.

She took her jacket and they left her apartment. They walked in silence for a while, the slight sound of their footsteps seeming to punctuate their walk.

He broke the silence first. "How are you, Chlo?"

Still without a smile, she replied, "I'm fine. Long week. Work and a surprising visit, so..."

Uncomfortable, Ville asked her directly: "Do you mind if we see each other again?".

"Do you really want to have this discussion here and now, or isn't it better to just enjoy this moment, this walk?". Her answer was abrupt.

She had really gained confidence in herself. He smiled, inwardly this time. Not only did he find her charming, with her way of answering him even more directly than before, but she also implied that there would be a discussion between them. And they needed it.

He took her hand firmly and noticed that she was shaking. But she didn't withdraw her hand. Their fingers entwined. It felt so natural. He bit his cheeks once again to stop the words from coming out.

They finally reached a cafe. ". Do you want us to enter ?", he softly asked.

" Why not ? It's so cold outside", she replied.

They took place and ordered drinks.

He looked at her. " I hope you... Enjoy being there... With me", he began.

" I must admit I wonder why... After one year? Do you still want to discuss... Things with me ?", she sighed.

" You've never left my mind, Chloe. And nothing happened with Kat. I didn't immediately see that you... Had left. When Migé came back into the room alone, I knew something had happened. ", he noticed.

" I kissed Perttu", she cut him off.

" What...? When ?". Ville turned pale.

"A few months ago. Perttu was there for me. My only friend. I lost you but I also lost my friends. HIM was my family. I cut ties with everyone. He was there. He knew... We went out and kissed. But it was too... Unfair for him. He understood. End of story. ". She had spouted her explanation without catching her breath. She looked at Ville. "So now, do you still want to hang out with me?

Ville had no idea he could feel so many emotions at once. Anger, sadness, understanding, disappointment. Love.

He got up and paid for the drinks.
Returning to the table, he simply said : "I'll take you home".

They took a cab. The journey was silent, each of them trying to stay away from the other.

When they arrived at her place, she offered him a cup of coffee. He hesitated, but accepted. He sat down on the sofa and she sat on a cushion at his feet. She took his hands in hers.

"I had to tell you," she whispered, looking into his eyes.

"Why, Chloe. And why... Him. He's my friend." His anger was gone, what remained was sadness.

"He told me some... Words... I needed to hear".

"I knew he had a crush on you. Everyone knew it." Ville sighed. "And then, we're not together anymore. It doesn't matter."

"It's true. You're so right. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut."

"No, there's no harm done."

"You didn't answer my question... Do you, despite this, still want us to hang out?" she asked.

"I don't know. We'll see." Ville felt overwhelmed by his emotions. He tried to breathe calmly.

"Because you've never left my mind either. That's why I set Perttu free.

"What do you mean, Chloe?"

"That I loved you, Ville. Just because I took a damn plane back to Helsinki doesn't mean I didn't love you anymore. I ran away... From the pain. The fear of losing you... That way, seing you falling for another woman. But I loved you when I got on that fucking plane. And I still love you."

Ville leapt to his feet.

"You see," he said, putting on his beanie and coat, "this I don't understand, Chloe. I can't and I don't want to understand. Did you love me then? You kissed Perttu. You didn't reply a single message. And you still love me?"

He opened the door and felt her small hand on his shoulder.

"I love you. Believe it or not. Now you know. These two things I had to tell you. It's done."

"Goodbye, Chloe."

Ville hopped into the first cab that passed and disappeared from her sight.