Love at first sight

Love at first sight (Chapter 9)

# Chapter 9: The Last Talk

Leigh sat on the edge of the park bench, staring at the letter in his hand. It had been weeks since Alexander had left, and the ache in his heart hadn’t dulled. He had read the letter countless times, each word carving deeper into his soul. But now, he needed closure. He needed to hear Alexander’s voice one last time.

As if on cue, a familiar figure approached, his footsteps hesitant. Leigh’s heart skipped a beat as Alexander came into view, his eyes filled with a mixture of hope and apprehension.

“Alexander,” Leigh said softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Leigh,” Alexander replied, his voice thick with emotion. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Leigh nodded, his gaze unwavering. “I needed to talk to you.”

Alexander hesitated for a moment before sitting down beside Leigh. They sat in silence for a while, the tension palpable between them. Leigh took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts.

“I… I read your letter,” Leigh began, his voice trembling slightly. “It wasn’t easy.”

Alexander nodded, his eyes filled with regret. “I know. I never meant to hurt you, Leigh.”

Leigh looked at him, searching his eyes for answers. “Why did you leave?”

Alexander took a deep breath, his shoulders slumping. “I had to, Leigh. For your safety, and for mine. My past… it caught up with me.”

Leigh’s heart ached. “You didn’t have to leave like that, Alexander. You didn’t even say goodbye.”

“I couldn’t face you,” Alexander admitted, his voice barely a whisper. “I knew if I saw you… I wouldn’t have been able to leave.”

Leigh felt tears welling up in his eyes. “You could have at least talked to me. Told me what was going on.”

“I wanted to protect you,” Alexander said softly. “From the danger, from everything.”

Leigh shook his head, his voice filled with pain. “You protected me by leaving?”

Alexander reached out, hesitating for a moment before placing his hand on Leigh’s. “I thought… I thought it was the only way.”

Leigh pulled away, his heart breaking all over again. “You didn’t trust me enough to let me decide for myself.”

“I was scared, Leigh,” Alexander admitted, his voice raw with emotion. “Scared of losing you, of putting you in danger.”

Leigh turned to him, his eyes filled with anger and hurt. “You put me in danger the moment you walked into my life, Alexander. Don’t you see that?”

Alexander closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face. “I see it now. I see everything I’ve done wrong, everything I’ve cost you.”

Leigh took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. “I loved you, Alexander. I loved you so much. And you… you destroyed everything.”

Alexander looked at him, his eyes filled with anguish. “I know. I can never forgive myself for that.”

Leigh wiped away his tears, his voice barely a whisper. “I don’t know if I can forgive you either.”

They sat in silence for a while, the weight of their words hanging between them. Leigh felt a mixture of anger, sadness, and longing swirling inside him. He wanted to scream, to lash out at Alexander for everything he had done. But he also wanted to hold him, to feel his warmth and his love once more.

“I’m sorry,” Alexander said finally, breaking the silence. “I’m sorry for everything.”

Leigh nodded, his gaze distant. “I know.”

Alexander reached out tentatively, hesitating for a moment before pulling Leigh into his arms. Leigh stiffened at first, his body tense with conflicting emotions. But as Alexander held him close, Leigh felt something inside him begin to soften.

“I love you, Leigh,” Alexander whispered, his voice filled with sincerity. “I always will.”

Leigh closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face. “I love you too, Alexander. But…”

“But we can’t go back,” Alexander finished for him, his voice trembling. “I know.”

They held each other for what felt like an eternity, the world around them fading into insignificance. Leigh knew that this would be their final goodbye, their last chance to say everything they needed to say.

“I have to go,” Alexander said reluctantly, pulling away slightly. “They’re waiting for me.”

Leigh nodded, his heart breaking all over again. “Goodbye, Alexander.”

Alexander kissed him softly on the forehead before standing up. “Take care of yourself, Leigh. Find happiness.”

Leigh watched as Alexander walked away, his heart heavy with sorrow. He knew that this was the end of their chapter, that they could never go back to the way things were. But as he watched Alexander disappear into the distance, a small part of him held onto the hope that maybe, someday, their paths would cross again.

And with that, Leigh took a deep breath, wiping away his tears as he began to walk away, carrying Alexander’s love and his pain with him.