Lights, Camera, Action!

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

“You have till tomorrow to let us know.” Maria’s cold voice resonated in my head. It felt like daggers in my heart.

I sat on that chair in Mr Lawrence’s room for an hour after they had left. My eyes were still stinging. My voice had gone. I had stopped crying a few minutes ago and tried to think of what to do. And so far? I got nothing.

I had to talk to Ty.

Weakly, I picked my bag from my lap and put it on my shoulder. My legs slightly wobbled as I put my weight on them. I stumbled a little and waited till my legs had come alive again. Quietly, I made my way outside his office.

I got into a taxi and gave him Tyler’s address.

We drove quietly for a few minutes.

“You ok, love?” the taxi driver asked me. He looked genuinely concerned.

“I’ve been better.” I smiled weakly.

“It’ll be ok…” he tried to reassure me.

“I hope so.” I gave him a genuine smile this time.

I paid him when we stopped outside Tyler’s house and ran to his flat.

I knocked twice on the door. After a few seconds, he flung the door open.

“Jenny! Look I’ve been meaning to say this for a while now and I know I really want this. And I think we’re ready! So, move in with me?” he said in one breath without exactly looking at my face. I was looking at the ground and he couldn’t see my expression.

I didn’t answer him and just stood still.

“Jen? Love, what’s wrong?” he said, lifting my chin. He looked worried. I must look like a mess. He immediately pulled me into a warm, tight hug. How could I give this up? How could I give him up? I can’t do this! I couldn’t say anything but burst out crying into his chest. “It’ll be ok, love.” He whispered in my ears as he stroked my hair and rubbed my back softly.

“Come here” he said, pulling me to the sofa. He sat me down and kneeled in front of me. “What’s wrong, baby?” he said.

I didn’t have the energy or the heart to say it.

He sighed and sat down next to me. He gently put his palms on my shoulders and turned me to face him. He pulled me into another tight hug and planted soft kisses on my cheeks, following the tear-stains.

“T-Tyler…”I finally managed.

“Hmm?” he asked, holding my hands, looking quite inquisitive now.

His soft blue eyes were gazing deep into mine, searching for something, anything.

I told him the whole story, slowly, taking breaks to just sob a little more.

FEW MINUTES LATER

I had finished my story a few minutes ago. Then there was silence. One that neither of us knew how to break. We just sat there, still hugging, his grip on me had tightened and I could feel his heart thump quickly against my chest.

I suddenly felt a drop of water on my shoulder. I pulled apart to see a tear running down Tyler’s cheek.

“Ty…” I said, wiping his tear. “Please… I don’t… I don’t know what to do.” I said in almost a whisper, as I felt my eyes well up again.

“I know…” he said with a cracked voice.

“We’ll keep it a secret.” He said after a few seconds.

I looked at him. He looked completely broken.

“I… I can’t lose you Jenny. I’ve wanted you for so long and now that I have you, I-I- ” he let another tear run down his cheek.

“I can’t lose you.” He finally finished.

I couldn’t say anything. This wasn’t fair to him! Why was he agreeing to this?

“I can’t ask you to give up the movie. I’d hate myself for that. You deserve it! And you earned it! But I can’t give you up. No way in hell.” He said with a stronger voice, shaking his head.

“Are you sure?” I asked him.

“Yes. I mean… it’s temporary right? We’ll work it out.” He smiled.

“We’ll work it out.” I smiled too.

We’ll work this out. We had to.

He wiped a tear off my cheek and kissed me. He kissed me so gently, so softly and yet so passionately. I wasn’t sure whether the decision I was about to make was right or not. But for now, it had to work. I knew I was being selfish, but I couldn’t lose him.

After the emotion-packed make-out session, I slid my phone out of my pocket.

I dialled Harry’s number.

“Hello” he answered after four rings.

“Tell Maria I’ll do it. But I’m still with my boyfriend.” I said coldly. I didn’t feel any sympathy for him. Why should I? I was in this situation because of him.

“Guinevere thank you so-” he started but I hung up. I switched off my phone and slid it back in my pocket.

I looked at Tyler. He smiled at me warmly.

I’m still with my boyfriend. And I’ll tell you what? Right now, that’s all that matters.