The New Yorker meets Royalty

Chapter 21: Love Me Harder

I woke up to an empty bed. Audrey wasn't beside me.

"Where is she?" I muttered.

Her things were still in the room, she must be downstairs.

I fixed the bed and stretched out then made my way out.

When I got down, I only saw Uncle reading his newspaper.

"Good Morning, James," he greeted.

I smiled and said, "Good Morning, Uncle. Have you seen Audrey?"

"Oh. She's with your Aunt. They went to the market."

I nodded and went to sit beside him.

"She's a wonderful lady," he suddenly said out of the blue.

"I know. Everybody knows that," I simply said, smiling.

"I could see that she really loves everything around her, she's always happy but this morning, I could see a hint of sadness in her eyes."

I was surprised. I was in loss of words. What does he mean by that?

"What made you say that?" I asked almost eagerly.

He sighed and said, "When we woke up, she was already awake and she was sitting on this couch. Her mind seem to wander elsewhere. She had a glass of water in her hand and she was staring blankly ahead. There was sadness, and pain."

My heart shattered. What had happen last night that made her like this?

"We don't know why. She wouldn't have stopped if Ortense didn't clear out her throat. She just smiled at us as if nothing happened, but there was still something wrong," he said worriedly.

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair.

Then the door opened, Aunt and Audrey appeared with smiles on their faces. They were holding plastic bags.

"Audrey," I said softly.

Her smile washed away and she immediately looked down.

"Good Morning, James," my Aunt greeted.

I smiled at Aunt and greeted back. 

"Do you need any help?" I asked politely.

"No thank you, dear. Why don't you and Audrey get some eggs in our barn?" she said.

"Yes, why not?" I quickly said.

Before Audrey could even speak, I grasped her hand and ran away.

"James! Your hand is too tight," she exclaimed.

I didn't let go. When we finally got to the barn, I stopped and embraced her. She gasped.

"What's wrong?" I asked, still holding her.

"Nothing's wrong, James." Her voice was shaking.

"Audrey, please don't lie."

She pushed away a bit and looked up at me. 

"James, I don't want to tell you."

I cupped her face and planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Please tell me. I'm begging you," I pleaded.

She bit her lip and looked down.

I lifted her chin up softly and her eyes were already watery. It broke my heart into millions of pieces. I hated seeing her like this.

I wiped away her tears and caress her face.

"Audrey, tell me."

She put her head on my chest and I held her closer.

"I heard you talk in your sleep," she murmured.

"What did I say?"

I felt her tremble.

"You said Pier Angeli," she stuttered.

I froze.

"Why did you say her name?" she added.

I was speechless. Why did I say her name?

"I don't know, Audrey."

She looked up at me with grief.

"Look, I don't know why I said her name but I don't love her anymore, okay?"

She didn't answer, she just tear away from me softly and walked towards one of the chickens.

She grabbed a basket and pull out an egg from the nest then put it in the basket.

"Audrey, tell me what you're thinking," I said.

She continued doing what she was doing, not even glancing at me.

"Audrey," I called out again.

"James, do you love me?" she suddenly asked.

I was stunned for a moment.

"I know that our relationship is only beginning yet it seems like you're still thinking about her. Maybe even when I'm with you. It hurt me. I was having a great time with you and your family. I wanted to know you more."

"Audrey, I've already showed you my everything."

She took a deep breath and put down her basket then went in front of me.

"I could feel that she knows more about you. What does she have that I don't?" she asked.

I breathed in and said, "Nothing. Audrey, can't you see? You're already perfect to me! My family loves you and I love you. We're still getting to know each other, and I'm willing to give my everything to you. Just give us time, okay?"

She nodded and said, "Then why did you say her name last night?"

"I don't know. I don't even remember dreaming about her. And Yes, maybe I still have a little feeling for her but I have you and that's all I needed to forget about her."

"Maybe I'm still not enough?" she said.

I threw my hands up with frustration. I cupped her face and kissed her. She squealed.

And it was still magical! Sweet and full of innocence.

She finally relaxed and she wrapped her arms around my neck.

We pulled away, trying to catch our breaths.

"Now, can you feel how much I love you now?" I asked her.

She grinned and said, "Not yet."

"Then what am I supposed to do?" I whispered, now smelling her sweet scent.

Without realizing, she went closer to my ear and whispered, "Love me harder."