Unknown Love (Sequel to Unexpected Love)

eleven

lisa

"I'm so lost, what do you even get someone for Christmas?" I said into the phone as I looked through the men's clothing section at some clothing shop.

"Love, I don't know how to help you, I don't really know David that well," Louis said from the other line.

"Pains me to say it, but I don't either. How sad is that?" I said and sighed. I was apparently married to the guy, and the only thing I could think to get him was a new flannel shirt or a new suit for work.

"Maybe I can get him a new pair of shoes? Or maybe a watch? Ugh, this is infuriating," I spoke into the phone and Louis laughed on the other end of the line. I looked around some more before a head of auburn hair caught my attention from across the store in the women's department. I immediately recognized it as David. I was about to smile because I thought he was there shopping for me, but then I saw a woman show up from behind a rack and tug David's arm towards her direction.

What the hell?

She showed him a cute dress that I would have bought for myself if I was here for me. David glanced at the shirt then smiled down at the woman. I felt my eyebrows furrow in confusion.

"Lisa? Are you there?" Louis said, and I looked away from David.

"Yeah, sorry. I'll come back to shopping later. Are you free right now?" I asked and turned, walking out the store with empty hands.

"Yes, do you want to meet at our park?" Louis asked and I felt my heart flutter at the way he called it our park.

"Yeah, I'll just head over there now. See you in a little bit."

-

I sat on the ground a few meters away from the small lake at the park, in the spot I always spend time with Louis at. My moccasins were on the ground next to me, my feet were clad in little socks that had Santa hats all over them, and I hugged my oversized sweater tighter around me as a little drizzle fell down from the sky. I heard footsteps behind me, but didn't look back. I knew it was Louis.

My assumptions were correct, as Louis sat down right next to me.

"Why'd you take off your shoes, love? It's freezing out here," he said before taking off his jacket and putting it over my shoulders. I felt my eyes fill up with tears at the simple action.

"Love? Are you alright?" Louis asked and I put my head on my knees, a sob coming out.

"You're so sweet," I cried. Louis wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pulled me close into his side. I slowed down my breathing and eventually stopped crying, but didn't move from the position. I enjoyed being in his arms too much.

"Lisa, what happened?"

"I'm sorry, I just don't know what to think. I'm sorry I keep confusing you. I'm sorry I cried all over you. I'm just sorry," I sighed, looking up into Louis' eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

"I just, I think David's been lying to me. He says he's at work all day, but I saw him at that clothing store with a different girl. I shouldn't jump to conclusions, it could just be a co-worker who's helping him buy a Christmas present for me. That's probably what it is, I'm such an idiot," I said, putting my head back on my knees.

"You're not an idiot, love," he said. Every time he called me "love", my heart fluttered and I felt my cheeks get hot. Whenever David called me that, I barely gave it a second thought.

"I am. I'm over here basically torturing myself. Why am I staying with someone I don't even love?" I said and looked into his eyes. I gasped when I realized what I had said, and Louis' eyes widened a little.

"Did you just say you don't love him?" Louis asked and in that moment, I wanted to lean up and kiss him more than anything. I wanted to not have to worry about David, or getting my memory back, or anything. I just wanted Louis. I needed Louis.

"I-I think I did," I whispered, looking down at his lips.

"Lisa..." Louis trailed off, his eyes moving from mine to my lips. I began to lean in a little bit when reality caught up with me.

"Oh my God," I whispered and looked down.

I was just about to cheat on David.

"Uh, I-" Louis began, but I cut him off.

"No, no. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that. I'm, I'm sorry" I said and scooted a little bit away from him.

"Why shouldn't you have done that?" Louis asked and I looked in his eyes again.

"Because I'm married, Lou. I'm married," I said, the last part mainly to myself.

"But, you just said you don't love him," Louis said, furrowing his eyebrows together.

"I-I, I don't know," I sighed. "It's all so complicated. Part of me enjoys his company, when he has a day off and we make breakfast together and just talk. But that never happens anymore. I don't like the fear I have when I hear him unlock the front door when he comes home late, because he's most likely drunk. I don't like being afraid that I'm gonna say one wrong thing and end up with a bruise somewhere on me. I don't like being hurt over and over again, Louis."

Louis looked at me with such intensity and care that I couldn't help but wish I wasn't with David, so I could kiss Louis.

"I can't love someone like him, Louis. I can't love someone who fills me with anxiety instead of warmth. I can't love someone who is as controlling and abusive as he is when he's drunk. But someone like you, someone who would do anything for me. Someone who makes my day a million times better with one look in my eyes, someone who makes me feel safe and comfortable. That's someone I can love, Lou. I can love someone like you, but I can't love someone like David," I said, not planning what I was saying but still pouring my heart out.

"Lisa, are you implying that you're in love with me?" Louis said and I widened my eyes.

I was about to say no, but then I know I would be lying.

"Maybe," I said. "I'm sorry for all this confusion. I shouldn't have even said anything," I said and looked away. Louis scooted closer to be and turned my face towards his my putting his hands on my cheeks.

"I'm glad you said something. I feel the exact same way. I know we can't do anything about it now, but if there ever comes a time where we can, you know I'm just a call away."

I smiled and held one of the hands that was on my cheek. I wrapped my arms around his torso, and he wrapped his around my neck, pulling me even closer.

I felt warm, and safe. I felt like I really, really loved Louis in that moment. At this point, David didn't even matter.

It was as if Louis and I were the only two people in the world, and I wouldn't have had it any other way.