Lou Moreau, the beautiful independent woman who is fond of literature breaks up with his loyal perfect lover, Paul Durand, the heir of one of the most influential companies in Paris yet has dark side.
As Lou tries to escape from her break-up, she go...
His soul felt glad that day Reminscing her smile as he felt shivers down his spine Yet his soul was broken that day Realizing he is lost amidst his words Words that shed repentance and sorrow
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Alex started the engine then he reversed the car to the road. His right foot pushed down the gas pedal as the speedometer indicating the speed which was almost over 50 kilometer per second leaving Paul's house. He squeezed his forehead then smacked the steering wheel over and over again. He drove really fast until he didn't realize that he was leaving Cambridge and on his way to Boston. He kept treading the gas pedal until he arrived in Arnold Arboretum.
It was almost midnight, the park was closed and it was really dark. He got out of the car and broke into the park. He climbed the gate then he jumped in. He used the flashlight from his phone and walked to their spot. He stood as he looked around the tree they used to lean on.
***
"He was my old friend from childhood. We hadn't seen each other for 15 years since he moved to Georgia. His mother was a friend of Mom's, that's why we used to play together. I should've told you about him, I'm sorry I didn't," explained Lou as she took a gulp of her coffee. "And I never cheated on you, Paul."
They had breakfast together at Brookline. Paul's eyes were not as sparkling as it used to be when he listened to Lou. After she explained that, his smile slowly disappeared and turned into regret.
"I really feel bad for accusing you. I always get overreacted, I'm sorry, Lou. I never meant to kiss Mikaela and-" Paul stopped as he saw Lou put the fork on her plate when she was about to eat her pancake. "Are you alright?"
Lou smiled then she nodded, "I'm fine. I just feel sensitive whenever I recall about that incident but please, continue."
Paul reached Lou's hand as his thumb made circle on her palm, "I love you. I always do. I just want us to be open to each other now," Paul smiled and he continued since he had promised Lou to explain about everything. "I was drunk and I invited Mikaela to come over. We both lost control and turned out that we made out. And you were there watching us. I just can't forgive myself, Lou."
"Why can't you when I have?" Lou held his hand and continued. "I never told anyone even Mikaela about what I felt. You know that I always keep it to myself. I always tell her that I never had the feelings with you in our relationship, I thought by saying so, she wouldn't feel much guilty. I'm sorry if that statement ever crossed in your mind. I lied."
"I will never let you down, I promise," said Paul as he lifted up her hand and kissed it gently.
They left the café and went to Lou's house. She rented a small house near campus only for her summer school program. Although it was small but very comfortable. Lou had finished her summer school and planned to go back to Paris with Paul. As she reached for the door key in her bag, she stopped when Paul said, "Dang! My wallet! I think I left it on the table at café. I should go back, is that okay?"
Lou smirked as she shook her head, "The Careless Paul. You've always been that guy. It's fine, I'll pack things up. I can handle it."
Paul put both of his hands on her shoulders, "And you've always been the sugar in my coffee. Nobody can change the sugar because I only choose you. I love you, I'll be back in an hour."
Paul bid his goodbye and gave a peck on her cheek. He got in the car and left. She turned her head to the door and unlocked it. Lou entered her bedroom and put out the suitcase under her king bed.
What's a king bed without a king?
Lou smirked as she shook her head when that thought suddenly crossed in her mind. She started to put out her clothes from her wardrobe. She folded her clothes tidily and looked out for her sling bag. She looked around the room and noticed it was on the lamp desk. As she tried to reach the bag, something hard fell down. It was a book, The Tempest by William Shakespeare, the book that she hadn't returned to the library. She took it and sat on her bed with her legs crossed. It had been three days she hadn't seen Alex since Paul never brought up anything about Alex. That book reminded her of him, she read a few pages before she return it. She smiled wondering where Alex was at that moment. She wondered why he suddenly left the pool, what he was actually going to tell in the day when she and Paul got back together. He was full of questions. He was a man that she wanted to solve but too late because her prince already picked her up. She hadn't finished packing her suitcase but she reached her phone to text Paul instead,
"Gotta return some book to the library. I forgot to return it,"
"Who's being careless now? Alright, I'll pick you up when you're done."
Lou stopped a cab and asked the driver to go to campus. She stared at the book and couldn't stop smiling whenever she remembered the moment when Alex asked her to read it until the end in the library. That was the first time they talked. She bit her lower lip and tapped the driver's shoulder.
"I'm sorry, not to Harvard. Please, drive me to Arnold Arboretum in Boston."
As the car pulled over in the gate of the park, she immediately went to their spot. She hoped that he would be there by any time. When she reached the spot, she didn't see anyone but the leaves that started to fall. She sighed as she held the book on her right hand. She wanted to tell Alex that she had finished the book and told him they ever met before and wanted to know about what he thinks regarding the wrecked ship because of the tempest that is caused by the help of Ariel for Prospero. She sat on her favorite spot and leaned on its stem. Lou waited for a few minutes before she decided to go back to Cambridge. She stood up then she bowed down as she put the sling bag she left next to her. As she took her bag, she turned her head to front where she saw the tree stem. She saw a carving on it, a carving that she had never seen before. A sentence that was carved by a fine knife and it looked new as if it was carved yesterday or a few days ago. She narrowed her eyes to get a better sight, so she could read what it said. It was written,
'It was mine Art, when I arrived and heard thee, that made gape, the pine and let thee out.'
Lou's mouth widened as she remembered the line that was carved on it. That line was very familiar to her, she opened the pages of The Tempest from the beginning slowly and she stopped. She sighed as she looked at the carving once again.
"Prospero," Lou sighed as she touched the stem with her thumb. "He was here".
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