Watch & Learn: Book II

Chapter Five: All The Time

Damien

I was in the car with Candace, coming from the doctor's office with her. I was kinda feeling some type of way about my first encounter with Rome. Candace told me that he could be obnoxious at times but today he seemed pretty sure of himself. I don't know much about the dynamics of their prior relationship and I don't really care to. But I really hope that Candace didn't have any feelings for him still. I saw the way he was holding her in the parking lot and it really didn't sit well with me. That's something that I should probably talk to her about. I've been kinda quiet towards her during this entire car ride and I don't want her to think that I'm mad at her.

I pulled into the parking lot of her building and parked beside her car before turning my car off completely.

"You coming in?" She asked, taking off her seatbelt.

"Nah, I need to catch up on some work. I did want to talk to you about something real quick though..." I told her.

"What is it?" She asked as she turned her position to face me, giving me her full attention.

"Do you still have feelings for Rome?" I asked, clearly catching her off guard. She sat back in her seat, looking as if she was thinking about what I asked. I wasn't expecting an answer right away. I was actually glad that she was thinking about it because I know her answer won't be based on impulse.

"Honestly, I have so much love for Rome. I always will. He played a huge part in my life. I'll always have a soft spot for him. But as far as feelings goes, I don't look at him in that way anymore. Him and I are clearly better off as friends and I think we've both accepted that. Plus, I wouldn't be with you if I still felt anything towards him." Candace stated as I slowly nodded my head. "Why'd you ask though?"

"I was watching you two talk in the parking lot earlier. I saw him holding you and stuff. Then he kissed your cheek before you walked away. You never told him to stop or pushed him away. I kinda felt disrespected..." I confessed to her.

"I'm sorry I made you feel that way. I can see how you would think that it's disrespectful. Rome and I are both very physically affectionate people. It's natural for us. I didn't tell him to stop or anything because I know him and I understand him. I understand what he means when he's holding me or if he kisses my cheek. That's just another form of communication for him. I don't think his intent was to disrespect you. But I'll definitely talk to him about it and tell him to chill out with it." Candace explained to me.

"Thank you." I said as I grabbed her hand to hold, knowing now that she likes this type of physical interaction. "I also wanted to talk to you about your relationship with him. I'm not really one to discuss past relationships but I would really like to know about how you two met and what caused you two to break up."

"Rome and I started as friends, best friends practically, then we just progressed into something more. It wasn't really rushed. I think it was the perfect timing for the both of us. Rome and I have broken up and gotten back together so many times, it really got difficult to keep count. Sometimes it'd be me who caused the breakup and other times it'd be him. We'd both move on then we randomly meet up again, start spending more time together, then get back together. It was like a cycle for us. I think we both realized how unhealthy it was to keep breaking up and getting back together months to a year later. The relationship was really good overall though. He treated me really well. He did a lot for me. The last time we were together, I really thought that we were finally going to settle down. We got engaged and bought a house together. It was like everything was falling into place for us, everything was really perfect. But I guess God had other plans for us." Candace reminisced.