Chapter 18:
The fact that Guy had asked me out on a date was still spinning inside my head. Just as much as the thought of what I should wear had been spinning inside my head. Not that I really care, but of course I want to look good when he asked me out. I wanted to reply to his text he sent a few nights ago, but I didn't know what to say. Everything I started typing just looked lame.
But today was the big day. I figured that maybe I should take a walk and see if I could find something to wear. My phone buzzed on my kitchen table.
From: Guy Berryman
Meet me at 7 pm at the restaurant I talked to you about x
To: Guy Berryman
I'll be there
After having a nice breakfast I grabbed my coat and went out in the sunny morning. I put on my headphones and started listening to Ed Sheeran's new album.
I felt like my life was a music video when I walked the sunny streets of London. It took me a while to walk all the way up to Regent's street, but I didn't mind at all.
I walked in and out of several shops, but I didn't find an outfit I was satisfied with. But this weather kept me going anyway. With a huge smile on my face, I continued walking down the huge street in London.
But that smile would fade away quickly. My eyes locked with a pair that was all too familiar. I stopped in my tracks and turned around to see him keep on walking. After a few steps he also stopped and turned around. There he stood, Gareth.
I just looked at him in disbelief. To be honest, I wasn't a tiny bit happy to see him. He smiled and walked closer.
"I thought you were dead?", I whispered.
"Surprise baby", he said and leaned in to kiss me, but I pushed him away. "Hey, haven't you missed me?"
Rage started to build up inside me. "Of course I have, Gareth. For three fucking years I have been missing you! And I have also thought this whole time that you were dead! But now you're standing right in front of me in London out of all places. Alive and kicking. I need and explanation Gareth"
He looked at me like he didn't understand what I was talking about. "Well, I needed a break"
"Honestly, Gareth? Don't you think I know everything about the drug dealing? I thought you had commited suicide for Gods sake!"
"Calm down, Noelle. Okay, I was drug dealing and I faked my own death, changed my name and moved to Denmark for a while. Then I came back here. You have to understand I couldn't talk to you, then you would have been in danger aswell"
"And you have to understand that I'm not sure about us two anymore. I've been without you for three years. Also, I thought I knew you, but you were dealing"
"Come on, baby. I know I fucked up, and I understand that you're mad. But I missed you, and you have missed me too"
I stood there silent. "But I have an appointment I'm running late for, so I gotta go. I'll call you later, honey", he said before kissing me on the cheek and running to the subway.
It felt like the whole world stopped at that moment. Tears slowly made their way from the corners of my eyes and down my cheeks. After a few moments I started making my way home.
I closed the door behind me and crashed on my bed. The moment I laid down I started crying uncontrollably. I was so confused. For three years I've thought he was dead. And the next moment he's standing right in front of me.
After hours of crying I unlocked my phone. I had recieved two texts.
From: Unknown
Hi babe. It's me, I'd love to meet again soon. Oh and you might want to know that I changed my name to Ryan xx
From: Guy Berryman
Where are you? I'm waiting inside
I glanced at the clock at my phone. I was really late for my date with Guy.
To: Guy Berryman
I can't do this, I'm sorry
As much as I didn't want to bring him down, I just couldn't meet him now. I don't know if I can ever meet him again. He can't know that Gareth is back.
Seconds later my phone started buzzing. It was Guy. I knew that if I didn't answer now he would probably come to my flat or something. I picked up.
"Noelle, what is happening?"
I tried to keep myself together just for a moment.
"I'm just feeling a bit sick, that's all", I lied.
"Do you need anything? I can come over if you want to"
"No! I wouldn't want you to get sick aswell", I said but let out a sob at the end of the sentence.
"Noelle, are you crying?"
I was silent. "No", I whimpered.
"I'm sorry but I don't care what you say, I'm coming straight away"
Before I could protest he had hung up.
I fell back on my bed and cried a little more before the door bell rang. I dried my tears but my eyes were still red and puffy. Guy was standing outside the door with flowers in one hand and a box of chocolate in the other. A bit too cheesy for me, but it was sweet.
"Noelle, tell me what's going on", he begged. "You know I care a lot about you"
Before I could answer the door bell rang again. Who was it this time?
I opened the door once again, and Gareth came walking in. "Hey, what's wrong babe?", he asked. He looked up with confusion written all over his face. "Who is this?", he pointed at Guy.
Guy looked at me in disbelief. "This is Guy. Guy, this is Gareth"
I started sobbing again and locked myself into my bedroom. Outside the door I heard Guy raging at Gareth.
"So you think you can come back now, huh?"
"What do you mean? She was always mine! Who are you anyways?"
"First of all, she was never yours. She's a woman, not a dog. And second, I'm the one who saved her when she tried to kill herself because she thought you were dead!"
"There you see. She loves me and not you, so you can throw away those flowers"
"You don't understand, do you? If it wasn't for me, she wouldn't be alive! And also, I know what you were up to before, so I could just call the police if you don't leave right now!"
I had never heard any of them so angry before. I was so scared.
It got quiet out there so I assume they left. But I was wrong. "Noelle? Can I come in?", Guy asked quietly outside the door. "Go away", I begged.
After about an hour I opened the door. Right beside me Guy sat on the floor. He stood up and pulled me in for a hug. "Talk to me, love", he whispered in my hair. "I was so scared of you two", I said in a weak voice. "I know, but it's all good now"
We laid down in my bed and he looked me in the eyes. "I know I might be hard on you, but I need to know who you choose. Me or Gareth?"
I looked deeply into his eyes. My mind didn't for a second wander off to Gareth. "You. I only want you, Guy"
He smiled and pulled me closer. That night, I fell asleep in a pair of two strong arms.
