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Chapter 18 - The Meeting of the Men

Robert's POV

I didn't know what to do.

I didn't know what to do to make this better.

I didn't know what to do about Maria.

I didn't know what to do with myself.

 “Robert!”

 “Come out Robert!”

 I heard the reporters shout, their words grating on me like nails on a chalkboard.

Does she want me to go after her? Should I? My thoughts were a swirling mess like the ocean in a storm and there was nothing to calm the waters, nothing but Maria. I was sitting on the sofa trying to make some sense out of the mix of emotions and thoughts whizzing though my head. It had been a few hours since Maria had ran out of her own house, leaving me.

Maria's POV

“Maria?”

“Maria?”

“Come on you have to talk at some point”

 No I don't I thought. But of course he was right. He being my Father. I didn't know where to go when I ran out of my house. I knew I needed to get away so I called my Father to pick me up and he took me back to his house. Upon arriving I collapsed onto the sofa, suddenly feeling very tired, and haven't moved or said anything since, that was hours ago. Luckily my Father could tell there was something wrong but didn't push me.

 He gives up and walks back into the kitchen to continue cooking us both lunch. He had already decided what we were having on the drive over.

 Robert. I miss him. I shouldn't have ran out like that. I should at least text him. I wont call as my Dad would hear, but text would be OK. I thought this through and could see no problem with it, so I got out my phone, only to discover Robert had already beaten me to it.

 I had 10 texts from him and 5 missed calls. Then I realised my phone was on silent and so that is why I wasn't aware of the attempts he had made to contact me. I wouldn't have answered anyway, not until I was ready.

 Texts from Robert:

 R: Maria? Please come back. Let's talk.

 R: Answer your phone so we can talk please?

 R: Maria please come on we need to talk about this not run away from it.

 R: I'm sorry you probably want your space. I will leave you alone.

 R: But please phone or text me when your ready. I will be waiting for my sweetheart to return. I love you Maria x

 That last text made my chest feel heavy and I suddenly felt very guilty. I have to make this right. I thought as I got up and went outside into my Dad's garden and took a seat on the patio furniture. I shouted “I'm just going outside to make a phone call, I will be back in a moment!” to my Dad, who responded with “OK!”

 I took a seat on the wooden lounge chair and found myself hesitant to call, to press those few little buttons. Seems like such an easy task, but in that moment I saw it as the first layer to multipliable other layers of uncertainty. Once that first layer was peeled off I would have to face the others, filled with my fears. Was chest was feeling very heavy as I stared at my phone. The screen showed Roberts number, my finger hovering over the call button.

 I should call him.

I have to call him.

I need to call him.