Getting Her [On going]

5. If he ever leaves

It was a Saturday and we planned to go to the beach but we invited Prince too. I think Bob wanted me to talk to him and since I said I had forgiven him, I obliged that he come to the beach with us.

I packed some snacks because Luke could eat a whole house. Immediately we got there, Bob went in for a swim while I raced with Prince and Luke to build a sand castle.

"First to finish will eat the most" I yelled and we stayed in different places but we were only a few feet apart.

"I'm sorry for the other day... I didn't really mean to get you offended" Prince started and I glanced at him for a second.

"It's alright I guess" I told him, feeling bad for all I said, it wasn't in my nature to be mean and sarcastic but I was a woman scorned by love and I hoped, for his sake and mine, that I can heal from my heartbreak, soon.

"No it's not, I know it's not Alex because you won't even look at me, you don't want me close to you or your son or your husband. Basically, you don't want me close to your family".

I wanted to tell him how wrong he was but I couldn't, he was better off not knowing the truth anyway, it was the only way he would leave me be - if only he knew how wrong he was. I looked at him and found him already looking at me, waiting for my response...

"I want the truth Prince...why are you here?

"The truth...I'll tell you the truth, I came here for business. Us meeting...is fate or God's plan, I don't know, maybe even coincidence but I didn't know where you were. Everyone refused to tell me and i'm sure you've been in contact with Emma?

I smiled because I made Emma promise me that she'd not give my number to him and it's surprising that she didn't since she was once in love with him. Besides, I knew how persuasive Prince could be.

"Yes, I've been in contact with her".

"I knew it...what of Claire and Gabe?

"Claire...yes, but not Gabe - he's so loyal to you. At first, I gave him my number but I didn't think he could keep it a secret from you, so I changed it."

He smiled and looked at me "Alex...I just - I want your forgiveness because you were nothing but good and nice to me. When you left, I had promised to ruin your entire generation because I was hurt and heartbroken and I wanted you to feel and understand what I was going through. I needed time to come to the understanding that I didn't trust any woman at all even my own mother".

"And now that I know, I have been building myself and my ability to give trust especially to those around me - that's why I didn't come looking for you. Even when my sources knew where you lived I refused to come but I never thought it was with my business partner and that's why I was surprised to see you in that house...with a son".

"My relationship with Bob is complicated" I told him, even though I promised myself not to divulge everything.

"That's okay. If I say I understand your relationship, I'd be lying but I understand that I don't have any right to barge into your life, acting all suspicious and asking questions because i'm not even your friend.

That brings me to all i'm asking you for, that is for now... I want your friendship. I won't lie to you and tell you that I'm not hoping we get back together because I do but like you said, you've moved on and I just have to do so too".

"I'm not exactly promising anything because the future is anything but certain. However, as long as you're still with Bob, I won't try anything and if he ever decides to leave...which will be stupid anyways, i'm here...I will be here.

So just give me an iota of your trust again and let's be friends. Let's forget all that happened between us and don't forget, if Bob ever leaves or if he ever decides to let go...i'm here" he finished. I looked at him and suddenly burst into tears and ran away.

From a corner of my eyes, I saw Bob emerging from the water and giving me a quizzical look before I ran further. I spotted a shade somewhere and I went there as I bent down and tried to think. I knew it, I knew what was wrong and it wasn't Prince but it was his words.

Prince was wrong, It wasn't an if - an assumption that something would happen to separate us, it was a when - an expectation that something awful and unknown was going to separate Bob and I.

The unfortunate part - the signs were intensifying. It was no longer once or twice in a day, he made it obvious every single minute that he was going to leave soon, leaving me with Luke and his business...and it wasn't his fault. He just couldn't control how it came out, it couldn't be hidden.

As I was sad about the coincidence of Prince's words, I still kept recounting his offer for friendship. I must have looked like a woman who was afraid of commitment or a woman who couldn't forgive, crying like a baby in front of him.

I was confused, he didn't ask me when I had a son because Luke is four. He didn't ask why my relationship with Bob was complicated. Did it mean he was changed? Did it mean that he was learning to trust, without asking questions and just hope that all would be well?

I heard footsteps drawing near and I looked up to see Bob standing above me, shirtless with a towel on his neck. He sighed and stooped to my position.

"What's wrong? He asked and I didn't answer. "This must be one sappy romance story, I guess I'll have to sit and listen to this long tale" he sighed and sat down.

"Do I need to punch someone? What did he say to you?

"Nothing" I managed to say.

"Okay so...who needs punching then?

"You....I pointed at him with a lot of annoyance "you need the punching, you are my problem and you don't even care" I shouted at him and jabbed him on his chest.

He quickly covered my hands "talk to me" he said and I faced down, not wanting him to see me in that state even though he had seen it a couple of times already.

With red rimmed eyes, he lifted up my chin and startled me when he shouted "look at me, damn it! He softened again at my startled expression "I don't get it... exactly what... Are you going on about? He looked confused.

I looked at him and couldn't stop the tears that streamed down my face. How come it felt so painful to think of letting go of someone I hadn't even known for up to a year.

"Prince...he asked for friendship and he said that if you are ever going to leave me, he would always be there. But it's not a probability, don't you see it, it's a matter of time, when.

You are going to leave and I - I just, I mean how? How am I supposed to take care of Luke - alone" this time I shuddered because I couldn't imagine it and I didn't want to.

Then I started crying again as I hit him with every word I spoke "you have to fight Bob...I beg you...please, you can't go". I hit him "We will fight together, I'll be with you". I hit him again.

"Don't I have any say? You can't let go, you can't, you mustn't. Oh God!! I am begging you please Bob...you can't leave" by the time I was done, I was a sprawling mess on the ground with my face, I could imagine, an ugly sight to behold.

Suddenly he stood up and started his own rant "I am leaving Alex...deal with it, every time you look at me or talk to me, I can't help but think that you see me as a walking dead. Stop acting like there's an unexpected death sentence in my head".

"Actually, there is" I told him.

He looked at me in shock, disbelief written all over his face and then he walked away, hissing at me.

Still confused? There may be more to come😁😁but not to worry, put on your seatbelts and enjoy the ride. I hope that we are all good and safe in our respective countries!!! God has got you covered!!! Like, comment and share🤗