Half a Man at Best (Sequel to VALERIE)

Chapter Fourteen

~UNEDITED~

Copyright © zylgnagnaba 2014

A handshake? Of all the form of greetings I expect from someone whom I only seen face to face for the first time in a long time, a simple handshake is the least I've expected from Valerie.

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

She hugged everyone -- tightly and you can see the longing within the gesture, might I add -- except me, her supposed boyfriend.

Or am I still her boyfriend?

Is she still wearing the necklace? If she does, then I failed to notice because I was static in my spot when she approached and held out her hand for me.

The eerie smile she gave is still plastered in my thoughts. It was as if she didn't know how to react or what to do in that exact situation. However, she had managed herself well, unlike me who seemed like I was gagged and frozen.

It was rather awkward if I'd be completely honest.

The atmosphere in the departure lounge quickly shifted from glee to painful silence. It was funny that it took Jackie to crack a stupid joke to break everyone from the trance that is my and Valerie's awkward rendezvous.

I wonder if Joanie was with us too. I didn't get to ask because I don't want Val to know that I already met her business partner in her absence from their shop.

It was a good save from Jackie, by the way, because I wasn't able to answer Valerie's simple "Harry... how are you?"

I didn't know the answer because I didn't understand her question, at all. Was she asking how was I doing at that instant, or how was I while she was gone?

Nonetheless, I am glad that she's coming to Ireland with us. Bree told me that it was her conscious effort to come. She didn't have to force her.

Two weeks. I have two weeks and still counting to bring her back to me, completely. She might be here with us but I still feel the wall she'd built up between us -- it kept on getting taller as time stretched that I wasn't there to tear it down. I'll use this opportunity to impede that wall from growing.

I mean, it's apparent that that wall is still there between us, keeping us from reaching out to each other. That handshake was the living proof of that. It hurts, I admit but it's nothing I can handle compared to the ache of not having her near me at all.

So here we are now inside the plane, restrained by having separate seats. She's assigned to the next row, seated next to Jackie, Bree and Niall. Meanwhile, I am stuck here with the quiet version of Liam, and another stranger. The two other couples are in their respective seats too.

If my friends were sadistic, they'd force Jackie to exchange seats with me so I'd be next to Val. But they know it will only make matters worse for her. It's obvious that coming with us was a huge step for her. If it isn't her best friend's wedding, she wouldn't dare to come if it meant seeing me as well.

Truth be told, I still don't know the reason behind her not wanting to see me. But it sure has something to do with losing our baby.

The thought still hurts.

There are only few seats and a center aisle that separate us but but she's still miles and miles away. From watching her from afar, the distance diminished into yards. This time, I can see her features clearly -- the gleam in her eyes and the small smile she portrays as she talks to Jackie.

I wish she's truly happy.

*****

Valerie's POV