Runaway

Chapter 21

As she prepared her beach bag, Nikki talked to Brian over the phone. The man was worried about her and insisted on her spending the whole day with him in the store. She was a bit annoyed with him not wanting to leave her alone but she decided against arguing.

Nikki: „For the last time, Brian...I'm fine! I'll be there in a few minutes."

Brian: „Are you sure? I can come to get you."

Nikki let out a frustrated sigh.

Nikki: „Oh, for fuck's sake, I'm not suicidal. I can go to the store by myself."

Brian: „All right. I won't hold you anymore. See you soon."

The woman greeted her friend, interrupted the call and then took a deep breath. Her hands went through her black hair. To speak the truth, she wasn't fine. Her thoughts were still running back to the evening Daniel told her they couldn't be together. She hadn't seen him or hear a word from him for more than three days. She was trying to convince herself she didn't care but it was only making her feel worse. Daniel humiliated her and she promised herself she would never forgive him.

She stood in front of the mirror, looking at the patch now covering the small scar on the right side of her head. This morning, she visited the hospital where they finally pulled out the stitches but she received strict instructions about spending her time out, in the sun. On the beach she had to wear a patch, protecting the young skin from harmful sun rays.

She sighed, picking up her belongings and then heading toward the exit. Just as she grabbed the door handle, she heard a light knocking from the other side. At first, Nikki's eyebrows furrowed in confusion and then she remembered her conversation with Brian. The man was probably already at the hotel but called her out of politeness. She sighed, opening the door.

„Brian, I told you..." she started but as soon as her gaze fell on the person on the other side of the door, her mouth got shut and no longer spoke a word.

„It's not Brian," a well-known voice said to her. It was Daniel. His face was showing a guilt and fear.

Although she was in shock, she managed to compose herself enough to angrily slam the door in his face. But Daniel was faster and he jumped in between. She was trying to close the door unsuccessfully. The tall man didn't give up.

„Nikki, please, let me explain. I'm not asking for more than five minutes. Just five minutes to explain everything to you and then you can kick me out and never talk to me again. If you would want that. Please," he was talking fast, trying his best to convince her.

Nikki's pushing finally stopped. She opened it very slowly, still angrily staring at him. Daniel walked in.

„You have five minutes. Not even a minute longer and then I want you to leave," she replied sharply.

Daniel took a deep breath, trying to get his shit together. He wanted to see any kind of emotion on her face but there was none. She was extremely good at hiding it. He couldn't tell what she was thinking about. Both of them sat down on the sofa, opposite each other. Daniel leaned on his elbows.

„All right...here it goes," he started. „I know you probably don't want to hear an apology or listen about Sofia but I have to tell you how sorry I am about everything. I've been like the biggest dick and I'm really sorry. Through my whole life I loved only one woman and when she...died, honestly, my whole world crashed to the ground. There was nothing left. Sofia was everything in the world to me...absolutely everything. I wish I could show you or explain such a pain but you can't know unless you try it. I was convinced that I'll never be happy again and I kinda made a piece with it. I accepted I'd never love anyone anymore. I don't know...I was convinced if I'm avoiding to say she died, the pain wouldn't be so strong but I haven't realized I'm only deepening it. Time goes by and things don't improve."