Finally Grounded (Sequel To The One Who Grounds Me)

Chapter Sixteen

Tristan

"I apologise for the inconvenience. I will mail, the draft to you as soon as I land in New York." I said, sheepishly. Thanks to Tiana, I no longer have a laptop.

My editor sighed, on the other side of the phone. "As long as I get it, within the next ten hours I'm fine."

"Alright." With that I hang up. I threw my phone on the bed beside me. Sighing, I leaned, my head against the wall. I had a very bad feeling about today. I just knew something was going to happen.

Grabbing one of my many cigarettes from the bedside table, I light it up. Can't believe, I allowed my anger to get the best of me. Tch this girl, has me tied around her pinky fingers.

Just as, I was about to take a drag from my poison. Tiana stepped into the room, with my broken laptop. Her eyes were dull, and she was clutching the inanimate object to her chest. Closing the balcony door, she strode across the room.

My eyes followed her. She placed the laptop, on the center table. "I saved up some money, to pay for the upcoming semester. I will use it to purchase a new laptop, for you. I really didn't mean to break it."

Not bothering to take a draw, from the cigarette. I pressed, it into the ashtray.

"I will get out of your hair." Her lips quivered. "I'm sorry I wasn't what you wanted.... I hope you have a safe flight, back to New York."

"So you're just going to leave just like that? Things get tough and you just run? Where is your backbone?"

"I don't want to burden anyone with my problems anymore." She tugged her bags, behind her.

Getting up from the bed, in one swift movement. I breezed past her. I Jumped, in front of the one exit in the room.

She began to sob. "Please move."

"No."

"Move!" She cried.

"No!"

"This is for the best. I've been nothing but trouble, since the day you met me. It's better this way...."

"Better for you?"

"For both of us."

"I'll be damn, if I allow you to walk through this door!"

Tiana tried to sidestep me.

"After all that, we've been through together you think that it is okay, to just walk away from us!"

She brushed, her tears angrily. "You were the one who said, you were tired of my shit!"

"Yes i did say that, but you can't expect me to just turn a blind eye to this. You've fucked me up, in so many ways. If I allow you to walk through that door, I will never forgive myself."

"Our relationship, was fleeting but memorable."

"Fleeting huh?"

She bobbed her head.

I moved out of the way. "Fine. Leave if you want to Tiana.... I won't force you to stay."

Tiana's eyes, brimmed with tears. "Why me? Of all the people  you could date, why me? I'm the complete opposite of you."

"Because you're the only one, who sees me for me. You're just it for me."

"Why?! I am nothing but trouble! I am petty, immature, ugly, insecure.... I am nothing! I am nothing like Vanessa!"

Tristan stay calm. No fuck that I've had enough of this. "I fucking choose you for you! You're beautiful Tiana. I use to see this world in black and white, but ever since I met you, that changed. I started to see the world in different colours and that is all thanks to you. You made me feel again, Tiana...." I stepped, in front of her. "..... you're stronger than I am. Courageous, kind, you're like one of those rare gems.... being with you has been, frustrating yet amazing at the same time.... but it's up to you. If you want to stay and hash this out, But if you want to leave, because things get tough then I won't stop you. I won't run behind you. As far as I'm concerned I'm too old for that shit." I caressed her cheeks.

Tiana's eyes fluttered close."I'm scared...."

"I'm scared too. It takes two to tango, not one. I can only do so much Tiana...."

She sniffled. "You're right. I... I just.... don't know how to do this. The last guy I gave my heart, ripped it to shreds. I don't want you to get tired of me.... of us."

"Is that why, you keep on behaving like this?"

She turned away. "Yes. If I let my guard down, just a little bit you might walk away from me and I...."

I grasped her chin. Turning her head up, I forced her to meet my gaze. "I will tell you again Tiana. I choose to be with you. If my feelings, weren't genuine, I wouldn't be here. I want to be with you and only you...."

"I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to throw a tantrum. I just wanted......"

I didn't allow her to finish. Grabbing her by the hand, I pulled her flush against my chest. My lips devoured hers, without hesitation.

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