Emily and Isaac had been in love since they were children. However, after Isaac lost his mother he pushed his dearest friend away. Hoping the distance between them would keep her safe. He did whatever he could to numb the pain her absence caused. Wh...
When I awoke the following morning, my head was throbbing from the amount of alcohol consumed the night before. With an exaggerated sigh I pulled myself from the bed and made my way towards the bathroom, tripping over the empty bottle as I went. Once safely in the confines of the bathroom I took in my appearance. I was a mess, my makeup was smeared, my hair a mess, and my clothes disheveled. I stripped down and climbed into the shower, twisting the nozzle so the icy water hit me square in the face. Jolting myself further into consciousness.
I scrubbed at my body, disgusted with myself. My phone blared through the room letting me know it was time to leave for work. A small grunt passed my lips at the realization I was going to be late. In a flurry of actions, I was soon heading out the front door, spotting Isaac and Katie curled up on the couch together fast asleep. My lips pulled up into a grin before I turned and headed out the door. I felt they needed the time together so I sent my mom a quick text informing her I would not be bringing Katie over as planned for the day. Besides, not having to deliver Katie to my parents meant I saved time getting to work.
I was buried in paperwork, working through letters and deciding the best angle to take on my next column. The day went by quickly, but I felt like my heart and mind was simply not into the task at hand. I couldn't focus, my mind was running a million miles an hour. However, none of those thoughts consisted of anything work related. It was an unproductive day to say the least.
Knock, Knock!
"Come in," I responded. The door creaked open, but I did not look up. My face hidden in the palms of my hands.
"Emily?" Isaac's voice filled the room, forcing me to shift my gaze forward. "Can we talk?"
Looking at the time on my phone, I sighed. "Not really, I have ten minutes before I have to meet with my boss to go over my topic focus for the next paper." I began gathering the documents I had prepared, while he simply watched in silence. "Maybe some other time." I stood to walk passed him, but his hand snaked around my waist, not permitting me to leave.
"We really need to talk. I just need to know—"
"Know what?" I cut him off. "Do you want to know how I'm doing? I'm great when it comes to our daughter and work. Do you want to know why I lied? Same reason you pushed me away, to protect someone I love. Relationship wise?" I scuffed as I rolled my eyes. "I'm painfully single. I mean what do you want to know?" I pulled away from his touch.
He just stood there staring at me, his mouth slightly agape.
"Do you want to know how my skin crawls and my stomach curdles every time a man touches me because he isn't you? Do you want to know how desperately I have tried to move on but simply can't? Or how my heart breaks every time I look into our daughter's eyes because it's like you're staring back at me? Is that what you want to know?" My grip on the papers in my arms tightened as I fought back the tears. "I have to go, I'm sure you can find your way out." He didn't say a word he just stood there and allowed me to shove passed him.
Just as I entered the elevator and turned around the doors began to shut. His blue eyes piercing into mine, "Did you even read the letter?" My heart sank at the question, but the doors slid closed abruptly ending our conversation.
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