The Perfection in Love - Part One

Chapter 12 - Listen to Me.

She found him sitting in a lounge chair by the pool. He looked so sad, and all she wanted to do was make it better. His gaze was fixed on the pool, and Oyin was not sure if he even heard her come out. She walked closer to him and was only a few steps away when he spoke up.

"I really don't want to talk now."

Her heart dropped to her stomach, and a sob lodged in her throat. "Henry, please."

He put his head in his hands. "I just need time to figure out how I am feeling, okay?"

She took the remaining steps and sat down on the chair closest to him. "Okay. I get that. But how about how I am feeling?"

Henry turned to face her. "I always consider your feelings. I always try to make sure you're feeling comfortable. That's what started this, remember? This time, I'm asking that you consider mine. All I'm asking for is time."

Oyin's heart ached. Why won't he just let her explain? She hated this unrest in their relationship. They had barely argued before her parents and Olive's arrival. Now it seemed like that was all they did. "Would you at least let me explain about yesterday?"

Henry heaved a deep sigh and scrubbed his hands over his face. "Sure."

Oyin knew that these signs meant he was frustrated, but she forged on. "So yesterday...it's not what you think."

"How do you know what I think?" He shot back, a frown marring his face. His blue eyes were so intense, and in conjunction with the blueness of the pool, it almost made Oyin dizzy.

Oyin paused to clear her thoughts. "It wasn't about Olive. I mean it was, but not really."

Henry closed his eyes, his frustration palpable. "Oyin..."

She continued, undeterred. "I hadn't thought about it until you asked. It wasn't like I...was thinking of her or anything. When you mentioned it, it was then it occurred to me that maybe...like, that could have been why."

Henry opened his eyes and sighed.

Oyin continued. "It haunted me through the night, and I had to call in sick for work. But as I thought on it through the day, I realized that it wasn't just that. It couldn't have been just that."

"I pushed you away and I wanted you back. I really missed you. We are good together, Henry. And I wanted to prove that to you and myself."

"And Olive." He added.

"And Olive." She granted.

"Okay. I understand." Henry said, after a few hair-pulling moments.

A smile began to spread across her face. "You do?"

He took one of her hands in his. "Yeah. I'm sorry I overreacted."

Oyin's eyes widened. "No, you didn't. You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm the one harboring the green-eyed monster. I'm sorry, Henry. I really am."

Henry smiled at her, the smile that she loved so much. "It's okay, baby."

Oyin returned his smile and leaned in for a kiss. When their lips met, he stiffened. But as Oyin made to pull away to look at him, he held her in place.

"I'm fine." He murmured against her lips.