Delicate

8 Letters (Why Don't We)

Juliet's POV 

"So what are you going to do about it?" My sister's voice rang as I held my cell phone up to my ear, staring out at the view of New York City that I had from my office.

Jerry the Mail Guy had dropped off a small book this morning, and there it was, three hours later, still laying on my desk in all of its worn-out glory. Jerry didn't leave a note or anything to indicate who sent this strange present or what the purpose of it was, but I knew.

The book was Kant, a nod to the first thing Kelly and I talked about. She was good; she knew things like this got to me. Not only that, but key words were highlighted in pink, spelling out a message that asked me to meet with her tonight at the coffee shop where we had our first date.

"I don't know," I admitted to Brooke, my mind still in shock by what happened. "I think I need to meet her."

There was silence on the other end for a second. "Juliet, baby, don't you dare go crawling back to her! She hurt you and lied to you and manipulated you. Honestly, she doesn't care about you, babe. And you don't deserve that, because you're amazing and sexy and smart and intelligent and kind and sweet and —"

"Okay, I understand, Brooke."

"No, you don't, Jules. You are so much better off without her, okay? Especially now! You've finally moved on, and you're doing really good. And you're happy. Don't risk that for someone who is definitely not worth it."

I sighed. "I know, Brooke. I'm going to meet her to tell her that. The last time we talked, I was crying and begging her not to go. I don't want to end like that though. We need proper closure."

"Okay, baby, but no funny business."

"Don't worry, business will be very serious. I'll bring my briefcase."

Within seven hours of that phone call, Kelly was in my apartment, on my bed, sticking her fingers into me, sending me to heights I hadn't reached in a while. It had started off fine; I stopped by the coffee shop after work. However, as soon as I saw her in her tight pink dress and the way she looked at me like I was a mirage in the desert, I couldn't stop myself. Before I knew it, we were at my apartment, making out and taking each other's clothes off.

"You're so sexy, Juliet," Kelly whispered in my ear, panting for breath. She was shoving her fingers in and out of me with a steady rhythm and sucking on the sensitive part of my neck.

I moaned and closed my eyes, throwing my head back in pleasure. "Don't stop."

"I won't, baby. I won't." She turned her attention to my lips, biting slightly on the lower lip. Feeling me getting closer, she smirked, opting for a faster and harder rhythm. "Come for me, baby," she whispered, seductively, in my ear.

That did it. She continued pumping in and out of me as I rode the waves of my orgasm, not stopping to squeeze my boob.

A wave of regret hit me as soon as we were both lying on our backs, catching our breaths after that hot and steamy session. I hated myself for succumbing to her again. Brooke would be so disappointed.

"That was amazing," Kelly breathed, smiling broadly.

"It won't happen again," I said, curtly, sitting up on my bed to put my pants back on.

Kelly sat up behind me and placed her hand on my back soothingly. "We didn't get to talk much at the coffee shop, Jules, but I have so much to tell you. I love you, Juliet Mun. I'm sorry it took so long for me to figure that out, but I am in love with you, and I want to be with you for the rest of my life."

Hearing her words conflicted me. These were the words I had been waiting for her to say, but I couldn't let our past go. She had hurt me too many times. There was no way I could go back to her after all the things she did.

I turned to look at her smiling and loving face, but I couldn't reciprocate. Tears were streaming down my face, and all the emotions came rushing out. "Kelly, you can't treat me like this! You can't just drag me along and tell me these things! You hurt me so so bad, Kelly! I can't come back to you." By then, there was snot everywhere and my voice became inaudible, but the message was clear.

"I love you," she said those eight letters again, the words I had been dying to hear. "I'm so sorry, Juliet. I treated you like crap; I was a complete bitch to you. But I want to change. I want to tell you everything that happened to me. I want to be completely honest with you about everything. I want to marry you and have your babies. I want to move out to the suburbs and drive a minivan. I want to send our kids off to college with you. I want to have grandchildren. I want to wake up every morning in your arms. I want a life with you, Jules."

I wouldn't look at her. "I don't trust you anymore."

"That's okay, Jules," she pleaded with me. She placed her hand on my thigh but I shook it away. "I know I hurt you, but I want to make it up to you. Just give me a chance. I want to prove myself to you. I want to show you that I love you and that I've changed."

"I can't go through this again."

"Jules," she was crying now, too. "Please, Jules. I know I did horrible things to you, but I'm so sorry. Please take me back, I'm begging you."

"I can't."

"I love you!" she sobbed. "Don't you love me anymore?"

I didn't know how to answer her. I didn't want to tell her that I still loved her, because she had hurt me too much. "It's getting late; you need to go."

"Please, Jules."

I simply got up from my bed and started getting changed.

"Please, Jules. Don't let us be over! I love you!"

"You need to leave."

"Can we talk more about this tomorrow?"

I shook my head, turning around to face her after I finished getting dressed. "I'm leaving on a plane for Shanghai tomorrow."

"When will you be back?"

"Four weeks."

"Please don't leave the country still angry with me, Jules. I love you! Can you just acknowledge that?" Kelly got up to change, her eyes still looking expectantly at me.

"I just can't deal with this right now, okay?"

"Can I call you when you're there?"

"I'll be working. I can't be distracted." I began to usher her out the door.

"But we'll talk when you come home?"

"Sure."

"I love you," she whispered as she kissed me on the lips. She looked up at me one last time before walking out.

As I closed the door behind her, I could feel a tear drop roll down my cheek.