Closer (Completed) Dark Romance

Chapter 31

I laid out the breakfast I ordered on the table when Henry walked through the door with a somber face. His hair was messily arranged and his eyes were still a hint of red from the crying last night. He glanced from the table to me without saying anything.

"How are you feeling? Are you hungry?" I asked, breaking the silence.

Henry didn't respond right away, probably still feeling guilty from last night. At least that was what I assumed he would feel. Eventually, he calmly padded over and sat down on one of the four chairs around the round, glass table.

During the entire time we ate, not a single word was exchanged. I didn't want to say anything because I worried one word out of my mouth would trigger him to cry or make him lash out again. But Henry didn't say a thing to me either.

"Larry will pick you up in ten minutes," he finally said, standing up from the chair. I stopped chewing on my breakfast to register his words. "He'll take you back home."

"How about you?" I asked, sounding concerned.

"I'm staying here."

Probably for work, I guessed.

After breakfast, Henry guided me down to the lobby where Larry was already waiting in the driveway. I was hoping he would say something to me, just anything, as we walked past the entrance doors, but he kept quiet. Were we ever going to have a chance to talk about last night?

Henry opened the passenger door for me and as I began to climb into the car, his fingers lightly wrapped around my wrist to stop me. Almost immediately, I turned my head to face him and our eyes found each other in that second.

Henry stared at me with crossed brows and an expression of not anger, but concern. I could see in his emerald eyes — he was fighting with himself on whether to say something.

"What is it?" I gently prodded.

"Nothing," he said, freeing my wrist. "Just ... be safe."

I nodded with a tiny grin, but it was hurting me, knowing he didn't want me to be by his side during this time. Would he be okay by himself?

While Larry pulled out of the hotel driveway, my eyes lingered over to the side mirror. My heart rose in my throat at the sight of Henry still standing in the same place. His gaze focused toward me and mine on him.

When I arrived back, I walked into the living room to find Nana on the sofa watching TV, something of a soap opera. I took a deep breath and tried my best to look happy.

"Good morning, Nana," I said with a bright face. I sat down next to her and she turned her whole attention toward me.

"Morning, dear," Nana said cheerily. "Where did you and Henry go? I woke up this morning with nobody home. I figured Henry took you on a date."

I chuckled half-heartedly. "Yeah."

If last night could even be considered a date, it would be the worst date in a century.

"I'm so glad he is finally able to make some time for you," Nana said. "I guessed my scolding paid off."

"I guess it does." I kissed her on the cheek and excused myself to go upstairs.

When I reached the top of the stairs, I couldn't help, but be drawn to the door of Henry's work room. It was still unlocked from yesterday when we left. I went inside and locked it quietly behind me so Nana couldn't see what I was doing. The documents were still scattered all around the floor where we left them. Tears began to well in my eyes, blurring the words and pictures as I dropped to my knees to gather them up. After I had finished, I held the pile close to my chest while still on my knees.