She called him Chéri

CHAPTER X

Sarah came to the living room with a tray with cups of tea and placed it on the table, and sat in the doorframe. Catching a glimpse of her father, she choked up a sob and ran to the kitchen.

She leaned over the sink, looking outside, and cried. Constant tears falling down her face and into the sink.

Her father walked into the kitchen, holding back his tears after looking at her daughter. Sarah turned around and saw him, and quickly wiped her tears away, and tried to stop crying. But her small breaths and constantly falling tears made it impossible.

Her father took a step forward and she quickly wrapped her arms around her father, sobbing.

Both of them held each other tightly, and cried.

'It been so long I hugged you, dad.' She spoke softly while crying.

'I'm so sorry, forgive me, my daughter.'

'Forgive me, my dear. Forgive me.' Her father cried.

They pull apart as Sarah wipes away her father's tears, but he grabs her hands softly and kisses them.

'Where is Olivia?' Sarah asked.

'Outside.'

--

Outside on the staircase of the apartment, Olivia sat, her head in her hands and she sobbed. The cold wind blew fast, carrying a scent.

Hayden.

She looked down on the tattoo on her hand, remembering him.

With hope, she turned around, to see him.

And there he was, standing on the street.

Both of them quickly ran to each other and Hayden wrapped her small body in his arms, as she cried in her chest.

Hayden rubbed her back. 'I'll never leave you again. I'll always be by your side.'

'Mom,' she cried out. 'Her heart stopped.'

'I'll love you, just like your mother did. You'll never be alone. I'll always be with you, my darling.' She slightly nodded as Hayden kissed her forehead, and she wrapped her arms around him again, tightly.

'I'll never let you be alone.'

--

They walked through the streets, hand in hand. The smiles on their faces big, but Olivia's quickly got wiped away as she looked at the small shops around her, where she would go with her mother. Hayden didn't take long to notice her frown, as he lightly pulled her arm downward and brought his face closer to her, making her face him.

The smile on her face came back after looking at Hayden's goofy expression, as he slung his arm over her shoulder, still holding her hand, and kissed her cheek. She held his arm and rested her head on his chest, as he made corny jokes to make her smile.

--

Olivia sat in one of the chairs, as the valedictorian made the speech. Everyone applauded and then got up from their chairs. Olivia's attention first went to her father and sister, standing underneath the tents, then on the opposite side, standing Hayden, who waved his hand aggressively with the biggest smile on his face.

Everybody grabbed their hats and threw them in the air, as the whole crowd applauded. Hayden quickly ran in between the group of students and wrapped her arms around Olivia, giving her a small kiss as she laughed and ran away. She looked back at her family to make sure nobody saw.

She walked over to her father, giving him a big hug, then her sister.

When they pulled apart, Sarah mouthed, 'I saw that,' with a sneaky smile on her face as Olivia felt her cheeks heat up.