promise | j.g

14.0 || we almost kissed

//Elena//

I sat in my car doing the same thing I've been doing for the past 30 minutes.

Nothing.

Parked a few houses down from Jack's, I've been trying to come up with different ways to apologize. I hate how we left things so I've come to try and make amends.

Maybe he doesn't wanna see me. What if he just doesn't care anymore?

Pulling my car in his driveway, I noticed his black Jeep was missing. There was only one car in the driveway, not including mine.

Relief washed over me knowing  it wasn't Katherine's car because Lord knows how awkward that would've been.

I turned off the car and walked passed the white Mercedes-Benz towards the front door.

After two light knocks, a middle aged man, resembling Jack, opened the door.

He immediately embraced me in a hug. James has always looked at me like a second daughter and I to him as a second father.

After pulling back he bombarded me with questions such as "Where have you been?" "Why haven't I been seeing you as often?" and "How's Jack been treating you?"

We both went inside and I began to answer his questions, "I've been enjoying some time with Ally, she moved close by into her own apartment recently."

He nodded his head in approval. He's always liked Ally, especially when Jack, Ally and I would always hang out together.

The three musketeers.

Ally loved it too because she never felt like a third wheel, it was really fun when we would go on our adventures together.

"That's great news Elena. What about you? How's your independent life here in Omaha been treating you?"

I contemplated if I should tell him about Jack and I but decided against it, not because I didn't trust him but because I didn't wanna form anymore drama in their family because of me.

"It's been great, never better," I lied.

He gave me a warm smile and I returned the favor. It was like talking to my own dad. It never got awkward nor uncomfortable.

"So what brings you here, I'm afraid Jack is out for the evening getting a tux for tomorrow."

I quickly thought of an excuse to not make him suspicious, "Oh, I just wanted to talk to Jack about something but I could always come back tomorrow."

"Nonsense! I will ring Jack and see to it that he gets home soon," he disputed.

I immediately began to protest.

"No Mr.Gilinsky, don't worry it's nothing important I just wanted to see him is all," I gave him a reassuring smile hoping he'd take the bait.

He didn't look quite as convinced as I'd hope but ill take what I can get.

"Elena you know better, call me James," he chided.

James got up from the couch but quickly added before leaving.

"You're more than welcome to stay if you want. I'll be in my office, help yourself to anything in the fridge," he kissed the top of my head.

I gave him a grateful smile in return as he turned around headed to the office that was downstairs.

Walking upstairs, I passed through the hallway that lead toward the rooms as picture frames  crowded the walls.

I paused for a moment and looked at a particular picture that caught my attention. A smile tugged at my lips remembering the day like it happened yesterday.