Open Heart: Second Year {On Halt}

Chapter 34- Dangerous Winds

I was a skater who glided on nadir of Edenbrook. Just as slow, anguishing dust-bringing winds of storm gushing over Boston, my feet traversed smoothly on the floor as if I was made to glissade over them. They held my shaking body together so that I could reach the person—the only person who I needed to see and be with right now.

There was no one else who could ever shelter me in this cold hour of dusk. In this cold hour where lies framed each second of setting sun.

Edenbrook's pristine world was a blur for my eyes. The faces which staged before were seen and left unseen. All the voices which rose above were left unheard by my ears. Every moment happening around the place I work was forgotten because I just needed to climb over these bloody stairs as fast friction and kinematics would allow me to reach Ethan's office before anyone could. Or before anyone should. I would be only one there—both of us so that we could talk. We cou-could just talk.

I would tell him how absurdly Dr. Kate Standall has lied to me about him—to me of all people! I would tell him that I wasted not a single breath on her raking claws upon our relationship. I would tell him that I spared not a single belief upon her words and that I knew he would never, ever do anything to hurt me. I...would just tell him everything! And together, we will kick that bitch out of Edenbrook and warn to stay out of our lives.

How does she even have the audacity to speak and behave in that manner?!

Did she think I was one of those insecure female counterparts who jumped on their men without even hearing their side? Did she think our relationship was simply based on lust and nothing more?!—Did she think I would just strike a scythe on our forged souls just on her words? How disappointed she was going to be. I couldn't wait.

Ethan would never do such a thing.

I knew it deep in my veins, deep in my heart and...deeper and deeper still in genes of my existence. Every breath I took was aware as well. My faith upon him surpassed every belief I lent for any strength because in my sea of anguish, he was my anchor . Ethan was my support. He was my heart whose beat engaged mine every time.

All these maladies of people just needed to stay out of our lives. They just....have to stay away. Stay the fuck away from our private beautiful universe.

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My fists knocked on his door in short taps, and seconds later—they slid open like they were waiting for me to venture inside without any hindrance.

Ethan was sitting behind his table as usual, scanning some files this time and it was his long, slender fingers  were caught by my eyes at first sight. They were beautiful as if an artist was holding paraphernalia of knowledge. They turned a page just like water moved on my skin—sublime and unbound.

Apollo...what a vision to behold he is...my Ethan. My ETHAN.

At my observing silence, his rather assertive gaze snapped up to me but before he could speak, I blurted out.

"Ethan-Ethan!" the tremor erupted from my voice, "I-I found—"

My voice hurdled down my throat. Seeing him, all I wanted to do was run into his arms and forget the world.

"I—Found—" a sob was threatening to rise but I caged it inside, "Bathroom—"

In a flash, Ethan was out of his seat, just like unclasped gale—and appeared in front of me. I almost staggered back in surprise at his exalted movements before his calloused hands captured my face in their hold and steadied me, "Charlotte? What happened? What's wrong?"