Happiness Doesn't Wait

Blake

I'm exhausted. I've never been at this kind of pace for a restaurant before, but at last I find a good moment for a break. I think this might just be my first break from this whole night.

I look over to where Abi is at. Since that rude client, I've been quietly keeping an eye on her. But I admire how she doesn't get shaken up and continues on with the night. I admire her strength.

I lean on the railing with a small cup of champagne in hand and look out at the dark sea. The moonlight reflects beautifully on it and the breeze sends chills all over my body. I take a sip of my champagne and let the taste of it burn down my throat with satisfaction.

"Hey." My heart jumps at the sweet sound of her voice.

I turn around and smile warmly at Abi as she comes to stand by me. She also leans on the railing and I see the distance she's put in between us. We used to never have our distance so far apart. I crave for her warmth. But at least I can have that beautiful smile as she turns to give it to me.

"Thank you for saving me back there." She does a small chuckle and looks back at the black waters. I chuckle at her sweetness. This aspect of her is a place where not a lot of people see. Maybe not even her sister sees...

I smile at her and say, "I owed you one. You saved me with the Simens Family and I just had to save you from Mister--"

"Mr. and Mrs. Pickyrats." I laugh loudly at this and it makes her smile. She does a small chuckle at my laughter and she turns slightly towards me now.

I take a step closer and say, "I think you handled it well. You are an amazing waitress. No wonder you got promoted."

"Hm," she says with a hint of a smile. "I suppose I did. I....wish you could've celebrated with me..." I can tell that she carefully looks at me to see my reaction to these hesitant words. Her light cheeks puff up when her light brown eyes shine. Her wavy hair blows lightly with the breeze and it's like I'm seeing an angel.

But I've broken her more than she already was. So I finally take the first step to healing like my mother has been telling me. If she's the right one, she will understand.

Her eyes shine as she waits for me to speak first. When she finally sees that I'm struggling with my words like always, Abi clears her throat and says, "I have to go. I promised Cam that I would—"

I stop her as I take a gentle hold of her arm. She doesn't pull away like the first day. She stays still as she looks up at me. Her eyes shining with want and sadness. I do a small sigh and say, "Can you wait for just a second?"

Abi hesitates at this. I can see how her body and mind fight on whether she should listen to me or leave. But my heart does a sigh of relief as she comes by me again and listens.

I search for the right words now. The right way to start. I let out a sigh as I look out at the waters and say, "I left because I found out my father died in Brazil." My heart is stabbed at these words that I've never said out loud.

Abi's expression softens at me and she puts a comforting hand on mine. My whole body warms up at this soft touch and I wish I can pull her in. I wish I can close the distance, but I continue to search for a spot to mend her broken heart.

"I left and I never said goodbye because...I was just in shock. My mother didn't tell me about it for a month. I should've called you. I know I did wrong, but as I looked down at your phone number at the airport, and I realized that all good things end somehow. I was afraid that it'll happen to me like it did with my parents and I didn't want to break you. I didn't think that my actions would break you more and I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I missed you. I miss you. I..." I stop as my heart yearns to spill all of my thoughts out to her. But I fight back my tears first and look at her.

She gives me a small smile and squeezes my hand tenderly. I look down at our hands and take a step closer to whisper, "I never stopped thinking of you. My every thought was of you and for you. I never wanted to hurt you. I was wrong and I just....I don't want to regret waiting too long like I did with my father...."

Abi's eyes water at these words. She takes a breath and quickly looks out at the dark waters. I can see how she fights back tears and her anger. I know that it doesn't justify her broken heart. But the next small words clears up this dark night....

"I forgive you...." she looks back at me again and this sadness weighs on her as she whispers, "Why didn't you tell me?" Abi is now facing me and I turn to face her, too. My eyes can finally study her every beautiful aspect. Her soft skin. Her pretty eyes. Those soft lips...

"I was scared that--"

"Screw what you thought, Blake," she quickly interrupts. "Why did you think I wouldn't understand? Why...I....I would've been there for you. I'm so sorry for your lose, Blake, but....I could've helped..."

A tear escapes from my eye and all I can do is look down in shame. I shake my head without a word.

Then I feel her hand find my arm and it's like my broken heart starts to mend. This makes me look up to see that smile that made me fall in love from the moment I laid eyes on her.

"I'm not that scary, you know."

I chuckle at this and say, "Now I know."

We share a laugh and we are only a few inches apart. We are so close. So close that I urge to close the distance. My hand slowly starts to find her cheeks I loved to caress so much and I know that her heart is racing like mine. Her eyes land on my lips, but she softly steps back and I'm left cold.

When I look back at her, I can see that regret slowly slipping on her eyes. But she's good at pushing it aside. She's always been good at hiding it as she gives me one last smile and says, "I should get going. It's almost time for my group to go out."

"Of course," I say with a heavy heart. But she knows all to well that I'm good at hiding my feelings as well as I quietly say, "I'll see you later, Abi."

But at least she gives me a smile that I know I will dream about tonight. We're back to step one and that's all I needed. My shoulders suddenly feel lighter and I let out a relieved sigh as I look out at the dark sea. The world suddenly seems brighter for me...