➡➡➡⏺️LOVE AGAIN ⏺️⬅️⬅️
??????????
*??????EPISODE 53??????*
??????????
From U.S Bah ❤ ✌?
Evan
After tucking Cara un-der the blanket, I turned
off the lights of her room and slowly trudged
back to mine. While I was in the hospital, I
didn’t have time to think about Scarlet’s
absence but inside the house, every corner
reminds me of her. Everyone else was still
here but this house felt no more a home.
Even my own room was not mine anymore. It
was Scarlet who infused color in my black and
white life and without her, everything was back
to being dull and lifeless.
The silence of the room irked me and I went
into the closet to change into a trouser. When
my gaze landed on her side of the closet, I felt
a sharp pang inside my che-st. The colorful
dresses contrasted perfectly with my dark
colored side, just like our relationship.
I picked a scarf of her and inhaled it, feeling
her familiar, soothing scent. Today, when she
asked me if I nee-ded her, I wanted to say yes.
I wanted to admit that I nee-ded her
desperately but I couldn’t. Something stopped
me from admitting that.
I was angry at her few days ago, for letting that
accident happen although it wasn’t her fault, for
choosing to stay with Nate although she didn’t
have any other option. But once my head
started to clear up, I realized how stupid I
really was. I hurt that girl who sacrificed her
happiness for my daughter. She deserved
better than this.
When she said she nee-ded some time apart, it
broke my heart. I pushed her to a point where
being with me was not a good option for her. I
was willing to give her all the time she wanted
but I didn’t want to spend a minutes without
her. I wanted my wife back. I nee-ded my
Scarlet back.
With that thought in mind, I went back to the
bed. Her thoughts kept me occu-pied and the
thought of her talking to Nate, laughing with
him, laughing at something he said, it churned
my stomach. She was my responsibility and I
asked her to go, not realising where she would
go after leaving. She was right; our relationship
shouldn’t have been this fragile. It was my
fault she was staying at Nate’s apartment right
now.
I was willing to give her few days if that’s what
she wanted, not matter how much it hurts me
because I was the one who caused this. I was
at fault here.
…………
“Listen Gabe and listen carefully, I want you to
bring all my work schedule, files and planners
to my house. I want you to inform all the
clients that I’ll be dealing with them from
home. Until Cara is fit again, I won’t be coming
to office. un-derstand?” I said to my secretary
over the phone.
“Yes, sir,” he said. I cut the call and put the
mobile back in my pocket.
I made my way to Cara’s room to wake her
up. When I entered inside, she was already
awake and now Geena was combing her hair
carefully, to avoid hurting her bandages.
“Good morning princess, have you brushed
your teeth?” I asked, smiling.
“Yes,” she grinned and tried to stood up. I
went to her and helped her stand on her own,
supporting her arms with my hands. I led her
outside to the dining table where Kelly was
serving the breakfast.
“Pancakes!” She exclaimed when she noticed
the stack of pancakes. I specifically asked
Kelly to make her favourite breakfast because
it was her first day back home and she nee-ded
a break from those tasteless food.
I seated her on the chair and sat down beside
her. Because her one arm was still bruised, I
cut the pancakes into small parts for her and
then handed her the fork. Then I focused my
attention on the plate in front of me.
Kelly was a great cook but I was used to
eating breakfast cooked by Scarlet now. The
omelet didn’t taste half as good as she made
and even the coffee felt too sweet for my
taste. Although it was Kelly who had been
cooking for me for years now, Scarlet had
made me crazy for her food in just few
months.
God, I miss her.
“Do you like your breakfast?” I asked.
She looked around to see if anybody was
hearing her and then whispered, “It’s not like
Mama’s pancakes.”
I smiled because she was right. Scarlet has
magic in her hands. “I know,” I whispered
back.
“Why is Mama angry at you?” She asked,
pouting in a cute manner.
“Because Daddy is stupid and he made a
mistake.” I admitted. Her eyebrows furrowed
and the corners of her li-ps turned downwards.
“Will she be back soon?” She asked.
“She will be, I promise.” I said and a smile
appeared on her face.
……….
At almost 12, Gabe came with all the work
as-sessories he could fit in his car. I took him
to the study room with me and he briefed me
about all the work I had missed in the last few
days.
I began working to cover all the lags of the
pas-sing days. After every hour, I took a small
break to check on Cara if she was doing fine
or if she nee-ded anything. I was not going to
repeat the mistake of prioritizing my work over
her. This time, I will learn how to balance
between my work and family. Those who are
dear to me won’t have to suffer because I was
apparently too busy for them.
It was about 6 when I sent Gabe home.
Shutting the door to the study room, I made
my way to the lounge where Cara was
watching a movie with Geena. I gave Geena off
as well and sat down beside Cara to spend
some time with her.
“How was your first day back from hospital?” I
asked, zooming my eyes on the screen where
a Barbie movie was playing, in which a girl
with ridiculously long hair was acting all crazy
and stupid.
“Good. But I missed mama.” She pouted.
“I missed mama too.” I smiled and pushed
back her hair gently. “Does it hurt?”
“A little,” she whispered.
“It will be okay soon,” I told her and ki-ssed her
forehead.
We shifted our attention back to the television
screen and I watched the whole movie with
her, despite the skyrocketing level of cringe in
it.
It was about 7:30 when someone called on my
phone. My eyes wide-ned when Scarlet’s name
appeared on the screen. Exhaling a de-ep sigh,
I answered the call and her saccharine voice
replied from the other side.
“I… I wanted to talk to Cara. Geena wasn’t
answering.” She said in her sweet voice.
“Sure,” I said and pas-sed the phone to Cara.
Her face brightened up when she talked to
Scarlet and her expression brou-ght a smile on
my face.
They kept talking for some fifteen minutes
after which Cara gave me the phone back. She
hasn’t ended the call yet so I walked away
from the couch and spoke into the phone,
“How are you?”
“I am fine.” She whispered.
“Scarlet,” I gulped nervously, as if I was back
to college days, talking to my crush on phone
and panicking. “Would you come for dinner
tomorrow? Cara would love to spend some
time with you.”
“I… Um… I don’t think I should.” She stuttered
in response.
“Please,” I muttered un-der my breath.
She stayed silent for a moment, after which her
meek voice appeared. “Okay.”
A smile made its way to my li-ps after I ended
the call. I wanted her back and I was willing to
show her how much I wanted that.
____________________________
➡➡➡⏺️LOVE AGAIN ⏺️⬅️⬅️
??????????
*??????EPISODE 54??????*
??????????
From U.S Bah ❤ ✌?
Scarlet
After almost a week, I was putting any effort in
dressing up. Because all my belongings were
still in Evan’s house, I had to buy some clothes
on urgent basis. I was planning on taking
some clothes back with me after dinner
tonight.
To be honest, the thought of seeing Evan was
exciting me. Being away from him was not
easy. Every night, I spend hours thinking about
him before sleeping, imagining him instead of
the cushion and cuddling with it. Life without
him was boring and meaningless, and I had no
idea how would I spend these days when each
one feels like hell.
Today, after returning from the bakery, I took a
long refreshing shower and then changed into
a white off-the-shoulder dress. I dried my hair
and let them loose over my shoulder. Applying
light makeup on my face, I walked out of the
room and found Nate sitting on the couch of
the living room.
“Going somewhere?” He asked, as-sessing my
preparation.
“Yeah, Evan invited me to dinner.” I said shyly
because I felt I was too weak. It hasn’t been a
week since he threw me out and I already gave
in to his offer.
“Well, do you want me to drop you there?” He
asked and thankfully, didn’t comment anything
about my decision.
“Thanks but I’ll call an Uber.” I said to avoid
discomforting him.
“It’s getting dark. Don’t worry, I’ll drop you.” He
said with his charming smile. Nate was
adorable and really helpful, and any girl would
be lucky to have him in her life.
“Okay,” I smiled. He stood up and turned off
the TV. I followed him to the parking lot of the
building where his shiny car was standing in
all it’s glory. He opened the door for me like
the gentleman he was and then slid in the
driver’s seat. He revved the engine and soon,
we were off towards the place where I had left
my heart.
……….
The car came to a halt in front of the hu-ge
house that was almost as big as a mansion.
Hearing the voice of the car, Evan opened the
door himself, with Cara in his arms. Her grin
wide-ned as she noticed me and she extended
her arm to wave at me. Her leg was still
covered in plaster, which was the reason why
she couldn’t walk properly.
Saying thanks to Nate, I walked towards Cara
and Evan shifted her into my arms. She felt a
lot lighter than before, probably because of the
stress on her body due to the accident.
“Is it uncle Nate?” She asked in surprise when
she noticed him sitting in the car. “Daddy, did
you invite Uncle Nate too?”
“Um…” Evan’s eyes switched between me and
Cara. A frown appeared on his forehead and he
gritted, “Yes, I invited Uncle Nate.”
Hearing this, Cara waved at Nate as well.
Realising the situation, he parked the car at a
side and walked out. “Hey beautiful.” He
reached her and Cara jumped out of my arms
towards him.
“I missed you Uncle Nate,” she said, hu-gging
him. “Did you bring Chocolates for me from
Wa… Washington?”
“I did. But it’s in my apartment right now.”
Nate pouted.
My eyes switched to Evan and he was looking
at then with an annoyed look on his face. Nate
was the last person he wanted to have dinner
with him. Guess we don’t always get what we
want.
Together, all four of us walked inside. Kelly
came to welcome us and I moved forward to
hu-g her. I had missed her because since day
one, she had been like a motherly figure for
me in this house.
“Kelly, take them to the dining room. I’ll go
check the food.” Evan said to Kelly and then
stomped towards the kitchen.
While everybody else walked to the dining
room, I made my way to the kitchen instead.
Every part of this house made me nostalgic of
the time spent here. Now, I was here like a
guest and that didn’t feel good at all.
With my sandals clic-king on the floor, I
reached the doorframe of the kitchen. The
sight of Evan stirring the pan diligently caused
a smile on my face. It was a rare sight and
during my stay here, I had only been lucky
once to eat his food.
“Smells good,” I said and he raised his head to
look at me. He looked adorable, with the polka
dot apron covering his torso and his hair
slic-ked back. The rolled sleeves gave a hint of
his muscular arms that were enough to make
anyone swoon.
“If only I could add some poison in Nate’s
plate.” He mumbled un-der his breath but I
heard it anyway.
“Sounds like you don’t appreciate his presence
here,” I said and took a step towards him.
“Do I have to?” He asked with a frown on his
face.
“Well, like you said, it was Cara who wanted
me here. I don’t think Cara would have any
issue in having her uncle here as well.” I
smi-rked and used his words to taunt back at
him.
Before he could say anything, I made my way
out of the kitchen and back to the dining table.
I sat beside Cara and as-sessed her injuries.
She had still few bruises on her arms and the
wounds on her head were still covered with
bandage. I asked her if she felt any pain and
to my relief, she told me that she was better
now.
“When will you be back, mama?” She asked
and I filled with immediate regret on
abandoning her.
“Soon.” It was Evan who replied for me. He
was coming towards the table with a tray of
roasted chicken in his hands. Behind him, Kelly
was adjusting stirred vegetables and a bowl of
lasagna in her hands.
I turned to Cara and repeated Evan’s words.
“Soon.”
Evan sat down and then slid the try towards
me. Giving him a brief glance, I served some
roast in my plate and then some in Cara’s.
Everything smelled great and the appetising
aroma increa-sed my appetite. I took one bite
and found Evan staring at me to check my
reaction.
“It’s good,” I said to him. He smiled in return
and took a bite himself. Throu-ghout all this,
our eyes remained locked together and
although the shy person in me wanted to, I did
not look away. I could feel in his eyes the
guilt, the embaras-sment of saying those words
to me but this time, I don’t want to rely on just
eyes. If he really want me, he will have to use
his mouth instead.
“So Evan, is it true? Did you cook the food
yourself?” Nate broke the trance and asked him
with a teasing sm-irk on his face.
“Yeah, any problem?” Evan asked him dryly.
“Nothing. It’s just… It’s a little salty. I am sure
Scarlet doesn’t like bitter people… I mean
bitter roast.” Nate grinned at him and he just
rolled his eyes in return.
“Well, too much sweet can give you diabetes.
So she will have to bear with the salt to
balance it out.” Evan retorted in return.
“Wow, if you had studied biology in school,
you won’t have said that.” Nate remarked and
Evan just narrowed his eyes in return.
Both Cara and I observed their childish fight
with silence. Nate wasn’t usually an immature
person but Evan brings out this side of him.
And Evan was usually a very calm person but
Nate knows how to trigger him. They both
consider the other person their enemy but they
were linked together by an invisible bond; the
bond of love for the same person.
After the roast and vegetables in my plate
finished, I cut a small slice of lasagna and
tasted it. My eyes closed in relief as I enjoyed
the taste of cheese, my top favourite thing in
the world beside chocolate.
I turned to talk to Cara and found her yawning.
It was almost 9 and she was usually asleep by
this time. “Cara, are you feeling sleepy?”
“A little.” She said with another cute yawn
interrupting her. “But I don’t want to leave yet. I
want to sit with you.”
“Come on, finish your plate. I’ll come with you
to bed then.” I said and served some
vegetables in her plate.
“Okay,” she smiled excitedly and continued
eating the food.
Evan and Nate had silenced by now and they
both were finishing their respective plates.
After the dinner ended, I took Cara to her room
and helped her change in her pyjamas. Tucking
her into the bed, I slid beside her and gently
mas-saged her scalp.
“Mama, daddy miss you a lot.” She said,
closing her eyes. “Forgive him.”
I smiled at this. I wish I could told her how
much I wanted to. But I couldn’t. As a woman,
sometimes you have to realise your importance
to people otherwise they won’t take you
seriously. And as someone who can easily give
in, achieving this is a lot more difficult for me.
“Mama nee-ds some time, Cara.” I leaned down
and placed a small ki-ss on her forehead.
I continued mas-saging her scalp until her harsh
breathing turned soft and her eyelids grew
heavier. She closed her eyes and snuggled
dee-perinto me. I stayed like this until I heard
a knock on the door, after which Evan’s face
appeared throu-ghthe door.
“Can I sit here?” He said, balancing the two
cu-ps of something hot in his hands.
“Sure,” I said. He came near the bed and gave
one cu-p to me. The liquid turned out to be
coffee. He then walked to the opposite side of
the bed and propped down beside Cara, his
tall figure looking weird in the pink, barbie
themed bed.
I smiled and took one sip of the coffee that
refreshed my soul. I could feel Evan’s heated
gaze on me but I didn’t acknowledge it.
Because I knew if I did, I would give up. The
sight of him few inches away from me was too
charming to resist.
_________________________
*TO BE CONTINUED*