For how long?
Could he have meant it when he said it at the party? Was that how he felt all long? When he was asking me to move in that night was he in love with me?
He really loves you. It shows. It’s all in the eyes. The way he looks at you is inspiring.
I’m just telling the truth, like you always want me to. And the truth is I love you.
I think it’d be much more romantic if we didn’t wait…for anything.
This party is super big. I feel like it’s our wedding. I mean I wish it was. I want it to be our wedding.
When you know, you know.
He was. He’d been in love with me all this time, and I was fucking blind. No, I chose to be blind. I didn’t want to see or hear the truth because I was scared. Terrified.
Love was a beautiful thing, hopeful and bright. But it could also be painful, dark and a dead end.
Which way was his confession going to lead us?
My mind ran in circles to find an answer all night until the alarm wailed like a fucking siren. I splashed some water over my face and went into the bedroom to turn off the alarm.
He stirred, opening one eye. “Buongiorno,” he yawned.
“Morning.”
“You’re already up? I thought you’d sleep in because of last night.” He smirked.
I rubbed my eyes and wiped under them, a sigh escaping me.
He sat up, examining my face. “On a second thought, did you sleep at all?”
“Fabio, remember the ring I rented for the stupid party?”
“Yes.”
“Did you return it? I was supposed to, but you said you’d do it yourself, and I gave you the receipt to do it. Did you?”
“Yeah.” His eyes twitched a little, and he scratched his eyebrow. “That was months ago. Why are you asking now?”
“Nothing. Just making sure. I never checked back then, and because I was supposed to do it myself and didn’t I feel like I’m missing something.”
“The only thing you should be missing is this.” He bit his lip and dragged a hand along his morning wood. “Care for a quickie?”
“Maybe later. We’re finalizing the quarter and planning the next two for the year. A lot of work today. Why don’t you go shower, and I’ll make breakfast?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I dragged my feet to the kitchen, trying to even my breath. Then I grabbed my phone and called the jewelry store. I asked the man who answered me about the ring, and he said what I’d deduced already.
Fabio bought the ring.
Everything he’d said at the party was real. He wasn’t acting. He meant every word. He’d been in love with me all this time, and he saw a future for us. Everything he was feeling for me was real. So real he bought an engagement ring.
I should be happy, flattered and excited. I should be dreaming of our happy ever after because the heart indeed doesn’t listen to reason, and I’d fallen in love with him like he’d fallen in love with me.
But that was far from what I felt. I was afraid and sad, and my heart felt like it was about to explode. People like me weren’t meant to be happy, even if they tried. Their past and secrets and guilt would always haunt them, tearing every possibility at happiness to shreds. I wiped my tears as I scrambled the eggs, wondering what to say or do.
“Babe, I was thinking.” His voice made me jump. I didn’t hear him come in. His kiss landed on my head. “You okay?”
