Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46619 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 233(@200wpm)___ 186(@250wpm)___ 155(@300wpm)
“I got out at the first opportunity. I’d won an online art competition, and the prize money was enough for a flight ticket to London with some change left to last me for about a month if I managed well. I hustled my way up with the cynical view I had of life. It’s why I never gave anyone the chance to really get close to me. I thought then that no one would ever have the power to hurt me like my parents did. Until I met you….”
A soft hiccup escapes my throat, startling us both.
“I’m so sorry,” I say with a small sniff.
“Honey, are you crying?” Abram asks, blinking at me in surprise.
I shake my head and dab at my tears. “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t. It’s... I... Just... You’ve had it so rough. All by yourself... It must have been tough.”
Abram gently runs his thumb across my cheek, wiping off the tears.
“It’s strange,” he says with a small smile. “The fact that you’re crying for me makes it feel much better. I couldn’t even shed a tear when my father threw his hardest punch. I can’t remember the last time I cried... I don’t think I know how to.”
I take his hands in mine and squeeze gently.
“I just want you to be happy now. Truly and fully happy. Can you let it go? All of your hurt, can you leave it in the past and live with me...right here, in the present.”
Abram shakes his head and lowers his eyes.
“It’s easier said than done.”
I tug at his hands until he raises his eyes to mine again.
“I know,” I say with a soft smile. “I will be there with you every step of the way. Let’s shed our hurts. Together.”
“Together?” Abram asks uncertainly.
Then, I see it in his eyes.
He’s scared of not being wanted and accepted. So he’d turned his fear into a weapon to block others from getting too close to hurt him. It’s his form of defense, and he’d used it for so long that he’s scared to let it go.
“Yeah,” I say, holding his gaze with mine. “Together. Slowly, but surely.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Abram
I study Melody from under my eyes as she chatters on about her day’s activities, oblivious to the churning storm of confusion brimming inside of me.
Maybe it’s because I’m wearing a placid smile while nodding at appropriate times.
I push a forkful of salad into my mouth, swallowing the food along with the dejected sigh that rises in my throat.
The moment that June mentioned is finally here, the moment where I have to decide whether to face reality or continue living a dream.
My vacation is finally over.
Like June said, it’s not fair to ask Melody to leave everything she is familiar with and come with me to London. And I also can’t...
“What’s wrong?” Melody asks, her soft voice breaking into my thoughts. I raise my eyes to her, and she’s frowning at me with concern. “Is it the food? Do you not like the taste? You’ve been pushing your food around on your plate for a while now.”
I sigh softly and clear my throat.
“I have to be in London by the end of the week.”
Her expression falls, and my heart sinks heavily in my chest. It breaks my heart even further when she smiles at me despite the tears in her beautiful blue eyes.
“Really?” Melody says and clears her throat. “I guess you have to get back to work.”
“Yeah,” I mumble. For the first time in my life, I’m not thrilled about the prospect of work. “I have an important art exhibition and have to be there. Would you like to come with me? I...uh...am thinking of extending an invitation to Brenda.”
I don’t know why I felt the need to add the last bit.
Maybe a sort of an enticement to get her to accept my invitation.
It goes a long way to show how unconfident I am in my persuasive abilities. But all of my worries instantly melt away when Melody’s eyes brighten up, and her smile widens genuinely.
“Wow, really? I’d love to!” she says. “Brenda will be so excited.”
“You think so?” I ask uncertainly.
Melody laughs and the sound echoes in my head like a thousand tinkling bells on a summer afternoon, beautiful and warm.
“I know so,” she replies confidently.
I’m just glad I’ll have my woman beside me. That’s more than enough for me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Melody
I never thought I’d enjoy being in London so much or gazing at paintings and sculptures acquired from different parts of the world brought together and cleverly displayed in a large room for people to see and purchase.
I’ve never been to any art exhibition, but it’s evident that Abram’s team did a perfect job.
I’ve never seen myself as an artistic person, but looking at all the artworks in this room, I find myself getting a deeper understanding of the dynamics of life and beyond.