|79| • Everest
"It's nice to have you looking better."
My eyebrows went up at his knowing smile.
I could see a bit of pity in his gesture, but I ignored it.
Perhaps Amelia had finally told him what happened a while back.
Abel formed a thin-lipped expression, tapping my shoulders reassuringly.
As expected, I came to work today, but this time feeling a tad bit better.
I spent longer in the shower today, trimming my brows, which had grown out of place without shaving weeks ago.
I also put a bit more effort into my dressing, using a scoop of gel to style my hair.
I guess that all paid off, seeing as he complimented my look.
Giving him a half-assed smile, I gladly took the comment.
I knew the guys around here noticed something was up.
I was just too in my feelings to respond to their looks of concern and frequent 'You good, man?
' no, I wasn't good. But now, now I was a bit better.
Taking off my jacket, I hung it on the shelf, tying the apron around my waist. "Thanks, it's good to be back," I replied to Abel's remark.
It was good to be back, especially when I was going to see Amelia today.
I wasn't sure when she was coming, but I knew seeing her today would be inevitable.
I was nervous, to say the least; how long had it been since I left?
The thought made me cringe; a part of me constantly wished I didn't run, it made me feel cowardly.
In all honestly, I needed the break. Was there another way that could have occurred without leaving for weeks?
I wasn't sure how long it had been, but I knew it was definitely more than one week.
One week without seeing her, one weak with a darn heavy heart.
It wasn't a good experience, I'll tell you that.
Abel snorted, his lips stretching. "I was getting worried for a minute.
Wouldn't want my brother-in-law falling sick.
" He said teasingly, nudging me in the ribs. I tensed at his comment.
Brother-in-law?
Oh, right, he probably knew I was going to propose.
I laughed, waving the thought off. "Sick? I'm stronger than five means combined, you don't have to worry." I jested back, flexing my biceps, which made me throw his head back in laughter. "That so?" Abel chuckled, "Alright, superman, I'll leave you to it. Don't work so hard, okay?"
"Aren't you meant to say the opposite?" I called out after him with a smirk.
"Don't let the other smell your favouritism.
" Abel cackled when I said once more; he waved his hands while walking away.
It was true that I'd been drowning in work recently.
If I weren't working, the depressing thoughts would flood in.
I didn't want that, so I occupied my mind with the noise outside.
"Someone's laughing a bit more." I heard a familiar voice call out.
When I turned around, Rasu was smirking my way.
"Is that right?" The words slipped out sarcastically, and Rasu nodded.
"I'm glad you aren't so in your feelings anymore.
" He said, tapping my back. This made me think, did I look so depressed?
It was as though they were congratulating me for coming out from depression.
Sheesh, I almost shrank back in embarrassment.
"I guess you could say I'm better now."
"Talked to your woman yet?"
I tensed, knitting my eyebrows together.
"Why'd you ask?" I thought she'd arrive but when I looked around, I only saw a few clients.
Rasu laughed. "I assumed that was the reason for you being so sad.
Besides, I haven't seen her in a while." His words made me think, I guess they really knew what was up but decided not to pry.
Nodding to his question, I leaned against the wall.
"I have, actually; good thing you'll see her today. "
Rasu grinned, "So the woman is coming? No wonder you're a buzzing man!"
Cheesing, I rolled my eyes playfully at his jest. "Of course, I'm buzzing.
But yeah, she was in culinary school for a while, so she couldn't come here.
" I explained, and Rasu nodded. I had to admit I missed Amelia coming to the workshop.
Even when she had just moved in, the thought crossed my mind once or twice.
I guess I kind of liked it when she came to my place of work, and the guys would jest. Smiling, I shook my head.
"Anyways, you got anything for me to do?" I asked, rubbing my hands together. Rasu nodded, pointing to the back, "I actually have a client there, another coming real soon. You can take this one." He said. Grateful, I thanked him; I didn't fancy idling around.
"Good day, ma'am." I greeted the middle-aged woman who had just gotten off her phone.
She smiled, responding to my greeting. Apparently, her engine was faulty, and the battery in her car was low.
Telling her it'd take about two hours to charge her car battery to a reasonable per cent, she decided to come back to pick it up.
When she left, I got to work. First, I took the car battery out and plugged it.
When I was sure the battery was charging, I went to handle the engine of the car.
As I did, I let some thoughts into my head.
I'd need to go back to therapy sooner or later.
I had told my therapist that I wouldn't be able to come for a while, I had to pay a fee for cancelling it for a few weeks after booking, but I told her I'd be back.
Being holed up in my room definitely didn't do me any good.
I needed to resume therapy soon. Humming to myself, I tried the engine, and it reverberated.
Turning the ignition off, I went around to the bonnet once more.
I wonder, did Abel see me as a befitting brother-in-law?
It was a weird thought, but I wanted to be a good brother to him.
Wait, what was I even saying? I had yet to propose to Amelia; frankly, I wasn't sure it'd happen soon.
I needed to be sure where we stood, I needed to know if she was ready or if she needed more time.
I loved her so much.
But this was a decision of a lifetime.
Testing the engine once more, the car started normally, and the engine worked fine. Grinning triumphantly, I closed the bonnet, picking up a towel to clean my hand. All that was left was to let the car battery charge. Stretching out, my phone buzzed in my jeans, getting my attention.
The phone kept buzzing, which meant that I had a call.
Humming to myself, I pulled my phone out to see the caller ID.
My eyebrows rose up. 'Baby' was calling.
Was something wrong? How come she was calling me?
After accepting the call, I took a deep breath and placed the phone to my ear.
Shoving a hand in my pocket, I listened for her.
"Uh...hi Evie." I heard her gentle voice call out. I smiled, looking at the tiled floor. "Hey baby, how are you?" Wasn't she able to come again? My shoulders dropped in disappointment, hoping that was not the case.
"Turn around..."
My eyes widened slightly at her request, and without questioning it, I whipped my head back, my heart thudding faster than it was a few minutes ago.
The search for her was short because my gaze came across a woman with her braids lying all over her sides, reaching her waist. She had her phone to her ear, a timid smile on her face.
The woman...my woman stood there, gazing at me as though she'd seen her favourite musician in a crowd whole of people.
I didn't think my heart would jump when I saw her again, but darn did it jump. It palpitated as soon as it did, making the blood in my hands run cold. Dropping the phone from my ears, I placed it back into my pocket, still holding Amelia in my gaze.
She was here.
She was really here.
Looking as beautiful as I remembered.
Walking towards her slowly, I thought of a thousand things to say, but my tongue remained tied, short of words.
Was there anything to say? How about 'I'm sorry?
' or 'I missed you?' or 'I forgive you?' Those words couldn't even start to sum up all the emotions running in circles.
Yeah, I definitely loved this woman. Even after her actions broke my heart, I still felt giddy at the sight of her.
"Sweetheart." I let out almost in confusion; that was the first word to escape my tongue-tied mouth.
Amelia nibbled on her lips with a shy smile.
I could see the tears brimming in her eyes.
No...I didn't want to see her cry again.
Did she stay still because she was hesitant to make the first move?
I couldn't care less about all the things we said in the heat of the moment, and I couldn't care less if she kissed that bastard.
I just wanted to hold her in my arms again.
"I-I've m-missed you," She whispered, her voice croaking. Right before my eyes, a tear dropped, running down her dark skin. My heart clenched at her words, so I wasn't the only one longing to see her again. Unable to take the distance, I extended my arms, pulling her in.
Her body seemed smaller against mine; maybe that was because it'd been a while since I'd held her.
Amelia sobbed into my chest, her arms looped around my waist. I held her neck, rubbing circles against it while closing my eyes tightly.
I didn't know what to say, so I just held her, listening as she sobbed.
"E-Everest, I'm sorry. I promise I'll be better."
She uttered with a stutter, holding me tightly as though I'd disappear.
I just hugged her, shushing her whispers.
I didn't want her crying on me, and I didn't want her to cry any longer.
"I'm sorry too," I admitted, my eyes stinging.
Goodness, the emotions were almost too much to handle.
It was good we were at the entrance, not in front of the workshop.
Her head shook in my hold, "No, no, why are you apologizing?
" She asked, her voice thick with tears.
Kissing her head, I gently played with her braids.
"It's okay, baby. You don't have to keep crying.
" I cooed. "How about we go someplace else?
" I asked, not wanting to have a conversation on our feet.
Amelia broke off the hug, her face wet with tears, dark circles staining her eyes, probably from her mascara.
She nodded, trying to wipe off her face.
"I'll be right back," I told her, rushing to take off the apron and put on my jacket.
Nudging Rasu, I told him I'd be going on my break now, and he nodded.
Searching the shelf, I took out a box of tissues jogging back to Amelia, who was shuffling on her feet, drying off her face, but more tears just seemed to be coming out.
Intertwining our hands, I directed her outside, into my truck, for a bit more privacy.
Starting the car, I turned on the air conditioner and locked the doors when we both sat in the back seat.
"You alright?" I asked, pushing the front seat so it wouldn't be so cramped up in the back. Amelia nodded, sniffling silently.
"Here." I gave her the box of tissues, "Use as much as you want; don't worry about tossing it on the floor.
" Why was I so nervous? Was it because I hadn't seen her in a while?
Amelia stared at me for a minute, her face scrunching up as she began to cry out loud, just like the day she told me not to leave her.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" She sobbed, blowing into the tissue as she cried some more. Goodness, why was my eye acting up as well? Was I going to start crying too? Sighing, I rubbed my neck so I wouldn't tug on my hair and ruin the gel. What did she mean? Why was I being so nice to her?
"Amelia," I called out, watching her cry, which was starting to make me tear up as well.
"I honestly don't deserve this kindness, I.
..I know I...I honestly wouldn't mind if you were mean to me; I deserve it.
And please don't apologize." She could barely make up a sentence with how much she was sobbing.
Sighing, I picked her up from the seat and put her on my lap.
Amelia gasped, coughing in the process. It made my heart swell to see her react like this.
Rubbing circles on her back, I told her to take deep breaths.
"Amelia, baby...I am sorry too, you know?
Here's why: I'm sorry I yelled at you that day and cursed at you.
I'm sorry I left you for so long without talking about it; I admit I was hurt, but I don't ever want us to be like this again.
If we have a problem, I don't want us stretching it out.
And I'm sorry for not replying to you when you told me you were going to therapy.
I'm proud of you for doing that." I took a deep breath after saying all that.
Her tears had stopped coming. She just looked dumbfounded, wiping her cheeks.
"I'm sorry, too." She told me, frowning.
This made me chuckle, "I guess we are both sorry,"
"I...I want you to know that y-you're the only one I want to be with, Everest. I mean it.
You have my heart, no one else. A-and if you'd allow it, I'd show you that I'm willing to change to be a better woman.
I mean, I am changing." She seemed determined to tell me this.
Even with her tear-filled eyes, she still managed to look cute, as she told me.
I smiled. It was nice to hear her say this.
"I'm the only one?" I asked, wanting to be reassured once more. She nodded profusely. "You are."
Grinning from ear to ear like a madman, I hugged her, this time my hands going around her waist. She hugged me, too. "I'm sorry I'm staining your shirt." She whispered. I chuckled, running my hands through her braids. "I don't mind," I said.
We remained in each other's arms, simply listening to our breaths. "Thanks for calling first." She hummed, tilting her head. "O-Oh...thanks for answering." She said back, making me laugh. Grabbing a tissue, I used it to wipe the remaining stain on her cheeks. She stayed still, closing her eyes.
"And Amelia?"
"Hm?"
"I only told you not to call me Evie because I was hurt, and I didn't want to remember the name like that.
" I thought to tell her this. I noticed she watched her words when calling me that.
Her eyes blinked open, "Really?" She asked, seeming happy.
"I...I thought you didn't like the name all along. " I almost laughed at her words.
Pulling her closer by her waist, I pecked her cheeks. "No, I do like it." I kissed closer to her lips, "A lot."
"Okay...I'm glad." Oh, could this lady get any cuter?
Smiling to myself, I dived my head to her chest, cuddling into her breasts.
Amelia giggled, holding me. Her finger played with my curls, and I hummed, liking the feeling of being petted.
"I love you, Evie..." I heard her say while playing with my hair ever so gently.
I promise you, my heart warmed at her words.
It sounded so soft yet determined. She said so like she meant it, and I believed her.
"I love you so much, my darling Amelia."
I said as well, remaining in between her chest. Her chest vibrated as she laughed a little. I wasn't sure when I would propose, but I knew one thing for sure. I wanted to make this work. I was going to marry this girl.