A Love Restored

I went back to the kitchen and led to Lydia. “I need to take a half–day today.” I told her, “I asked Mr. Corsino, he agreed. I’ll help you with the work before I leave, though.”

She didn’t say anything, merely nodded, but I could feel her gaze on me as we worked in silence. Lydia wasn’t stupid. She would have figured out that something was wrong.

Or maybe I was reading too much into things. Felix barely spoke to me. Barely looked at me. There was no way for her, or anyone else to know,

After we had prepared lunch, I began to wash my hands as I prepared to leave. Just then, I heard the chatter of people entering the house. His parents were here. Fuck.

I should have stayed inside, but I had to, I just couldn’t help myself – I peeped through the door of the kitchen to look at the Corsinos as they walked inside. Felix had come down to greet them.

My heart hurt, suddenly. These were people from my old life, people I had been so close to. I had known them and loved them for years. It felt terrible to be so close yet so far away from my history.

Iran back inside and finished washing my hands and then collected my bag. The Corsinos were in the living room, and I took the chance to leave quickly. I ran outside to my car and quickly buckled myself in. It felt like I couldn’t leave fast enough.

One. Two Three Four Five

I pulled out of the compound and made the very conscious decision to drive past my old home. I drove slowly and steadily, chitching the wheel. I didn’t realize I was grinding my teeth, till I accidentally bit my tongue on a speed bump.

The houses arrived. Felix’s first, mine the next. I parked at the side of the road. I sat there in my car for about ten minutes, not even looking at the houses, just looking straight ahead at the road. One hand on the steering wheel, one hand on my face as I subconsciously picked at the already callused skin on my thumb with my teeth. I think I peeled off too much because suddenly I tasted metal. Blood. I pressed on the tiny wound till the blood stopped.

Taking a deep breath, 1 stepped out of the car. I took a few steps to the other side. It was just past 1 pm, there was barely anyone on the road. The sun shone bright and warm and I was reminded I hadn’t used any sunscreen

I stood in front of my old house. I had never realized how huge it was. Even the gates were huge iron, heavy, locked up now. For me it had always been home. But our I realized it. Now I saw the size, the grandeur. I felt a lump building in my throat, I swallowed to push it down. My ears felt like they were filling up with steam and my eyes hurt.

I felt like I was going to cry. But I didn’t. I knew I wouldn’t. I think I’d forgotten how to

I closed my eyes and felt the warm sun on my face. I imagined I was walking inside and Hannah was in the kitchen, my mom was in her room and Dad in his office. We ate dinner like a family. Mom fucked me in and Dad told me a sweet good night. All things were good. And then late at night, Felis climbed in through the window and got into bed with me. He cuddled me till we were both asleep. Like it should be. Like it had always been.

I turned to my right to look at Felix’s house. Their security guard was staring at me, probably wondering who this strange woman was who was looking at their house like a creep. It seemed like they had changed all of the staff – the house servants and the security. It made sense. After what went down, It only made sense they would want to take all precautions. And it was best to let everyone go, because anyone could have been a traitor.

I had so many memories here. I stayed for about another minute, before 1 decided to go back to my car so as not to rouse suspicion. Just as I was beginning to cross the road, another car was driving my way, so I stepped back to let them go, but the car stopped in front of me. The person rolled down the windows and peered at me.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

“Flora” Lexi cald excitedly. “Hey!”

“Hey, Lex”

“What are you doing here? Are you free? You should come to my place to hang out. We

out. We can have lunch together.”

I had nothing better to do. And it would be a good time to catch up with her. I was eternally grateful to Lexi for getti The than she could ever imagine.

I agreed, and Lexi asked me to drive after her. I gut into her car, and fo it was still-

getting me this job. It meant more to

followed. She pulled into the driveway of one of the

ambered a few months ago when she would bike to work was bappe her been befiend was providing She