33

Lauren Hart
Two freaking days!
It had been two days since we came back after spending a torturous night at my home. And since that day Sean had been avoiding me. Well, not exactly avoiding but he had confined himself to just business talks. He wasn’t completely back at his usual brooding self, he did continue to listen to my nonsense but he hadn’t been initiating talks.
He had stopped courting me. And that hurt the most.
And all that happened just because of my foolishness!
I had no intention to kiss Jazzy. It just happened because I got overly excited and jumped on him. To be honest, I wanted to make Sean jealous but I guess my plan backfired on me.
My wild decision cost me avoidance. I was a fool that I thought Sean would never give up on me but he did it in the blink of an eye. Like… he completely forgot that he was courting me just two days ago.
I needed someone who could give me advice on this. I needed someone with a stable mental level who could advise me on how to get back the Sean I fell in love with.
And I knew the best people to share my worries with.
Okay! Maybe it wasn’t the best idea at all.
I came to visit Eloise and Ariana at Eloise’s place and for the last half hour, I had been sitting on the couch in the living room bouncing my knees and playing with my hair while they both sat in front of me, waiting for me to speak. I hadn’t spoken a word about why I had called this urgent meet. I couldn’t bring myself to frame the right words. My gaze remained fixed at Amara who had been playing with Travis and the toys at the back on the carpeted floor.
“What is it, Lauren? You have been sitting here for long without uttering a word.” Ariana spoke up, making me look at her. I bit the inside of my lower lip thinking how should I explain to her that I… fucked up?
“Yes, Lauren, speak up for heaven’s sake!” Eloise exclaimed.
I huffed and stopped the bouncing of my knees. I then took a deep breath, preparing myself to speak.
“I screwed up!” I muttered while biting my lower lip in uneasiness.
“What exactly did you do?” Eloise asked in suspicion.
“Are you in some kind of trouble? Tell me?” Ariana’s concerned voice melted my heart. She’s too sweet for this world.
“I…uh…” I stuttered. What should I start with?
“I am not in trouble -well yeah, it’s a sort of trouble but not exactly.” I had no idea what was coming out of my mouth. “I mean I did something that I shouldn’t have but it happened-”
“Lauren come to the point!” Eloise interrupted my babbling.
“I am in love with Sean.”
I blurted out without wasting another second and the reaction I received was an expected one.
“You what?!” They both shrieked in unison as they both bounced off the couch. I lowered my head as I couldn’t meet their eyes because I was blushing profusely. They shouted so loudly that the kids too diverted their attention to us.
Eloise dropped herself on the couch. I saw it by raising my eyelashes, not my head. Ariana was still in shock as she stayed rooted to her place blinking continuously.
“YOU. MEAN. TO. SAY. THAT. YOU. ARE. IN. LOVE. WITH. SEAN? Our Sean? Sean Peterson?” Eloise’s exaggeration caused me to mentally roll my eyes. As if she knew any other Sean Peterson.
“I…I can’t believe it!” Ariana muttered and she too sat back on the couch.
“Oh, please. You both are behaving as if you didn’t have a suspicion before!” I raised my head in annoyance but when I found them smiling secretly I felt the urge to dash out of there because I made myself victim to their endless teasing.
“So, you and Sean, huh?” Eloise smirked.
“How and when did it happen?” Ariana asked intriguingly.
“I…I…uh, it just…Ahem…” I stuttered, looking everywhere but at them. All of a sudden the doorbell resonated in the house and I jerked in shock.
Please god, don’t let it be Daniel Adams. I won’t be able to talk in front of him. I prayed mentally.
“Oh, that must be Trish. She had informed me about her visit.” Eloise stood up and went to open the door.
I sighed in relief and prepared myself to meet Trish, our common friend. She was Eloise’s makeup artist when she was a model. For now, she had taken a break. Ariana and I met Trish through Eloise and we didn’t take long to become friends. Trish had gone on a vacation with her boyfriend Evan and now she was back.
“Hey everybody! Missed me?” Trish’s chirpy voice echoed in the house. I grinned and engulfed her in a bone-crushing hug. She’s the one I feel is as chirpy as I am.
“God, I missed you all!” She then hugged Ariana and then met the kids then we all sat on the couch again.
“Okay, before we start…I am hungry. Eloise, do you have something in your kitchen?” Trish asked.
Eloise laughed. “My kitchen can never be empty. Help yourself with whatever you want but don’t touch Cheetos and walnut cookies otherwise Daniel will the tantrums.”
Now, we all laughed imagining Daniel Adams throwing tantrums and Eloise rolling her eyes at him. Trish went into the kitchen and came with a packet of potato chips.
“Now tell me, for what you all have gathered here.” She said and popped a chip in her mouth.
“Our Lauren is in love with Sean,” Eloise exclaimed nonchalantly and Trish choked on the chip.
“What?!” Her wide eyes met mine. “When? How?” I didn’t miss the mischievous tone in her voice.
Ariana and Eloise enlightened her about their suspicion when they caught us secretly living under the same roof by lying to them.
Trish laughed out loud, clutching her stomach. “Oh, God! This is so funny! I missed out a lot.”
My pink face had now started to turn red. I shrunk back on the couch. It was so embarrassing.
Trish then faced me with gleaming eyes. “What’s with the secrecy, Lauren? Were you two doing something-”
“Okay, shut up!” I groaned. “Don’t tease me more!”
“Alright, we won’t.” Ariana laughed. “Now, tell us how did this happen? When did you realize that you love him?”
I sighed and explained to them how Sean helped me deal with my loneliness and how he took a stand for me in front of my parents which no one ever did. And told then the moment I realized my love for him.
“Okayyyy.” They all sang in unison, nodding their heads. “Then?” Eloise asked. “Did you confess?”
“No!” I muttered.
“Why?” Asked Ariana and Trish.
“I…don’t know. Maybe I am still skeptical?” I shrugged my shoulders in heaviness.
“Of what, Lauren?” Ariana asked. “And about Sean? Do you think he feels the same for you?”
“Uh, I don’t about his feelings but yeah, he has been trying to court me for quite some time now.”
Almost instantly a sharp whistling passed through my ears. It was Trish.
“So fire is blazing on both sides, huh?” Trish wiggled her eyebrows. “Tell me, have you two already done the deeds?”
I gasped and threw a cushion at her and narrowed my eyes at her. She laughed and others joined as well.
“Stop imagining things!” I yelled.
“Okay, okay, fine,” Eloise said between her laughter as she wiped her tears. I crossed my arms across my chest in annoyance.
“We get it that you love Sean and Sean may have feelings for you then what’s the issue? You have time to confess, it’s not late yet. Why did you say you screwed up?” Eloise asked.
I huffed and told them what I did to make him jealous.
“I know I was wrong but it just happened. I can’t turn back in time. Sean…he, he has been avoiding me; behaving as if he isn’t after me. I need help. What should I do?” I looked at them with hopeful any kind of advice.
I felt like crying because I would do anything to get him back. Because I loved him, he was the first man who understood me. I was ready to throw my away doubts about loving him because I couldn’t lose him.
“Oh goodness, Lauren.” Ariana came to me and sitting on the armrest of the couch she hugged me. “Don’t be sad. Everything will be alright.” Her embrace felt so comforting that I didn’t waste a second and wrapped my arms around her. Then I felt being embraced by others too.
“Aww, it’s alright, Lauren. You still have time to make things right. Sean isn’t going anywhere.” Eloise comforted me.
All of them kept me in their friendly embrace for a while then they released me. Ariana then soothingly rubbed my back.
“If you think that you went overboard and you realize your mistake then did you apologize to him?” She asked me. I shook my head in no.
“I wanted to but my ego didn’t let me apologize. He too shut me out by talking just business and I couldn’t find the right time to apologize.” I muttered.
“Oh God, Lauren.” Eloise groaned. “Why would you do that? This isn’t you!” She pointed a finger at me. “You are someone who makes people listen to you; you never hesitate from speaking what you want to say then why couldn’t you do it with Sean?”
I blinked a few times and opened my mouth to reply to her but nothing came out because apparently, she was right. This wasn’t me! I could always without any effort make him listen to me then why didn’t I?
Maybe because I felt guilty?
“Hey, hey, it’s alright.” Ariana hushed her. “Let’s not talk about what has already happened. We should think about what can be done now, alright?”
“You are right, Ariana.” Trish and Eloise commented.
Ariana then asked me to face her and I did. “Lauren, what I have learned after being with Xavier is that we should never hide our feelings because if you do, it might bring some unnecessary drama and twists in a relationship.”
“She’s right, Lauren,” Eloise added. “If you have strong feelings for Sean- which I do not doubt about- you must confess… to lift your heavy heart and soul. Speak it all out. He might not share the same feelings as you-which I highly doubt- but you’ll be free of the burden of not confessing.”
“And leave behind the ego and apologize. There is nothing wrong in apologizing when you know you were wrong.” Ariana added.
“I have no issues with apologizing but he isn’t giving me a chance to do so,” I mumbled.
“Then go to him! Don’t let him leave until you are finished.” Trish exclaimed.
“Yes! Bring yourself back, Lauren. You can do it.” Eloise encouraged me. The air of motivation filled inside me I felt relieved. I felt like my original self was again coming back to me.
Determined, I abruptly stood up, surprising the squad. I squared my shoulders and raised my chin. “You all are right! I have decided now. I will not hesitate and will grab him by his collars and won’t let him leave until he forgives me. I will bring the Sean I fell in love with back.”
“Yeah, you go girl.” I heard cheers from Eloise and Trish.
“Umm…isn’t grabbing his collars too much?” Ariana asked hesitantly. I didn’t look at anyone as my eyes were focused on my imaginary goal.
“Too much?” Trish asked. “Do you want her to grab something else, Ariana?”
“Oh goodness, Trish!” Ariana shrieked.
My eyes turned wide and picking up a cushion I threw it at her. She laughed and fell on the couch.
“What? What did I say wrong?” She laughed louder. “I was talking about his hands!” She then abruptly stood up. “Don’t tell me you thought about -”
“Shut up, you dirty mouth!” I yelled, blushing deeply.
“God, this is so funny.” Eloise, who had been laughing maniacally spoke. “Look at Ariana, she is blushing more than Lauren.” She walked to her and squeezed her cheeks. “You are so cute, Ariana.”
“Stop it, Eloise.” She swatted her hands away.
I was looking at them when I felt someone shoulder bumped me. I rolled my eyes at Trish.
“Were you really imagining grabbing his-”
“I’ll kill you!” I tried to grab her neck but she grabbed my hands instead.
“Don’t talk about killing, we have kids here.” She whispered and winked.
“Oh, and talking dirty in front of them is okay?” I scowled.
“What? I didn’t say the word, did I? Don’t accuse of speaking dirty.” She frowned playfully then again grinned. “Although, in all seriousness, have you seen the monster he’s-”
“God, No!” I whisper yelled at her as I slapped my hand on her mouth.
“Do you want to?” She muttered through her covered mouth while wiggling her brows. I swear his image instantly flashed before my eyes and my mind automatically started to access his physical anatomy covered with the clothes, his perfectly tailored suit.
I felt hot and I gulped the craving to see him in his birth suit.
“Done measuring the size?”
Shit!!
I jerked and pushed Trish away and started to brush my hair to hide my face from her. But she wasn’t giving up. She tried to grab my hand but I turned my back to her but she was so adamant to see my red face that she again in front of me.
“What are you two doing?” Eloise asked.
“I am trying to get the answer to my question but she isn’t cooperating,” Trish commented.
“What did you ask?” Ariana asked interestingly.
Don’t ask Ariana…
“Mamma.”
“Oh, thank you, Amara sweetie. You are my savior.” I mentally thanked her without even looking at her for distracting these women from torturing me.
“What is it, Amara? Oh, goodness!” Ariana’s shocked voice caused me to look at Amara and as soon as I looked at her a giggle escaped my throat.
“What have you done, baby?” Ariana rushed to her.
Amara had her face painted with lipstick. She had the red color everywhere on her face except her lips.
“Aww, she’s so adorable.” Trish and Eloise commented.
“Lipsey, mamma.” Amara giggled, showing the lipstick in her hand. Yep, and on her teeth too!
“From where did you get this?” Ariana grabbed the lipstick out of her hand and accessed it. “Oh, Sorry Eloise, she ruined one of your lipsticks.”
“It’s alright, she’s just a kid,” Eloise assured her.
Ariana grasped Amara’s tiny shoulders. “You should not touch other’s things without asking, sweetheart. This is wrong.” She told her sweetly. “You look like a clown.” She chuckled as she tried to wipe her face.
“Amara, say sorry to Aunt Eloise.”
Amara thought that she was being scolded and her lower lip quivered as she lowered her head and played with her fingers. “Sorry, Aunt Eloi.”
Aww…she’s so adorable.
“Hey, it’s okay, sweetie.” Eloise crouched before her and kissed her red, painted face. “You can always use any of my lipsticks.”
“And I’ll teach you how to use it properly, okay my little cupcake?” Trish ruffled her hair. Here comes the makeup artist!!
Amara raised her head and looked at her mother with teary eyes. Ariana couldn’t see her cry and engulfed her in a hug. “Oh, Amara. Don’t cry, baby. I wasn’t scolding you.” She kissed her head repeatedly. Amara sniffed but didn’t cry.
Eloise walked to her son who had been lying on the floor and playing with his plush toy. “Oh god.” Eloise chuckled. “She has painted his face as well.” She picked him up and showed his face to us.
“I am so sorry Eloise. We got so much engaged in our talks that we forgot to keep an eye on our kids.” Ariana added.
Ariana and Eloise began to wipe the faces of their kids and Trish helped them whereas I admired them.
It’s fun to have these musketeers surrounding you. Watching them, I missed Ryan. My buddy!
I too used to care for him the same way. I could never see him cry. He became My joy. My sunshine. Knowingly or unknowingly he became the first person I called mine.
After a while, I bid farewell to them and left to complete my mission. I stopped a taxi and as soon as I sat in it I dialed Sean’s number. I couldn’t wait to talk to him. But he didn’t answer my call. I tried three more times but again-no reply.
I dictated Sean’s address to the taxi driver and asked him to drive me there but Sean wasn’t at home as well. I again tried calling him but he didn’t answer again.
Dejected, I went back home with the hope to have a conversation with him at the office.
But as soon as I stepped inside my house my phone buzzed and Sean’s name flashed on the screen.