Since everyone else had called it a night, I figured I’d hang out with Mr. Clinton and make the most of our time together.
I brought in two mugs of steaming hot milk tea, along with my usual snack, which I would probably be eating alone…
I found him relaxing on the couch situated at the veranda, his head leaning against the headrest with his legs crossed. I stood a fair distance away, watching him in silence; his eyes were closed, and his lips were impeccably defined. He seemed to be enjoying the night breeze, which I found very chilling. I had a blanket cozily wrapped around me; my long baggy pants shielded my legs from the harsh cold.
I sat beside him, placing the mugs down on the table. I saw one of his eyes peek open, only to close again when he realized it was me.
“What do you want?” His voice was stern, almost a whisper.
I sighed at his unwelcoming tone. Resting in the headrest like him, I gazed out at the dark view of the night through the balcony…
“Mr. Clinton, you’ve changed… you are no longer nice to me…” I said, making sure he sensed the hurt in my voice.
He straightened up on the couch, his gaze turning to me. “I couldn’t help it because of your confession and all… our relationship can never be the same.”
Those words rolled out of his mouth like butter, shattering the bit of hope I had for the effect we were supposed to have… His significant withdrawal from me was suffocating, making my journey of winning him seem unachievable.
I stared at him for quite some time before responding. “Because you couldn’t bring yourself to allow it, that’s why…”
He didn’t turn to face me, nor did my remark affect him in any way; he just ignored me as he used to.
Now, I was beginning to feel dispirited in my quest to capture his heart. The more I tried to make him fall for me, the more elusive he seemed. My usual charm and wit, which had never failed me before, appeared to have little effect on him. I felt like I was losing my touch, like I was just another face in the crowd. The thought was unsettling, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I was deluding myself into thinking that he could ever truly be mine.
I passed him his tea with a wry smile, my voice low and deflated. “Here… I thought you might need it for the cold…”
Surprisingly, he took it; his fingers grazed my skin, sending little flutters through me, erupting my wants and desires-ones he refused to give me…
I shook off my morose mood and tried to liven things up.
“So how does it taste…” I teased, my eyes sparkling with mischief, my lips curling up in a playful smile…
He glanced at me, his expression unreadable. “You never get tired of asking that same question, or perhaps you want an award for the best cook or something…”
“If you feel I deserve it then go ahead; I would want you to award me…” I replied with a grin, my shoulders rising in a playful shrug…
I heard him sigh, seeming irritated by my presence. He dropped the mug on the table, his face turning serious yet soft.
“Sarah, I know what you’re trying to do, but I don’t want to break your fragile heart… I am saying this because… I care about you… move on, okay…” His eyes flashed with concern, something I hadn’t witnessed in a very long time.
I smiled wryly, concealing the wave of disappointment washing over me. I couldn’t help but mope; my face fell as I fought the urge to press further with an argument.
“I… understand…” I said, my voice becoming inaudible. Slowly, my sadness was replaced by determination. I had held on to my feelings for all these years despite my desired relationship being forbidden or tagged as ‘wrong.’ I had hoped for this opportunity, and I now finally had it… it would be too painful to give up now.
I lifted my face, my eyes locking on his, feeling more spirited and blazing with resolve. “But I can’t promise to move on… It’s impossible for me… I hope you understand too…”
He exhaled, frustrated by my perseverance; he was trying to get me to abandon my quest, but I didn’t think it was a desire worth abandoning.
“Sarah… can’t you understand for once? If you look at your request from my perspective, maybe you’ll understand…”
I shifted closer to him, our faces mere inches apart. “Okay, let’s do this then… why don’t you look at it from my perspective and see how it works…” I proposed, not ready to back down; a lipless smile spread across my face.
He was momentarily lost for words, defeated; his back slumped on the couch, gazing at the night scenery. “You are quite stubborn…”
“You are stubborn too,” I interjected cheekily, tilting my head as I stared at his face. Then I recalled a question I had been wanting to ask. I thought the reason he wasn’t willing to give me a chance could be due to his failed marriage.
“Do you still… love… your… ex-wife?” I asked with caution, thinking I might be crossing a line. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings… I still remembered how he reacted when I mentioned her. Still, I needed answers.
His focus snapped to me, his eyes darkening for a split second before fading away, as if masking his true emotions.
“Why do you ask that?” His voice was low, with a hint of anger.
Honestly, I replied, treading carefully so as not to anger him. “I feel you’re rejecting me because… you still harbor feelings for her…”
He exhaled deeply, his eyes locked on mine, and I could see the pain in his eyes. “You’re right; I still love Nicole.”
My eyes narrowed at the mention of the familiar name… Isn’t that the person Miss Ross tried comparing me to, and it got him all angry…? So Nicole is the name of his ex-wife…
I already hated her even though I had never met her before… It was palpable he shattered the poor man’s heart… It was good in a way, though; the competition was out of the way.
Slowly, I closed the distance between us and shifted closer to him.
“It’s obvious she didn’t love you as much as you did…” I said, smiling softly as I placed my hands in his. “But I will give you the love you deserve…” I purred, leaning in closer, our lips mere inches apart. “Just give me a chance, and I’ll prove it to you…”
He didn’t push me away as I expected; he stared right into my eyes, his face cold and emotionless. “Your seductions won’t work on me…” He finally spoke, our lips hovering.
Gripping my neck, I thought he was about to push me away, but to my surprise, he yanked my body toward him, his fingers sending shivers down my spine. As our lips tantalizingly poised, a tingle of excitement washed over me…
A silent gasp escaped my lips, immensely reacting to his touch, his sudden behavior… a side of him I had never seen before…
His thin brow quirked, his eyes never leaving mine. In a squint, he scrutinized my expression, his impeccable nose touching mine, spreading flutters all over my cheeks…
His lips left my face, gliding to my ears, whispering, his voice dripping with frustration. “How about I give you one last kiss, and you leave me alone… for good…? How’s that…”