He looks doubtful but lets it go.
“What if we go to my car and I can take you somewhere a little quieter?” he suggests lightly. “Empathy is hard to come by around here,” he adds with a laugh, and I smile shyly, then agree with a nod.
I can’t deny that I feel apprehensive about his quick agreement since I barely know him, but there’s something about his demeanor that gives me a sense of calm.
We stand, and the blue-eyed man leaves a generous tip on the table. As we walk to his car, he opens the passenger door for me.
“Thank you,” I say softly as I slide in. He moves around to the driver’s side, and soon we’re on our way. Half an hour later, we pull up to a two-story house, and I frown.
“We don’t have to go in if you don’t want to,” he suggests nonchalantly, but I look at him skeptically. “Come on, you can trust me,” he reassures.
“Can I?” I ask, and he chuckles, licking his lips.
“I know it’s hard to open up, especially when people around you often let you down.” He meets my eyes, and I frown slightly.
“What makes you think you know me?” I question, a bit abruptly. He smiles softly.
“Enough,” he replies simply. “You don’t have to share all your life details for me to see that you love him more than you love yourself. But if you keep doing that, you risk letting him hurt you,” he advises.
“That’s absurd-”
“Is it?” he interrupts. “How long have you known about Racheal?” he asks, and I look down, knowing I didn’t discover it recently.
“What does that matter?” I challenge incredulously.
“Didn’t you hesitate to ask him about her because you thought he loved you now and she was just a ghost from the past? Or are you more afraid of what he might say?” I feel my eyes threatening to overflow with tears.
“This is absurd,” I manage to scoff, shaking my head.
He remains silent for a moment before speaking again.
“Do you know what’s really stupid?” he asks. “That a beautiful 17-year-old girl is using up her youth, parties, and friends for a man nine years older who keeps his past a secret. Shouldn’t you trust him?” His words hit me hard and make me recoil.
“You know Alex well, yet you defend me?” I ask in disbelief.
“I know him all too well,” he nods. “And I know you too.”
“I won’t let him hurt you,” he whispers, sending a shiver down my spine. “Alex loves you, there’s no denying that-but he can be a complete jerk. He could hurt you deeply,” he comments thoughtfully, almost as if haunted by memories.
“What did he do to you?” I ask, puzzled, but he shakes his head.
“Nothing worse than what I can do to you,” he whispers. I’m confused and shake my head in disbelief.
“Alex would never hurt me… He loves me.”
His laughter is mocking, almost cruel, as if I shared the world’s funniest joke.
“A lie only matters when we think the truth is too painful to face,” he says clearly. “Keep that in mind when you look at Alex.”
“What do you mean?” I press, but he evades the question.
“Do you have a place to stay?” he asks, ignoring me, and I quickly look down.
I mention my best friend’s house, giving him directions. He doesn’t ask about my home life or family as we drive toward Emily’s familiar house.
As we pull up next to her not-so-grand home, I turn to him. “I’m sorry for taking up your time,” I say stiffly.
“Just… don’t chase after him. Let him come after you. It’s not about pride; give him a moment to think.” His words resonate with me, and I feel my throat tighten. “You’re a wonderful girl, Nina. You need to learn to be a bit selfish, to prioritize yourself. Love yourself and command the respect you deserve.”
Suddenly, everything I’ve bottled up spills over, and I unleash my frustration.
“You don’t know me!” I exclaim incredulously. “You can’t understand me in just a few encounters. My actions and words don’t define me completely. You’ve only seen me a handful of times! You can’t claim to know who I am or who I could become! I can’t believe you call yourself Alex’s friend when you’ve done nothing but throw shade at him!” I don’t even realize when I elevate my voice. “Alex is the most amazing man I know. Yes, I love him more than myself; I’d give my life for him, and I don’t care what people like you say!” Tears spill down my cheeks.
“You’re misconstruing everything.”
“Of course not!” I retort, keeping my expression neutral. “You and I both know what you’re trying to do; you want to drive a wedge between us. I don’t know why, nor do I care. But let me clarify: no matter how confident you appear or how much you try to undermine Alex in my eyes, you can’t do it.” A sarcastic laugh escapes me. “And you owe Alex an apology for spreading all this negativity about him and others; it just proves you’re a hypocrite.” I swing open the door and step out, slamming it behind me.
As I approach my friend’s house, I ring the doorbell.
“Nina!” he calls out as I stand outside, waiting for Emily to opened the door, feeling the weight of my emotions.
“Ask him about Racheal!” he whispers. I meet his serious gaze, sensing his disappointment. “And when you ask, look him in the eyes; no one can lie or hide anything when you hold their gaze!” His words stir something within me. My heart urges me to absorb his every word, while my mind screams to disregard him.
“I’m not trying to paint him as a bad person; I want you to understand the real Alex before you’re let down,” he mumbles under his breath.
“And why would that disappoint me?” I reply, attempting to sound self-assured, though inside I’m panicking. That five-letter name sends waves of anxiety through me.
“Why are you scared?” he questions, and I swallow hard.
I hear someone call my name from behind me as the door swings open, but I’m paralyzed, unable to tear my eyes away from him.
“Have a nice evening, Nina.”