NO GOODBYES (CHAPTER 2)
Romance
Suspense
Addiction
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NO GOODBYES (CHAPTER 2)
BEFORE YOU
The meeting was over, and as was my custom, I looked out for new people after each meeting to fully welcome them and inform them about what we do. But not that day; I wanted to escape, I wanted to hide. The feeling was overwhelming. I'd never felt that way about anyone before, so I wasn't sure what that was. All I knew was that I wanted to disappear from there. I stood up to leave, stepped out of the hall, and was about to exit the hallway when I felt someone tap me on the shoulder from behind - it was my friend Alex.
"Why are you in a hurry, Ariana? Where are you heading to?" "Alexandra, I have to leave right now. I don't have time to wait for you today." "What? Ariana, what's going on? You look like you've seen a ghost. We always leave together after each meeting. Why do you want to leave me today? Where are you going exactly?" "I'll explain everything later, Alexandra. I promise. But I really need to go now." I turned to leave, while Alex stood and watched the strange scene unfold, shaking her head in disbelief. Then, she turned and started a discussion with someone else.
"Hey, I've been looking for you! I want you to meet someone," she said. "Who?" I asked. "Don't worry, you'll see just now..." she replied, turning around as though she was looking for the person, and then turned back to me. "Why are you in a hurry, Ariana? Where are you headed?" Beatrice asked. "Oh, I need to meet up with someone at home, Bee," I said. "Okay, I won't take much of your time then. Just give me a few minutes..." Beatrice said.
"Minutes...? I screamed. I don't have minutes." As I said this, I glanced around to see if the man I was avoiding was nearby, the one person who was making my life miserble at the moment. But I didn't see him or anyone resembling him, so I decided to give Beatrice the minutes she requested. As I stood there waiting, I thought about my situation and looked around again, hoping he wouldn't suddenly appear. Feeling somewhat relieved that he was truly gone, I began to relax, returning to my normal state as Alex appeared in front of me, looking like she was staring intently. "Ariana, I thought you were leaving just now. What happened? Did you change your mind?" I replied, "I'm waiting for Beatrice. She said she has someone she wants me to meet."
We stood there discussing Beatrice and the person she wanted to introduce me to, while Alex tried to find out why I was in such a hurry to leave, as she didn't believe my explanation. Just as I was about to clarify, Bee appeared and dragged me away by the hand, causing my pen to fall. As I turned to follow her, I bent down to pick up the pen and stood up, only to find myself face to face with the man from the assembly - the very person I was trying to avoid. Shaking, I muttered under my breath, "I thought he had left." Beatrice heard me and asked, "Who left?" I replied, "Never mind." I was stunned, unable to move or look away from this captivating man. My body seemed paralyzed, yet alive, as if I was no longer in control. He stood tall and proud, watching me stare, his gaze meeting mine with an intensity that made me lose awareness of my surroundings.
Ariana, this is Brian, the friend I wanted you to meet," I said, turning to him. "Brian, Ariana," I added. "Have you guys met before?" Alex asked. We both responded in unison, "No!" Brian extended his hands to shake mine, and I reciprocated. We shook hands, and he held my hands for a few seconds while looking at me before letting go. He asked if I was leaving already, and I replied yes. As we talked, my ride arrived, and his did at the same time. He decided to cancel his and paid the driver for their trouble, opting to join me and Alex instead. Beatrice wasn't ready to leave yet, so we left her behind as Brian joined Alex and me heading home. Alex sat in the front with the driver, while Brian and I sat behind. I could see Alex looking at us from the rearview mirror. "You sing beautifully well, I must say, Ariana," Brian said. "Thank you, Brian," I responded.
"How long have you been singing?" Brian asked. "Since I was little, I guess," I replied. "For real?" Brian inquired. "Yes!" I answered. "Put a date to the age, let me imagine for a moment how young you were when you started," Brian continued. "I was only 12 years old when I started," I said. "Incredible! Fascinating... No wonder you sound really good," Brian said. "You're flattering me, Brian," I said. "No, oh no! I don't mean to," he said, then turned his eyes to Alex and asked, "Don't you agree? You're her friend, right?" "Oh, yes! Yes, she does sing well," Alex added. "She's an amazing singer, but she'll never agree with you." "I don't think we've been properly introduced," Brian said to Alex. "I'm Brian, and you are..." "Alex, my name is Alex," she replied. "As in Alexandra?" Brian inquired. "Yes!" "Okay!"
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