three times and asked himself whether he even needs to come in and see her again. For most of the time he doesn’t really care about her well-being, so why should he now? He could just send her a text and move on with his life. Nate only desired to talk to her one more time, though they seem to have got such wanted closure.
However long he was planning on standing in front of the door, it wouldn’t change the fact that he was stalling for naught: he knew she has been waiting for him for a while now, and he is better not to annoy his ex-lover.
“Go on, come in. I hate being in a hurry,” she exclaimed rather irritated. Nate exhaled deeply and managed to collect his cool. No one is able to affect his frame of mind as much as Linda does.
“I am having lunch with my new boss, super excited and ready to win his affection. I have some jokes prepared, locked and loaded,” she chirped, smiling charmingly. He couldn’t help smiling, she always looks adorable when she is excited like this. “Oh no, please don’t make a mess, leave shoes at the door. I have just had my apartment cleaned,” she went on. There is no way she will be less dramatic about her neatness, it is something that is both endearing and mildly infuriating.
“So, I see you decided to become a gardener,” he brushed an exotic plant’s huge leaf with his hand and noticed a thick layer of dust on the fingers. “And not a very good one, apparently.”
She shrugged and replied in an annoyed tone, “I must’ve forgotten, big deal. I’m not a gardener, but florist, you fool. Come here, I missed you,” she approached him happily, embracing softly. “I couldn’t sleep tonight, so I looked through our photos. You know what, can’t help but notice that we truly make a lovely couple,” she leaned in for a kiss.
“Linda, don’t,” he pushed her away softly but urgently. “You know we are over, right?”
She immediately rolled her eyes and sighed. “I do, but I don’t think you are really going to go through with it.”
“And why not exactly?” he approached a window and glanced at the street. The panoramic view of Philadelphia was breathtaking, but Nate couldn’t enjoy any of it. The person he cared about so deeply and was one of his closest friends has been in deep denial for weeks now, and this was driving him nuts. He had not idea how to stop this maddening game of hers and to keep their friendship without allowing this bomb to wreck what is left of them.
“I’m moving, Linda,” he muttered. “I’m sorry, I should have told you before.”
“Excuse me? Where?” she stuttered. “You can’t be serious right now.”
“I have my stuff packed, I’m moving back to Casares. It is final,” he looked her right in the eyes. “I brought your stuff, if you don’t mind, they are downstairs.”
“Well, if that’s what you really want, I have nothing left to say. You know you will be missed,” she turned around and went to the kitchen. Her facial expression just said it all: she was extremely bothered and shocked, yet, she was trying to keep it together. “I’ll be alright, you know. I have this new awesome job, and this apartment, great friends.. I’m fine!”
“Are you sure you’re fine? I mean, I didn’t want to tell you, because I know how you would react, but…”
She interrupted me. “Five years, Nate! Five. You really will throw our whole history into the trash, is that so? You just so immature and-, and pathetic! Terrified of commitment, our new life here, your possible career, everything! Never learn, never will, you-…”
“You stop it right now!” He lost it. “Don’t you dare talk to me like this. I am leaving because of my daughter, she needs me there.”
“You just didn’t use Sara for excuse,” she burst into laughter. “Have you always been so delirious, haven’t you? Ha-ha!”
“If you want to believe I am looking for an excuse, have at it. Just know we are done.”
“Get out… Now!” She yelled, fighting back tears. The dreams and expectations of this new exciting step of her life were finally shattered into even smaller pieces than they have been before, leaving her nothing but empty.
Nate watched her slowly sliding down on the floor and suddenly felt a wave of tenderness and empathy to her, but he couldn’t get involved. He knew she will eventually get better and finally find happiness with somebody else. It just wasn’t him.
Linda shrieked and put a hand over her mouth, trying not to break down in tears. She couldn’t mention the secret she has been keeping for months, she knew it just wouldn’t get him stay. It wouldn’t be easy for both of them.
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