Chapter 79: The second chance
1960words
I needed to see Nathan one last time. Moreover, I wanted to return the key to his house. I was going on a vacation; I needed to clear my head. Everything that had happened weighed heavily on me. At this point, I felt suffocated. Maybe a change of environment would heal me completely. I wasn't sure, but I had to give it a shot.
'Nathan?" I pressed the doorbell.
'Hold on a sec," he said before opening the door. 'Come on in," he said, leading the way inside.
'I hate to ask, but how do you feel now? Is the wound still hurting?" I asked.
He nodded. 'Just a stinging sensation; nothing more," he said, sitting on the couch.
'Um, I came to return the key to your house," I said, dropping the bundle of keys on the center table. 'I also want to let you know that I'll be leaving tomorrow."
'Leaving?" he jerked up. 'Where are you going?"
'I'm going on a vacation. You don't deserve any more explanation," I replied, turning to leave before he blocked my path.
'Come on, Scarlett. I was hoping we could do it together. I badly need a vacation too," he said, holding my hand. 'I know I won't be able to erase the ugly moments forever, but allow me to make our future better. Please, don't go again," he said, his voice full of emotion.
Tears filled my eyes. 'Learn to live without me, Nathan. I can't let you back into my life," I declared, pulling my hand away from him.
'I love you, Scarlett. I don't want to lose you again. I won't be able to survive it, please."
'Love is not enough to hold us together. We need trust, loyalty, and respect. We don't have any of those, so there can never be an ‘us,'" I stated.
'Let's just start afresh, please. We can make this work. Let's return to the first phase of our relationship—the time when I was just your maniac boss and you were my fiery assistant. I miss us, Scarlett. I miss everything we were before my betrayal. I will pay any price for my mistakes, but I can't handle you leaving a second time," he pleaded.
'Get Eve back. She loves you more than you can imagine."
'I don't want her. I've never wanted her. She doesn't want to be with me anymore either," he said, grabbing my hand again. 'I want you, Scarlett. You know I've always wanted you. Please, don't leave me again. I'm begging you."
'It's too late," I said, pulling away. 'Take care of yourself." I hurried out of the house, tears streaming down my face. I wanted him back too. My heart still beat for him, but I was too afraid to take him back. I didn't want to relive the most painful moments of my life anymore.
Gabriel was in the car waiting for me. I wiped my tears and entered, fastening the seatbelt.
'What did he tell you?" he asked, starting the car.
'It doesn't matter. He has to accept the fact that I can't have him back in my life," I said, relaxing my head against the headrest.
'Why is it so hard for you to take him back? For God's sake, he's learned his lesson. He knows your value and worth now."
'I hate it when you defend him!" I groaned.
'And I hate it when you punish yourself. You have the right to be happy. He has the right to have a second chance. Why can't you just fight your fears and give you guys a chance?"
'I thought you said you love me. Where is all this coming from?"
He pulled over, looking at me. 'I love you enough to lose you, Scarlett. My love for you is unconditional. As long as you're happy being with him, I can handle letting you go."
I squeezed his fingers. 'I see you, Gabriel. Stop acting tough just because you want to see me happy. I want to go with you. Only you can make me happy," I declared.
Without another word, he started driving.
That night, I began packing my clothes. I was determined to leave and forget Nathan. For the first time, I decided to listen to my head instead of my heart. My heart could only lead me to pain and regret.
I was busy when a knock came at the door. 'Come in," I said, and the door creaked open with Nathan walking in.
'What are you doing here at this hour?"
'I needed to see you," he said, moving closer.
I dumped the clothes I was holding onto the bed and returned to the closet to pack more. 'I don't want to see you, so leave," I said.
'You know I won't do that," he declared. 'I know you're scared of me betraying you again, but that's never going to happen anymore. My parents can't control my decisions anymore. I can truly be committed to you without any interference. If you must leave, I want to be by your side," he said, hugging me from behind.
He kissed the crook of my neck, leaving tingles on my skin. I relaxed into him for a moment, forgetting everything and imagining our beautiful future together.
'Let go, Nathan," I said, flinching away from him. 'I don't care about you anymore. Just leave me alone."
'Why are you choosing your bodyguard over me? What is he giving you?" he yelled, getting hot-tempered again.
'His name is Gabriel! And if you must know, Gabriel is not a pauper, as you might think. He is the CEO of TraceAsia. He's with me because he loves me more than you ever will," I retorted angrily.
'And you're with him because of what? Money?"
I chuckled. 'Money? Do you know I can buy you and your company, and my money would still be more? I am not the Scarlett you used to know. I have a name now. Get that and get lost."
'Then tell me why you're choosing him over me. Is it because you think he's perfect? The enemy you know is better than the enemy you don't know. What if he breaks your heart too?"
'Gabriel is not like you! He will never break my heart."
'How sure are you? He's human, and all humans are prone to mistakes," he said. His words couldn't make me rethink Gabriel.
'If you must go on vacation, I'm coming with you. I won't let that bodyguard have you. Never!"
He stormed out of the room, slamming the door loudly behind him. I couldn't help but chuckle. He was suddenly jealous that I would allow Gabriel to have me. How silly can Nathan be?
The following morning, Robert brought down my suitcase, and my mother helped me with my handbag.
'I'm going to miss you, Scarlett. When are you coming back?" my mother asked as we got to the living room.
'I haven't even reached there yet, Mother. I don't know if I'll be back soon or later. This is going to be a long vacation, you know?" I said, taking hold of her hand. She hugged me.
'You have to be very careful, sweetheart. Don't get into trouble again, please," she said, her voice breaking with emotion.
I smiled. 'Don't worry too much. I'll get some bouncers to protect me. Besides, Gabriel will be joining me in a few days, so there's nothing to worry about."
'If you say so. Call me when your plane lands, okay?"
'I will. I've dreamed of going to France for a long time, so if I don't return early, you can always come visit."
'No problem. Take good care of yourself," she said, and I smiled, letting go of her hand.
Robert had taken my suitcase to the car. When I opened the door, I came face-to-face with Gabriel.
'What took you so long?" I asked.
He moved aside, revealing Nathan standing behind him with a bouquet of mixed flowers.
'What is he doing here?"
'Please hear him out," Gabriel said.
'And why would I want to do that?"
'Please, Scarlett," Nathan moved closer. 'I let you go once; I can't let you go again. I'm deeply sorry for everything. I know I let you down, but I regretted every bit of it. I want you back, please," he said.
'You have Everleigh, Nathan. She's carrying your child. I have Gabriel, who loves me so much. There are many reasons why we can't be together, so please leave."
'Everleigh has made her choice. She wants to leave the baby with me after giving birth, then focus on her modeling career in the U.S. She doesn't want the baby. And I can't imagine my life without you anymore," he said, holding my hand. 'If you leave, I'll commit suicide," he warned. My heart skipped a beat.
'Don't hold back, Scarlett. Give him a chance; you also deserve to be happy," Gabriel interjected.
I pulled my hand away from Nathan and moved closer to Gabriel, stroking his cheek with my thumb.
'I don't want to hurt you, Gabriel. I can't bear seeing you in pain because of me."
He pulled my hand away gently and smiled, though I could see the sadness behind his eyes. 'You're not hurting me, Scarlett. You deserve to be happy, even if it's not with me. And I'll be okay, I promise."
I hugged him tightly, tears slipping from my eyes. 'You're an amazing man, Gabriel. Thank you for everything."
'Don't thank me. Just be happy, that's all I want."
I stepped back, wiping my face, then turned to Nathan.
'Nathan," I began, my voice shaking. 'Before I say anything, you need to understand something important."
'Anything. I'll listen. Just say it," he said, stepping closer, his voice almost desperate.
'I can't bear you a child. After everything I went through with Hernandez, I lost the ability to conceive. If being a parent is important to you, I can't give you that. I don't want you to regret choosing me."
Nathan didn't hesitate. 'Scarlett, I don't care about that. If we want children, we can adopt, or we can just live for each other. I don't need anyone else. I just need you. I've always needed you."
His words broke the wall I had carefully built around my heart. Tears spilled freely as I nodded. 'Okay, Nathan. I'll give you one last chance. But if you hurt me again, I swear I won't come back."
'You won't regret this, Scarlett. I promise," he said, pulling me into his arms.
Gabriel stepped aside, watching us silently. When Nathan released me, I turned back to Gabriel, feeling a pang of guilt.
'You'll always have a place in my heart, Gabriel. You've been my rock, and I'll never forget that."
He gave me a small, bittersweet smile. 'I'll always be here, Scarlett. Don't worry about me."
My mother placed a reassuring hand on Gabriel's shoulder. 'You're a good man, Gabriel. Thank you for taking care of her."
He nodded, then stepped aside to let us leave.
Nathan picked up my suitcase and walked with me to the car. As we climbed in, I glanced back one last time, seeing Gabriel standing there, strong and composed despite everything.
'Where to now?" Nathan asked, taking my hand as the car began to move.
'France. I still need that vacation," I said with a faint smile.
He chuckled softly. 'Then France it is. Together."
For the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to hope. Maybe this time, things would be different. Maybe we could heal together. Only time would tell, but for now, I was ready to take the risk.
