Chapter 39

SEBASTIAN

The outside world was a blur to me as I sped down the roads, my stomach flipping with anticipation. My hands clenched the steering wheel making my knuckles turn an icy white. Every once in a while I'd let out a groan of annoyance that it seemed to take an eternity to get to her house.

Dude, chill. You will get there eventually, just let the radio calm you down.

I let my inner monologue reel for a bit before accepting what it was saying and following its advice, letting the music play and even going so far as to hum a couple lines and unclench my hands to drum my fingers against the steering wheel.

Despite the anxiety, I could feel myself slowly growing calmer. It was her, the thought of seeing her again, to have her near me, that calmed me down. She made me feel less afraid to face whatever life throws at me.

Even though I was afraid, so fucking afraid, I felt a little excited, a little hopeful. I was hopeful because I would get to see her again, I would get to finally tell her; tell her everything. I would finally get to tell her how I feel, what she means to me. God, I can't wait to tell her just what she means to me.

I glanced over at my phone that perched on its holder; there was still so long to go. Too many minutes, too many miles. Now I understood road rage to a whole new level, heck I can even feel it spiritually. There were too many cars and they were all going too slow, I think I just saw someone applying makeup behind me, I felt so agitated and bothered.

It took forever to reach the three-quarter mark but now, it suddenly it all felt too sudden. The trip to her mansion was only a ten-minute drive away, then five, then three. Next thing I knew I was pulling up to her massive gold gate.

"Name and business." A low and bored voice spoke over the speaker.

"My name is Sebastian King, I'm here to talk to Audrey Parkinson." My voice spared no expense with the nervousness.

"I'm sorry but sh-"

"Let him in Grayson." Another voice interrupted and the gates swung open.

I continued up the long and winding road until I reached the mansion. I gasped in awe at the building, it was like a piece of art, half of it was glass, the other old gothic style. And it was all surrounded by these vast lands, this was insane.

I circled a water fountain and stopped outside the door where a man in a suit waited for me. As I stepped out he smiled sadly at me but welcomed me anyway.

"My lady is in the living room waiting for you."

I thanked him and followed the directions he gave me soon after, soon finding myself in a large room filled with sofas and a huge TV. It was almost as beautiful as the outside, but it didn't look like a home that Audrey lived in.

I heard someone clear their throat and I turned to see Margo come out of a door. "Sebastian, what brings you here?"

"You mean you didn't let me in?" I asked confused.

"No, why? What's wrong? Why are you here?" She set her mug down on a table and sat on one of the sofas.

"I'm, are you sure you didn't let me in? If it wasn't you then-"

"It was me. I let him in." A small, petite woman stalked through the door. Her dark hair was pulled back in a half-up-half-down hairstyle which reminded me of Audrey's from the night of the ball. Looking at her face I can see the resemblance clearly.

"Mrs Parkinson," I greeted, shaking her hand.

Margo stood up, her eyebrows drawn together in confusion. "Mother, why'd you let him in? Not that I wouldn't want you to visit or anything but..."

"I suppose you are looking for Audrey. She truly is the pride of the family, but why are you in search of her?" Her tone was one of warning, if I so much as slipped up I knew I'd be escorted out of here, and not kindly.

"I wanted to talk with her. Last time we talked we kind of left some things unanswered and I needed to tell her..." I trailed off. Maybe saying that in front of her mother wasn't the best idea.

"You needed to tell her how you feel about her." Mrs Parkinson finished for me, her eyes sparkling in excitement.

What is going on?

"What is going on?" Margo spluttered.

"You forget that despite being helped by the Cupid's database, I was the one who created it." She grinned, pulling up her sleeve to reveal a tattoo of her own - a human heart made of diamond. "Although the human heart can be hurt easily and is a slave to emotions, it is not so fragile as it seems."

"But why did you let me in?" I questioned.

"Because I am interested in the boy who stole my daughter's heart. It's strange, I didn't really think she possessed such a mundane thing." She joked, giggling at her joke.

"If that's the case then I need to talk to her. You understand, don't you?" My voice was desperate and strained.

"Wait, so she didn't tell you?" Margo's voice was so quiet, the bad kind of quiet.

"Tell me what?" I grew afraid, my anxiety and nerves came bouncing back.

Her voice held so much regret and remorse. "She left. She moved, she just left about two hours ago. We don't know what country sh-"

"Country? She moved country and she didn't...I." I was lost for words. I could feel tears prickling my eyes. suddenly the fantasy came crashing down on me. My hope fled, my happiness crumbled as the curtain was pulled away.

I couldn't stop the tears from falling. Even when they both apologised. Even as I drove home. Even as I trudged up to my room, ignoring everybody asking if I was okay and throwing worried glances at me. Even as dinner time came and I stayed on my bed despite my growling stomach. Until they could no longer fall, because there wasn't any left.

AUDREY

I looked through the glass, watching the scenery pass by me as I soared above the clouds. I have been on this private plane for about an hour and I could feel the shame seep through me.

Coward.

Inconsiderate.

Cold-hearted bitch.

"Madame, would you like any snacks or beverages?" The stewardess' cheery voice broke me from that train of thought.

"Can I get tea and a scone please?" My voice hinted that my mind was elsewhere than in the plane thinking about snacks and beverages.

"Coming right up." She smiled brightly before she left.

I rubbed my eyes, thanking the heavens that I took my make-up off earlier. Well, there wasn't much to take off as I kind of sobbed of off instead.

I just couldn't stop thinking about him. I felt so horrible. I felt like I was betraying him. I owed him so many answers. I owed him an explanation that at the moment I just couldn't give. I should have told him.

What if he didn't want you?

Who would want you?

What do you have to give him?

There are so many better women out there than you, what makes you think he'd even consider you?

"Here you go madame, is there anything else I can get you?" I was once again interrupted by the cheery stewardess.

I need to tip her later, if it weren't for her I'm sure my thoughts would have compelled me to throw myself out of the plane.

"No, thank you." I smiled gently, taking a small nibble of my scone.

"Alrighty then, if you need anything give us a wee shout." She once again smiled before joining her co-worker at the front.

I was left alone to do as I pleased so I chose to work and check all the arrangements I made earlier. It was a long and tiring flight before an announcement was made that the plane would be landing.

As the plane landed I couldn't stop my mind from racing. One single thought repeating itself over and over again. I even murmured it as I stepped off the plane and into the car with a driver.

"I'm so sorry Sebastian." My voice was quiet and it broke halfway through as I once again rubbed away the tears.

"Madame Parkinson, I am honoured to be driving you today. I would like to confirm the address?"

"Yes, that's fine," I responded, confirming the address before we drove out of the airport grounds.

"Madame, I would like to formally welcome you to France." I smiled at his welcome but my mind had wandered off elsewhere.

I'm so sorry Sebastian. I hope you can forgive me. Well, I hope I can apologise to you in the future; until then I guess.