chapter 22: The unexpected transfer

I was watching the news when the anchor said something that made my heart skip a beat. "Three young people died tonight at 7:32pm," he said, his voice serious.

I just stared at the TV, unable to process what I was hearing. It was like time had stopped. I couldn't believe what was happening.

The anchor kept talking, but I didn't hear anything else. I was in shock. Three young people, gone. It was unthinkable.

I felt numb, like I was in a dream. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen, hoping that somehow, someway, it wasn't true.

As Andrew headed out the door to start his day, he turned to me with a reassuring smile. "Stop bothering yourself," he said, his voice gentle. "I'm off to work, honey," he added, before leaning in to kiss me softly on the cheek.

But as he pulled back, his expression turned serious. "Hum, Emily, there's something I want to tell you," he said, his eyes locking onto mine with a sense of gravity.

My heart skipped a beat as I sensed a change in his tone. "What is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Andrew took a deep breath before delivering the news. "The company is transferring me to the States this summer," he said, his words hanging in the air like a challenge.

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, my mind reeling with the implications. "What? Oh no, Andrew!" I exclaimed, my voice laced with worry.

He stepped closer, his eyes filled with emotion. "I know it's going to be hard for us, but I want you to know that I love you, Emily," he said, his voice cracking with feeling. "Please wait for me, don't love anyone else," he implored, his fingers tracing the outline of my face.

As he touched my cheeks, I felt a surge of love and longing. "I'll be back for you, I promise," he whispered, before turning and walking out the door, leaving me with a heart full of hope and uncertainty.

Here's the continuation of the story in an easy-to-read way:

I looked up at Andrew, tears streaming down my face. "I can't do without you," I said, my voice shaking. "How can you leave me for so long?"

lighting up with a radiant grin.

My pulse quickened as he walked towards me, his steps confident and purposeful. "You miss me?" he asked, his voice low and husky, sending shivers down my spine.

I felt a blush rise to my cheeks as I nodded, unable to speak. Andrew's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, and he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I missed you too," he whispered, his breath sending tingles down my neck. "I couldn't wait to see you again."

Mira and Anthony, oblivious to the charged moment between us, chattered on in the background, but I barely registered their conversation. All I could focus on was Andrew, his eyes burning with intensity as he gazed at me.exclaimed, jumping up from the couch.

I grinned, happy for her. "Go get him," I said, shooing her towards the door.

Mira skipped out of the room, leaving me to smile and feel grateful for our friendship. It had been a tough day, but with Mira by my side, everything felt a little brighter.

As the sound of Anthony and Mira's laughter faded upstairs, Andrew and I were enveloped in a warm, intimate silence. He nestled his head into the crook of my neck, his gentle breath sending shivers down my spine.

"When I'm gone, don't think too much," he whispered, his voice a soothing melody. "I'm always with you. We're going to call each other every day," he added, his smile a reassuring promise.

But as I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close, a nagging fear crept into my heart. I looked into his eyes, searching for answers.

"If you see someone better than me, would you forget me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my heart vulnerable.

Andrew's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes burning with intensity. He lifted his head, his face inches from mine.

"No one is better than you, Emily," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "You're the one I want, the one I need. I promise to always be true to you, no matter where I am."

His words were a balm to my soul, soothing my fears and doubts. I felt my heart swell with love and trust, knowing that Andrew was mine, and I was his.

"I love you," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion.

"I love you too," Andrew replied, his lips brushing against mine in a tender kiss, sealing our promise to each other.