FINALLY MET WITH HIM
STILL ON ISABELLA'S POV
"Nate!" I shouted with surprise and excitement, I ran towards him to give him an embrace, oh how have missed my childhood friend.
"Is..a..bella," he stuttered in surprise." I guessed it was you," he made a small laugh.
"God! Nate I have been searching for you," I rested my head on his chest, he still had that masculine smell, but there was a little difference, I guessed it's maturity.
"Hmm really?" He disengaged from our embrace," searching for me? Like you couldn't just call me or perhaps dimmed it fit to visit,not even a text message? He asked annoyance creeping on his voice.
"I changed my number, and you should know everything," I wiped my eyes from the invading tears.
"I guess you changed your entire being huh," his voice was getting cracky.
"I'm sorry Nathy, you of all people should understand my dilemma, I had to do what I did unless I wouldn't have gained my freedom so quickly," I held his hands with a sad face.
"I always knew boss was suffering from a heartbreak ," the attendant said aloud unaware of his environment.
We both suddenly turned and stared daggers at him which made him retreat quickly.
"I was actually heading out right now, I guess we will see each other later ?" He looked at his watch," I bet if this watch is correct " he turned an looked at a black wall clock on the reception wall.
"Whoa!" I exclaimed," it's same design as the one I got for my wedding present," I said with surprise.
"Oh really?" He asked absentmindedly.
"Yeah...,where did you get it from ?" I asked being curious.
"Hmm," he sighed," I can't remember, I need to start heading out, by the way what happened to your dress?" He asked with less concern.
"A waitress mistakenly spilled wine on me," I blushed with embarrassment. I tried to avoid this.
"Clumsy as usual," he laughed." I guess you're staying at Louise?"
"Yeah,for now until I find a place to stay."
"A place to stay? Let me get your contact we will talk some other time, hope you wouldn't have disappeared?" He said with a sarcastic tone passing his phone to me.
"I would have," I made a small laugh.
"Alright Bell, take care." He hurried away.
"Yeah…you too Nate." I smiled . "God!" I exclaimed with excitement,I never knew I was going to find him in a jiffy.
*****
I sat on my dressing table getting prepared for my date. Was it a date? 'It's just a dinner with Nathy that's all, he never said it was a date.'
I took my time with my make up, I wanted to look my best tonight. Memories of this morning kept flooding my head. Oh my God! Nate has grown up into a pretty fine man,my face reddened at the thought of that.
'Would he ever forgive me?' I thought gloomily as I brushed my hair.'Even if he doesn't wants me back at least his forgiveness is necessary, I can't live on remember he still holds grudge against me,I will never forgive myself. 'I thought soberly. "I have to go now, don't want to be late for our first outing since two years," I arranged her dress. "it fits me so perfectly, thank God Nathy was there to save the day," I chuckled with a spark of excitement running down my veins.
*****
"Hey.." he greeted standing up to draw out me a chair as I walked towards him.
"Thanks," I gave a shy smile.
"So how's life being?" He sipped on his red wine, I immediately noticed he was avoiding my gaze, I've know him for too long that I can literally read his every move.
"Life's been life Nathy, how about you?" I tried to maintain an eye contact but he kept his eyes on the wine.
"Hmm," he sighed, we're just trying to have a long life here even if it's not too good," he poured me a drink.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I sipped the drink.
"Huh?" He gave me a stare and quickly averted his eyes.
"You haven't looked me in the eyes since we met."
"I don't want too," he said with a shaking voice.
Just then the waitress came with our meal. Nate took his drink, I noticed his hands were shaking,just then the glass cup fell off his hands falling on the table.
"Nathy!, are you okay?" I asked with panic.
"No I'm not," he stood up and walked away angrily.
"God, what's this?" I frowned.
I came out of the restaurant in searching for Nate,I looked towards all directions but couldn't get a sight of him. 'Where must he had gone to?' I looked around with worry.
I decided to search the poolside if perhaps he had gone there. Immediately I got the sight of the pool I saw a shadow. That must be him I hurried to him.
Nate sat on the ground with his legs in the water. "I think of you..when I don't want too, dream about your smiling face, I keep trying...not to love…you, but I love… you.....anyway," He sang along the music playing from his phone.
'Oh well, I guess he's still a fan of Don Williams,' I smiled softly. "Hi..." I said trying to draw his attention.He gently but quickly turned off the music.
"Hey," he replied his eyes fixed on the water.
"What's wrong Nathy?" I sat beside him on the ground." You're acting like a depressed adult, like a baby whom her candy was taken from her," I laughed in a mockery tone playing with his hair.
He kept mute without turning once to look at me. "Nathy..." I cupped his face into my hands.
"Don't call me that Isabella," he removed my hands from his face.
"Please Nate stop all these..." my eyes suddenly turned red." I came all the way here to see you and this is all I get?"
"What were you expecting? You shouldn't have," he stood up about to leave.
"What did I do wrong? Have I offended you by coming to Camden?" I asked feeling down.
"For once Isabella, don't act like you're a baby, like you're so innocent. You want to know what's wrong?" He fumbed with anger.
"Yes, Nate please tell me," I crossed my hands wanting to hear his troubles.
"We were friends quite alright, we promised to be sincere with each other, I wonder if you know what sincerity entails. Then suddenly I saw on tv that you were getting married! At first I thought it was a dream, maybe I was being delusional,but months turned into a year and I never saw you, nor did you even try to reach me, at least I deserve some explanation. But you just suddenly came back acting like nothing happened, and I guess you want me to be gay and jumpy that you're back?! he scoffed." Well to tell you I deserve an apology," he folded his arms staring angrily at the water.
"I'm sorry," I muttered," I couldn't tell you about it , it was family stuff, I was forced into the middle,if it were in my power I would have. You know the thing with my dad ," I rubbed my eyes feeling some itching.
"Why are you here Isabella?" He asked with curiosity laced in his tone.
"I came to see you, I missed you,and mostly because..you're the only friend I've got," I bowed feeling a bit embarrassed.'God, I hope I wasn't too straightforward .'
"Hmm,what happened in London,and how did you knew I would be here?" He looked at me but in a blink his gaze was back in the water.
"I've told you before,we agreed to get divorced after the deal was done, and about how I knew you would be here in Camden, you always said you would like to have a boutique in Camden, but I never thought it would be so early, I even saved up some money to help you start up the business,I guess you would just use it for support instead."
"Thanks, but I wouldn't be needing it, you need it more than I do, your dad I bet would give you no dime since you went against him by divorcing Colin Graham.You have a place to stay?" His tone was becoming friendly.
"Hmm,I have less than a week in the hotel," I said with sudden realization.
"Then you can come stay at my place if you don't mind."
"Whoa Nate! Thanks a lot," I rushed to hug him. I really do wonder what I did to deserve his friendship,he never gets angry with me for too long and I wonder if perhaps I was his weak point.
"I guess you would have done same if you were in my shoe," he forced a smile.
"Let me go get my things," I said excitedly," But firstly let us finish our..." I haven't finished my statement when he interrupted.
"Nahh, I just want to go home now, there's food in the fridge, just get your stuff, I will be waiting in the car," he placed a soft kiss on my head and then walked away.
I stood for a while smiling sheepishly before I ran off to get my stuffs from my room. "I'm such a lucky person to have Nate as a friend ." I smiled happily as I walked down the stairs heading to meet Nate.
*****
Minutes later we arrived at Nate's home.
"Welcome to my humble abode," he laughed as we walked into his house.
"Whoa!" I exclaimed," it's so...homely and beautiful," I looked around amazed.
"I did the best I could I guess," he said casually.
"You did great, this is the type of house I dreamt of owning when I was a kid," I smiled.
"I know," he chuckled lightly. "You remember we just had a promise to get married to each? And I promised to build you your dream house." He laughed like a twelve years old boy.
"Yeah…," I laughed with those memories playing in my head. "We were just kids back then…"
"Yeah…we were,didn't knew what life had in stock for us." He gave me a stare that sent shivers down my spine. "Come on let me show you to your room," he carried my luggage.
"Oh Nate,this is so beautiful!" I cried.
"I knew you would love it," he chuckled childishly.
"You always knew I was going to come back didn't you?" I pinched his ear laughing.
"Yeah..but you took so long, I almost thought you wouldn't," he took my hands into his. "I've waited patiently for this day to come," he placed his lips on my hand and left a soft kiss there.
"Really?" I asked in a teasing tone.
"Yes," he smiled.
"So what happens now?" I felt something sharp hit me in my chest. 'What did I meant by that?' I thought feeling embarrassed.
"Now you take a shower and join me for dinner,then..." his voice trailed off.
"Then...what?" I asked feeling nervous.
"We sleep," he tugged my hair playfully.
"We... sleep ?" I felt like I was missing something.
"Huhmm!" He nodded," what do you want?" He narrowed his eyes, " You want me to throw you a big party with lots of champagnes? For you were lost but now found like the prodigal son ? He stared at me still avoiding my eyes.
"No…I'm sorry " I blushed with embarrassment. 'Gosh what is wrong with me?' I rubbed my face feeling uneasy.
"Good,I will be waiting for you," he smirked devilishly and walked away.
"Hmm!" sighed, "God please help me."
*****
"Sorry for keeping you waiting," I apologized as he was already at the dining table waiting for me. He took up and drew out a chair for me. "Thanks…" I smiled.
"I haven't been waiting for too long. I hope you like the food," He smiled.
"Of course I will, do I have a choice?" I laughed.
"No you don't," he laughed.
*****
Days have turned into weeks, weeks to months, and months have turned into two years since I have been living with Nate.
I sat on his office chair going through a magazine when I saw something surprising.
'The C.E.O of Gra-Perkins multi-companies seen with a lady other than his wife. In his statement,he said 'I was forced into marriage by my late father, but the marriage had already been absolved sometime ago, right now I'm with my ex- ,someone who's with me for who I am' this would make one wonder, where's his ex-wife and what did he meant by his later statement? That would be a news for another day.'
"Well it's nice he's moved on," I took a deep breath remembering what I had to go through in Colin's hands all for the sake of my father who never for once took me as his daughter.
"Well don't you think it's time you do too?" Nate asked crossing his hands.
I turned sharply to look at him." Jeez you scared the hell out of me!" I slapped him playfully on his shoulder " When did you come back?"
"You mean you didn't noticed?" He sat beside me.
"Of course I didn't, you walk like a cat," I laughed.
"It's you who is never conscious of your environment. The other day you didn't noticed I was still in the house , you just came out from your room walking around with just underwear, Jeez who does that?!" He teased laughing like a child. That's one of the reasons I like him I guess; he's always so free and jovial, being with him when I was a kid,I didn't needed to watch any comedy show before I started rolling on the floor like a fool. He always made me happy whenever I was not.
"Are you going to let that go?" I hit him lightly.
"No I won't, what if it were someone else, or maybe I brought a visitor home huh?" He made a face.
"You would have informed me on time, just let it go Nate," I frowned feeling embarrassed on the thought of that day.
"How can I let it go when the picture still comes to my head vividly?" He raised his brow.
"Shut up!" I shouted.
"I can't darling, 'em skinny legs still lingers in my head," he teased.
"I'm not skinny," I protested. He opened his eyes bewildered. "I'm just slimmer than you," I shouted feeling embarrassed." Do you expect me to be broad chested like you? I'm a lady, not a man," I hissed.
"You call this slim?" He asked rising my skirt.
"Nate what are you doing?" I shouted with shock at his action.
"Showing you a proof," he laughed with a teasing look.
"Never you try this nonsense with me again!" I drew my skirt down angrily." Just because I take you as my brother shouldn't make you overstep your boundaries."
"Huh!" He exclaimed with shock." You take me as a brother but while do I often catch you drooling over my body?" He asked with a serious but mocking look.
"Are you serious right now?" I muttered.
"Hmm!" He sighed." I'm not your brother, neither are you my sister, I can never see you as one," he stared at me with an honest look.
"But you're not my boyfriend, nor my husband. You have no right to do what you just did."I stared hard at him.
"Well…I don't just want to be the first,but possibly the latter,that's if you don't mind." he averted his eyes from mine.
"But we're friends,you can't be either." I frowned.
"Says who Isabella? We can be whatever we decide to be, it's our decision to make." he said with a serious tone.
"I..I..don't know what to say," I said feeling nervous. "How can you be either when you don't even love me? I've been in a contract marriage before, I wouldn't want to tread that lane again, I want love Nate, not just a..a..not just a husband," I said with a shaking voice." I'm still young Nate if you can't offer me that, I still have a long life to live."
"Speak for yourself Bell, I don't want a contract marriage neither! What you seek is what I'm offering, I just want to know you feel same about me."
"What's your offer then?" I tried to maintain an eye contact, but he kept avoiding my eyes." How can you offer me what I want when you can't even look me in the eyes for a just a minute?" I said with a voice laced with sadness.
"I can't..I can't look you in the eyes Bell, it's tempting." he rubbed his eyes trying to hide his nervousness I guessed.
"Look at me!" I commanded.
He raised his head and tried to look at me directly in my eyes, but he quickly changed his mind. "I can't," He whispered feeling uneasy.
"Why can't you?" I stood up staring at him. I could feel his breath shaking, 'Is he scared of me?' I wondered . I cupped his head into my hands." Now tell me...what's your offer and look straight into my eyes while saying it." I said firmly.
"Hmm!" He took a deep breath then he started." I love you Bell.Keeping my eyes on yours… is hell because em' dirty thoughts keep coming into my head, that's the only way I can suppress them, unless you want to keep me in torment," he said with a serious tone.
"What dirty thoughts Nate?" I rubbed his face gently.
"I want to kiss you Bell, and do pretty much more than that, I'm just playing the gentle man here,I'm trying my best to be chivalric, I guess you should have known that already, don't you? I could sense deep emotions laced in his voice.
"But..you never told me. Just a minute ago you were saying you often catch me drooling over you," I rolled my eyes."
"Really..?" he sat up with wonder. "We were kids when I first confessed my feelings about you, as we became older I was scared of losing your friendship so I had to keep mute. But eventually you were taken from me. I don't want that to happen again, let's make good of our childhood vow." He took my hands into his. " let's get married Bell."
"Nathy…" I hugged him with tears threatening to fall off my eyes.
He took me into his arms and placed a kiss on my forehead." I want to kiss you Bell," his voice thick with deep passion.
"Hmm!" I nodded," kiss me.." my voice trailed off. He placed his passion filled lips on my eager sensitive pinky lips. The kiss went on passionately for a long time seeming like ages.I could almost feel my legs giving up on holding my body,I gently pushed him off me trying to regain my composure.
"Let's get married Bell," he said excitedly immediately after he took a breath.
"Huh!" I opened my mouth in wonder.
"You don't have to give me an answer now, just take some time to think on it." He placed a light kiss on my lips.