Imperfect Truth(70)
“You are my family, and so are they. But you’re right; I never put you first. I’ve made some decisions while we have been apart and had actually made some before. I’ve decided to break away from the family business. To be very clear, that’s what I was doing with Natasha.”
“Oh yes, Natasha.” I roll my eyes.
“What about Natasha?” his voice is laced with confusion.
“Did anything...” I can’t find the words. My voice is lost. His eyes go wide with disbelief.
“God no, she’s like a little sister to me.”
“But look at her.” My eyes look downward, focusing on my black flats, so our eyes won’t meet.
“Look at me, Ava.” Lifting my chin, his fixed gaze takes me aback. There is a pained look. “There has never been anyone else for me, just you Ava.”
“But she’s gorgeous.”
His head shakes at me. “And you’re breathtaking. Plus seriously, have you looked at her? Minus the hair, she looks just like my mom,” he states matter-of-factly.
I bust out laughing. “Yeah, she does.” My face scrunches, and my lips pucker.
“That’s gross.” The tension he is holding in his shoulders relaxes as he lets out a hearty laugh.
“Yeah, it is. But truthfully, she has really helped me. She has been experiencing some problems with living under her family’s thumb as well. Those last few weeks when I was with her, we were doing business. We were collecting funds to start our own hedge fund.”
“Why didn’t you just tell me?”
“I didn’t want to get your hopes up. Listen, I still love my parents, but I recognize that it wasn’t healthy for our relationship to be constantly under their scrutiny. I know I should have told you, I do. I’ve never regretted a decision more, and for that I’m sorry.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yeah, I know they are your family. And I really did not understand your friendship with Natasha. I guess I trust you with her, and even if I didn’t, I’m not really one to talk.” My gaze focused on the ground, Alexandre lightly lifts my chin.
“I’m not going to lie. The events that have occurred recently have been awful. Most couples would likely not even try to figure out what is wrong. But I don’t blame you anymore for what you did. At first I did, but I know I lead you in that direction. I just need you in my life. I can’t find myself anymore, without you I don’t know who I’m. But I need something from you, Ava. It’s your turn to fight for us, I need you to do this.” His voice hitches, “The truth is this, I realize now that this was partially my fault. I led you down this path. I no longer blame you, and I need you to now forgive me. Please, Ava, forgive me.”
It wasn't his fault.
It wasn’t my fault.
It was our fault.
Together we had self-destructed. Together we had lost sight of our priorities. But he has made the decision to fight for us. Now I need to do the same. Now I need to meet him in the middle.
I stand in front of Alexandre, tears streaming down my face, and I know he is right. It’s my turn to fight.
“I'm sorry. I’m sorry for being so weak. I'm sorry for wanting more. But most of all I’m sorry for not telling you I loved you enough. Because I did love you. I just got lost. I’m sorry,” I sob.
He takes the two strides to me and pulls me into his embrace. I welcome his warmth. It envelops me, calms me, heals me. He’s my home.
“Shh, it’s okay, shh we are going to be okay. Sometimes horrible choices can still lead to the right destination. It's not where we start that’s important but where we end,” he whispers into my hair. My whimpers stop as I regulate my breathing. He continues to hold me.
Cherishing me.
Loving me.
A few minutes pass, and I take a step back and look up at him.
“So now what?” I ask.
“We get to know each other again. We make a new beginning.”
“I’m just now finding myself. I’m not ready to jump back in to what we were. Are you okay with that?”
His beautiful smile warms my heart. I’d forgotten how beautiful he is. I see myself reflected in his eyes, and I catch a vision of how beautiful I am within them. He’s as lost as I am. But maybe together we can find our way.
“Yes. I’ll do anything to get you back.” His words are a promise. A fate sealed.
“I’m seeing a doctor, would you like to join me?”
“Yeah, Av. I would.” He leans in and places a soft kiss on my tear-streaked cheek.
I know we’re on the brink of something special.
A profound moment in the making.