"Where are you off to?" Damien asked casually as I sat at my dresser putting on my earrings.
"When did you get in?" I asked him, not really surprised at his unannounced arrival; Damien usually welcomed himself into my apartment like I did with his.
"About two minutes ago." He replied. "Now your turn, answer my question."
"I need to head out for a bit, I have something to pick up from the jewellery store and I thought I'd get some shopping done on my day off." I answered him and stood up.
Damien stepped closer towards me. "But I thought we were supposed to spend time together on your day off?" he said wrapping his arms around my waist.
"Don't sound so disheartened Damien, unlike me; you have to go to work today. Don't you have a company to run?"
"One of the many perks of being the boss is I can take a day off without asking or telling anyone." He said. "So I've decided to take today off to spend it with my beautiful fiancé."
"How sweet." I smiled humourlessly. "But you'll just have to go to the office because I'm going out. Besides I don't think you should abuse your power, especially not because of me."
"But you're a good reason to skip out on work."
"I don't think so." I said.
"But I know so." Damien said and pulled me closer. He leaned down to kiss me but I stilled and subconsciously turned my neck, resulting in Damien kissing my cheek instead of my lips.
I loosened out of his hold and took a step backwards. "You should really get to work Damien or you'll be late."
I didn't know why I acted that way but there was a moment I wasn't so comfortable with my position.
Damien sighed. "Alright, if you want me gone so much then I'll go." He said in a defeated tone.
"Have a good day." I said.
Damien looked at me like a child would to their parent who refused to let him skip school. "Okay, bye Carly." he straightened his coat. "If something happens to me in the predicted storm, don't you dare cry or I will haunt you in your dreams."
I rolled my eyes at Damien's dramatic antics. "Don't worry I won't."
"Alright." Damien said and again straightened his coat, this time a little more dramatically. "Goodbye Carly."
He slowly started making his way towards the door. Chuckling under my breath I walked towards him and stopped him by holding onto his hand. "Don't say goodbye, it sounds too long-term."
I stood on my tippy toes and pecked his cheek. "See you later." I smiled at him.
"I'd like for you to stay indoors today Carly." Damien said seriously. "A storm was predicted for later today, I don't want you to get caught amidst."
I glanced at the window and saw the wintery orange sun shining. "It doesn't look like there's going to be storm, the weatherman could've predicted wrong."
"The weather is unpredictable, one minute it can look like a bright sunny day but the next minute it can change into a ferocious storm." Damien said and cupped my cheek. "Just be safe okay."
I nodded with a small smile. "I will, I promise to not be gone too long. I'll only be at the mall and then the jewellery store to collect my necklace."
"What necklace?" Damien asked.
"Remember I took in one of my necklaces to get the clasp fixed?"
Damien looked confused for a moment. "Oh the snowflake pendant one, the one you used to wear a lot in England?"
I nodded. "Yeah that one."
"I thought you threw it out?"
I shook my head. "I would never throw that necklace away."
"Someone special gift it to you?" Damien drawled.
I hesitated. "It's a pretty necklace and I like it, besides how can you expect me to throw out any of my jewellery."
Damien put up his hands defensively. "Alright, I hear you. Don't go getting that pretty head worked up for nothing." He grinned and kissed my forehead. "I will see you later."
* * *
It was a little after four thirty when I left the mall and made my way down the busy New York streets I thought that the weatherman was probably right about the storm, the sun was hiding away behind thick heavy clouds and the air was getting chillier.
I entered the big jewellery store and waited for someone to attend to me.
"How may I help you?" an elderly man with rounded spectacles and thinning grey hair said.
"Hi, I'm here to collect something of mine, I sent in a necklace to be repaired a week ago and was called to come and collect it." I said.
"Your name?" the man asked and I told him my name.
"Ah yes, Miss Edwards, I will bring it in a minute." He said and walked off towards the back of the store.
I looked around the exquisitely set up store, it had many beautiful jewellery pieces set up for show in glass counters. It's no wonder this store was named as one of the most prestigious jewellery stores in the city.
"Here it is." The man said coming back and placing a rectangular box on the counter. "The snowflake pendant right?"
He opened the box and there lay the necklace that I had kept away for three and a half years. After Damien and I had started dating I stored the necklace away and never really thought about it again, until some time ago while I was unpacking some more stuff of mine I came across it and while trying to get it out of a jewellery case the clasp broke, that's why I sent it in to be fixed. I didn't plan on wearing it again but instead thought I'd give it Macy.
"That's the one, yes."
He handed me the box and I paid him the amount due. "Thank you." I smiled and put the necklace away in my purse.
"If I may ask," the jeweller started, "can you tell me the name of the store you bought that necklace from? You see I couldn't help but notice the cut and clarity of the diamonds on the pendant, they're one of the few exquisite pieces I've come across."
"Diamonds?" I asked. I remember Mason clearly saying that the stones on the pendant weren't diamonds. In face he even said why he would give me diamonds; I was half as important enough. "Are you sure you're talking about the same necklace, I doubt those stones are diamonds."
He smiled. "I have been in this business for a very long time my dear; I know a diamond when I see one and those diamonds aren't just any diamonds."
"...diamonds aren't just given to anybody more like a very precious and special somebody." Mason's recent words flashed at the back of my mind, I smiled to myself thinking that I wasn't just anybody to Mason at that time but rather a special somebody.
"It's alright it you don't wish to reveal the name of the jeweller." The man said, breaking away my reverie.
"No, that's not the case; I would've told you the name if I knew." I said. "The necklace was gifted to me by someone, I didn't buy it."
"Oh I see." He said with a nod. "You must be someone really special to the person who gifted you that pricey garment." He commented and walked off to attend to another customer.
"I probably was." I murmured to myself under my breath.
I left the store and tried catching a cab but with the deteriorating weather and hectic streets it was impossible to get one. It was at these times I wished I paid heed to Damien and just got myself a car.
I stood at a pedestrian crossing hoping I could maybe get a cab if I stood across the street or at the nearby park.
There wasn't much luck on the streets so I walked down the nearby park with hope of getting away from the hustle and bustle and maybe being able to catch a cab, if push came to shove, I would just have to call Damien.
The clouds were getting darker and the air windier and chillier; I hoped that I would reach home before the storm approached.
I walked through the much quieter park, seeing a few kids with their parents watching over them as they played and some teenagers or young adults stroll. I missed going to the park, I couldn't remember the last time I could just feel young and carefree and just stroll around the park or sit on an empty swing.
As I walked around the large area I spotted a little girl with golden locks tied into a loose ponytail running around, she was wearing a crème coat with white leggings and what looked like a navy velvet dress.
"You can't catch me." she sang between giggles.
She turned around and looked to be heading towards me and that's when I spotted her face. She was in a fit of giggles as little bits of hair flew behind her face as she ran. "You can't-" she said breathlessly but stopped midway when she bumped into me.
"Sorry." She said and looked up at me. Her eyes widened with realization and she smiled widely. "You!" she exclaimed. "I was wondering when I'd see you again."
She wrapped her arms around me and when she pulled away I bent down so I was levelled with her. She pulled away and looked at me with her smile still wide.
I smiled at her. "Hi Macy."
"Dr Edwards, it's so nice to see you again." she said politely. "And you always come to my rescue, I'm running away from-" she began but cut off when a shadow cast over us.
Macy widened her eyes and gulped looking up at someone behind me. "Oh biscuit, he caught me."
"You bet he did." An amused masculine voice said from behind me.
Macy ran into my arms, catching me off guard and hid away.
"Macy," I said with a chortle when she didn't move. "You're going to have to let go of me sometime."
She shook her head. "Apart from the fact that I'm hiding, you smell really nice."
I laughed at her cuteness.
"Alright Macy, let go of the lady." The voice said again and that was when I recognized it.
I gently pulled Macy away from me and stood up; I turned around to see Mason with a grin on his face looking at Macy.
"Mason." I said.
"Carly."
I hadn't seen Mason since the day he came to the hospital, he didn't come to take of the bandages on his arm or to get his wounds re-dressed. Over the past three weeks, it was like I didn't meet Mason at all. He didn't call to meet up for coffee or to even say hello.
"Hey." He greeted with a small grin.
"Hi." I returned the grin and looked at his one arm that was resting in the brace but the bandage was removed. "How are you doing?"
"Alright I guess, working with one arm is quite a bother."
"It looks to be healing well." I commented noticing that the previous bruising had gone and the swelling looked to deteriorate. "How come you didn't come by the hospital to get your arm and wounds checked again?"
"I don't really like hospitals so I got a doctor to come home and check it." he replied casually.
"You could've called me."
"Don't get me wrong or anything, you did a good job but I don't really trust you completely Carly, you might've spared my life back at the hospital but I couldn't help but think of your threat and how you could still easily kill me."
I rolled my eyes at him. "You're so delusional Spe-" I paused and realized what I was going to call him and I think he caught on because his amused expression changed into a slightly taken aback one. I quickly cleared my throat and completed my sentence, "Mason."
There was an uncomfortable silence in the air for a moment, all because I was about to call him something I hadn't in years. I didn't know why it was a big deal; all I knew was that it felt odd to call him that again.
"You know each other?" Macy said from below us breaking away the silence.
I looked down to see Macy looking between mine and Mason's vacant stares.
I looked at her with a smile. "Yeah, I went to school with Mason too."
"Really?" Macy said, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
I nodded. "Really."
"So do you know my-" Macy began but Mason cut her off.
"So what are you doing out here in this terrible weather, Carly?"
"I had some stuff to do." I replied. "What about you? This weather doesn't look very friendly to be out in the park."
"I wanted to come and play." Macy answered for Mason.
Mason smiled down at her and playfully ruffled her hair. "Yeah but it looks like a storm is approaching, we should get going."
"What?" Macy asked disappointed. "But I wanna go on the swings and-"
"And we can come out another time Macy." Mason cut her off.
Macy adamantly crossed her arms. "No, I want to play now!"
"Macy-" Mason began impatiently but I stopped him.
"Can I maybe try?"
Mason nodded. "Go ahead."
I bent down to make her understand. "Macy," I tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. "Do you see those dark clouds?" I pointed to the sky. "They look scary right?"
Macy nodded. "Yeah."
"And are you afraid of thunder?"
Macy nodded again.
"Those dark clouds are an indication that a big storm is on the way and you don't want to get caught up in between the rain and thunder and ruin your pretty dress do you?"
Macy shook her head. "But I also want to play; I can always get another dress."
"The swings aren't going anywhere; I think it will be good if you listen to your da-"
I felt a little drop of water on my forehead when Mason cut me off. "Macy sweetheart, it's starting to rain, we should get going before your mother has a fit." Mason cut me off.
"No but-" Macy began adamantly.
"Macy." Mason said sternly. "Let's go." He walked around me and grabbed Macy's hand.
I slowly stood up and watched Macy pull her hands out of Mason's. "No!" she yelled and crossed her arms. "I will not go home!"
Mason's patience looked to be wearing off. "Macy." He said in a warning tone.
Not liking his tone I stepped in. "Mason, if you yell at her she won't listen, be more subtle." I told him and looked at Macy again. "Macy be a good girl and go on home, think about all the cartoons you can watch while cuddling under a blanket on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate."
"Alright." Macy gave in. "But I have a condition."
Mason and I both exchanged looks. "What is it?" Mason asked her with a raised brow. I guess Macy's conditions weren't very easy to adhere to.
"I will only go home if you come and watch cartoons with me Dr Edwards."
"Macy don't be ridiculous, Dr Edwards is a busy woman, now stop being stubborn and let's go." Mason said.
"No I will only go home if Dr Edwards comes with, I hate drinking your hot chocolate and you can be quite boring. I like Dr Edwards."
I stifled a laugh when I noticed Mason's taken aback expression. "Macy, trust me, Carly isn't all that fun."
I glowered at him. "At least I can make a good cup of hot chocolate."
"Exactly." Macy remarked.
Mason gave me a look. "You're not helping."
I opened my mouth to reply but didn't when a loud roar of thunder filled the air. Macy held onto me and an uncalled gasp left my lips while my hand instinctively grabbed Mason's.
Mason looked at my hand on his and then up at me before I quickly removed my hand. "S-sorry." I mumbled.
Mason didn't respond but rather spoke to Macy. "See what I said."
"I will stand out here if I don't get my way." Macy stated crossing her arms.
Mason sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Carly where's your car?"
Frowning at his sudden interest in my form of transportation I answered. "I didn't come with my own car; I took a cab, why?"
"Great then I can drop you home and at the same time Macy will think you're coming with us."
"And I think you forgot that Macy can hear everything." Macy said. She tugged on my hand and looked up at me pleadingly while a few more drops of rain fell over her forehead. "Please come over Dr Edwards, even for a half hour."
Looking at Macy's big blue pleading eyes melted my heart. I looked at Mason, "You don't mind having me over?"
"Why would I mind?"
"And Ashley?" I asked.
"Mommy wouldn't mind, besides she isn't even in town, she's only coming home later tonight." Macy answered.
"There you have it." Mason said.
I bit onto my lip and glanced at my watch seeing it was after five already.
"So are you coming with?" Macy asked me.
"Alright." I gave in.
Macy smiled widely and cheered. "Yay, we are going to have so much of fun, we'll watch movies and play games and drink hot chocolate and you can read to me and-"
"Slow down there little one." Mason cut Macy off with a chuckle. "Don't go scaring Carly off."
"Don't be silly, I won't be scared off, I love kids." I said.
"Do you now?" Mason smirked. "Any plans to have your own any time soon?"
"No way, not now!"
"Scared to ruin your figure?" Mason asked as we walked out of the park.
"Yes that's it." I replied sarcastically. "But you have to agree I make a way better parent than you, I mean I convinced Macy to leave."
"No way, you used to throw our child in your locker and dump her in your bag." Mason retorted.
I laughed at the memory. "Oh please, that was a doll."
Mason feigned shock. "That wasn't just a doll, it was my first child - our first born and you heartlessly gave her away. I was by far the better parent."
"I gave her away because the assignment was up, have you forgotten what a bother that thing was?"
"Thing?" Mason gasped. "How dare you call our baby a thing?"
I laughed seeing how crazy Mason still was. "It was a thing Mason, not a real child like Macy."
Mason gazed at me seriously. "She was our Macy."
Something about his gaze and tone made me stare into his eyes for a long moment before Macy broke away the moment. "Do you have a baby named Macy Dr Edwards? I thought you said you didn't have kids."
I shook my head and tore my eyes away from Mason's and looked at Macy. "I don't. Mason's crazy, he's talking about an old school project."
We carried on walking in silence until we reached the car before the three of us sat in the backseat of Mason's black Mercedes while the driver drove at a steady pace.
"So Dr Edwards," Macy began, "can you bake brownies?"
"Oh yeah Carly is known for baking the most delicious brownies, she used to bring over brownies every Sunday for me and my grandfather." Mason answered before I could.
I glanced at him with a ghostly smile before Macy spoke. "Really? I love brownies or anything with chocolate. We normally just buy them because mommy can't really cook."
"What about your daddy?" I asked her after passing a quick glance at Mason.
Macy laughed. "Daddy would probably burn the kitchen down. He's useless in the kitchen."
"You know I'd really love to taste your brownies Dr Edwards." Macy drawled fluttering her little eyelids at me.
"I don't really bake anymore." I told her.
"You don't bake anymore?" Mason asked me seriously.
I shook my head. "I haven't made brownies in years, not ever since Grandpa Mitch."
Mason looked at me earnestly. "Maybe it's time you made them again."
"Yeah!" Macy said excitedly. "How about today?"
"Macy, not today but I promise to send you a batch when I make them again." I told her.
Macy nodded disappointedly before she looked up at me. "Hey Dr Edwards, since it's raining pretty heavy why don't you stay the night?"
Mason gave her a look and asked, "How do you come up with these ideas?"
Macy shrugged with a grin. "It just comes to me."
"I don't think I would be able to stay Macy, I'm sorry." I said.
Macy sighed in disappointment. "Why? Do you have someone waiting for you at home?"
"Yes I actually do and he'll get worried if I I'm not home in time."
Mason who was looking out the window turned to me. "Do you and Damien live together?"
"No, but we do live in the same building." I answered him.
Mason nodded and looked out the window again.
There was a brief silence in the air for a moment before Macy broke it. "Who's Damien?"
"Macy stop being so inquisitive." Mason said before I could answer her.
"Sorry." Macy mumbled and kept quiet.
"It's alright." I smiled at her. "It's good to be curious at times. I'm going to get married to Damien."
"Will you invite me?" Macy asked. "Or even better can I be your flower girl, I really made a pretty flower girl for mommy and daddy's wedding. Everyone said so."
I playfully pinched her cheeks and smiled. "Of course you can."
"Will you call mommy and daddy?"
I looked at Mason who didn't seem to be listening to our conversation but instead looked out at the belting rain that was freely falling outside. I turned to Macy again and half grinned at her, "Of course."
Macy carried on chatting throughout the ride before Mason's driver parked the car in the underground parking lot of the building they lived in. The three of us soon stood in the elevator going up to Mason's apartment or as Macy informed me, his penthouse.
The elevator door opened and while holding Macy's hand Mason walked ahead of me towards the large door, leading to his penthouse.
"Come in." Macy told me once the doors were open and she took my hand leading me into the airy entrance hall.
Mason's penthouse was huge and spread out, I hung up my coat and Macy led me to the living room.
The living room was broad and very exquisitely decorated; there was a big fireplace against the wall at the further end of the room and two leather couches in front of the flat screen TV. When I looked around more I noticed a billiard table on the other end of the room and a bar area, the place was great but it somehow gave me the idea of it suiting a bachelor. The highlight of the place, however, was the tall, widely spread out window that overlooked the city.
"Nice place." I commented.
"Thanks." Mason said.
"You should see the beach house in California, it's way better. I go there during the summer with mommy when I visit daddy." Macy said.
Thinking of the beach house brought back memories, memories that were good but also memories that I didn't want to reminisce.
"Carly's seen the beach house." Mason mumbled looking directly at me.
I looked back at him for a moment before I awkwardly tucked a strand of hair behind my ears and looked away.
"Really Dr Edwards?" Macy asked. "Did you see the big bedroom downstairs, the one that has its own beach?"
I half nodded at her. "Yeah I did."
"You should stay there when you go to California; it's so nice to fall asleep hearing the waves from the ocean outside." Macy said.
I couldn't tell Macy I knew exactly what she meant because I've slept there before so I just smiled at her.
"Make yourself comfortable." Mason told me stopping Macy for a moment from her chatter.
"Yeah make yourself comfortable Dr Edwards." Macy said and pulled me with her to the couch. She kicked off her shoes and sat crossed legged on the couch while she searched though the many cartoon channels.
"Do you want something to eat?" Mason asked looking at me but Macy answered for herself.
"Yes please, I'm starving. Since Dr Edwards doesn't want to bake, can you maybe try and make me brownies?"
"Yes Ma'am, I will see what I can do." Mason chuckled before adding. "Don't bother Carly too much."
"You want me to help?" I asked before Mason could walk off.
Mason shook his head. "No thanks, I'm all good. Make yourself at home." he grinned politely and walked off into the kitchen.
Macy had her eyes glued on the screen so I took the opportunity to send a quick text to Damien, telling him to not worry and that I was safe with a friend.
I put my phone away and watched a bit of Macy's cartoon before breaking the silence between us. "Macy," I began.
"Hmm?" Macy asked with her eyes on the screen.
"Does your mom frequently go out of town?"
"Not really, only when daddy's with us."
I frowned at her answer. Shouldn't Ashley want to be at home when Mason was around, instead of being out and leaving Macy alone with him?
"But doesn't she like to spend time with your dad?"
"She does." Macy replied.
"Then why doesn't she?"
"She-" Macy began but stopped when we heard a loud crashing sound come from another room.
"Oh no, I think that came from the kitchen." Macy murmured.
"Sit here while I go check on Mason okay?" I told her and rushed off in the direction of the kitchen.
When I found the kitchen and walked in I looked at the floor that was covered in flour and then at Mason who had flour all over his face and hair.
Mason looked annoyed as he attempted wiping his face with his free hand. "Stupid damn thing!" he cursed under his breath.
I laughed at the scene in front of me and that was when Mason noticed me standing there.
"Don't laugh." Mason snapped irritably. "This doesn't normally happen to me. My chef, Mrs Robinson normally cooks but she took the day off and clumsily left the flour half-open."
"I'm sure." I replied sarcastically.
Mason glared at me before he tried wiping his face again. My eyes scanned the room and I noticed a dishcloth hanging on the wall behind Mason. I looked at Mason again futilely trying to clean his face and walked pass him to get the cloth.
After grabbing the cloth I dampened half of it slightly. "Stop doing that or the flour will get in your eyes." I told him and he did as he was told.
Using the cloth I began wiping away the flour from his face. "This is all your fault."
I stopped doing what I was. "How so? I wasn't even around you when you dropped the flour."
"No but you wrapped my arm up, leaving me semi-paralyzed."
I rolled my eyes. "I had to do that for your arm to heal." I said and wiped away the flour again.
"Still your fault." He murmured under his breath.
"Oh grow up." I restored and tried getting flour out of his beard. "And please shave, it's hard to get flour off your face with a beard in the way."
"Leave my beard alone, you're the only one who has a problem with it."
"That's what you think." I said and stopped wiping his face once the flour was barely noticeable. "You should go and wash up while I take over the baking."
"You don't have to bake if you don't want to." He said earnestly. "I sort of figured why you don't make brownies anymore, I don't want to resurface any bad memories."
"I do want to bake Mason." I said. "Baking brownies brings back memories of my Gramps and Grandpa Mitch, those memories are the furthest thing from bad."
"Then why haven't you made them in such a long time?"
I shrugged. "I guess I never found a reason to."
With one last glance Mason walked out of the kitchen while I started looking around for ingredients to start preparing the brownie mixture.
It wasn't too long when Mason stepped into the kitchen, this time all cleaned up. I was just about done with the mixture and about to pour it into a baking dish and put it into the oven.
Mason poured himself a glass of juice and sat down at the island. "So I see you're pretty good in the kitchen now."
I placed the brownies in the oven and turned to face him. "Well I had to learn, I was alone in England for almost seven years."
"Seven years huh?" Mason said. "Is that how long you and Brinson have been together?"
"No Damien and I have been together for about three and a half years."
Mason nodded and took a sip out of his drink. "If I may ask, how did you two, well get together?"
I leaned against the kitchen counter opposite to where Mason was sitting. "It's a long story, I met Damien in a park after two years since I left, we started hanging out and well I guess one thing led to another from there."
"He makes you happy." Mason stated. "I'm glad you found someone who deserves you." he half grinned.
I returned his smile. "Right back at you, I'm glad you found love."
"Love, yeah." He murmured under his breath.
I frowned at his words. "Don't you love Ashley?"
I realized I crossed over the line by asking him a question like that. "Um, you don't have to answer that. I'm sorry to ask you a question like that." I mumbled.
"I see you still don't like to pry." Mason said sounding slightly amused.
"Never was in my nature."
There was a moment of silence before Mason broke it. "So have you and Damien picked a date for the wedding?"
I didn't know why but I felt a little odd speaking of my wedding with Mason. I nonchalantly nodded. "Yeah we were thinking for a date in June or July."
"Why, you want to be my maid of honour? I teased.
"Only if you let me wear a pink frock." Mason said.
"Pink with yellow polka dots and you got the job." I laughed.
"Alright then, I'm holding you to your word." Mason grinned and I laughed.
The delicious aroma of the brownies was beginning to fill the kitchen as Macy skipped into the kitchen. Her face looked pale.
Mason stood up, walked up to her and picked her up effortlessly with his good arm. "Hey princess, what happened?"
"The weather is scary, did you hear the thunder?"
"Do you want me to come and sit with you?" Mason asked her softly.
She shook her head. "No, can we sit here instead? The rain can't be heard as loudly in here."
"Of course." Mason kissed her forehead and sat down on his spot again, only this time he placed Macy on his lap.
Macy took a sip of his juice and then took in a deep breath. "Hmm, what smells so yummy Dr Edwards?"
"That will be the brownies I promised you."
"You made them?"
I nodded. "Yup especially for you."
Macy smiled widely. "When can I taste them?"
I looked at my watch and answered. "In about five minutes."
"I hope they're done before my mommy arrives." Mason said.
"Why?" I asked. "Are you scared she'll eat them all?"
Macy shook her head. "No, because when she comes I'll have to leave and I don't want to leave without tasting them."
"Leave?" I directed the question to Mason. "Don't you and Ashley live together?"
Mason looked at me blankly but his eyes told me he was somewhat nervous. "We do but-"
"Why would mommy and-" Macy began.
"I think the brownies are done." Mason cut Macy off.
I realized he was right when I checked my watch and went to take them out of the oven before they burnt.
I opened the oven door after slipping on the oven mitts and took out the delicious looking little cakes.
"Well they look the same." Mason commented.
I raised a brow at him. "Why, did you expect them to get ruined?"
"Pretty much." he replied casually.
Macy licked her lips as she eyed them. "They look so yummy."
I glowered at Mason and smiled at Macy. "Thank you Macy."
"Can I taste one now?" she asked without tearing her eyes from them.
"Wait for it cool down a bit Macy." Mason said.
"Okay but I'll only wait five minutes." she said sternly.
I slipped off the oven mitts and grinned at Macy. "Five minutes it is then."
"How can you be a really clever doctor and terrific baker Dr Edwards?" Macy asked me.
"Wait until you taste them before you compliment me Macy." I answered her.
"I think they'll taste as great as they smell."
"I will be the judge of that." Mason said.
"No, I am not sharing." Macy said.
"Not even with me?" Mason asked with a fake pout.
Macy took a moment to ponder over her decision. "I will only allow you to have one bite if Dr Edwards says so."
"Alright Macy." Mason said in an offended tone. "You've known me all your life, I held your hand when you were learning to walk and now it looks like you love Carly more than me."
Macy looked at Mason then at me. "Well, she is prettier than you."
Mason's jaw dropped and I laughed. "And smarter." I said.
"Yeah well that's obvious." Macy said and slid off Mason's lap.
She walked towards me and I picked her up, placing her on the counter.
"Why do you like her so much? I know Carly longer than anyone and I can say how annoying and bossy and mean she can be." Mason said sourly.
"Why do you like her then?" Macy said.
"I don't like her." Mason said.
"Then why do you look at her like Shrek does at Fiona and Aladdin at Jasmine?"
"You don't know what you're talking about Macy." Mason said.
"Yeah I do, you smile a lot when Dr Edwards is around, I noticed that today."
An awkward silence lingered in the air while Mason and I exchanged blank looks.
"What?" Macy broke the silence. "Did I say something wrong?"
I shook my head and smiled at her. "I think you can taste the brownies now."
"Yay!" Macy cheered.
I fed her a bite. "Mmm, this is delicious Dr Edwards." She said between a mouthful.
I grinned at her; Macy really was one of the cutest kids I've ever met.
"I take it they taste the same then." Mason commented from behind me.
I playfully rolled my eyes and turned on my heel.
"What..." Mason trailed off when I shoved the brownie in his mouth.
I smugly grinned at him. "You bet they do Mr Judgmental."
My smile faded when I realized that my fingers were on his lips, I swallowed and speedily moved my hand away, dusting it over my pants.
"Did he bite you?" Macy asked with a high voice.
With his eyes fixed on me, Mason slowly chewed. His lips curled at the corners a fraction, forming a small smirk. "It's as good as I remember." He murmured. "Just as sweet and soft."
I took two steps away from him, not very comfortable with him being close to me.
Why did I still feel this way when Mason was close to me? I shouldn't be feeling this way, I told myself. Mason was a married man with a daughter and I had a fiancé. Mason was my friend, my oldest friend and that was it, I felt nothing for him...not anymore right?
"Hello!" Macy waved impatiently. "Are you only going to stare at each other or answer me?"
None of us answered her but just stood immobile, Mason was looking at me seriously; probably trying to figure out what was going on in my head.
"Dr Edwards." Macy called. "Uncle Mason."
All my thoughts were put to a halt when I heard what she called Mason. I looked at Macy with confusion and then at Mason, who looked slightly awkward and out of place, as if he had been caught doing something wrong.
I stepped towards Macy. "What do you call your Dad?"
"Daddy." Macy casually replied.
"But you just called-"
"Macy, c'mon let's get you freshened up before your mom gets here." Mason cut me off abruptly and walked past me, carrying Macy off the counter and dropping her to the floor.
"Wait a second Macy." I said when Mason took her hand and was about to exit the kitchen.
I bent down so I was levelled with her. "Macy what did you just call Mason?"
I glanced up at Mason who now looked nervous before looking at Macy again.
"Uncle Mason." she replied causally.
I looked at Mason again and he looked to be gone a fraction paler. "Uncle Mason?" I asked him with a frown.
"Yeah Uncle Mason, what else was I supposed to call him?" Macy said.
I had so many questions running through my head at that moment, why did Macy call Mason uncle? If she called her dad daddy, then who was her father? Why did Mason say Macy was his daughter when she called him uncle and another man daddy?
I blinked away my questions and turned my attention to Macy again. "Macy what's your full name?"
Macy opened her mouth to reply but just at that instant the front doorbell rang and Macy's face lightened up with a bright smile. "Mommy is here." she beamed and let go of Mason's hand.
I slowly stood up and watched Macy run out of the kitchen. Mason was still standing there and I looked at him questioningly. "Uncle Mason?" I asked again.
"Carly," Mason began but didn't complete his sentence when Macy shouted from the living room. "Uncle Mason, please open the door for my mommy."
"I'll-" Mason began again but this time I cut him off.
"You should get the door for you wife - oh no wait, for Ashley, because she's not your wife right?"
"Uncle Mason!" Macy shouted louder this time.
Mason wanted to say something but I stopped him. "Get the door Mason."
With one last glance Mason turned around and left the kitchen. I let out a breath I was holding and ran a hand through my hair with just one question in my head, just what exactly did I miss when I left and why did Mason lie to me all this while?
"Hello my angel." I stood in the living room entrance way to see Ashley hugging Macy tightly in her arms.
"I missed you mommy." Macy said when she pulled away.
"Aw I missed you too sweetheart but I was only gone for two days." Ashley said crouching down. "I hope you didn't trouble Uncle Mason too much."
Macy coyly grinned. "Maybe just a little." She muttered.
Ashley playfully glared at her and pinched her cheeks. "It's fine, Mason needs to be bothered at times, he lives too freely anyway."
"Leave me and my freedom alone Ash." Mason retorted. "Don't blame me if you're married and living in a jail."
Ashley stood up and opened her mouth to say something but didn't when her gaze caught mine. She looked a little surprised at first but she quickly covered it with a smile. "Carly, it's good to see you again." she glanced at Mason and then back at me. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Expect to see who?" another male voice spoke.
"Daddy!" Macy exclaimed and ran towards the front door.
I was beyond curious; I eagerly waited for Macy's daddy to come into view. I felt Mason's gaze on me but I ignored him and impatiently stood in my spot for Macy's dad's face to come into view.
"Miss me much?" he asked and I could hear his voice nearer.
"Like the size of the ocean." Macy answered.
I took slow steps into the living room until I stood a few feet away from Mason. When I looked towards the entrance of the living room all I could see was Macy's arms wrapped around a fairly tall man wearing a black coat, his back was turned to me and I noticed he had blonde hair.
"I missed you more than the size of the universe." He said and I watched as he kissed Macy's cheek.
"I still missed you more Daddy." Macy said.
"I don't think so princess." Her dad said.
"Alright, you two missed each other equally." Ashley said.
Ashley looked at me blankly then at Macy's dad - who I presumed was her husband. "There's someone you should meet." She told him.
"Who?" Macy's dad asked and slowly turned around. "I know Mason's here..." he trailed off when he turned around and looked at me.
His eyes widened with recognition and amusement, I stood baffled and shocked looking at Macy's father.
"That's Dr Edwards." Macy pointed at me. "She's that pretty and really smart doctor I told you about daddy; remember the one who told me about the army my body is building."
"Dr Edwards... Carly Edwards?"
"Yeah, Carly Edwards." I half nodded. "You must be Carter Holmes?"
It had to be Carter; he looked pretty much the same as I could remember. His blonde hair was still cut really short, his green eyes still had a tint of mischief and playfulness but he did look a lot more mature compared to the silly, perverted Carter Holmes I could remember.
Carter placed Macy down and grinned. "Yeah Carter, I'm glad you still remember me."
Carter walked up to me and caught me off guard; he leaned in for a half hug. "Damn Carly, you still look good. It's great to see you again." he smiled wider. He glanced at Mason who was very quiet beside me. "I see you still in company with this jackass huh?"
"I hope you don't lose him so frequently anymore, you always seemed to do that back in the day." Carter chuckled. "That was the only reason you spoke to me; always asking if I knew where Mason was."
I didn't say anything but just offered a small smile.
"You knew Carly was here Ash?" he asked Ashley.
"Yeah, I met her at the hospital with Macy."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Carter asked.
Ashley looked at me sceptically. "Um, well Carly." Ashley hesitated.
"I told her to not tell anyone I was in town; I didn't want everyone knowing about my whereabouts." I answered for her.
"Oh yeah, you went missing for a good few years right?" Carter said casually. "Where did you go?"
"Carter." Ashley said lowly. "We can all catch up later; I think we should leave now. Let Carly and Mason be."
I guess Ashley could see the tension in the room.
Macy yawned and agreed. "Yeah daddy, I want to go home."
"Alright then." Carter gave in. "But we have to get together sometime, I want to hear everything I've missed."
"And I mean everything Mas; I want to know how you managed to get a girl like Carly." Carter said to Mason. "Although I saw it coming from a long time, you two were probably the only two who didn't see the sizzling chemistry and bond between you. I mean I could literally feel the sexual tension between the two of you from a mile away." Carter chuckled.
Mason looked at him expressionless. "You have a kid in the room, watch your tongue man."
"We should go." Ashley said sternly eyeing Carter.
"It's good to see you once again Carly, we should really do that lunch we spoke about sometime." Ashley smiled politely at me.
I smiled back. "Definitely."
Ashley smiled one more time and was about to turn and leave but her eyes landed on my hand. "Is that a diamond I see?"
Ashley took my hand in hers and looked at the sparkling ring on my finger. "An engagement ring?" she asked with a growing smile.
I nodded. "Yeah, Da-"
Ashley cut me off by wrapping her arms around me. "Congratulations, I am so happy you two are finally together." She beamed pulling away. "Do you have any idea how guilty I've felt all these years, thinking I was the reason you two separated but now it's all sorted out and you're finally together."
Carter grinned from ear to ear. "You asshole." He slapped Mason across the shoulder and hugged him. "Why didn't you tell me you popped the question? Congratulations."
"No you misu-" Mason began but Carter wasn't listening.
"Wow Mas, I never thought I'd see the day you settle down. But I always knew Carly would only be able to tame you."
"You two were always meant to be that's why you went through so many ordeals to get together, oh I am so happy for you guys." Ashley squealed.
I shook my head. "No, you got it all wrong!" I said a little too loudly when Ashley and Carter didn't stop with their congratulations.
I took in a breath and spoke calmer. "I'm not with Mason and definitely not engaged to him."
Ashley frowned and so did Carter. "What, but you said..."
"Yes I am engaged, but to Damien, Damien Brinson." I stated.
"Oh." Carter said and he looked a little awkward. "Um, I thought..."
"You thought wrong." I cut him off curtly. "Mason and I are barely even friends anymore how could you expect him to be my fiancé?"
Carter and Ashley exchanged looks before looking at me and Mason again.
"Carly's right, and I'm surprised you guys actually thought I'd actually propose to Carly or anyone for that matter, you two know me better than anyone else so you should know that I don't believe in relationships." Mason said.
Ashley faintly smiled and I could tell she tried to ease the tension. "We're sorry Carly; I guess we just thought... I mean after seeing you here, we just assumed that you and Mason, well... are together."
"It's alright." I half-grinned at her. "I only came here because Macy insisted on having me over."
Carter cleared his throat. "Well congratulations to you and Damien, I always knew he had a thing for you."
"Thanks."
"Yes congratulations Carly, I'm really happy for you and Damien. We should all meet up sometime; I'd love to hear all about your love story." Ashley said.
"Of course." I smiled.
Carter tapped Mason on the shoulder again only this time it was his right arm - the one that was injured. I noticed Mason slightly flinch. "I'll see you tomorrow man."
"Slowly Carter, Mason's arm is injured!" The words were out of my mouth before I even thought them over.
Carter, Ashley and Mason all looked at me oddly and I realized I might've overreacted a bit. "Oh yeah, sorry Mas. I forgot there for a moment." Carter mumbled.
"No worries, I've learnt to deal with pain." Mason said.
"Ready darling?" Carter asked Macy who was sitting very quietly on the couch all this while.
Macy looked up at her father. "Yup." She hopped off the couch and ran up to Mason.
She wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you for taking care of me Uncle Mas."
Mason bent down when she pulled away and genuinely smiled at her. "It was my pleasure princess." He kissed her forehead and she kissed his cheek.
Something inside of me stirred when I saw Mason with Macy like that, he really did love that little girl and seeing a paternal side of him was something I'd never imagined to see in Mason.
"Bye Dr Edwards." Macy grinned up at me.
I bent down and pulled her towards me for a small hug. "Bye Macy." I smiled at her.
"Is it okay if I call you Aunt Carly?"
"Of course it is." I told her.
Macy smiled broadly at me and pecked my cheek before running off towards her parents. Carter picked her up and carried her. Mason and I followed them to the front door.
"It was great seeing again Carly, we should really meet up again soon." Carter said.
I nodded. "Yeah."
"See you Mason." Carter said. "I'd shake your hand but I don't want the doctor to shout at me again." he teased and eyed me with a smirk.
I awkwardly ignored his comment and Mason's silence told me he chose to do the same.
"Thanks Mas." Ashley hugged Mason. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Take care Carly." she smiled at me and exited the apartment with Carter.
Macy waved at us. "Bye Uncle Mason, bye Aunt Carly."
I smiled and waved back at her as I watched them walk off towards the elevator in the passage.
Mason shut the front door. "I should go too." I mumbled taking my coat off the rack.
"You can't leave in this storm." Mason reasoned calmly just as I heard a roar of thunder.
"You let Carter, Ashley and Macy leave."
"That's because they live two floors below mine." Mason said. "Now sit down and wait until the storm is over."
Mason forcefully grabbed my coat from my hands and hung it back in place.
"If you don't let me go, I'll call Damien to come and pick me up."
Mason impatiently looked at me. "Do you want Damien to drive in this weather?"
I looked out the huge window that was covered with raindrops and heard the sound of the heavy rain bolting against the glass. A flash of lightening lit up the sky and I knew my answer to Mason's question.
"Thought so." Mason murmured and went over into the living room.
I stood in my spot for a long moment before I slowly followed Mason. Mason switched the TV off with the remote and rested it on the spot next to him on the coach.
"You can sit you know." He said without looking at me.
"I'm fine here."
Mason sighed deeply. "Carly I am sure you have a ton of questions in your head right now so if you intend on hearing the answers you should sit down."
I took a seat on the opposite couch from where Mason was seated. Mason looked at me peculiarly before he stood up, walked up to the little bar area and poured himself a drink. "You want something?" he asked me.
"No." I curtly replied.
"You still stay away from alcohol?"
"I don't like the stuff."
Mason walked back to the couch with a drink that looked like whiskey in his hands. "Or maybe it's because you don't trust yourself being drunk around me." he smirked and took a sip of his drink.
I glowered at him and crossed my arms sitting back.
Mason took another sip of his drink and sat back on the coach, crossing his legs. "So ask away, I know the curiosity is killing you."
I sat forward a fraction and looked at him squarely. "Macy's not your daughter." I stated rather than asked.
Mason shook his head. "No she isn't."
"You're not married to Ashley."
"I'm not married to anyone." He casually said.
I remained quiet for a moment before speaking. "But Ashley said-"
"She said she was certain that I was the father but she was wrong."
"What exactly happened Mason?"
Mason took in a breath. "After you left, I stood by Ashley, I supported her thinking I was doing it for my unborn child. I took her for every check-up; I took a great amount of interest in babies and kids. I acted like a pole of support to her and in that time I could see the change in Ashley, she was growing up and starting to think of others rather than herself only."
"So she lied to you all along?" I asked.
"Not quite, Ashley really thought I was the father of her baby. Until Macy was born." He said. "Macy was born prematurely with anaemia; the doctor told us she needed a blood transfusion. Ashley didn't want Macy to get blood from the blood bank so she offered to be a donor but-"
"But she wasn't allowed to; a woman who has just given birth isn't fit to donate blood for at least six to eight weeks after delivery." I finished his sentence.
Mason nodded. "That's exactly what the doctor said, so then I obviously offered my blood, I mean it was the matter of my daughter's life so I straight away got my blood tested but it didn't match. Macy's and my blood were of a different group. That was when Ashley told me about a night she spent with Carter, she said she was drunk and out of her mind and she easily forgot about that one night but with Macy's life being on the line, she insisted on contacting Carter. I didn't need to explain twice before Carter offered his blood."
"And Carter's blood matched." I said.
"Yes it did. Once Macy was stable and ready to be discharged Ashley got a paternity test done and the test showed Carter was the father, not me."
I took a moment to decipher this new bit of information. "But I know Ashley had feelings for you, then why did she spend a night with Carter?"
"Ashley and I were never together, we just had a fling going on; that's it. But I guess you're right, Ashley did like me a lot maybe that's why one night when I wasn't in the mood be with anyone and rejected her, she took offence and went to the one person all the girls back in high school ran to when they were upset or looking for a bit of fun."
"And Carter just accepted the fact that he was a father?" I asked.
"Carter was probably in love with Ashley since he first laid his eyes on her, he was just afraid to say anything because Ashley had a thing for me. If anything, Carter was over the moon when he found out, he fell in love with his daughter and started being there for Ashley and Macy; He'd grown up into a man overnight."
There was a brief moment of silence before I asked unsurely. "Were you...disappointed about not being the father?"
Mason faintly grinned and took a sip out of his whiskey. "In all honesty I couldn't have been happier. I wasn't ready to be a father, I cared - and still care very much - about Macy but I'd rather be her Uncle Mason than daddy."
I didn't know why but that bit of information made me feel a bit happy, I knew it was wrong and weird to feel that way but I just did.
"But her name, Macy, I remember you saying you wanted to name your daughter that."
"Ever since Macy's birth, Carter and Ashley have been closer than family to me, we're very close friends. I'm Macy's godfather and I named her. I care for Macy very much; she's as good as my own."
After hearing what Mason just explained, everything made sense to me except one thing. I remembered the call I made after hearing about his mother's death, I recalled hearing Macy and Ashley in the background, I even remembered Macy calling Mason dada.
"I called you once." I stated breaking away my reverie.
Mason furrowed his brows. "I think you've called me more than once Carly."
"No, I called you once, after I left. It was two years after I left, I just heard about your mom, I dialled your number and just when I was about to speak I stopped, I heard Ashley and Macy." I said. "If I remember correctly, Macy was calling you dada and asking for your phone, she was maybe around one and half years old."
Mason just stared at me for a moment. "You called?"
"Yes and I heard Macy calling you dada."
Mason blinked. "She probably thought Carter was on the phone and that's why she probably asked to speak to her dada. Carter travels a lot; he's an assistant director to his dad and other directors, so he's all over the place. Macy missed him a lot and when she was little she used to think every phone call was Carter."
Everything made sense now, it all fell into place. Carter and Ashley were married with a daughter; Macy wasn't Mason's daughter but his goddaughter. But one thing bothered me, why didn't Mason tell me, why did he lie? He told me and Damien that he was married to Ashley and Macy was his daughter, he even apologized for not inviting me to his wedding.
I was suddenly angered but his lies. I looked at him coldly and asked in a low tone. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"In case you've forgotten but you left, I couldn't exactly get hold of you." Mason answered casually.
"I am not talking about then, I'm talking about now, you told me you were married to Ashley, and Macy was your daughter. You lied!" I snapped. "Why did you lie to me Mason?"
"You're one to talk about lying." Mason retorted.
I narrowed my eyes at him. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? I told you everything about my life!"
"I'm not talking about me; I'm talking about Brinson, your fiancé. You lied to Damien too; he was so clueless when we met at the hospital." Mason said. "Does he know why you left? Does he even know who deflowered his precious fiancé?"
Mason's words got my temper rising. I abruptly stood up and glared at him furiously. "Don't you dare bring Damien into this!"
Mason stood up after me, slamming his glass on the coffee table. "I'm not bringing him into this, all I'm doing is showing you, you're no better than me!" he spat. "I just lied to you but you've been lying to your fiancé for four years, so don't you dare call the pot black Carly, because I think your lie is far greater!"
"I have my reasons for lying to Damien!"
"Yeah well I had my reasons for lying to you too!" Mason retorted.
"Oh yeah and what was that?"
Mason took a step closer to me. "I tried to tell you everything when I met you in California but I stopped myself from doing so when I learnt that I was holding you back!"
"What?"
"You said so yourself Carly, you wanted out, you wanted to leave everyone and everything that was holding you back, you wanted to move forward and live for yourself. You said leaving was the best thing that ever happened to you." Mason paused and ran a quick hand through his hair. "I spent months wondering why you left, but all it took was one meeting after six years to finally get my answer. You left because I, our friendship and our relationship was holding you back, you were tired of being there for an old friend who had so many issues, a friend who always needed you, you were tired of me and I completely understood. You were thinking of yourself and freeing yourself from our burdening friendship, you had enough of me and all the baggage that came along."
"Is that why you think I left?" I asked with a strained voice, stunned by his theory.
"I know that's why you left."
I laughed humourlessly and ran my hands through my hair many times. "Oh you think you know everything don't you Mason!"
"Isn't it obvious? You left, you made your dreams a reality and you found yourself a companion. Leaving really was the best thing for you, there's no denying it." Mason rambled. "You wanted out and you got it, you let go from those who were holding you back, for once you were being selfish."
"Yes I was selfish Mason but not for the reason's you're thinking." I said feeling really exasperated. "You're kept in the dark just as much as Damien is."
"What?" Mason frowned. "I know everything Carly, I know why you left, I know for a fact who took your virginity, I know-"
"You know nothing!" I cut him off. "You have no idea why I left, you have no idea how hard it was for me to leave, you don't know what I felt when I was away, you don't know what I went through in England, you don't know how alone I was despite being surrounded by people! You know zilch Mason!"
"So you're telling me that you weren't burdened by our friendship? You're saying you didn't leave because you were sick of being there for me when I probably needed you the most?"
"That's exactly what I'm saying!"
Mason snorted. "Yeah because that's so believable."
"You should believe it."
Mason stepped closer to me; he grabbed my one shoulder and looked me dead in the eye. "If that wasn't the reason then why did you leave Carly? What were your selfish reasons huh?"
"I left because I didn't want to get hurt." I said lowly, feeling a lump build in my throat. I had no idea talking about this still had some sort of an effect on me.
"Hurt?" Mason asked in ridicule. "Why the hell would you get hurt? You weren't the one who just lost their grandfather, you weren't the one who was told their parents were getting divorced, you weren't the one who was told they were about to become freaking parent!" With each sentence Mason's voice got louder and his hold got tighter. "Your life looked pretty good compared to mine at that time, so please do explain just how you could've gotten hurt?"
"Because I would've had to spend each day looking at the person I loved dearly be there for another woman, I would've had to quietly accept the fact that the person I was so deeply in love with shared a child with someone else." I felt Mason's hand loosen around me and his eyes go round with bewilderment. I took the opportunity and abruptly pulled out of his hold. "Yes Mason, I left because I was in love with you!" I yelled.
Just as the words left my mouth a loud roar of thunder came from outside and the light flickered before it went off completely. I ignored that and collapsed on the couch, my eyes were stinging with threatening tears. "I was so much in love with you that I couldn't stand the thought of you being the father of someone else's baby, I couldn't accept the fact that I would have to share you with someone else, that's why I was selfish, I left because I knew it would tear me apart whenever I saw you with Ashley and her baby. I had no choice but to leave." I said weakly, feeling my eyes well up.
"I thought going away would make it better but it didn't, no matter how much I convinced myself I didn't think of you, no matter how much of work I drowned myself in, the feelings didn't leave. You were edged into my memory and heart. Removing you seemed impossible, it became such a habit to think of you that I started believing I didn't because you lived in my mind, it became something natural to me that you eventually became a part of my subconscious mind, our memories together motivated me to get up every morning and live."
Mason was dead still and quiet while I poured all the feelings I kept in for so long out, my mind seemed to forget he was even there, but I knew he was standing somewhere nearby in the dark.
"I wanted to call you so many times but then I didn't because I had this hope you'd come and find me, tell me everything was alright and we could start something that almost happened but you didn't come, I spent each day with a monotonous routine, home, college, library and home again. I had no real friends, not until I bumped into Damien two years later. That was when I heard about your mother and decided to call you, and when I did my already fragile heart broke into a million pieces again, I heard your happy voice, I heard you with Ashley and Macy. You moved on with your life, you were happy and responsible." I smiled to myself but at the same time felt a tear slowly make its way down my cheek. "I was so happy for you but I still cried, I cried that whole night over you - over losing someone that was never mine."
I buried my face in my palm. "God I loved you so much Mason, so much that it physically hurt knowing I could never have you." I said swallowing a sob. "And I hate you for making me love you so much... I hate you Mason." I said weakly.
There was a long silence in the air; the only sound that was heard was the pouring rain against the wide window, the fierce wind and the thunder. I shivered as the cold started to creep in as I sat there in the dark with teary eyes.
Mason cleared his throat. "Um, I'm going to check what happened to the lights." He murmured and with the flashlight from his phone shining, he walked off.
Mason was back in a few minutes, I could see the light from his phone from the corner of my eye but I didn't look at him. "Looks like the lights are out because of the lightening, there's nothing I can do, we'll just have to wait until the storm's over." he murmured.
Not really bothered with what he said, I composed myself and wiped my eyes. I stood up, not caring that I couldn't see in the dark and stood up. My leg bumped into the coffee table and nearly tripped but Mason caught my arm in time. I glanced at his face when a flash of lightening lit the room for a second. "Let go of me Mason."
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Anywhere is better than here with you." I replied flatly.
Mason held onto my arm a fraction tighter as I tried to get out of his grasp. "I told you earlier on and I'll say it again, I'm not letting you step out of this place until the storm is over." he said firmly.
I struggled in his hold but failed because of him being stronger. "Don't pretend to care."
"I'm not pretending!" he snapped. He took in an audible breath and spoke calmer. "I don't care but Damien probably does, think of him. If something happens to you in this weather, imagine what'll happen to him."
Mason's words made sense, apart from what he said, I needed to be around to tell Damien everything, he had a right to know what I just told Mason - I owed him that much.
"Fine, I won't go." I whispered. "But please let go of me."
Mason slowly removed his fingers one by one until he completely let go. "I'll go find some candles." He murmured before he walked off again.
I found my way around to the couch again and sat down. I pulled out my phone to call Damien, I knew he'd be worried but calling him was futile since there was no network. I frustratingly threw my phone on the nearby table. I closed my eyes and rubbed my temples, feeling absolutely exhausted.
"Are you okay?" I opened my eyes to see Mason standing with a candle in his hand and another on the coffee table.
"Just fine."
Mason's gaze bore into mine for a long moment before he placed that candle down next to the other. "Well, I'm going upstairs. Make yourself at home, there should be something to eat in the fridge and if you're tired the guest bedroom is the first room on the right upstairs." He said nonchalantly.
I nodded and he walked off.
I watched his silhouette walk up the stairs, feeling hurt that Mason put a complete blind eye to what I just told him.
The clock ticked and the rain poured outside, my eyes felt droopy but my mind was far too awake to want to sleep. I glanced at my watch and saw that it was a little past eleven and by the looks of things; the storm wasn't going to stop anytime soon. The candle on the table was getting smaller and I was feeling very uncomfortable sitting alone in the dark on the couch.
So I decided to take Mason up on his offer, I stood up and picked up the dying candle before I made my way up the stairs. I turned to the right and entered the first room. Not able to see much I placed the candle on the bedside pedestal and lay down on the soft bed, trying to take my mind off things and allow sleep to take over.
I tossed and turned but sleep never came, the hands on the clock moved and the wind and rain danced together in symphony but my eyes refused to shut. My mind was too bust thinking over the past few hours, Mason wasn't married, he didn't have a child, he lied, he knew I loved him, he ignored it. I took in a deep breath, why was I even thinking over this? Things shouldn't have to change just because of this new information, I was still Carly and I was still Damien's fiancé, nothing else mattered right?
Then why was I thinking of the possibilities if I hadn't left and stayed behind, I thought of what would've happened if I stayed and found out that Mason wasn't the father of Ashley's child, what if I gave 'us' a chance, where would I have been now? Would I have been with him, would the ring on my finger be given to me by Mason?
* * *
I didn't realize when my eyes shut but they did because I when they opened again, the rain was gone and the rays of the sun hidden behind the thick clouds were illuminating through the room window.
It took me a moment to decipher where I was and when I did the previous days happenings played in the back of my mind. Squinting my eyes I sat up and tied my hair before getting up and heading into the en-suite bathroom.
After freshening up I looked at the time and was glad it was still pretty early in the morning. I looked out the window and - even though it was still overcast - the storm had cleared up, the heavy rain, thunder and ghastly wind was now gone.
What a long night, I thought as I took in a breath and decided to leave the room. When I walked downstairs I spotted Mason with a cup of coffee in his hand as he sat cross legged in sweatpants on the couch watching the news channel on TV. I guess the electricity must've come back during the earlier parts of the morning.
I slowly made my way into the living room since I had to grab my phone from the coffee table where I threw it the night before.
Mason glanced up at me. "Good morning."
"Morning." I dryly greeted back and grabbed my phone from the table.
I looked at the screen and noticed that the battery was dead. I cursed under my breath, knowing that I couldn't call Damien to tell him I was alright. "Slept well?" Mason asked.
"Yes, thanks." I lied because I didn't, I spent most of the night tossing and turning.
"I should get going now. Thanks again." I said and was about to turn on my heel before Mason stopped me.
"You don't want to stay for breakfast; I can get Mrs Robinson to make you something. She's in the kitchen." Mason said dropping his coffee on the table and stood up.
"No thanks, I'm alright. I should really get going." This time I did turn around.
"Carly." Mason stopped me again but this time I didn't turn around.
"Did you mean what you said last night?"
I slowly turned around. "Why would I lie about something like that?"
"So you do... I mean did love me?"
I nodded.
Mason didn't say anything for a moment before running a hand through his hair and stepping closer to me. "Why didn't you say anything then?"
"How do you tell someone who doesn't believe in love that you're in love with them?" I said. "How could I risk our lifelong friendship over three little words? I didn't want to lose your friendship in the name of love; I'd rather be with you as your friend without knowing how I felt about you than completely lose you."
"How could you love someone like me? I did so many things to you...how?"
"Being your friend was a choice but loving you, I had no control over." I said.
There was a moment of silence before Mason broke it. "Did you ever think that if you didn't give up so quickly, things would've been different?"
"Did you ever think that if you gave me a reason to fight harder, things would've been different?" I retorted.
"How could I possibly have given you a reason when I didn't know how you felt about me?"
I took a step closer to Mason and said dryly. "Do you remember the day I said goodbye to you? There was a moment, while I stood there on your driveway, I thought you were going to give me some reassurance; something that told me I should stay back and my feelings weren't one sided. I thought you were going to tell me you loved me...but you didn't. Instead you told me you were sorry for all that you'd done to me. That was when I realized there was no point in staying behind."
Mason's expression tensed. "What's the point of discussing this now right? You've moved on, you've grown up and those feelings are all gone. Why? Because you chose to leave."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "I can't believe you're blaming this on me! Can't you ever think and see how you were at fault?" I spat. "Maybe if you stopped whoring around with tons of different girls then there wouldn't have been a chance of you getting a girl pregnant!"
"Maybe if you didn't leave you'd realize I didn't!" Mason retorted.
I really couldn't believe he was saying this to me. "You knew Mason, you knew Macy wasn't your daughter and you still didn't come looking for me."
"I didn't see a reason; you left and didn't tell anyone anything about your whereabouts. Maybe if you told me about your feelings I would've come after you."
"Would you Mason?" I asked. "Would you really run after a girl who told she was madly in love with you or would you have run for the hills?"
"Why would I run away from someone who loved me?"
"Because you're afraid of feelings Mason!"
"I'm not afraid of feelings; I'm just sick and tired of being left by everyone who's ever claimed to love or care about me!"
His words touched a nerve inside and I pitied him. "I had a valid reason for leaving." I said softly.
"If you truly loved me you wouldn't have thought of yourself and left."
"If I didn't truly love you I wouldn't have let that night at the beach house happen." I stated.
Mason scoffed. "That's hardly a reason, people have one night stands all the time, it doesn't mean they're madly in love with each other."
Mason had my temper rising. "I gave my virginity to you! I dated Blake for years and not once had I allowed him to touch me yet in just one night I gave into you! I am not 'ordinary people' like you, maybe that night meant nothing to you but it meant a hell of a lot to me!" I took in a breath after my rant and looked at him squarely. "And don't you dare talk about true love; you don't know the meaning of the word itself."
"I could say the same to you." he shot back bitterly.
"Maybe you're right because just like you, I gave up too soon but I've seen true love." I stated confidently. "I've seen it in Damien; he truly loves me and probably has for a long time. When I met him in England I was the worse person to be around, I was broody and sullen but - despite having a much more valid reason to be sad and completely lonely - he did everything to make me smile and laugh, he spent almost every day with me, tolerating my moods and crazy one eighties. Then when he told me how he felt I cut him off, I never speak to him for months but do you know what he did?" I paused before continuing. "He fought for me, he came back and acted like my old friend again, he put aside his feelings just so he could be my friend, he was with me all the way until I realized that while loving the piece of coal I completely ignored the diamond."
"At least he had someone to call his own, he knew what love was. How could you expect a person like me to ever know it?" Mason asked, his voice almost vulnerable.
Oh Mason, I thought, I couldn't even stay mad at him when he spoke like that. I hated him for melting me away so easily. But I had to keep it together; I couldn't let my emotions get the better of me. "You had Grandpa Mitch and he loved you to bits."
"He left."
"And so did Damien's dad, but he didn't bury himself in self-pity and blame others for the misery in his life."
"But Damien had you to fill that space."
"You had me too Mason but like sand, you let me slip through your fingers."
"It doesn't matter anymore, things have changed, feelings have changed." Mason said dryly.
I glanced at him and stepped out of the living room with his last words playing in the back of my mind. As I entered the entrance hall and was about to grab my coat I turned around to see Mason standing in the very same spot. Looking at him like that clenched my heart; it still tore me inside to see Mason so lonely and unloved.
Without thinking I ran up to him and cupped his cheeks. "It doesn't have to change Mason, what if we could put the past six and a half years behind us and forgot about everything, what if we could just pick up where we left off?" I said looking in his blue-grey orbs. "But I need some sort of reassurance; I need you to let me know I'm not fighting a losing battle to only get hurt."
Mason looked at me inexpressively for a long moment. His gaze looked so soft for a second before it hardened. "I don't believe in relationships, what makes you think I'll ever believe in love?" he said with no emotion whatsoever in his voice.
With a humourless smile I slowly removed my hands and shook my head, taking a step back from him. "I knew it." I murmured under my breath. "I just knew it, I knew you're incapable of loving someone else other than yourself Mason, you're so absorbed in worrying about getting hurt that you can't even blame yourself for things going awry."
"Leaving California, leaving you was the best decision of my life, because you were right, you're baggage Mason and I am so done with dealing with you and all your insecurities." I said. "You don't and you never deserved me!" I spat.
"You're the most selfish person I've ever met, you live in a 'Me-Me' world, all you care about is your feelings and nothing else; it's always been about how Mason was lonely, Mason was unloved, Mason had no one, Mason was sad, Mason was hurt, Mason lacked maternal care, Mason lost his grandfather, Mason lost a friend, it's always been Mason this and Mason that! I can't believe I ever loved someone like you." I ranted while he silently stood there looking at me. "Have you ever thought about others who have lost more than you, Damien was born without his mother, you had Julianne as a mother and that was as good as having no mother, Damien's only family was his dad, yours was Grandpa Mitch. You both lost people that meant the world to you but unlike you, Damien was never afraid to open his heart again, he never shied away from caring about others. Damien is a strong man not a weak, insecure boy!"
I was pretty much breathless after my rant and I had to admit it felt good to finally let out all my feelings and thoughts, I felt so much lighter letting out these feelings I've ignored and kept bottled up for years.
"You're done?" Mason's asked flatly.
"More than you'll ever know." I replied coldly.
"Good then maybe you should leave, I'm sure your fiancé must be worried sick." Mason said and gestured to the front door.
I looked at him bitterly before walking pass him. "You can consider me gone already." I mumbled and after taking my coat I left.
A/N phew this was a hard chapter to write, I had it all written out by Friday but I wasn't happy with the first one so I rewrote it and I'm still not entirely happy with it! Oh well the purpose of this chapter was for you guys to finally know the truth.
A lot of you guessed it right and for that I salute you :P
I hope this chapter was good enough for you and most of your doubts are cleared : )
Oh and an early Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers, I hope you all have a wonderful day with your family and friends and are able to appreciate all the wonderful things you have in life, I know I am more than thankful for having you guys.
'Till then my beautiful people
Hugs
Tina