Scars of Time

Chapter 52: "What do I do?"

Hope's POV

As I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the sight of him lying beside me, radiating tranquility. It was a moment that made me crave waking up like this every single day.

However, a stray lock of hair obstructed my view of his face, prompting me to reach out and gently brush it away. But just as I was about to touch his face, his eyes fluttered open, and I quickly withdrew my hand, realizing I didn't have the right to do so.

I knew from the way he looked at me that he regretted it.

This dark feeling inside me that I hate so much, the one that makes me feel worthless, was forming a ball in my throat that I was not able to swallow no matter how much I tried.

He got up from bed and started looking for his clothes.

"I have to go" he stated which served as a timely reminder that I was running late for work, as it was well past lunchtime and I should have been at the office since 08:00.

"Me too. I'm really, really late for work." I got up to get my clothes as well.

"Do you need a ride?" he asked without even looking my way.

I declined because I knew it would be awkward. It always is, after a one-night stand.

After hastily getting dressed, I glanced at my phone, which had been incessantly ringing while I was passionately indulging in the taste of someone's luscious lips. It seemed like there was an urgent matter at hand. Without wasting a moment, I dialed my assistant's number, anxious to find out what had happened. To my relief, she informed me that there had indeed been an emergency, but they contacted Dr. Tod and everything was under control now.

I really owe him a big apology.

Michael Tod, who works at a veterinary clinic just down the road from mine, and I used to have heated arguments about his decision to open his own clinic. It bothered me that he took away half of my patients. And now, it seems he has taken another one as well, as I don't think that client will come back to me anymore. However, despite my frustration, I still need to apologize to him because, ultimately, they saved the patient. I would have been more devastated if something bad happened to the dog than I am right now for having to apologize to that jerk.

I always keep my phone on full volume, but today was an exception. I was in Alex's arms and the world had stopped around me. I turned it off while he traced delicate patterns on my neck because I craved his undivided attention, free from any interruptions.

Dragging my feet, I trudged into my office with my gaze fixed on the ground. Meanwhile Miachael stood tall with his arms defiantly bound together and a smug smile playing on his lips, knowing an apology was on it's way. I hate that he was right.

"I'm so sorry everyone. I had to handle some personal matters, and I assure you that it will not happen again."

"You do realise I have my own patients waiting for me and I'm not your assistant, right?"

"I'm really, really sorry. I don't have anything to say that could make this right."

"Forget it. Just buy me a meal and we're fine."

"Huh?"

"Don't tell me that you think a simple apology is going to make everything okay? I closed my office for you today. Since 08:30, I've been here dealing with your patients instead and I think you should at least pay me somehow."

"Okay. I'll pay you. Just tell me how much you get for an hour so I can calculate."

"Wow. I didn't know you were that materialistic. A meal is all I'm asking, but okay. You don't have to. Just onsider it a generous act on my part. Forget it."

"Fine. What do you want to eat?" I sighed and slipped my wallet back into my purse.

"I'll think about it until tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Did you have something planned?"

"No. Tonight is fine."

"I'll pick you up."

After I nodded in agreement, he departed, leaving me alone with my assistant, who gazed at me with a playful glint in her eyes.

"You and Dr. Tod?" she asked in an interrogative pose as if we were close. Why is everyone talking casually to me lately? Have I become soft?

"You heard it too, he just likes to torture me."

"Sure, sure. I get to go home early so I'm not complaining."

"Fine. You can go early."

The sight of her jumping in sheer happiness brought a smile to my lips as I made my way to the office.

It appears that I have really become soft.

................

Alex's POV

The familiar sense of guilt consumed me as I awoke, my attention was immediately drawn to the tranquil presence of Hope lying peacefully beside me.

I don't know what I am doing anymore. Is this really who I have become?! I deserve a punch right now and I wish I could give it to myself. I feel miserable. This time I was not even drunk or anything, so I don't even have an excuse.

It's confirmed. I'm a terrible human being.

Hope began to awaken, and I swiftly closed my eyes, pretending to be in a deep sleep. If only I could vanish into thin air right now. However, she didn't rise from the bed; instead, she stared directly at me, leaving me with no option but to open my eyes. I couldn't carry on like this without it becoming glaringly obvious. But as soon as my eyes met hers, I noticed her laying so close, peering at me with her sleepy eyes, causing my heart to skip a beat. What is wrong with me?

The flashbacks of our earlier kisses rushed back to me, and I could feel the warmth spreading across my cheeks once again. Without wasting a moment, I hastily got out of bed.

"I have to go" I said and started getting dressed, although my clothes were not exactly in one place.

"Me too. I'm really, really late for work."

Despite knowing I should have intervened, I couldn't bring myself to stop her. The thought of us remaining together would have been incredibly uncomfortable. As she concluded her phone call and left, I made up my mind to reach out to Time and inform him. However, I couldn't help but notice a hint of unease in his voice.

I made up my mind to go to his office because, even if I don't like him, everyone needs someone to rely on in times of hardship. And I knew he really needed someone by his side when he didn't refuse my offer to help him.

"I have a meeting with Time Astor," I informed the receptionist, who promptly directed me towards the elevator, urging me to ascend to the top floor. As I walked past, I couldn't help but notice the inquisitive gazes from the onlookers. It dawned on me that they must have assumed I held a position of importance, given my meeting with their boss. Reflecting on my attire, I wished I had chosen something more fitting than a black oversized shirt and jeans.

I didn't realise how big this place was from the outside. And I didn't realise how important Time was until the receptionist had to make a hundred phone calls to ask if I could meet him.

The elevator doors opened to reveal a long hallway leading to a desk in front of a big wooden door and I felt like I was in a movie or something. As if I was going to meet the big mafia boss.

The door opened before I could even reach it and a guy started walking towards me.

"Hi. My name is Ben. I'm Mr. Astors asistant. You must be Alex."

I nodded and he turned towards the door, pointing at it "Mr. Astor is waiting for you."

"Thanks" I said and started walking toward it.

With a courteous gesture, he swung the door open for me and offered "I'm right outside if you need anything" His voice dropped to a hushed tone as he added, "Or if you feel in danger"

"Cut the crap Ben" Time shouted from inside. "And come join us."

I looked at him and a smile formed on his face before following me inside.

Time rose from his seat and made his way over to me, extending his fist for a friendly bump. It was so painfully awkward that I couldn’t help but let out a nervous laugh, which only made things worse. Time’s face twitched, like he was fighting the urge to cringe, and for a split second, it felt like we were both trapped in some bizarre social experiment.

"I suppose you met at the door. Ben, Alex, Alex, Ben."

"We did."I replied, my voice tinged with the same forced casualness.

The three of us stood there in silence, the air thick with secondhand embarrassment. Time shifted his weight from one foot to the other, his eyes darting around the room like he was looking for an escape route. Just when I thought the awkwardness couldn’t get any worse, he suddenly blurted out, "Guys, Evan Astor showed up." The shift was so abrupt it took me a second to process. One moment, we were drowning in cringe; the next, Time’s voice was cracking, his composure completely shattered.

"What do I do now?" he continued, his tone desperate, almost pleading. "Can you please tell me? Because I really don’t have a single clue."

Unbeknownst to me, his desperation ran deeper than I had anticipated. His eyes were rimmed with a faint redness, the kind that betrayed sleepless nights or emotions pushed to the brink. His hands trembled slightly at his sides, and his voice wavered, though he fought hard to steady it. It hit me then, like a punch to the chest: Time wasn’t just awkward or uncomfortable. He was desperate. Truly, deeply desperate. And yet, despite the storm raging inside him, he stood there, jaw clenched, shoulders squared, refusing to let the tears fall.

He didn’t have to say it outright, but I could see it in the way he looked at us, in the way his voice cracked when he asked for help. He needed us. And as much as it must have killed him to admit that, he’d done it anyway.