My Christmas Romance

Chapter 6: The Truth

"I love your dress by the way, did I tell you that before?" He asked me

"I think you did" I smiled at him "Thanks for this, it's amazing"

"Well you shouldn't thank me really, because this is my way of saying thank you" He said

" I really don't know what you are thanking me for. Annabel is such a sweet kid and I am grateful I have someone like her in my class". I really am thankful for that.

"Well thank you for coming into our lives". I looked at him as he said that, not sure what he actually meant. But I couldnt dare to ask. Something in me wasn't so bold to want to know what he meant, I didn't want to get disappointed by my expectations.

"I...urmm.." I stutter because this man always has me loss for words. Ring...Ring..... That was my phone saving me, whoever is calling must be an angel. I picked up the phone only to hear a not so angelic voice.

"Hey sister" Yeah, that was Chloe, my little sister.

"Mom said you are coming for the wedding?". Why does everyone keep asking me that question like I would miss my sister's wedding.

"Would I miss your wedding?" I asked her.

"Not if you don't actually have a man to bring over. I know you are not in any serious relationship." She said

"And how would you know that?" Her attitude is annoying and this is the reason I don't go home, well one of many reasons.

"I know you and Steve broke up". Broke up!! We weren't even together. But how would she know this.

"Where did you get that from?" I asked.

"From one of my sources. And except you are me, you can't get a guy to date you before the end of next week. You know my wedding is just in two weeks and I dare you sister" she laughs. Good, there it is. She may be right but I am not backing out. I ended the call.

"Trouble from home?". How would he know?. Who wouldn't know.

"Nothing serious" I lied.

"Are you okay?" He asks, searching my eyes like he could tell I was lying.

"Urmm..yeah. I am."

Now, there's that silence and I am wondering if I should ask him those questions that has been burning in my heart to ask. The reason behind those pains, and anger, I see in his eyes.

"So, why dance? Obviously you are good at it but why teach it, why not make it a career?" He asked.

I gulped at that question, I have ran away from the answer to that question for a long time. I never believed I would be in a position to talk about it again, at least not having to tell the truth because one look at this man and I could see myself giving it away.

"I....". I felt a blockage at my throat. I drank some water to clear my throat before I start talking again.

"It wasn't part of my plan to become a teacher..." I looked at him, to see if he was surprised or disappointed, but his face was bland. So I continued...

" I used to date this guy, Chris. He was my first boyfriend at the time and I did everything because of him. He was also a dancer like me, he was good and we were partners. ....There was this competition we were supposed to go for and we went as partners. It was so good cause our dreams were coming true. I was already fantasizing our future together in a big house with children..." . I smiled sadly as I remembered the event.

He held my hands comforting me even if he doesn't know the whole story yet.

".... when we finished our final dance, we got selected for the tour and that was when I got the news that my dad had a heart attack and he's currently in the hospital. I had to leave immediately. Chris came to meet me later on. I was so happy when I saw him. He told me the tour was in a week and he's going to be with me every single day till my dad was better. Two days to the tour..... I waited for his call, his text. I called him severally and he didn't pick or return my calls. I looked for him everywhere but never found him." I didn't realise I was sobbing so much. He held my hands comforting me and telling me its okay.

"Did you find out if he went to the tour without you...".he asked

"...I thought so. I concluded that he did. His family wouldn't say anything to me. So I felt like they were hiding something....un..until .... they announced a dead body on the news." At this time, I broke down.. I couldn't hold it anymore.

William held me and hugged me. I did really need this kind of comfort right now.

.."it was Chris' body. He laid flat lifeless...." I cried more as I spoke..."He didn't say goodbye, he didn't tell me anything. He just left me"

William hugged me and told me it's okay and I didn't have to talk more about it.

We stayed like that for more than thirty minutes, I know I felt so much pain but It was crazy because I also felt relief. Relief of all the pain I had buckled in my heart, I refused to talk to anyone about it. I threw all the pain and anger in my career and my love life and my family. I threw everybody out... But just this one man. He was here with me holding me like he was never letting me go just like Chris did. But something about him was different. Something about him made me trust that he wouldn't leave me like Chris did. I looked at him at that moment and I saw the same pain in his eyes.

"I lost my dad the same day I found out Chris was dead".I told him.

He looked at me surprised like he felt too sorry for me.

"Oh Claire I am so sorry you had to face something so tragic like that" He kissed my hands.

"Chris kept so many secrets from me. He owed some guys money that he used to pay his mother's bills and that of his sisters. He bought our dance tickets with the money also.....I.... I thought it was a charity event. He did so many things for me, for us. He really wanted to see me pursue my dream. But he never told me how much he saved my ass by doing some illegal stuff. I found out later he sold drugs because of money. .....He was killed by the police the night he was going to complete a deal. He told me before, how happy he was that our dreams have come true. He told me he was going to clean somethings up so we do not have any issue. I never knew he was going to clear his name and that night was the last night he had to do any job for him to come out. But they set him up... .He never fulfilled any of his dreams. He was so young..."

"I am so sorry Claire. I understand now. And nobody should have to go through what you went through. You don't have to talk about it anymore". He said sweetly.

I don't know where I got the courage from to ask him what I wanted answers to.

"What happened with you and your wife?"

I looked at her shocked and unprepared for that question. I could talk and it would be my turn to feel the same pain she's feeling but there's too much pain for this night.

"We don't have to have so much painful moment in one night. We can continue another day" I smiled as I looked at her teary face. She's so beautiful and has so much pain inside of her. I wish I could take it all away. I wish I could tell her now that she doesn't have to worry anymore about those pains and sadness. I want to be the one to take those pain away from her. How much I want to kiss those tears away and tell her with me she never has to be sad ever again.