Unexpected Connection

CHAPTER 11

I am still here staring at Ian. His parents are dead? The both of them? I don't know what to say, what to do. I just look at Ian and the tear falls from my face. Ian looks at me and puts his hand in and shakes his hair.

    "Dang it, Heather" he shouts.

    "She didn't know, did she?" Heather says when she sees my distraction. "She doesn't know anything about you so why are you with her?" she adds holding his arm. 

    "You should go" Ian tells Heather.

    "I should go" I tell him and walk to the woods.

    "Lily, wait up" he calls and I start running. Do I know him at all? I get that he wouldn't want to talk about something that painful to him but I thought I was different to him, I thought he would at least tell me something that important to him. I guess not.

    "Lily, please wait up" Ian says behind me running as well. I ignore him until he holds my shoulder stopping me. I quickly wipe the tears falling down my face. He hugs me but I resist. 

    "No...No" I say standing away.

    "Lily please" he pleads trying to hold my hand.

    "Why didn't you tell me?" I ask folding my hands. "Why?". He puts his hands in his hair.

    "It's not something I want to announce to everybody, Lily" he says and I nod. The tears fall fresh and I quickly wipe them away. I guess I am like everybody to him, nothing more. I walk away from him.

    "Come one bunny" he calls following me.

    "Don't call me that!" I shout at him. I take a deep breath and look at him. "I thought I was different from other people but I guess I was wrong" I tell him.

    "You are different" he says.

    "It doesn't seem that way Ian" I start crying, this time I let it fall. "You are special to me more than anyone else, I would tell you everything about me that you would want to know but the feeling isn't mutual" I say.

   "You are special to me too, Lily" he says.

   "I am not, Ian" I say shaking my head. "I get it, you lost both parents and that isn't something anyone should go through, I get that you wouldn't talk to anyone about it but..." I say looking at him. "But you not telling me about this just hurt me more than I expected. When were you going to tell me, if you were going to tell me? Who were you going to introduce me to?" I ask.

    "Saturday" he says and I look at him. "I was going to introduce you to my friends who are like family to me and tell you everything on Saturday, Lily. You have to believe me" he pleads.

    "I believe you" I tell him. "But I think we should stop whatever this is".

    "Don't leave me, Lily" he pleads, his voice sounds so small, "You can't break up with me"

    "So we are in a relationship" I say nodding. 

    "Of course we are" he says.

    "I don't think we are, you tell your partner things, you don't hide or feel vulnerable with the people you care about" I tell him, "I am truly truly sorry about your parents and I hope one day you'd be able to tell me about them but for now, I want you to think about what you want and tell me" I add.

    "I want you Lily" he says walking towards me. I step back.

    "But as what, a friend, a partner or someone to waste time with? You let me know" I say and peck his cheeks. I walk home and the tears begin to fall. Why did I do that? He was going to tell me? Is it too late to run back and talk to him? I walk home and go to bed.

***

It's been three days since Ian and I spoke. I was happy when the meeting at the office was canceled, I got to stay home and cry a lot. I played sad movies after sad movies so Asher would think that was why I was crying. I didn't know how to explain to Asher. I get off bed and examine myself in the mirror, my eyes have so many baggage and his red, my face is puffy and I feel so weak and look like crap. I think I've lost weight. I leave my bathroom and walk to the balcony, Ian's blinds are down, they've been for two days now. If I am being sincere, I am worried. He hasn't been at school as well. I haven't too but Asher told me. 

I slide down the slide and walk to his house, not a smart thing to walk through the woods in pajamas, do not try it at home. I feel like a buffet for insects. I walk to his door, pull the hair pin from my hair and open his door.

   "Ian!" I call. No reply. "Ian!!". Nothing. I walk to his room and see him lying in bed, I walk to him and he is sleeping. He looks sick, I place my hand on his forehead. Geez, he is burning up. What the heck. I remove the blankets on his body, rush to the bathroom to wet a small towel and place it on his forehead, he doesn't steer or anything. He's out cold.

I leave the towel on his head and run out to get somethings. I take the key to one of his cars and drive out the gate, the gate remote is in the car. I first go get the ingredients for chicken soup. I make a mean soup, Asher asks for it whenever he is sick, that is the only thing he ever wants. I drive back to Ian's place and get to work. I take the chicken soup up to his room, he is still sleeping but his temperature has come down, the towels helped. I know I said I left the towel on his head, I might have failed to mention that I placed cold wet towels on his body too before I left. I remove all the towels from him. I wet another towel and start cleaning his face, I am drawn to the scar on him again and I brush my thumb over it. He is still sleeping when I'm done so I let him be. I put the soup in the fridge and I go back to his room to sit on a couch to be with him. I fell asleep and when I wake up, he is still sleeping and it's dark out. I send a text to my mum to tell her I was staying over at Ian and she's cool with it, I send a text to Ash too and he sends winks. 

    "Lily, don't leave me" I heard Ian say. I go to his side.

    "I am right here, Ian" I say holding his hands.

    "A tear falls from his eyes and he tightens his hold on me.

    "Don't go, please" he whispers and drifts off again. He is dreaming. He is not sick because of me right? I know I stopped seeing him after what happened happened but its just a coincident. I know what you are going to say, 'It's not a coincidence, Liliana' but I am going to say it's a coincidence and leave it at that. Oh, who am I kidding. This is my fault.

It's been three days since Ian got sick, he hasn't woken up at all but his fever broke. I know some of you are thinking, why didn't you take him to an hospital, Liliana. Well what would I tell the ambulance; 'I broke into my friends house and found him sick on his bed, I also cooked in his home and drove his car, used his credit card to buy stuffs but hey I am doing the right thing'. Where did you think I got the money for the soup ingredients, I didn't bring my card to Ian's house, I used his. I refuse to be a criminal. But, I did call our family doctor the day I found Ian to check up on him and he gave him drips, the doctor's been coming twice a day. He should be here this evening again.

I haven't left Ian's side once though, been watching over him closely, I also haven't showered too, sue me. I decide to shower, I go to Ian's closet and pick a big bordering on huge t-shirt and a boxers, I go to his bathroom and shower. His body products are nice. I smell like a man. I change into the clothes and throw my clothes, undies and the damp towel in the washing machine in his bathroom. I have a quick dinner downstairs and go back to his room. I sit on the couch I have now moved to the side of his bed so I get a better view of him, and fall asleep.

    "Lily?" I hear someone call. I open my eyes and see Ian sitting in bed looking at me. He's awake. I stand up and go to him, I sit on the edge of the bed. 

    "Ian" I say placing my hand on his cheeks. "How are you feeling?" I ask placing my hand on his forehead.

    "What's happening, why are you here?" he asks.

    "I'd explain to you, let me get you something first" I tell him and go warm the chicken soup. I bring it to him in bed and feed him. I am happy he finished it, means he is better.

    "You should rest" I tell him.

    "Lily-" he gets interrupted by the gate alarm. I rush downstairs knowing it's the doctor. I tell him he's awake and we walk to his room. Ian is where I left him.

    "It's good to see you awake, Ian. I am Dr Carpenter, Lily's family doctor" Dr Carpenter says. He checks Ian out and concludes that he just needs rest and sleep. "You are lucky Lily found you when she did. You've got a lucky girlfriend" he adds. Ian looks at me.

    "Dr Carpenter, I thought you said he needs to rest" I tell him.

    "You're right. I should get going" he says and get's his things. "If she gets sick, let me know. She hasn't slept for an hour straight in three days, refusing to leave your side, just staying on that uncomfortable couch watching you" he adds and I escort him out.

    "Three days?" Ian asks when I walk back in.

    "You've been asleep for three days. Sick" I explain. "Rest, I'd be here when you wake up" I tell him and watch him sleep. I sleep too but open my eyes in a few minutes and see Ian is lying in bed watching me.

    "Why aren't you sleeping?" I ask rubbing my eyes.

    "I can't lose you Lily" he says and  take a deep breath, "Get better first" I tell him and he closes his eyes. I watch him a while before drifting asleep myself. 

When I wake up and see Ian is awake and sitting in bed, I smile. He looks much better now.

    "Morning" I greet.

    "It's noon" he corrects and I look at the time, it's past one.

    "Why didn't you wake me up?" I ask.

    "The doctor said you needed to rest" he answers.

    "He already came?" I ask and he nods. "Good, what did he say?" I ask.

    "Says you need-"

    "Not about me. You" I interrupt.

    "Oh, said I am fine and should take it easy" he says and I smile. I am relieved.

    "What do you want to eat?" I ask.

    "Your chicken soup" he says.

    "You got it, be right back"   say and leave the room. Things seem a bit awkward between the two of us, it was not awkward when he was asleep but it is now that he is awake. I return with his food on a bed tray and place it in front of him.

    "Feed me" he says. I smile at him but I do feed him, when he is done, I give him the fruits too before taking the dishes away to wash them.

I return the couch I had dragged to the side of his bed, I carry my folded clothes that I had put in a borrowed back and take my phone from beside Ian.

    "What are you doing?" Ian asks holding my hand when I take my phone.

    "Going home. Doctor says you are fine now. I'd be checking on you" I tell him but he doesn't let go f my hand.

    "Don't go, please" he says with pleading eyes.

    "What do you want to do now?" I ask dropping my phone and the bag.

    "Wash my hair" he says.

    "I'd help you" I tell him and follow him to the bathroom. he told on tight to the sink and I quickly wash his hair and his face before taking him back to the room. He sits on his bed and I help him dry his hair with a towel. I stand in front of him and run the towel through to remove excess water, his hair is damp and I am just rubbing the towel on his hair. I take the towel and clean his face, water had dripped to his face. His eyes are on me as I clean the water, I place my hand on his jaw, brushing my thumb over his cheek. I proceed to trace his features with my eyes.

     "I was in the car when my parents dies, it was a car crash" Ian says suddenly. I stop tracing and look at him. "It's why I have the scar on my body" he adds.

    "You don't have to tell me if you do not want to" I tell him.

    "I want to. I cannot bear to lose you, Lily" he says placing his hand on mine. 

    "I was in high school and they had come to pick me up from school, the principal had called them to report me to them. My dad was driving, he was so angry at me for what I had done, I had taped post it not all over the principal's office. My mum thought it was funny but said I could have done better" he says and smiles at the memory. "I apologized to Dad and he accepted, he joined my mum and said if he should get called to school for a delinquent act, it should be a good one. One minute we were all laughing in the car and the next, we are run over by this truck with a bad brake. Mum died immediately and Dad a little later. The last thing he told me was that they love me so much and are proud of me" Ian says and I am full on crying. 

    "I am so sorry" I tell him in between tears. I now feel foolish for arguing with him over it. 

    "It's fine" he says wiping my tears. "I am sorry too" he tells me. "I should have told you earlier, you mean so much to me and I want you to know that" he says. I look at him and smile.

    "Heather broke up with you during the funeral?" I ask and he nods. "I always knew there was a reason I didn't like her, this is that reason" I tell him shaking my head.

    "She was seeing one of my friends behind my back and she decides it was best to tell in my parents funeral and also break up with me" he says.

    "Thank you for telling me" I tell him.

    "Are you still breaking up with me?" he ask.

    "No" I tell him kissing him.

    "We are in a relationship" he states firmly and I shake my head at him. He kisses me.

    "You should rest" I tell him.

    "Promise you wouldn't sneak out" he says lying in bed.

    "Promise" I answer smiling. I am about to walk to the couch when he pulls me on the bed with him.

    "Ian" I say and he cuddles me.

    "Just stay" he says and I relax into him.

When I wake up, it's very early in the morning and Ian isn't in bed, I look around searching for him and I am about to call him when he comes out of the closet. 

    "Morning" he says. He looks like he's back to himself.

    "Morning" I answer and he kisses me. "How are you feeling?" I ask.

    "Great, I was sick because I had lost you but now that I have you back, I feel great" he says. "I do have you back?" he asks skeptical.

    "You do" I say kneeling on the bed to kiss him. He laughs as I fall back in bed, my arms still round his neck kissing him.

    "It's Saturday" Ian says laying in bed.

    "I know" I tell him.

    "We are meeting my family today" he says.

    "Are you sure, you are just recovering" I tell him.

    "I am sure" he says and kisses me. I guess I am meeting the people important to Ian today. 

    "Let me go home and get ready" I tell him and get off the bed. I carry my bag and phone and tell Ian I would return his clothes to him.

    "They look good on you" he says and winks. I blow a kiss to him and leave the room.

I am back at home for the first time in days and I have a few minutes to get ready to meet Ian's people. I have my bath and get ready. What do you wear to meet family? Ian says to dress formal but to also have a casual cloth and a bikini, I do not know what is happening today. I finally choose a black poof sleeve square neck dress reaching my midcalf with a slit at the back, I put on my nude heels. 

    "He's here" Asher announces. I look at myself and I look good enough. I hair is styled up with two curls in front, I have jewelries; my bangles, wrist watch and my earrings: three on one ear, five on the other, my make up is minimal. "You look great" Ash says when I walk out the closet. 

    "Thanks" I say and twirl.

    "Ian is a lucky guy, he gets to date my sister" Ash says,

    "Make sure to tell him that" I say with a laugh.

    "I already did" 

    "I knew I could count on you" I say and peck his cheeks.

    "Have fun" he says when I walk out. I say goodbye to my parents before leaving.

When I walk out the door, Ian is resting against the passenger door, he looks up when the front door opens. His face brightens when he sees me.

    "Wow" he says smiling. 

    "How do I look?" I ask twirling.

    "Like a dream" he says and I smile. He opens the door for me and I peck him, 

    "A gentleman" I say.

    "Only for you, bunny" he says.

I seat in the car and wait for him to het seated, he does my seatbelt for me and himself before starting the ignition and driving out the gate.

    "Do you think your friends will like me?" I ask looking worried. Ian looks at me.

    "Is Liliana Grant worried about meeting my friends?" Ian teases.

    "No, just worried they wouldn't like me" I explain and he laughs. "Come on, would they like me?" I ask.

    "They would love you" he says placing his hand on my thighs and squeezing lightly. I place my hand on his hand.

We arrive at a park and it looks so beautiful on the outside. It isn't until I see the sign that I realize where we are. it's a cemetery. We are meeting Ian's parents. I look over at Ian. 

    "I thought it fair to introduce them to you first" he say sand holds my hand as we walk along the park, there are trees everywhere. If there is a perfect place to be buried, it's here. 

    "It's beautiful here" I tell Ian and he smiles.

    "Mum loved it here, she always said she wanted to be buried here" Ian says and I look at him.

    "I don't understand"

    "My mum found this place by chance, she thought it was a park" he says.

    "Like me" I smile and he mods smiling,

    "Like you. Anyway when she found out it's a cemetery, she kept coming back and brought my dad and I too saying she wanted to take us to where we will all get buried. My mother was weird". 

    "I would have loved her" I tell him smiling.

    "And she would have loved you too" he says kissing me. 

We finally stop in front of a tree.

    "This is it" Ian says pointing to the tree. There is a picture of a lady and a man on the tree, Ian looks just like them. They are a beautiful couple. "Meet my parents, Lily" Ian says.

    "Hi, Mr and Mrs, Carter" I greet. "I brought something for you" I say dropping the bouquet of flowers I am holding. "I hope you like them".

    "Mum, Dad, this is Lily Grant. My girlfriend" he says looking at me. I hold his hand.

    "It's wonderful to meet to meet you both" I say smiling at them.

    "She is great, beautiful, smart and weird just like mum" he says and I laugh.

    "Don't mind him, Mrs. Carter. I think we weird people are the best" I say nudging Ian.

    "See what I mean. I wish you were here Dad to give me advice on how to navigate dating a weird lady" Ian says smiling and I feel tears at the back of my eyes. "I wish you were both here to see how happy I am. I am happy" he adds.

    "I think they know you are" I tell Ian pecking his cheeks.

    "I am sorry we have to go, I just wanted to bring Lily to meet you" Ian says. I wipe my tears.

    "I'd give you time with them" I tell Ian. "It's lovely meeting you and I promise we will be back. I'd make sure we come back all the time" I tell them. "I know... I know you aren't lonely but we are. Ian misses you a lot" I add smiling. Ian is looking at me. I peck his cheeks and excuse myself. I take a walk for a while and when I come back, Ian is still talking to his parents. I am a bit far but I can still hear him, not clearly though.  

    "I told you I would bring the girl I finally fall in love with to you and I did" I hear Ian say. My heart start beating rapidly.

    "I love her" I overhear and my heart stops.