EVE: A Short Unforgettable Love Story

Chapter Fourteen

Kellan Porter POV

It’s been twelve years, and so much had happened on the shadows of those years. I graduated in college with a degree in Culinary Arts and Baking. I came back in Edenton City five years ago and built my own restaurant. I am now an official thirty-year-old adult, had a stable business, has a house and a car, living the life that I just once planned. The world has shifted on those twelve years, but not once my heart shifted from whom it always belonged to Isabella Madden-It's still my favorite name. The name that just slips out my mouth randomly, like it was carved completely in my tongue. The name that has always flashed in my mind and instantly made my day light. There’s no day, my heart never yearns for her. There’s no day I have never thought of her. I have never stop loving Isabella Madden. But I hurt her. I left her. Every day for twelve years, the pain, and the ghosts of guilt follow me. It became my constant reminder how I pushed away the most beautiful thing that happened to my life. And it will certainly haunt me forever.

I should’ve been with her during the darkest phases of her life. I should’ve been her safe space. Twelve years ago, after I talked to her father, I left Edenton City because I thought that was what love required of me- that walking away was the best thing I could do for her, to protect her, to not hurt her because she deserved so much-even though my own choice felt like it was tearing out every piece of my own heart. They said, when you deeply love someone, your most fear isn’t losing them, it’s hurting them, and probably it’s true. What her father said hit me real hard, so the very moment I turned my back and walked away, I made a promise to myself-once I’ve hold onto every single day-I vow to build something worthy of her, and I would never come back until I could give her the world as beautiful as she made mine.

I spent twelve years building something solid-something we could stand together, something she deserved, something to prove I am worthy of her. When I came back in town-where we fell in love, and spent the most beautiful moments of my life-all I could see is her even though she wasn’t here. Maybe I was too late, she left ten years ago to pursue college, and she never came back after then. I miss her. I miss her stares, her giggles, her smile. I carry her memories with me for twelve years. How she smiles. How she eats her favorite sundae ice cream at the local diner. How she gazes at the sky. How she makes a wish at the shooting stars. I remember I said, I never believe on that stuff, but every now and then I wished upon the infinite stars to bring her back to me. I hope she knows how grateful I am I met her, love her, and was loved by her-because that was the happiest I’ve ever been. And if somewhere in time, I get to see her again, the very first words I would say is, ‘thank you for loving me, thank you for making feel the realist love, and most of all, thank you for opening my eyes to see the beauty that was always there in life, when I couldn’t find it on my own.’

December 24, 1994, Christmas Eve. The restaurant is packed of people, celebrating this special day with their loved ones. Classic songs played, as I make my rounds- checking on tables-when suddenly, door swings open, classic door-bell rang, red stilettos stepped in. Time dilation happened. She smiles, different from the very first moment I saw her at the library. She walked on the corner booth by the fireplace wearing a brown belted cachet coat, waking gracefully and slowly like she owned her time. She met her mother, Mrs. Madden who’s sitting on the corner table for almost fifteen minutes now. Everything seems different about her-the way she dressed, she walks, she talks, she smiles-like how she pulls her lips curve, yet her eyes doesn’t crinkle like they used before. I just stood there, as I watched her every movement, learning it again, memorizing it. I’ve pictured meeting her in my mind, smiling genuinely as she holds her kid’s hands and her husband hold hers-certainly the life she deserves-but it’s the opposite, she’s alone. She gestures for a waiter to make her order, for a moment, I wanted to volunteer myself, but my staff instantly approached them. My mind hesitated for a second thinking of a perfect timing to approached her, but my heart tells me to just go even it doesn’t turn out the way I hope- even she resents me, or hate me, or even leave. I marched towards the kitchen and asked my staff for their order. I cooked her orders myself, and I would deliver a special order myself. I remember how she loves my cooking, I remember how she keeps praising me when I cook. It’s mainly because of her. A smile flashed in my face, as I recall those moments. To be honest, that is the reason why I end up pursuing this field. It was mainly because of her.

I watched her at the kitchen window as she devours the foods I made. She looks very satisfied and I could see a familiar expression from her, I chuckled. Before I stepped outside, I took a heavy breath, like the moment I was about to confessed to her that I love her at the lighthouse. “Special Order. It’s on the house.” I put down the sundae ice cream with whipped cream and extra sprinkles-her favorite. Her reaction, surprised and curious. She looks up, and our eyes met. I smile softly, her smile vanished instantly. I already expected that expression from her, but I stayed composed and steady. “Kellan?” Her voice barely audible over the holiday music playing. I smile wider. “Hi, Isabella.” I said softly. Her eyes spoke so much words that her mouth couldn’t-those familiar stares I have seen from her that exact night when I shattered her heart. “Hello, Mrs. Madden.” I greeted her mother, who’s now smiling strangely at us. “You... You work here?” she asked, still dumbfounded. her mother spoke, “Oh, I forgot to tell you. Kellan owns this place.” She was shocked for the second time. She flinched, while I just stood watching her. A long moment had passed before she spoke, “Okay, thank you.” she said as she continues eating her food- ending the conversation with no hesitation-acting calm ang composed. “I hope you’ll like it.” I smile as I spoke, and turn to walk away, yet my mind kept racing in every step I took, Isabella Madden.

I watched as them as they left the restaurant. She walked straight, rigid, never looking back, and my chest feels tight as I watched her walked away. I thought that was the very last moment I would see her again. But inside my heart, I yearned for her not to. I yearned for her to stay. Her melancholy smile burned in to my mind, and I remember what his father said to me and the promise I made with him, that I’ll do whatever it takes to bring that real smile back to her face. That very night after seeing her, I swore to myself I’ll make her smile again-that smile that made me fell in love with her, that smile that made my dark world, bright.