Coloring the Grays

Chapter Four

I didn't know what came over me, but I found myself walking toward the woman sitting on the elevated

concrete platform between the theme park and the sea.

"I thought you were going home."

I spoke as soon as I reached her.

She turned her head toward me, and even in the darkness, I caught the faint glimmer in her eyes.

"S-Sir?"

She immediately straightened herself.

I climbed onto the platform and sat beside her.

"What are you doing here?"

I asked again.

"Ah... I'm just getting some fresh air. I'll be heading home in a little while."

Even as she answered, her eyes remained fixed on the distance.

"What about you? Why are you still here?"

she asked.

"Same reason as yours."

I looked at her.

The wind gently played with her long hair, and she kept tucking it behind her ear to keep it from covering her

face.

"Are you hurting too?"

The question caught me off guard.

I fell silent.

She turned to look at me.

Her weary eyes met mine.

She smiled.

But it was a bitter smile.

A painful one.

Then her gaze dropped back to the dark ocean below.

I simply watched as she nervously played with her fingers.

"Is there anything I can do to ease whatever pain you're carrying?"

That was the only answer I could think of.

I saw a tear fall from her eye.

The only light illuminating us came from the distant glow of the theme park and the moon overhead.

Something inside me weakened at the sight.

Why did it feel like I was hurting too?

I heard her sniffle softly.

I wanted to comfort her.

Yet somehow, I remained where I was.

"Sorry, Sir. You always end up seeing me cry."

She wiped her tears away.

"Is it because of your ex-boyfriend?"

I asked.

Her attention immediately shifted to me.

"Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to be nosy."

I rubbed the back of my neck.

"I just overheard it."

A sigh escaped her lips.

"To be honest, everything just happened all at once."

Was this what I wanted?

A chance to know her?

"Tell me."

The words slipped out.

She gave a soft laugh.

"I mean..."

I raised my pinky finger toward her.

"This stays between us."

She laughed again.

But somehow, it wasn't enough.

I wanted to see her genuinely happy.

Because deep down, I knew the smiles she had shown me so far were only pretending.

She shook her head.

"You boys don't understand."

Her voice was quiet.

"I'm not a boy anymore."

I replied confidently as I stared at the calm sea ahead of us.

She was silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"He cheated on me."

My gaze stayed fixed on the ocean, but every bit of my attention was on her.

"We've been together since high school."

She lowered her head.

"He knew everything I went through."

Her fingers twisted together.

"I thought he understood me."

Her voice cracked.

"But he didn't."

Another tear slipped down her cheek.

"Then let's date instead."

The words came out so naturally that even I surprised myself.

She whipped her head toward me.

Then she burst into laughter.

Real laughter.

The kind that sounded completely unexpected.

Even I couldn't help smiling at what I had just said.

"Haaay."

She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself.

"I should go home."

She stood up.

"Thank you for staying here with me."

I quickly stood as well.

"Hey, wait."

She turned slightly.

"I meant that."

I said it seriously.

The laughter disappeared from her face.

She stared at me.

Really stared at me.

Then she looked away and climbed down from the platform.

"Frances."

I immediately followed her.

"I'll take you home."

I hurried after her as she walked away.

She ignored me.

"Frances."

I reached for her arm, forcing her to stop.

"What?"

Her voice was low, but I could hear the irritation in it.

"I'll take you home."

I released her arm.

A sigh escaped me.

I walked ahead.

Slowly.

Waiting.

Even though she never agreed, she remained beside me as we headed toward the parking lot.

She stayed silent all the way to my car.

When we finally arrived, I unlocked it and opened the passenger door for her.

She just stood there.

Staring at me.

The look she was giving me wasn't exactly friendly.

I gestured toward the open seat.

She shook her head.

"Who are you?"

Her voice was soft, almost careful.

She clearly didn't want to attract attention.

"You only met me yesterday."

She took a step back.

I closed my eyes briefly.

"Can we please talk about this inside the car first?"

The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them.

Shouldn't I have befriended her first?

Maybe this was because I never had to court Aveline.

She had been the one who approached me back in college.

I knew she was upset.

But after a long moment, she finally got inside.

Once she was seated, I walked around and climbed into the driver's seat.

As soon as I closed the door, she spoke.

"If you're playing with me, I'm not that kind of woman."

I shook my head.

"That's not what I meant."

I glanced at her.

"I'm serious."

I swallowed.

"The first time I saw you, I already knew I liked you."

The moment I said it, I wanted to smack myself.

Seriously, Mike.

Learn to shut up.

"Why?"

Her tone sharpened.

"What exactly did you see in me?"

See?

I knew talking would only make things worse.

"I don't have a father."

She looked away.

"He left us when I was still young."

Her voice trembled.

"There are three of us siblings. My mother raised us through every decent job she could find."

I saw pain and bitterness in her eyes.

"I worked while studying just so I could help my mom."

Then she covered her face with both hands and finally broke down.

"My ex-boyfriend wanted us to sleep together."

Her shoulders shook.

"But I said no because we weren't married."

The tears she had been holding back all evening poured out.

I gritted my teeth.

I knew she had been trying so hard not to cry.

"And then you come along."

She looked at me through tear-filled eyes.

"You tell me you like me?"

She laughed bitterly.

"I know that's all you want too."

She reached for the door handle.

"And let me tell you now, I'm not that kind of woman."

Before she could leave, I gently caught her hand.

"Please."

I took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry if I made you feel that way."

I looked directly into her eyes.

"But that's not what I want."

My thumb brushed away the tears on her cheek.

"Please... just let me try."

My voice softened.

"Give me your conditions."

I managed a small smile.

"I'll follow them. I promise."

Then I reached over and buckled her seatbelt for her.

I let out a long breath.

I didn't wait for her response.

I started the engine instead and locked the doors.

Then I opened the navigation system.

"So..."

I glanced at her.

"Where should I take you?"

She didn't answer.

She simply stared out the window.

And somehow, that silence hurt more than any rejection she could have said out loud.