Found You

Chapter Four: Shadows of the Past

The doorbell rang, reverberating through the apartment, sending a wave of nerves through Emma. She gently set Poodle aside and walked to answer the door. The moment she opened it, Tom's face lit up with a wild smile. He looked different than he did this morning, it was like he took his time to dress up. He looked confident too. She smiled awkwardly and stepped aside to let him in.

"Hi," he said, handing her a bouquet of flowers.

"You didn't have to," she replied, hesitating to accept them. She really meant it. She just wanted to get this over with and ask him all the questions that had been swirling in her mind since she saw him yesterday.

"You have a beautiful apartment," he complimented as he walked inside. Poodle ran to him immediately, grappling at his legs. Tom knelt down to pet the excited dog. "And a cute dog," he added with a grin.

Emma watched him from behind. His broad shoulders stretched his shirt just right, and his muscles were visible even through the fabric. His jeans hugged his frame perfectly, showing off his strong legs. His hair was neatly cut, and the line of his jaw was sharp and masculine. The last time she had seen him years ago, he had been so small and scrawny. Who knew he would grow into such a fine man?

"Thank you," she replied, her voice barely audible. "I made dinner. I didn't know what you liked, so I cooked up what I could."

"I eat anything. Thank you!" he said enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling.

He sat on the sofa, Poodle curling up next to him, while Emma set up the dining table. When she was done, she walked over to where he was seated and perched on the edge of the sofa.

"How have you been?" he began, breaking the silence that was starting to feel heavy.

Her heart began to race. Now that he was here, she didn’t know what to say or ask. She had rehearsed this moment in her mind, but now everything seemed to scatter.

"Hey," he said gently, snapping her out of her thoughts.

"How did you find me?" she blurted out.

"It was a coincidence," he replied, leaning back. "I had a meeting with a client and met an old friend there. I didn’t know he would turn out to be your boyfriend."

Emma's breath hitched. “Oh..” she mutters inaudibly

Tom's eyes softened. "Yeah.."

She shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "It’s fine. That’s not what I wanted to ask you about anyway."

"What do you want to know?" he asked, his tone sincere.

She hesitated, feeling a lump in her throat. "Why now, Tom? Why did you come back into my life after all these years?"

He looked down at his hands, then back up at her, his eyes full of something she couldn’t quite read. "I never left you, Emma."

Emma begins to feel a sting in her eyes, she looked away from him immediately.

“Why did you want to meet?” She asks now, she didn’t want to hear any more lies, she decided she would not push it.

“I looked everywhere for you Emma, i missed you Emma” His eyes softening as he spoke

There was a silence, thick with unspoken words. Emma’s heart raced at his words- He missed her; she felt herself letting her guard down. His presence alone was intoxicating and now this.

"I’ve missed you," he said again softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

She swallowed hard. "I missed you too, Tom. But you disappeared. You left without a word."

"No Emma, my parents suddenly wanted to move, I looked for you everywhere on that day, I wanted to leave with you, Emma”

She looked into his eyes, searching for the truth. The room seemed to shrink, and all she could focus on was him. He reached out, his hand brushing against hers. A spark shot through her, and she found herself leaning in closer. Her mind fighting off the spark her body felt.

"I never stopped thinking about you, Emma," he whispered.

She closed her eyes to snap out of the battle between her mind and her body. The next moment, Tom’s lips met with hers in a kiss that was both tender and urgent. She didn’t resist, she couldn’t so she gave in. It was as if all the years of separation melted away, leaving only the raw, electric connection between them.

Her hands tangled in his hair as the kiss deepened. She could feel his hands on her back, pulling her closer, their bodies pressed together. The intensity of the moment was overwhelming, and she felt herself getting lost in him, in the taste and feel of him.

But then, reality crashed back in. She pulled away abruptly, breathing heavily. Her heart pounded in her chest, but now it was mixed with anger. She was angry with herself more than she was with Tom.

"Tom, no," she said, her voice trembling. "You can’t just come back and expect everything to be okay."

He looked confused, hurt. "Emma, I—"

"No, I have a new life now.. I have a boyfriend" she retorted, standing up. "You left, Tom. You disappeared from my life without any explanation. And now you think you can just waltz back in and pick up where we left off? I had only you Tom, only you.." she could feel the tears threatening to fall now.

He stood up too, reaching out for her. "I’m sorry, Emma. I really am” “I’m sorry I left you with him alone, I’m sorry Emma, what can I do to make to make it right."

She shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "It’s not that simple. You don’t get to make anything right now, I started a new life, it’s too late."

"Please," he pleaded. "Just give me a chance."

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I think you should leave."

He looked at her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "If that’s what you want."

"It is," she said, though her heart ached as she said the words.

Tom walked to the door, his shoulders slumped. He glanced back at her one last time, his eyes filled with sorrow. "Goodnight, Emma."

"Goodnight, Tom," she replied, her voice barely a whisper.

As the door closed behind him, Emma sank onto the sofa, tears streaming down her face. She felt a mix of anger, regret, and longing. The evening had not gone at all as she had planned, and now she was left with more questions than answers.

Poodle jumped up beside her, nuzzling her hand, and she stroked his fur absentmindedly. She had wanted to confront Tom, to get answers, but instead, she had been swept up in the emotions of the past. She needed to think, to figure out what she really wanted, what this meant to her new life. She had hidden her past away from everyone, what would Tom’s appearance do to her now.

She sat in the silence, feeling the weight of the evening pressing down on her.