Found You

Chapter Ten: To Wait

Emma awoke to the soft light filtering through her bedroom curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Poodle lay curled at her feet, his little body rising and falling with each peaceful breath. She reached down to stroke his fur, finding a measure of comfort in the familiar sensation. Despite the restful appearance of the morning, a heavy knot of worry twisted in her stomach.

Today, she had taken a day off from work, her body still recovering from the illness that had left her bedridden. She felt a bit better, but the emotional weight was far more taxing. Her thoughts drifted to Tom, and her heart tightened.

After a few moments of lying in bed, she decided to get up. Poodle followed her eagerly, his tail wagging as he trotted beside her. She made her way to the kitchen, feeling the cool tiles beneath her feet. She brewed a pot of chamomile tea, hoping the warmth would soothe her frazzled nerves.

As she sipped her tea, her mind wandered back to Tom. She could only imagine the emotional turmoil he was going through, dealing with the impending loss of his father. She wished she could be there to support him, to hold his hand and offer some comfort. But for now, all she could do was wait and hope for the best.

Poodle sensed her unease, resting his head on her lap and looking up at her with soulful eyes. She smiled weakly, scratching behind his ears. "You're a good boy, Poodle," she murmured. "We'll get through this together."

The morning passed slowly, each tick of the clock amplifying her anxiety. She tried to distract herself with mundane tasks—cleaning the apartment, organizing her bookshelf—but her thoughts kept drifting back to Tom. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, that he needed to be comforted.

The sound of the doorbell startled her, pulling her from her reverie. She walked to the door, her heart pounding. When she opened it, she was surprised to see Mark standing there, a concerned look on his face.

"Mark," she greeted, forcing a smile. "What are you doing here?"

He held up a bouquet of flowers, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "I wanted to check on you. You haven't been yourself lately, and I was worried."

She stepped aside to let him in, closing the door behind him. "I appreciate it, Mark. I've just been... going through a lot."

They moved to the living room, where Mark took a seat on the couch. Emma sat opposite him, feeling a twinge of guilt. Mark had always been kind and attentive, but her heart was elsewhere. She knew she needed to be honest with him, but the words were hard to find.

"Emma," he began, his tone serious, "you've seemed off and inconsistent lately. Did I do something wrong?"

She shook her head quickly, feeling a lump form in her throat. "No, Mark, it's not you. It's just... there's a lot going on in my life right now."

He looked at her intently, searching her eyes for answers. "I care about you, Emma. I just want to understand what's happening."

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. "I've been dealing with some personal issues. I'm sorry if I've seemed distant. It's not your fault."

Mark nodded, though he still looked troubled. "I just want to help, if I can. I miss the way things used to be."

Emma felt a pang of guilt, knowing that she couldn't give him what he wanted. She forced a smile, hoping to ease his worries. "I appreciate that, Mark. Really, I do."

He seemed to relax a bit, leaning back on the couch. "So, how about I tell you about my latest project at work? Maybe it’ll take your mind off things."

She nodded, grateful for the distraction. As he launched into a detailed account of his new venture, Emma found her attention waning. The excitement in his voice contrasted sharply with her own internal turmoil. She listened politely, but her mind was elsewhere, fixated on Tom and the uncertainty surrounding his father.

After a while, she excused herself to use the restroom, needing a moment to gather her thoughts. As she stepped away, Mark continued talking, his voice a distant hum in her ears. She splashed some cold water on her face, hoping to clear her mind.

When she returned to the living room, she found Mark staring at

Her heart sank. She had hoped to keep this part of her life separate, at least for a little while longer. She moved quickly to her phone, reading the message: "How are you feeling? I’ll be back tomorrow. Can’t wait to see you."

Emma took a deep breath, preparing herself for the conversation she had been dreading. "Mark, Tom was here yesterday.. he catered for me while I was sick..”

Mark's eyes flashed with hurt and anger. "You were sick and you didn’t call me or respond to my calls either?! Is that all it is because it doesn't seem that way from this message."

She swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his gaze. "That is all it is Mark” she lies through her teeth.

Mark shook his head, his expression darkening. "Emma, I've been here for you, trying to understand what's going on. But it feels like you've been keeping me at arm's length."

She reached out to touch his arm, but he pulled away. "Mark, please. It's not that simple. I care about you, but I’m not in a good place right now"

He stood up, anger and disappointment etched into his features. "You know you can talk to me about anything, so why?” “Do you not trust me?"

“I do. But I..” she says softly

He nodded, his jaw clenched. "I think it's best if I go, I should give you your space to clear you thoughts, when you do, let’s talk about us then."

She watched as he walked to the door, his movements stiff and deliberate.

He paused and looked at her “Emma, you know I’m here for you if you need me, don’t forget and you can tell me anything.”

With that, he left, the door closing behind him with a finality that echoed through the empty apartment. Emma stood there, feeling the weight of her choices pressing down on her. She knew she had hurt Mark, and the guilt gnawed at her.

She sank onto the couch, burying her face in her hands. Poodle nuzzled her leg, offering silent comfort. She felt torn between two worlds, unsure of where she belonged. The text from Tom lingered in her mind, a beacon of hope amidst the turmoil.

She picked up her phone and typed a quick response to Tom: "I'm doing okay. Take care of yourself and your family. See you tomorrow."

As she sent the message, she realized that the coming days would bring even more challenges. She needed to find a way to navigate her feelings, to reconcile the past with the present. But for now, all she could do was wait and hope that time would bring clarity.

Emma leaned back, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.