Eight: Red like a Christmas bow
1138 Words
Elara stood on her porch, arms folded, staring at the tangled bundle of Christmas lights at her feet. The sun had dipped behind the rooftops hours ago, leaving a cool November evening in its wake. Noah had promised—actually promised—he’d help her set up the lights and the tree tonight.
But he never came.
She tried calling his number twice, using the contact her mother gave her, but it went straight to voicemail every time. She told herself he was probably busy at the station. Emergencies happened. Lives didn’t save themselves.
Still… he could’ve texted.
She sighed, picking up the lights and hauling them back inside. The house felt bigger than usual, colder too, and for a moment she wondered why his absence bothered her this much.
They weren’t together. They weren’t even something.
Except… maybe they almost were, once upon a time.
Maybe he’s just busy,*she repeated to herself. That’s all.
*~*~*~*
The next morning came with an unexpected knock. When she opened the door, Noah stood on her porch, looking sheepish and freshly showered—though the exhaustion in his eyes gave something away.
“Hey,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry about last night.”
“You didn’t show up,” she said bluntly, not ready to let him off the hook.
“I know.” He exhaled. “We were working out, as part of a drill. I was so exhausted, I collapse when I got home.”
It wasn’t exactly a lie. It wasn’t exactly the whole truth either. A technically-not-a-lie kind of excuse.
She narrowed her eyes. “You should’ve at least texted.”
“You’re right,” he admitted instantly. “I should have. I’m sorry.”
His voice was soft, sincere. And too gentle for her to stay annoyed.
Still, she lifted her chin. “Well. Since you broke your promise, you owe me.”
He blinked. “Okay. How much? Coffee? Breakfast? A lifetime supply of pancakes?”
“Nope.” She grabbed her coat from the hook and slipped it on. “You’re coming with me to buy a car.”
“A car?” he echoed. “As punishment?”
“Yes,” she said, closing the door behind her. “And you’re driving me since I currently don’t have one.”
He huffed a laugh. “You’re unbelievable.”
“You owe me, Noah."
“Fine,” he said, unlocking his truck. “Let’s go.”
*~*~*~*
The dealership wasn’t busy, and despite her joking intention to punish him, the morning turned unexpectedly fun. They sat in cars way out of her budget just to test the heated seats. She pretended to hate everything he suggested. He pretended not to notice she gravitated toward the same two models every time.
Eventually, they settled on a compact SUV—practical, sturdy, red like a Christmas bow.
“This one,” she said finally, hands on her hips.
Noah grinned proudly. “Good choice.”
*Why does he look so happy about it?* she wondered, ignoring the flutter in her stomach.
After signing the paperwork and getting the keys, she turned to him with a triumphant smile.
“Now help me drive it to my parents’ place. I want to show them.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a sarcastic salute.
She lightly smacked his arm before sliding into her brand-new driver’s seat.
*~*~*~*
They pulled up to the Reyes house just before noon. Her mother’s car was in the driveway, the front door partly open, and—unfortunately—so was someone else.
A tall, expensively dressed man stood talking to her mother on the porch.
Elara froze with her hand still on the seatbelt.
Andrei.
Her stomach dropped like a stone.
He looked exactly the same and somehow even more polished than she remembered. Dark coat, perfect posture, the kind of expression that made strangers assume he had his life impeccably together.
Her mother smiled warmly at him, chatting as if he wasn’t the ex Elara had spent months trying not to think about.
Noah parked beside her new car and looked over, following her gaze.
“Oh,” he murmured quietly. His jaw tightened.
Andrei turned at the sound of the second vehicle. His eyes landed on Elara instantly, and something sharp flickered across his expression—relief, hope, longing. She couldn’t tell.
“Elara,” he called softly, stepping forward.
Her breath hitched.
Noah didn’t move.
Her mother brightened. “Sweetheart! Look who came to visit—”
But Elara wasn’t listening.
Her mind was buzzing too loudly.
Andrei.
Here.
In her town.
On her doorstep.
Her heart thudded painfully against her ribs, torn between memories, wounds, and the confusing warmth still lingering from her morning with Noah.
She gripped the edge of the car door, stunned.
“Andrei… what are you doing here?” she managed.
He took one slow step toward her, eyes never leaving hers.
“I came for you.”
Noah’s hands curled into fists at his sides.
“Came for me?” she echoed, barely above a whisper.
“I made a mistake,” Andrei said. He reached for her hands, stopped himself, then tried again with just his voice. “You were right. I lost track of what mattered. I’m the one who ruined things, and I need to apologize for all of it.”
“Andrei—”
A car door slammed—loud, sharp.
Elara flinched and turned. Noah stood beside his truck, jaw tight, pain and frustration written all over his face. The sight of it made the moment twist painfully in her chest.
“Lara, I’m not pushing you into anything,” he said, voice steady but strained. “I’m here to show you I’m serious. That’s it.”
The tension was too much. Andrei took her hand then, firm but careful, grounding her and overwhelming her at the same time. “I took a leave. A month off. No calls. No emails. No work. Just… you. Just fixing us.”
Elara’s breath stuttered. The world felt too loud, the air too heavy.
“I— I can’t do this right now. I’m sorry—”
She pulled her hand free and ran inside, tears already spilling. Her heart felt like it was cracking apart, pulled in two directions she couldn’t hold together.
Left outside, the two men stared at each other like a storm waiting to break.
Andrei spoke first. “Don’t make this complicated. She’s not for you.”
Noah let out a humorless scoff. “You broke her. And you expect me to step aside so you can do it again? You had your chance. You blew it.”
The silence that followed was colder than the winter air itself.
- Writer
