Haunting Past

Chapter 4 - Finding her

Ronald’s POV

My eyes stood at the doorway through which Fiona had just left. A lot of thoughts went through my mind at once. I wanted to run behind her but then I thought about my family. I can't just ruin the biggest day of my sister's life. I am the reason for this awkward situation and so it's my responsibility to correct it. I asked for the microphone and faced everyone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please forgive me for the awkward situation. Things didn't go as I thought. But I am confident that I can handle the situation. Please carry on with the celebration and enjoy yourself." With those words I stepped down and went to where all the Dickins family and Dumont family were standing. 

"Ron, please don't feel bad. I know her words hurt you but I am sure she didn't mean to hurt you. I will go with Ryan to find her." Rose said as soon as I reached her.

"No, my dear little sister, it's my responsibility and I will take it. I am really sorry for ruining your big day. Please carry on with the celebration. I will go behind her." I said.

"Ron, you should have at least told us." Mom started complaining. 

"I know mom, I have been acting like an i***t. I was actually afraid that Fiona wouldn't accept me. I thought that she wouldn't be able to refuse if I proposed to her in public. She proved me wrong. I should have won her trust first and then proposed." I said with a sigh. 

"That's what I am telling you. I know her better than you. I will go with Ryan and find her." Rose said again.

"No Rosie, I will go because I know where she went. Ethan, please take care of the situation for me." I said, and turned towards the Dumont family.

"Mr. Dumont, I am really sorry for all the chaos. Please accept my apologies and carry on with the celebration. I have to go now." 

"Don't be sorry because you didn't do anything wrong. Fiona is a good girl and I am sure you will be able to win her heart. All the best." Ryan's father patted my back.

I looked towards my parents and they gave me permission with a smile. I hurried out of the hotel to the parking lot. I got inside my car and stepped on the gas pedal, taking it out on the road. A fight has been going on inside my mind about my destination. The only place she would go was either her apartment or to the Dickins' house. I'm confident that the second option can be ignored as there is no one at home. Then I thought of going to her apartment, but again there was just a slight possibility of her going there. She will be really upset and the only place that could calm her is the rock shelter near the sea.

I took the next u-turn as soon as I knew where to find her. It took around half an hour to reach there. It was dark outside except for the headlights. This part of the sea shore has been nearly abandoned after the sea turbulence that happened a few years back. Since then, there are no street lights on these roads. You might be wondering how I know about this place and its connection with Fiona. On the day when Ryan officially proposed to Rose, I saw tears in Fiona's eyes. Somehow, I felt like those tears were not just of happiness but a hidden sorrow. 

That day, when she left without telling anyone, I silently followed her. This is the same place where she ended that day. I watched her while she kept shedding tears silently. That day she spent a couple of hours looking at the sea without anyone to comfort her. It seemed like her comfort zone. I am sure I will find her at the same spot today. 

I parked the car a little away from that broken rock shelter and walked to the shelter flashing my mobile. I entered the place without making any noise and, as I guessed, I saw a figure sitting on the same rock facing the sea. I could see the figure shaking as if from crying. I watched her for a little while. Then he moved towards her and sat beside her and said,

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." She flinched in shock and was about to scream when I took her hand.

"Don't be afraid, Fiona. It's me Ronald." 

"How did you find me?" She asked in shock.

"Because I know this is the place where you go whenever you are sad," I said with a smile. I'm sure she didn't see my smile as it was dark. We could just trace out each other's figures.

"How do you know?" She asked.

"I know because I wanted to be in your life. No, I want you to be my life." Hearing my words, she fell silent.

"I know you are upset, but believe me Fiona, I really like you. I have never felt such a connection with anyone else. The moment I saw you, my heart told me that you are the one with whom I could spend my whole life." She released her hand from mine and walked towards the edge. 

"Ronald, you know nothing about me. I am not worthy of your love." She said in a low voice.

"Don't think so low about yourself. Everyone has a past and it is called the past because it's gone. We can never bring it back nor change it. God made humans oblivious so that they could live peacefully. It's one of the greatest boons we have got. The past, if not happy, is to be forgotten and cherished if it's happy. I don't care about your past. I know Fiona standing in front of me and she is the one I want to spend my life with." I stopped behind her and made her turn towards me. I could see the tears shining in the dark. 

"You will hate me once you know my past. It's not something I could leave behind. Even if I want, it will always follow me." She said with a low head.

"If you really want me to know your past, then I am all ears. But I assure you that my heart will not change even after knowing your past. I am just eager to know if you feel the same as me," I said. 

"Ronald, you are a gentleman who every girl would dream of. I like you and I would have accepted your proposal if I didn't have such a past. I don't know if I should tell you or not. I can't believe that Rose didn't stop you. I don't know how I'm going to face her. Her big day just got ruined because of me." Fiona cried.

"No, it's not your fault but mine. I should have opened up in front of you about my feelings personally and not in front of such a huge crowd. I am sorry for humiliating you in front of others." I apologized. 

That's when I noticed Fiona rubbing her arms as if feeling cold. I quickly removed my suit and covered her. 

"It's getting really dark and cold. I think we should go back." That's when my phone rang and it was Rose calling. I answered the call.

"I have got her, don't worry. Please continue with the celebration." I said, but she didn't believe me and asked her to hand over the phone to Fiona. Fiona was reluctant to talk to Rose. 

"She does not believe that I have found you. She just wants to confirm," I said. So she took the phone and said,

"Rose, I am alright." And then she just hummed over the phone.

"I will." She said and disconnected the call. She gave me back my phone. 

" What did she say?" 

"She wanted me to go back with you," she replied.

"Okay then let's go. We can talk later." I said, and she nodded. She took her bag and I put on the flashlight and walked in front. We came to the road and walked towards my car and she followed me. That's when I noticed that there was no other car.

"Where is your car?" I asked. 

"I came with Martin and Helen, so I didn't have my car. I took a cab here." She said,

"You mean to say you didn't feel scared of being alone with a cab driver in such a place?" I asked.

"No, because I got off at the bus stop." She said,

"The bus stop is way long from here. You walked all the way here in this darkness." I asked with shock.

"Well, I did have my phone which I switched off after reaching here. I felt really ashamed to face Rose or your family. What would they think about me, a gold digger?" Her words made me more guilty. 

"No one thinks of you like that. Everyone likes you and they will be really happy if we are together." I tried to convince her. 

"Ronald, you should have told Rose before doing something like that. She would have stopped you because she knows everything about me." She said,

"She knew I was going to propose and yes, she warned me not because she had any objection, but because she knew you. She knew that you would never accept me because of your past. She was even ready to tell me everything, but it was me who didn't want to know about the past until you wanted me to know." I said.

"Ronald, I need time. I will tell you everything and believe me, I won't feel bad if you go back on your decision." She said,

"Fine, now let's go. They are waiting for us." I opened the passenger door for her.

 "Can you please drop me at my apartment? I won't be able to face anyone today." She asked and I agreed. She got in and I went to the driver's seat. After dropping her at her apartment, I went to the hotel. When I reached the hotel, all the guests had already left except for the two families, Martin and Helen. They were relieved when I told them that I had dropped Fiona at the apartment. Helen left at once with Martin and promised to take care of Fiona. I once again apologized to everyone. After that, Rose and Ryan went to their suite to enjoy their first night.