Endless love

Chapter 7

We have been here for almost two hours getting to know each board member. Grandpa was here as well, he wanted to be here since this will be his last board meeting.

"What about the rumours that emerged. They have us very worried they might affect the company's stocks in the market." One of the heads of department asks giving Merrick and I a look.

"I am aware of that Richard," Grandpa answers him "there are some things we can't avoid but we will try to curb the problems that arise."

"So are the rumours true?" A lady seated on my left asks, they gave their names but I don't remember any.

"Some." I find myself saying." it's true that Merrick and I are half-siblings but we didn't know until a few days ago." Merrick was staring at me disapprovingly.

I wonder what is wrong with him, everything I said was the truth. The newfound information was going to affect this company negatively and these people here are a big part of it so it's only right if they are aware of the truth.

"We will come up with a solution very soon," Grandpa added.

The meeting was ended and we left the board room. Nothing new came up in the meeting apart from the sibling scandal everybody is talking about. All this is messing with my head in the wrong way.

Last night after Meg came it was like the old days only that we missed Lexi. Having a vampire diaries marathon as we stuffed ourselves with food. It was awkward because Meg was being nice for the first time in two years. Later long I decided to let go was the only way. If she had decided to forget the past, so was I.

All the accumulated work I had is almost done. Going through all some past years reports is not a walk in the park. Grandpa had given me a brief summary of how the company stocks have been increasing by the years. This year however I have a feeling they will be different.

I hope it's not a bad different.

~~~~~~

The rest of the days pass by slowly. Slowly because the days are lagging. I don't know why I want the days to go by quickly but this week feels like a whole year.

I am glad today is on Friday and the weekend starts tomorrow. It feels like I am in high school once again always waiting for the weekend to hang out with your friends.

And boyfriend.

Even after we got married, weekends used to be mine and Merrick's days to hang out, go out on dates or have any kind of fun. I used to long for weekends when a week started and it became a habit. I have no plans for this weekend since I will be alone, but I guess there is a first time for everything. It will be very strange.

The past days have been slow and without any foul mood. Meaning, I have not had any conversation with Merrick or Steph.

It hurts, I am not going to lie. We are usually told it gets better with time but mine is becoming worse. My dreams are crowded with the memories we had together. All those years it's not been a joke, for it to come down crumbling within less than a week.

This is my karma, I bet.

No one ever tried to make a move on Merrick when we were in high school. Of anyone tried, they got the worst of me. I was so insecure and jealous.

I am surprised he put up with me all this time. I can't blame him if he wants out.

He wants to experience a life without me and see how it is. He wants something different not some jealous and insecure freak like me.

And no, I am not insecure about my looks. I was afraid he would leave me. The only people who were in my life back them were my grandpa and friends. Merrick was my biggest pillar if he moved even a little bit, that would be my downfall.

My mom had left for two years after dad died. I became so dependent on him that time and it's affecting me now.

"Alina." Elena brought me back to the present, "I have finished correcting the reports that came from Merrick."

"Thanks, that will be all for today." It was already in the evening so it's better is she goes home.

"Okay, see you on Monday."

"Bye, "

I take the piles of papers and put them aside. I am not taking any work with me at home. This is my weekend and I need to relax.

My work here is done for the day and I am ready to go home but I sense a presence in front of me.

True, Merrick is leaning by the door with his hands stuffed in his grey pants.

"I have not seen you for two days or heard your voice, it feels like forever." His voice sends shivers down my body but I know better than that.

He has not shaved for days, resulting in the growing stubble. Bags under his eyes, he looks tired and pale like he has not been eating or sleeping

At least am not the only one who is sleep-deprived.

"This distance you have put between us is not the solution, you know."

"It won't be the solution but it will help to come up with one."

"What solution are you exactly looking for?"

"Rick, I really do not want to argue with you know. It's not healthy at all."

"I didn't come to argue, I came to talk." That voice of his will be the death of me. He can get me to do anything he wants but he doesn't need to know that.

"Last time I checked talking was not in our vocabulary."

"You really meant it, didn't you?" His voice was full of emotions.

"What?" I mouthed.

"You really meant it when you said you will forget me and move on." To be honest that thought has not appeared in mind since that day I told him so. I don't even know if I meant it or I said it for the sake of saying.

"Yeah, I did." I lie.

"You aren't a good liar baby. Remember I know you more than you know yourself." He was now too close for my comfort. My breathing intensified as he got closer and closer until there was no space left between us.

This is why I wanted to be far away from him. My mind goes to sleep every time he is near me and it can't function properly.

"I am sorry, I am so sorry I hurt you. Seeing you like this makes me weak and knowing I am the reason why you are this hurt makes me want to strangle myself. Please forgive me, please." Hearing his voice cracks at the end almost made me take back the distance thing. We need the distance even if he doesn't want.

My raised eyes met his wet ones. I can count the times I have seen Merrick cry. When we were kids and Meg got into an accident broke her neck and left leg. The other time was when his dad died since they were very close.

Seeing him now on the verge of breaking down makes me feel bad. I don't know what drove him away from me to Steph. I don't want to ask him now, it will just start another fight.

"I love you and I know you love me too."

"I can sense a but coming, " I teased trying to lighten up the mood.

"You were right about us needing space, it might help us to see things differently."

His cologne was clogging my mind and the only thing I could think of is if his lips tasted the same as the last time I kissed him. I miss so much it hurts.

"I never asked how did the meeting with your dad go?"

"He didn't tell me anything I didn't know already. He said he needs time to sort things before he tells me anything. To be honest, I don't think I am ready for any more secrets."

He lets out a small chuckle that makes me miss him even though he is standing right here.

"I understand you, but they will be out someday."

"Yeah, I am already dreading all this. Any lead about the snitch?"

"I hate to say this but I think you were right." His statement makes me more attentive

"About?"

"My mom. I am having her followed."

"I am really sorry Rick, I know this is hard for you."

"We need to get to the bottom of this anyway."

I was not going to pressure him about it anymore because it taking a toll on him. I don't know what I would do if my mom was ruining my life. I do love her, yes, but I wouldn't think it twice about kicking her to the curb if she thought of ruining my life.

"After all of this is over, I will make it up to you for hurting you if you let me of course."

"We will cross that bridge when we get there." I was not going to promise him anything because I didn't know what the future had in store for us.

"It won't be easy but let's try not to fight."

"Maybe, " he gives me a stern look that says he is serious, " okay I will try and not start a fight with you.'

After he is satisfied he turns around to walk away but I have this burning question that's been eating me up. I will rest if I ask him, I don't care if it goes against what we just talked.

"Do you love her?" He halts in his step when he hears in my question.

His face is blank, emotionless when he turns to look at me. "You clearly have not been listening to me a few seconds ago."

"I know what you told me, but that doesn't answer my question."

He sighs heavily with his eyes closed indication that he doesn't like the lead my conversation is going to.

"I care about her, she is attractive and nice, but love, I don't think so. I have only ever loved one woman and that is you."

A voice in my head is telling me not to believe him but I have known him for a long time so I should know when he is lying. Right now, he sounds sincere and honest.

"Okay." He leaves once he thinks I am satisfied with his answer which I am not. I don't trust him as I did before so he has a long way to go if he is serious about what he said.

I pick my things and go straight to the elevator. Merrick is still in his office since it's not closed. There are still some employees here on our floor who I guess are finishing their work. That talk helped me get some weight off my chest. Not all of it but some. We needed to talk without shouting and yelling at each other and I am glad we did.

I make my way to my car thinking of the great weekend I am going to have.