Secrets I've Held in My Heart

Chapter 8 : Christian / Ava

CHRISTIAN

Ava left me standing alone on the wedding stage. It kind of felt bad, but what felt even worse were her tears, AGAIN. I could do anything to suck those tears and bring happiness to her face. Including, following my lawfully wedded wife even when she literally left me alone in front of numerous people as she shedded tears for another man and followed him.

Tears welled up in Ava's eyes as she called out, "Jonas, wait!" Her voice carried a plea, a desperate yearning for him to pause, to turn around and acknowledge her presence. But Jonas seemed determined to escape, his figure gradually receding into the distance, leaving Ava trailing behind, her heartache growing with every step he took away from her.

Ava was already hurt and stressed due to Jonas' text, her father's demise, and our marriage. And in addition to that, Jonas just showed up like that, all covered with wounds and bandages, clouding her judgment. More than that, his eyes that used to hold love for her now radiated hate, remorse, and disbelief. She couldn't handle this heavy dose of drama—how could she? That poor girl was so stressed that she hadn't eaten anything since morning.

As she reached the main gate, her strength seemed to falter, and she sank to her knees, a cascade of tears streaming down her cheeks. I positioned myself just a step behind her, providing an unspoken support. I allowed her the space to release her emotions, to unburden herself of the pain that had been building up. My presence was a silent reassurance that she wasn't alone in her struggle.

I knew that in moments like these, the best thing I could do was simply be there. I let her tears fall freely, understanding that they were a necessary outlet for the turmoil she was experiencing. It was a poignant reminder that healing often required facing the depths of one's emotions.

I believed that by letting her cry, by allowing her to express her vulnerability, she was taking a step towards her own well-being. It wasn't about rescuing her from her pain but rather about being a steady presence as she navigated through it. I firmly believed that these tears, painful as they were, held the potential to pave the way for her future happiness.

Suppressing emotions, bottling them up inside, only led to more turmoil in the long run. I knew from experience that unshed tears could fester and gnaw at one's soul. So, I stood there, patiently waiting for the time when she would be ready to wipe her tears and rise again.

"Cry, moonlight. Cry. Even though it burns me to see you in tears, I want you to cry, so that you can feel good after that." My heart whispered these words to her, the silent plea echoing in the chambers of my mind.

Anticipating her rise, I watched as she instead brought her hand to her temple, a gesture that sent a shiver down my spine. A gut feeling told me that something wasn't right, and I didn't hesitate for even a second. Swiftly, I closed the distance between us, reaching out and catching her just as her legs buckled beneath her.

"Ava, are you alright, moonlight?" My voice wavered with concern, and I couldn't hide the trembling worry in my tone. Her body felt unnaturally cold against my touch, and her once vibrant complexion had drained to an unsettling pallor.

"Jonas, wait," her voice trembled as she gazed at me, momentarily mistaking me for Jonas in her distressed state. Her words carried a plea, a fragile and wavering request. "Please... come back..." Her voice grew weaker with each word, a plea that seemed to hang in the air. And then, as if the weight of her emotions had become too much to bear, she closed her eyes, surrendering to unconsciousness. Her body went limp, as if all her energy had been drained by the emotional turbulence she had been grappling with.

"Ava, Ava!" I shook her gently, a mixture of worry and desperation fueling my actions. However, her unconscious state persisted, and my heart sank. With a heavy sigh, I knew there was only one choice left. I carefully scooped her up into my arms, her slight form delicate against my chest.

"Kai, call the ambulance, fast, right now!" I commanded my secretary with a sense of urgency, my voice leaving no room for delay. As I hurried towards the BARF mansion, my steps quickened, driven by the need to ensure Ava's well-being.

Upon reaching her room, I tenderly laid her down on her bed, my hands treating her with the utmost gentleness. I adjusted the pillows around her, ensuring her comfort and safety as she slept, still deeply unaware of the world around her.

———————

AVA

As my eyes fluttered open, I discovered myself lying in bed. The world around me appeared blurry, like an abstract painting, yet the ache in my heart was as sharp and clear as a crystal. My head spun, a whirlwind of confusion and disorientation that left me feeling unsteady. A sense of weakness washed over me, tugging at my limbs and clouding my thoughts.

Instinctively, I shifted my gaze to my left hand, which seemed to be the source of a persistent discomfort. Squinting against the blur, I made out the sight of a Saline IV attached to my hand. Confusion and curiosity intertwined as my gaze followed the thin plastic tube that snaked its way from the needle's point, secured in place by medical tape. It was an odd sight, and I struggled to comprehend how I had ended up here.

"Wait a second! Who brought me here?" I whispered to myself, my voice laced with curiosity and confusion. "And why am I like this?" I glanced at my clothes — the shift from the heavy wedding gown to a comfortable Mickey Mouse t-shirt and pajama pants piqued my interest even further. The unexpected change in attire fueled my curiosity as I tried to unravel the mysteries of my situation.

I concentrated harder, applying a bit more pressure to my mind, and the pieces started to come together. A blurry flashback emerged— I was teetering on the edge of losing consciousness, my senses fading. Just when it seemed like I was about to succumb, Christian burst onto the scene. His response was swift and decisive, his strong arms wrapping around me, saving me from the impending fall and sparing me the impact of hitting the ground.

Out of nowhere, the door to my room swung open, breaking the silence. My attention snapped toward the entrance, and there stood Kai, dragging a man along with him. The man's left arm was firmly gripped by Kai's hand, and something about the scene felt off — that man's head was concealed by a black hood. The sight sent a shiver down my spine, evoking a sense of unease that mirrored scenes from a thriller.

Despite the obscured face, a strange familiarity lingered around the man. It was as if his body language and aura were whispering a connection, a closeness that my conscious mind struggled to place.

I could hear the guy's voice trying to come out from under the hood, all muffled up. It seemed like Kai had covered his mouth too, not just his head. My gaze then dragged towards that man's wrists which was tied together by a rope—God! I don't know what's going on but this is definitely kidnapping.

But why would Kai kidnap someone and bring him to my room?

I had a million questions buzzing in my head when Christian strolled in, giving off serious mafia leader vibes. "Don't push your brain, moonlight." He then walked over to the hooded guy and pulled off the hood, revealing his face. The sight that met my eyes left me completely stunned.

"Jonas?" I blurted out, my surprise evident in my tone. What the fudge?

"Mhmpm.." Jonas was struggling to say something but Christian ignored him and approached me with a warm smile on his face as if Jonas standing there, with his mouth wrapped with a cloth and hands tied together tightly is nothing but my illusion and he has nothing to do with it.

"Christian!?" I blurted out his name as he sat beside, on my bed. My face could be hinting the curiosity gripping in my brain. "What the hell is this?"

"You wanted to talk to Jonas, didn't you?" He asked, a smile playing on his lips which can be seen whenever he wanna hide or suppress his feelings.

"Yes, I did and I still do, but—" My words were abruptly halted as Christian leaned in, his lips pressing a fleeting kiss onto the top of my forehead. The gesture was unexpected, and I could feel my heart skip a beat in response.

As he drew back, he spoke softly, "Now you can." His warm breath brushed against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. "Have your closure, moonlight." The enigmatic message hung in the air, leaving me with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty, as if I stood at the edge of something profound yet unknown.

To be continued…