21st Century
Storming out of the office, I pace back and forth in front of the door, contemplating whether I should leave or not. But why am I even considering staying? I don't want to be a part of some stupid feud between two men and their unresolved issues.
I swiftly make my way down the hallway to the elevator and press the down arrow. I tap my foot anxiously as I wait for the doors to slide open.
When they open, my name echoes throughout the hall, causing me to quickly jump into the elevator and press the button that says 'ground'. I hold the button that closes the doors, hoping they'll close before he can get to me.
"Almyra, wait! Plea-" Kian says. I got a glimpse of him in front of the elevator before the doors closed completely, shutting him out.
Stumbling back, I lean back against the wall and sink down to the floor, my head pounding viciously. Flashes of Kian from the past go through my mind as I close my eyes, waiting for the elevator doors to open once more.
*flashback*
"Almyra, wait! Please don't leave," Kian pleads as he chases after me,
"It's not what you think!" I continue walking away, ignoring him and everything going on around me.
"Almyra, stop!" He grabs my arm, trying to pull me towards him, but I jerk out of his grasp.
"What do you want?" I yell, turning back to look at him with a scowl. A few people passing by slow down to watch and stare.
Kian looks around nervously before gently taking hold of my shoulder and ushers us into a building.
Once we are out of sight from the prying eyes, he chuckles while letting me go, "You really like making a scene, huh?" I cross my arms and look at him displeased. He realizes I'm still upset and the smile drops from his face.
"Look... I don't know what you heard, but I swear it's not what it sounded like." He beseeched, looking into my eyes.
"Just.. Shut up. I really don't want to hear any excuse you can come up with right now. What I really want is to be left alone." I sigh, frustrated.
"And I understand that, but I would really like the chance to explain what you heard before you go. May I have that chance, please?" I silently nod.
"Thank you," he sighed, "I'd like to start by saying that everything William says is a lie and you should never believe a word he says. Ever." Kian says, pausing to grab my hand, holding it between us.
"I'd also like to say that I didn't mean anything I said. I would never say the things I said if I had another choice. I was just playing along, so I could get the hell out of there." He said reassuringly, removing one of his hands to caress my face.
"Any conversation I have with him is never the full truth. He only uses the truth against you." He looks into my eyes as he says the last phrase. There's a moment of silence before I sigh and pull him into an embrace.
***
My eyes fly open, looking around I realize the elevator door is now open and Kian is bending down in front of me, concerned.
"Are you alright? What happened?" He said, helping me stand.
"I- I don't know, I was fine, then my head started pounding, and now you're here." I said, not wanting to tell him about what I just saw.
"Do you need anything?" He said, worried.
"I'm fine." I brush myself off and together we walk out of the elevator, heading outside.
"Are you sure? You don't look too good." He said as we continued to walk away from the building.
"I told you I'm fine. I just think the spell was a little too much for me to handle." I chuckle before a wave of nausea and pain courses through me, causing me to gasp.
Reaching out and leaning my head against a brick wall, I wait for it to pass as Kian reaches out and gently rubs my back in an effort to soothe me.
"Maybe we should go back inside and wait for all of this to pass?" He suggests. I could hear the concern clearly in his tone, making me want to agree, but I shook my head.
"N-no. I want to go home. I want to get away from him. Keep him away from me. I want nothing to do with him. Please.." I brace myself as I push myself off of the wall and turn around to face Kian. Except, now he has stubble and we were no longer outside of the office building.
*flashback*
"Wha-" Kian cut me off with his hands grabbing my face and his lips crashing against mine. I instantly melted at his touch, moving my hands to his waist as I kissed him back. One of his hands moved to the base of my neck while the other slid down to my waist, pulling me flush against him.
Getting lost in everything that is Kian, I almost forgot where we were. My hands slowly move up his torso to his chest, taking my time, not wanting this to end before gently pushing him away.
"What are you doing?" I whisper-yell at him as he wiped his lips, smirking. I look away smiling, trying to hide my blush.
"I thought it would be nice to kiss a gorgeous woman before going off to war. Maybe as a last ditch effort in case I do actually make it out alive?" I laugh, rolling my eyes as he winks at me and pulls me in for a hug.
"You better make it out alive or I'm going to bring you back just to kick your ass." I mumble into his chest, wrapping my arms around his waist, gently squeezing him. He pulls back slightly to kiss my forehead before resting his chin on the top of my head.
***
Opening my eyes, I see a road and a ton of trees, realizing I'm in a car.
Shocked, I quickly look over to the driver's seat and relax a little when I see Kian. He looks tense as his left hand grips the steering wheel while the other fidgets with his drink.
"Where are we going?" I ask as I adjust myself in my seat, turning to look out the window.
"My house, I figured we'd be safe there. Are you okay? You keep passing out on me." He says, concerned.
"Um, yeah. I think it's just the spell that William did on me." I say, staring at him. Starting to compare him to his past self. I wonder if he sees me how I was back then.
I look away, my hand moving to feel my face, thinking of the scar I once had.
"It's going to be fine. We're going to get through this and then we're going to deal with William." He says, resting his hand on my thigh, slightly squeezing.
I look at him and he quickly removes his hand, placing it back onto his drink in the cup holder, riding the rest of the way in a comfortable silence until we get to a dirt road.
The road was almost completely hidden by trees and bushes, you wouldn't even notice it if you didn't know where you were going.
"You live pretty far from the office." I utter abruptly, staring out my window.
"Yeah, this was the house I grew up in. I was surprised to find it still standing when I came back." He explained.
I was about to ask him to elaborate but the trees cleared as we pulled up to a small two story cabin with a covered porch. Two rocking chairs placed on each end of the porch with plants scattered all over the place in pots, wrapping around the railings and hanging from the ceiling.
Apple, orange, and plum trees outlining his dirt driveway, leading the way to his house. We slowly came to a stop and put the car in park. He got out as I looked around and came around to open my door for me.
"Welcome to my home of many, many years." Kian said smiling. I jump out of the car as he closes the door behind me. Something about this place is so calming and very familiar.
"Have I ever been here before?" I ask, walking up the steps to the porch with Kian in tow. I look around at all the plants as he opens the door.
"You have, a long time ago." He chuckled awkwardly, then disappeared through the door.
"Are you coming in or are you going to stay out there and smell the flowers all day?" He asks. Shaking my head, I take one last look before walking inside.