Joel headed home first so he could finish a proposal that was due tomorrow but promised to return after he had taken care of it. Rylie had remained at the hospital in case there were any changes to her mother's condition. She was hoping that whatever slim chance she had of waking up from her coma, would come through. Maybe because of this life changing experience, the two of them could start over. Maybe they can have a deep conversation and she can ask her why she never loved her.
Buzz Buzz
Rylie bit her lip out of anxiousness. Without looking at the display, she knew who it was. He had sent her multiple messages in the last hour, and she couldn't take it anymore.
He was sweet and she had liked him at first but the non-stop calls and need for attention was not what she had in mind. Maybe it was because of his lack of experience but she was starting to feel like a mother looking after a child that constantly needed her.
She let out a deep sigh.
Maybe it was partially her fault too. She was keeping things from Cameron and not knowing may have made him a bit paranoid. She just…didn't feel it was the right time to share with him, but would there ever be a right time?
Her phone vibrating in her pocket interrupted her thoughts. She glanced at the screen and saw Cameron's name. She bit her lip but decided now was the time. She had to cut the cord.
"Hi Cameron, is something wrong?"
"No, I was just wondering if everything is okay with you since you haven't responded to my messages."
"I've just been going through some things and needed some time to myself. Are you free right now? Let's meet up for coffee."
"Yeah, I'm free. I'll head over to where you are. Send me the address, I can be there in 30 mins."
She hung up and after fixing herself up in the hospital washroom, headed over to the café she told him to be at.
She walked in and wasn't surprised that he was already sitting down with her drink already at the table. She smiled at his thoughtfulness but didn't want to drag it out any longer. He deserved someone who could give him her undivided attention and that wasn't her.
She reluctantly gave him a hug and sat down opposite him at the table. She didn't know where to start so she took a long sip of her iced americano before talking.
They started with small talk and chatted like they usually did. Rylie also made the decision to tell Cameron about her mom being in the hospital.
"Oh my god, I'm sorry to hear that! I'm sorry I made you come out when you should be with her."
"No, don't worry. I made the decision to come out and I needed a break anyways. I also really needed to talk to you," she faintly smiled before gathering the courage she needed.
"My life has never really been easy. I've had a lot of ups and downs, mostly downs, and my view on life wasn't the best. Things have slowly started to get better since meeting you and Joel. I'm not sure what it is exactly but you both have treated me with such genuine kindness and showed me things can get better. While I appreciate what you've done for me, I think it's best if we stop seeing each other romantically."
"But why…!" Cameron's face dropped and he tried to reach out for her hand.
"It's not that I don't like you, I do. But I've come to realize it's as friends and not what we both had in mind. You're sweet and caring but I…can't give you the time and attention you want from me." She said as she pulled her hand back from his grasp.
"Is it something I did or said? I'm sorry if it is!"
"But Cameron, why are you saying sorry when you don't even know what it is? You should have more confidence in yourself. You're great and deserve someone who can see that; it just isn't me."
He was stunned and didn't know what to say. He didn't want to lose her, but it seemed like her mind had been made up.
"Is there nothing I can say that will change your mind?"
"I'm sorry Cameron. I want to remain friends, but I understand if you don't want to. I just needed space to breathe and you…"
She stopped herself before she could hurt him further.
"I should go. You'll find someone better."
"But I don't want anyone else but you."
--------------------------------------------------
Sitting in his home office with papers scattered across his desk, Joel was finalizing his presentation for tomorrow's meeting when his phone rang.
"Hey Cameron."
There was silence on the other end.
"Cameron?"
The silence was followed by sniffling and mumbling.
"Okay, take a deep breath and calm down. I can't understand what you're saying. Why don't you come over and we'll talk about it? And that'll give you time to compose yourself."
"Okay…"
The two of them hung up and Joel waited.
When he opened the door, Cameron had his head hung low. When he lifted it to make eye contact with Joel, he saw that they were red; as if he had been crying. He wondered what in the world could've made his friend like this. He had a few guesses but nothing that would bring on this kind of reaction.
"Rylie…"
"Rylie? Did something happen to her?" his heart skipped a beat hearing her name.
"No, she…"
"Hmm?"
"She broke my heart."
"You mean…"
"She said we should stop seeing each other."
Joel rubbed Cameron's back to comfort him as he buried his hands in his face again.
It hurt Joel to see his friend in this state, but he was conflicted because it also felt like a boulder had been lifted off his shoulders. Hearing that the two of them were no longer dating relieved him but was it okay to feel this way?
Cameron stopped crying and his breathing returned to normal. He raised his head and focused his gaze forward.
"But I'm not giving up!"
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On the way to the theatre, Emilia told James about the situation with Yuki; how he came to live with them, the relationship they have and how things had changed more than a week ago.
She wasn't usually someone who was so open about her personal life. The only other person she could confide in was Rylie, but she knew she was going through her own things at the moment. With her mother's death looming over her head and the situation with someone named Cameron. Things were good for awhile and she thought maybe Rylie was finally going to go steady but…well.
James listened intently and didn't interrupt her. It wasn't until she started to stumble over her words, and the tears started streaming down her face, did he pull her into his arms. He held her tightly as she sobbed softly into her chest. He whispered comforting words to her while he gently stroked her hair.
When she had calmed down, he tried to brush her tousled hair out of her face.
"Are you okay, Em?
She nodded with her face still buried in his chest.
"Do you want to go home?"
She pulled back a little with her arms still wrapped around his waist and looked up.
"No. I promised we'd go see a movie so we're going," she pouted.
Taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor, he laughed and grabbed her face with both his hands. He gave her a kiss on the forehead and smiled warmly.
"You're so cute you know that?"
Emilie's eyes widened and she turned her head away in embarrassment. Her heart was beating so loudly against her chest. James made her feel safe and gave her butterflies.
"I'm sorry I broke down in front of you. I think I've been holding everything in and putting up a front to appear strong. Something I've known my whole life just changed overnight and he wants something that I can't give him. But I'm afraid if I don't, I'll lose him forever."
"Em, I don't think that's a reason to hold yourself back from the things you really want. You shouldn't have to lie to yourself just to please others. If he really cared about you, he'd listen to what you have to say and respect your decision."
"You're right…" she mumbled.
"And where would that leave us?"
Emilia immediately turned her head to look up at him. He cupped her face with both hands.
"What do you…"
He jumped back in surprise, like he caught himself off guard and walked ahead. He suddenly stopped in his tracks, walked back towards her with a flushed face and grabbed her hand. He pulled her with him, and she laughed as they continued walking.
----------------------------------
Emilia had texted Yuki to wait up for her so she could talk to him at home. She feared the confrontation but knew it was better than dragging it out in the long run. She sighed and made her way into the kitchen.
Yuki was standing behind the counter, pouring hot water into two mugs. He saw her come in and smiled.
"I made us some tea. I thought it would help calm the nerves…"
"Thanks," she smiled back. She took a seat in front of him and took a sip.
"So…did you have fun today?"
Emilia blushed and nodded. Yuki bit his lip.
"What did you want to talk about?"
She took a deep breath and looked him in the eye.
"I wanted to talk about what you told me the other day. I've been doing a lot of thinking. You've been someone that has had my back since the day we came into each others lives. I depend on you a lot and would trust you with almost anything! I'd say we're family even! But that's where it ends."
Yuki clenched his fist.
"My stomach doesn't tie itself into knots when I see you. You don't make me blush or go red in the face. And I love you, but I don't want to hold your hand or kiss you passionately. I…can't reciprocate your feelings, I'm sorry."
"I know you don't right now but maybe…"
"Yuki, please. We can't."
"Is it because we grew up in the same house? We're not actually related!"
"Blood or not, it's wrong and I can't help how I feel. It might not be to you, but to me it is."
"Em, please. Can you just think about it? I tried, I really tried to push these feelings aside and forget about them but the more I heard about James, I couldn't.
"Do you know how ridiculous that sounds? This all happened because you got jealous?"
He reached across the counter, but she pulled away and got up.
"I'll always be there for you but you're being selfish right now. Is it too much to ask you to be happy for me?"
She turned her back to him and went upstairs.
------------------------------------------------
Doctors and nurses were rushing into one of the hospital rooms as a loud beep could be heard from the hallway.
"We need a crash cart! Her blood pressure is dropping fast!"
They all tended to the patient as her vitals were dropping faster than they could keep up.
*Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep*
"Doctor!" She wheeled the defibrillator over and handed it to him. He applied the patches, and everyone stepped back.
"Clear!"
The shock jolted the patient but there was no response. He tried again, and again and again. He kept going for another 20 mins and eventually relented.
"It's 11:34 p.m. Call it. Someone notify her daughter," he said as he wiped sweat off his forehead with his sleeve.
"We tried, she's not answering."
"Then call the emergency contact, who is it?"
"Someone by the name of Joel Kim."