144 RECOGNIZED
ARIEL’S POV
“I’ve been searching everywhere for you Luke. Where have you been?” I asked Luke, my arms crossed. He was standing next to this familiar face. Couldn’t care about her.
“I just decided to take a stroll, you know, getting some fresh air and taking a good view at people as they move around,” Luke replied, smirking.
“You’re not supposed to do that. The nurse said…”
“That I’m not that strong yet, deep wound, and I should stay in the hospital for a few days. Yes, yes, I get it. But come on, Ariel. I’m not a little kid. I have everything under control. I mean look at me now, standing strong.”
“You got admitted into the hospital? What happened to you?” The woman asked Luke, making a worried face.
Luke glanced at her promptly. “Oh, you’re concerned now? We were talking and you couldn’t even recognize my wounded face.”
“Who is she?” I asked him.
“Oh, she’s just a friend.”
“Yeah whatever. You too can have your lovely moment. I’ll be leaving, and do not forget about what I told you, Luke. I’ll see you later.” She walked away forthwith.
Luke turned back to me. “So, why were you looking for me?”
“Don’t ask me that. You better follow me back to the hospital.”
“And what if I don’t?”
you a hard punch on your stomach.” I clenched my fist, faking an
seriously going
“Oh
you think I can’t do that?
think underestimate is the right word to
on, let’s go.” I held
along. But things
could feel my heart breezing with contemplation.
could see something that reflected in his mesmerizing gaze. The way he smiled at me, It was like he could see straight into my soul, what was revolving within me. In that moment, it was as if time stood still and all that mattered was this onnection we shared. Our gaze lingered on, neither of us wanting to
“Hey you two! Can’t you see you’re standing close the road?” The man barked from
at the road. And by the way, we’re at the
you have manners?” The
fire back, but Luke interrupted, “And if you try to talk one more shit. I’ll come straight to you and beat you up, forgetting
had a fight with his wife before hitting the road. Now, let’s go back
and we both began to tread, making our way back to the hospital.
*****
MASON’S POV
in the crisp morning air. As I walked down
I replayed the moment I almost cheated on Sofie. The guilt gnawed at my conscience like a relentless beast, devouring any semblance of peace
whirlwind of emotions
smile, her gentle touch, her infectious laughter – they all danced before my eyes, a cruel reminder of what I
somehow she could forgive me. But deep down,
I took felt heavier than the last, the weight of my mistakes dragging me down into an abyss of self–loathing. The bustling city seemed to blur around me,
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