With the stars coming out one by one, Oliver and Phoebe did not speak, but sat in quiet contemplation as the last of the light disappeared over the horizon. The wind had dropped and there was only the sound of the water as it gently rolled on to the shore. The world seemed vast and she was not overwhelmed by what lay ahead of her for the first time in what seemed like ages.Phoebe slowly inhaled as if drawing in the air around her, the coldness of the air passing through her lungs. “I once believed that happiness was something you had to run after. Like if you didn’t have a goal in mind and were striving for it, it would get lost. Now I’m beginning to think…maybe it is more about searching for the proper place where it is possible simply to let it go.Oliver smiled, he looked into her eyes and they were calm and full of confidence. “Exactly. I’ll be happy when I get this promotion, I’ll be happy when I get that new car, I’ll be happy when I have that new house, we forget that we alrea
Phoebe’s eyes further softened and she looked right into him. ‘It’s so easy for you to be here with me, isn’t it?’ But I know I’m… complicated.”“We’re all complex, Phoebe,” he said softly, in response. “But that doesn’t make you hard to be with. Not for me.”For the first time in a very long time, she felt a swell of happiness at the words he spoke as if he was slowly stripping her of the walls she had constructed. “I don’t think anyone’s ever said that to me.”He raised his eyebrows, looking carefully at her face. Perhaps it is because they never bothered to look and hear it. That is why you have so many layers… and that is a good thing. Means you’ve got stories, experiences things that make you… you.”Something in Phoebe’s throat tightened up a little as she listened. “It’s funny,” she whispered. I have always considered those layers as something that is put on me and that I had to remove in order to become…popular. But you make it sound like they are worth keeping.”“Because they
After Oliver had said his piece Phoebe stood there letting his words hang in the cool night air. The waves were saying something as they rolled over the sand, a soothing sound to the soothing sound his voice was to her. For a second or two she glanced at her crossed hands in her lap before returning her eyes to Oliver.Does it apply to everybody? That, once you’ve discovered who you are, it is easier to return, even if you lost your way?”Oliver gave her time to think about it and the tension between them grew. “I think it depends. Some people never really give up who they are even when they have the feeling of being lost. Some people… They may require a gentle prod. Or someone to walk with them for a bit until they see the signs again.”Phoebe pulled her head to one side and her face brightened with a smile. “And you are okay with strolling with me, not even regarding the distance?”Oliver looked her straight into the eyes and she could see that he was not lying. “Always.”She felt a
They strolled towards the water, the sound of their shoes sinking into the sand on the path that lead to the water. The air hinted at the sea; some hairpins on Phoebe’s scalp felt the wind, and the end of Oliver’s jacket. The world was big, but close open with opportunities.He had seen it in her eyes and in her face, and now Phoebe slowly tilted her head to look at the water, her breath hitching. The waves were golden in the setting sun, and the sea seemed to go on forever in the direction of the disappearing line where the sea met the sky. Sometimes, it seemed as if the whole universe conspired to bring these two together at this time.“It’s beautiful,” she said so softly that I could hardly hear her over the sound of the wind.Oliver moved to her side and looked at the same feature of the ocean horizon as she did. “It is. But I think it’s the sort of beauty that improves with time.”Phoebe looked at him sideways, seeing the amusement in his eyes. “Is that your way of saying I shoul
The sound of the gravel under the shoe soles grew louder as they neared the cottage, and it was stillness of the night. A dim light shone from the porch, the light from which extended to the front step. Phoebe stopped right before they got to the door, staring at the tiny cottage with the shutters and the flower pots that were empty for someone to paint. She looked at Oliver and said in a low tone.Can you imagine that this place hides something? Stories hidden in the walls?”Oliver looked at her for a moment before responding to her question. “Maybe. Every house does, doesn’t it? The type of narratives that can be touched even if they cannot be heard. The sound of footsteps, the coldness of the air in the hallway, the lighting in the house which is perfect in some areas. They all hold something.”Phoebe smiled a little, her fingers tracing over the top of the wooden banister in front of her. “I like that thought. Perhaps we will write something of our own into it. Those which make it
Christian only smiled and the look in his eyes became more intense. “That they do. But I did not think that you would be the type of person to stay in a place like this. A quiet seaside town? I was going to say something quite different, but it seems a bit… restrained for someone like you.” To this, Oliver did not rise to the provocation and kept his features smooth. “People evolve, Christian. In some cases, it is about choosing a location that would be best. “A place to stay,” Christian echoed with a half smile and a shake of his head. “Is that what you’re calling it now? Running away and then claiming it was ‘finding a place’? Oliver’s eyes darkened. I am not a man running away from something. Not anymore.” Christian’s eyes widened slightly and his smirk grew wider. “Not anymore, huh? That’s a bold one coming from a man who has mastered the art of walking out in the middle of a project. Even in the absence of any words being spoken there was a great deal left unsaid. The feelin
Christian’s eyes lifted to hers and for a second the hardness that had been there before was gone, and Phoebe saw it. He was not here just to provoke. At least, not entirely. There was something else, an undercurrent of unease in the way he stood, the way his hand hovered near the edge of the table as if needing something to ground him.“I know,” Christian agreed, speaking quietly. And I don’t expect you to forget.” However, there are some things that were never said. Objects and burdens I have been bearing, and in fact, I do not wish to bear them any longer.Phoebe’s arms were folded while she was standing, but she was not so defiant anymore. She looked deep into him, attempting to search for the chinks in his armor. Christian had always been quite good at using his words and wits to control situations for his benefit. This time however he looked… exhausted.“What made you think that I wanted to hear anything coming from you?” Phoebe said this, somewhat warily, but without the anger
One part of him wanted to kick Christian out, shut the door and never see him again. But there was another part, a lesser, more contemplative part of him that was interesting. What if Christian really had transformed? What if this wasn’t just another one of his games?“Alright,” Phoebe said in the end, the word coming out sounding more like a bitter grumble. “You want to talk? Talk. ‘I’m not making any guarantees here,’ I tell him.Christian nodded and his shoulders dropped down as well. He looked around the room, and then looked at the couch. “Do you mind if we sit?”Phoebe frowned, then reluctantly gestured at the couch with a nod. He stayed on his feet, leaning with his arms folded against the wall, a defensive air about him.Christian leaned back on the couch, placing his elbows on his knees and his hands on top of each other. He looked at the floor for a moment with a blank face, then he said something.“I know I hurt you. And not just once—repeatedly. You wanted to help me and I