His dark black curls were glistening in the sunlight as he pulled me in closer, pressing his lips against mine. He held me tight and I clung to him, not wanting to let go. He pulled away, I followed his lips, but he stopped me.
"Not now Gemma, not here."
"Why not Kartik?" I questioned. "I need you." I said, pulling closer. He pushed me away.
"I can't do this Gemma. You made the decision to go back to Simon. This was your choice."
"I didn't choose this, you left me." He looked hurt when I said this.
"Did you really think it was my choice to leave you?" He questioned.
"I didn't know what to think!" I yelled at him. "You told me you loved me and the next day you were gone. You didn't even say goodbye." I started to cry. He took my hand and looked into my eyes.
"I'm sorry," He said. "But I had to go." I looked into his eyes, his beautiful eyes and smiled.
"Gemma!" I dropped Kartik's hands and turned to see Simon coming out of the house.
"He can't see you here!" I said turning to Kartik, who had already disappeared.
"Gemma, what are you doing out here?" Simon asked, wrapping his arm around me, giving me a kiss.
"I was just getting some fresh air." I said, a fake smile plastered on my face.
"Well, come inside before you get sick, it's freezing out here." I let him lead me back inside while I looked into the woods where Kartik had gone.
"Is something wrong?" Simon questioned when I sat down in the parlor.
"No, why do you ask?" I replied, trying to keep the smile from disappearing.
"Well, you look like you've seen a ghost." He said, sitting down beside me and taking my hands in his. "Are we okay? Or have you changed your mind again?"
"No, I haven't changed my mind." I said sounding a bit annoyed. "Why do you keep asking, I love you." Those last three words were the most untrue words that have ever crossed my lips.
"I love you too." He said pushing a loose curl away from my face and kissing my cheek.
"Right this way Mr. Doyle." Mrs. Middleton said ushering Tom into the parlor. I turned and looked at Tom. I could tell by the look in his eyes something was wrong.
"Tom, is something wrong?" I asked trying not to sound too frightened.
"Father's dead." He said. I just sat there, not responding to anything.
"Dead?" I whispered under my breath. "When did it happen?" I asked him, my voice cracking from trying not to cry.
"Sometime last night. Grandmamma sent me to wake him up this morning and he was dead." Tears pooled up in my eyes and I ran over to Tom and started to cry. He took me in his arms and let me cry on his shoulder.
"If there's anything I can do," Simon said rising, "just let me know."
"Thank you," Tom replied "But the damage is already done."