This chapter is only a short one but it kind of sets the scene for what is coming next!
The blood had left her body. Or so it felt that way. There was a whooshing sound in her ears and she felt as though she was not really there. But she was. And he was too. The whole time, their eyes were locked, his blue and hers hazel. How was this happening? Why? Sara couldn't speak. Her mouth had dried out and her heart was racing so fast she was sure Michael could see it through her blouse. She backed away slowly as he took a step towards her, the uncertainty getting the better of her.
"It's ok," he murmured, stopping as he noticed her fear. "It's ok."
"What…why…what's going on?" She had found her voice. "How dare you? I thought you were dead!" Sara's breathing was shallow and she felt herself giving into the start of a panic attack. She crouched down and tried to take deep breaths. Michael walked over to her and tried to rub her back.
"Get away from me!" She snarled. He backed away. "You don't get to walk into here and act like nothing happened! No!"
"I just want to explain Sara, let me tell you everything."
"How did you find me? Why here? How did you know? Are you even alone?" She got up slowly, her face pale and clammy.
"I heard on the news that your fiancé and you would be here, so I came." Michael shifted awkwardly at the word 'fiancé'. "I thought this might be my only chance to let you know what really happened."
She was so beautiful, he couldn't help but get lost in her yet again. Older, but even more stunning. She looked confident and assertive, yet gentle. Those eyes of hers, big and wide, held many secrets they shared and he longed to get lost in them again like he used to. But the spell was broken, there was tapping on the door.
"Sara honey, are you alright?" it was Lloyd.
"Uh, I'll be right out, just spilt something and wanted to clean up before the cameras started rolling!"
Michael pulled a tissue from the dispenser and taking a pen from his trouser pocket he scribbled down his number. Sara found her eyes drawn to his messy scrawl, so familiar and oddly comforting.
"Please." He pushed it in her direction. "Just call me. Text me, whatever. I just need to know that you know everything and I didn't leave you behind for no good reason. Just an hour to hear me out, that's all I ask." He stared into her eyes and he knew she would call. He knew Sara, he knew how she worked and her body language and just knew that he would hear from her again. He turned and left the bathroom, physically tall but mentally a mess. He left the hospital, walked the long way home and thought about her. He needed to tell his brother. He knew Lincoln was sceptical about it really being Sara but he had to tell him what had just happened.
Michael genuinely forgot the 5 hour time difference and it wasn't until Lincoln's sleepy drawl echoed through the telephone that Michael remembered.
"You realise it's 7.30am Mike?" Lincoln said. "Today is my day off remember?"
"It was her, I saw her. Sara was there!"
"Shut up, get out of here. For real?"
"Yes, for real," Michael said. "I scared her though I think."
"No shit, you did a runner then surprise her four years later." Lincoln stifled a yawn.
"It wasn't a runner Linc…"
"Yeah, you know what I mean Michael. Did you speak? What happened?"
"We did, briefly," Michael began. "I told her I wanted to explain everything. I left my number, I think she's going to call."
"Well, I think she will too." Lincoln said. "There's a lot of history between the two of you and she loved you. She's a decent person, she will find a way to hear you out and forgive you."
Michael sighed. "Let's hope she can."
He rung off and ran his hands over his head. It was going to be agonising waiting for Sara to call. He couldn't blame her, but he needed to hear from her and assure her that he did what he had to out of love. He went to the fridge and opened a cold Corona, slumped on the sofa and got lost in his thoughts.
He must have dozed off as he woke to the sound of his phone ringing in his trouser pocket. It was dark and for a second he forgot the call he was waiting for. An unknown number flashed up on his iPhone screen and he knew who it was.
"Sara," he said quietly.
"If you really want to tell me what happened, then meet me in Hyde Park tonight." She sounded adamant but scared at the same time. "My fiancé is going to a gala but I just can't face it. I'll have a little time to talk."
"I'll be there," Michael said. "Thank you."
Sara hung up without saying goodbye. Michael's heart began to beat harder. It was now or never; he had to win her back.