366 days NOT to fall in love with him

By: Distressed Mistress

Chapter 12

Peter POV

It was an hour before midnight when I received a phone call from Nikki. I felt emotionally exhausted due to the talk Jaimie and I shared. I never once understood how the things that came out of my mouth held great impact towards her feelings. We lacked in-depth communication, and I appreciate the time we spent talking about it, finding ways on how to solve this problem that burdens the both of us.

I sipped my red wine as I stood in the balcony. The night was fresh and relaxing. I took delight from the silence and tried to clear my head for at least an hour before going to bed, but apparently that's not going to happen when I heard my phone ringing. My head ached a bit but I managed to steer myself to the source of the sound.

I accepted the call and held the phone against my ear.

"Peter?" a soft yet urgent voice uttered.

"Nikki," I smiled, feeling nostalgic again. "How are you?"

"Fine. Listen uh… Gavin just called me. He told me to pick up wherever Liz is,"

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What happened?"

There was a sigh followed by "He said she left in the middle of the night for no reason and drove somewhere. She hasn't been back since. He said he's worried. They recently moved here and don't know the roads very well."

"I'll pick her up,"

"I wanted to, but I'm kind of in a situation in here right now," she paused, some sort of a rustling noise followed. "But I thought that since Liz must hold something of importance in your life, I wondered if you could be the one to pick her up,"

"Of course," I mumbled absently. "It's okay Nikki,"

"One more thing. Promise me not to talk to her about anything else. Anything else at all. Just a simple hi hello and you're done. Alright?"

"Wait, what?"

"Promise me,"

By the tone of her voice it'd be better for me not to push it further, so I just agreed.

"Good, and Peter?"

"Yeah?" I said slowly.

"Don't let Gavin see you." she said in a rough voice then hung up.

I stared at my phone for a second and then made my way upstairs. I took my keys and my wallet and eyed Jaimie sleeping soundly in the bed. It'd been a long day for the both of us and I didn't want to wake her up. I silently held a promise that my drive won't be long. I went downstairs and took my brown leather jacket from the rack. A purple jacket that belonged to Jaimie caught my attention as I thought that Liz could be cold from being outside for too long.

I went out the house, locked it and got in my car, dearly hoping for Liz to be okay. I drove to her house not far from here, still in confusion to what Nikki had said on the phone. Why didn't she want me to talk to Liz? Did something happen? The last thing Nikki told me made me grip my steering wheel tightly. What did he do? What made Liz go out in the streets unfamiliar to her? And for no reason?

I shook my head and looked around the neighborhood. I shouldn't even think about things that doesn't concern me. It was their problem as a couple, but I can't help but think about Liz's well-being. She acted a bit weird during our conversation back at the Seven-eleven's parking lot. The reason has got to be that boyfriend of hers. She's been through enough and I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if I wasn't there to prevent that from ever happening again.

Taking out my phone, I dialed her number and pressed call. My eyes darted from house to house if in case Liz can tell exactly where she is, right after I passed by her house.

She picked up after four rings. "Peter?"

Hearing her voice gave me the relief I needed. "Liz stay put, I'm coming after you,"

There was a murmured thanks and she apologized, "I'm sorry for the disturbance,"

"It's not a disturbance," I told her gently.

I assumed she smiled before she said "How did you know?"

"Gavin called,"

There was a small gasp on the other line. "He called you?"

I steered my car around the corner of the street and sped it up. "No. He called Nikki,"

"Oh..."

I let out a small smile. "Can you describe your surroundings for me?"

"Okay, give me a second."

Squinting my eyes, I looked for a yellow car that Liz drives while waiting for her description. I felt thankful I took the time to drive around the last couple of weeks. I now knew the pathways like the back of my hand.

"Peter?"

"Hm?"

"There's a huge tree in here," pause "a pink house and uh," pause "there's a... there's a disfigured gnome staring at me from someone's yard."

I laughed. "I'm going as fast as I can,"

That particular garden gnome sparked my memories. My daughters and I drove passed by that disturbing garden ornament days ago. The owner seemed to be proud enough to show it off.

When I continued on the path I set on, I grinned as I spotted Liz's car under a brightly-lit post lamp.

"Anything else?" I asked her.

"Um..."

"Do you see a car driving to you from behind?"

Chuckling, I saw her figure moving inside her car. I drove beside her and rolled the car window down as she did with hers.

The first thing I noticed was the playful smile she wore. "Hi," she said, coupled with an endearing giggle. Her brown hair was pulled into a bun, revealing the elegant curve of her pale neck.

"Good evening miss," I played on, grinning like a fool. "Is something the matter?"

She looked down, her smile disappearing. I wanted to kick myself. After what Jaimie and I talked about all night, I still wasn't careful with what I say.

I bit my lip hard and took the purple jacket I brought with me. I got out of the car and went around it. I felt Liz's eyes following me as I entered her car without permission, seated myself comfortably and handed it to her.

"Oh..." she breathed, taking the jacket from my hand. "Thank you,"

I gazed at her, the moonlight shining on her face. She looked like someone from a silent movie. "You're welcome,"

She wore it, and I watched her as she did. It was oddly comforting. "Are you okay?"

Nodding, she zipped the jacket close and turned to look at me. "I'm fine, Peter,"

I grimaced, knowing that it was a lie. I wanted to talk to her. Nikki's instructions be damned.

My nose picked up a lovely scent inside the car, mixed with the cold night air. I controlled my breathing and looked at her again. It was weird that we didn't have anything to talk about to each other. I swore we'd both be yapping away since we hadn't seen each other long enough.

"What are you thinking?" she whispered lowly, like a child who stole candy.

"I just thought that purple suites you," I shrugged, and weren't able to contain a smirk.

I was rewarded by another giggle that I couldn't quite get enough of. My god... I do miss her so much.

"Let's go to the park," I murmured. "You and I,"

She raised her eyebrow at me, but kept her smile. "Tonight?"

"Unless you need to go home now," I said, then realizing that she has to be tired. "Wait, never mind."

"No I want us to go,"

Excitement shot through me as I turned to her. "Okay then."

Just then, I saw how her eyes went hazy, like she was dreaming. Her lips turned to smirk, resulting an intimidating dimple that was on both sides of her cheeks. I was drowning in her presence. There was this feeling inside of me that can only be stirred by this woman.

"Fach,"

"Yeah?"

"Do you want me to drive?"

I blinked my eyes and began to laugh. Liz joined me and we both sat there and laughed like two little kids. I felt like the weight in my shoulders was never there at all.

Her eyes narrowed to me. "Oh does my driving amuse you that much?"

I shrugged as I was about to get out of the car. "Your sense of direction kinda does."

Her laugh was candy to my ears. I closed her car door and went to my vehicle. I got inside and turned on the engine. I looked at her through the car windows and winked. "Try to keep up sweetheart,"

A big smile played on my lips as I drove. I was thrilled to have her close again, to know that even though we had been apart for long, we were still able to reconnect with each other. I guess I've forgotten what it was like to be with her again. I sighed happily. I couldn't wait to spend the night with Elizabeth.

A/N: I had no time so I had to split this chapter up. As long as my updates are quick and constant until the story ends. Leave a review because it makes my day.

And does anyone recognize a song reference in this chapter? ;)

Cheers,

disYmis