Alice:
I stood outside of Laurent's apartment door for over five minutes. I've made my decision, but I just want to be sure about it. I have this nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. Laurent has a wonderful job offer in Florida and I can't ask him to pass that up. That would be selfish of me.
If I do move to Florida with Laurent, I won't be able to see my family, Rose or Jasper. I really do love Jasper…I will always love Jasper. He was my first love and that doesn't go away just because he left me at the altar. Hate for him does come, but you can't hate someone if you don't love them.
Jasper is with Mariah. I am with Laurent. Sometimes it's hard for me to remember that. Some mornings, I wake up to expect Jasper beside me, not Laurent. Of course, I've never told Laurent this.
I know that kiss with Jasper was wrong, but I'm glad it happened. It proved to me that Jasper still does love me and I still love him. Then when Maria came, that proved to me that he has other obligations and can't be with me. This happened for a reason. Maybe I was always destined to be with Laurent out in Florida.
Laurent's been there for me, when Jasper wasn't. He dried my tears when I cried. Held me when I was scared. He was, from what I can see, the perfect man. I haven't came across any faults, which scares me to death because I know he has some. I don't want to be surprised when a flaw comes out.
I ran my fingers through my hair before knocking softly on his door.
"Coming!" he called out, as I waited.
He opened the door and allowed me to come in. I looked around his apartment and saw it basically empty.
"When are you planning on leaving?" I wondered, looking at the stack of boxes piled against the wall.
"Saturday." he answered, setting a box down.
"What day is today?" I wondered, realizing the calendar on his refrigerator is no longer there.
"Tuesday." he answered, approaching me.
I wanted to avoid the question of whether I was coming with him or not. I have feelings for Laurent, but they aren't as strong as the feelings I have for Jasper. My feelings for Jasper are so strong that at this point if he came crawling back to me I would take him into my arms.
I doubt any of that would happen, but I could dream.
"Have you made your decision?" he wondered, wrapping his arms around my waist, "The clock is ticking."
"I know…" I trailed off, staring down at the ground, "I have made my decision."
"And?" he wondered, pushing me along for the answer.
"I've decided to go with you to Florida. I want to be with you Laurent even if that means moving across the country." I asserted, pulling him into a passionate kiss.
"I'm so happy! You don't know how happy you've made me!" Laurent declared, pulling me into a chaste kiss.
I saw the happiness in his eyes and knew I did the right thing. Now, all is left for me to do is pack and tell my family. Great! With the stick shoved up my father's ass that should easy. NOT!
"I need you to help me finish packing up my apartment. I just have my closet left to do. Afterwards we can start your apartment." Laurent stated, following me into his bedroom.
I brought the clothes out of the closet as he grabbed the shoes. The awkward silence was really getting to me. We've never had awkward silence between us. It was always filled with good conversations and funny jokes.
"Have you ever thought about getting married?" Laurent wondered, placing the boxes of shoes into boxes.
I'd rather have the awkward silence! Where'd it go? I glanced up at him and saw him laugh it off.
"I'm stupid. Of course you've thought about getting married. I mean have you thought about trying…you know, the wedding thing again?"
"No I haven't thought about it." I sighed, folding his clothes, before placing them into a box, "What's with the sudden interest of marriage?"
"You know my family…they have arranged marriages. I want love marriage, and I'm trying to beat my mother with finding a wife. We're having a Love Marriage vs. Arranged Marriage." Laurent explained, catching me completely off guard.
"It's funny when people discuss Love Marriage vs. Arranged. It's like asking someone, if suicide is better than being murdered." I laughed, attempting to make a joke out of it.
If I didn't make a joke out of it, it would have turned awkward. Laurent laughed at my joke before pecking my forehead. We continued to pack in that awkward silence that filled the room not to long ago.
"Before we pack my house…I need to tell my parents." I affirmed, taping the box closed.
"I should just stay home…" he sighed, flopping down onto his bed.
"No! You're coming!" I avowed, leaving no room for disagreement, "Why would you not want to come?"
"Umm, I don't know. Maybe because your dad hates me!" Laurent bellowed, throwing his hands in the air.
"Don't take it personal! He hates basically everyone, especially women other than his wife and daughter." I explained, turning the light off in the closet.
"Are you staying over?" Laurent questioned, pulling the covers back on his bed.
"Yeah…I guess." I answered, laying back in his arms.
My clothes are going to be wrinkled from me sleeping on them. I usually don't sleep in my clothes, but for him…I will make an exception.
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The next chapter will be coming out soon. I promise not to keep you waiting to long.
-Rachel.