Author's Note: This chapter is a little bit different. It's told from Elizabeth's point of view (the next chapter will probably be a parallel chapter from Robert's POV), and it's a bit shorter. Basically, it's her thoughts about what has happened so far in the fic, specifically in the last chapter. This chapter should give you a bit of an idea of where the fic is going, so I hope you like it! Any reviews, good or bad, are appreciated (though, of course, I like the good reviews better ;). Enjoy!
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"...bong…bong…bong" The grandfather clock in the hall downstairs chimed twelve times. It's midnight, and I'm sitting by the window in my bedroom, just thinking. I can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I keep reliving the day's events. Or, should I say, yesterday's events.
It's not that anything horrible happened. This certainly isn't the first rumor that's been spread about me- in fact, it isn't the first rumor about me and Robert. But somehow this one unnerved me.
What I can't figure out is how it got started. Yes, I've been spending a lot of time with Robert lately. But I've also been spending a lot of time with Susan, and no rumors have come out of that. Besides, what's going on between Robert and me is strictly professional. I'm just trying to help with his arm.
Okay, so maybe it's a little bit more than that. It's strictly friends. God knows Robert needs more of those. He comes across as such an intimidating little man, with his biting sarcasm and inconsiderate comments. But, really, once you get to know him, he's a wonderful man. Caring. Considerate. Trustworthy. Even a little bit vulnerable.
See, all he really needs in his life is friendship. He's never mentioned any family, he doesn't really have many other friends. And especially after his accident, he just needs someone to reach out to for help. That's who I am for him. He can come to me when he needs help.
That's what happened on that night a few weeks ago. He needed help. I came.
Oh God, did someone find out about that?
Suddenly, my stomach lurches. What if somebody did find out about that? I walk into the bathroom and splash my face with cool water. When the nausea subsides, I take a drink of water and return to the chair by the window.
Why should I care if someone finds out about that? It's not like anything happened that night. It was simply a friend helping out another friend. That's all it was.
Or was it?
Oh my God, am I falling in love with him?
No, I can't be. It's Robert! Robert and I- we'd never work out. And who's to say he feels the same way I do? Who's to say I even have feelings for him? And what about Mark? I mean, yeah, he's been gone for almost a year, but still, I'm not sure if I'm quite over him yet. And if he found out I was with Robert, he'd be rolling over in his grave. But he'd want me to be happy, even if he couldn't stand the man.
Am I really falling in love with him?
No wonder I can't sleep.