Chapter 8: Missed out on the road

Claire looked at the paper in her hand. She checked the address on the paper and than on the building in front of her. She was in front of Bryce's office.

She entered and knocked at the doors of Bryce's office. She got no reply. She knocked again and doors flew open, revealing Bryce.

Claire noticed that he is very angry as a hell because of something.

"What the hell do ya want?!", he yelled at her.

Claire was confused with this snapping out, but tried to stay polite.

"Hi, I don't know do you remember me...", she didn't even finished her sentence when Bryce put his index finger in front of her face and yelled:

"YOU! It's all your damn fault!!"

"What are you talking about?", she asked confused.

"You've ruined everything! My God, I wonder what he sees in you!? He gave up on everything here to go to declare his love to you!! He could have become successful businessman, but it's YOU who pulled him back! It's all your damn fault that he went back to Gungellan!!"

Claire's heart trembled from joy. He loves her! He went back to her!!

What Bryce thought were insults for her, Claire saw it as the most beautiful things she ever heard! Alex loves her!!

She didn't wanted to waste any more time and quickly turned around and bumped to Alex's sister. She was sure it's her - she had those same eyes.

Andrea looked at her:

"You are Claire, aren't you?" , asked Andrea.

Claire nodded. Andrea warmly smiled to her:

"Greet my brother for me", she said and gave Claire a hug. Surprised, Claire hugged her back. Andrea continued "Take care of him, Claire. He loves you soooo much!"

Claire looked to Andrea and warmly smiled back to her.

"I will", Claire said with smile.

And, with those words, Claire ran outside the Bryce's office and headed to bus station to catch up a bus that will take her home. To Alex.

It was 22:45. Nick and Tess were at Drovers Run. They were dating for a month already and were laughing and kissing in the kitchen when doors slammed opened and they heard Alex's voice:

"Claire!"

Tess and Nick parted and looked to each other in shock.

"What the hell is he doing here!?" , Tess frowned.

They ran to the hallway. Seeing Tess, Alex hurried up toward her:

"Tess!" , yelled Alex.

"Alex, what are you doing here?! Aren't you supposed to be in Melbourne?" , asked Tess, totally confused.

"Where is Claire? I need to talk to her!" , Alex asked unpatiently.

"She is in Melbourne", said Nick, sending Alex to complete shock.

"WHAT!?", exclaimed Alex, btu Tess hushed him by saying:

"Sssshhh, you'll wake up the whole house! She went to find you."

"I can't believe this!!", Alex was shocked. " We... we actually missed each other on the road!!"

"That is sooo typical for the two of you!" Nick couldn't help, but to tease Alex. " Always missed each other on the road, never find a right moment..."

Alex glared to his brother.

"What are you doing here at this hour? Is something wrong?", Alex asked with worry.

" I suffered from 'can't sleep' syndrome", chuckled Tess.

Nick wrapped his hands around Tess waist causing Alex to smirk.

"Ahaaaaa! Well, it took you long enough!", laughed Alex.

"Look who's talking!" , Nick laughed back.

Claire was gazing through the window. It was dark, but in her heart it was light. She never felt this happy before...he loves her!!

Claire smiled, thinking how long she had been denying her feelings for Alex. She remembered all those long looks they shared, all those moments when she thought that Alex could see right through her skin, in her heart...

She was once sooo afraid of her feelings for him, but now knew it was right. He was the one.

She snuggled in the chair watching through window of bus while "Did I tell you?" from Rebecca Lavelle from radio played.

Did I tell you that I love you today?
Have I looked into your eyes?
Cause I've taken down that last remaining wall
and showed myself to you

As I am
All my faults
All my thoughts
All my yearning

Oh I love you
Always have and always will
and I wanna face this moment
Hold it near
Hold it deep
Hold it still

Did you know how scared I used to be
Scared for you, scared of me
But taking down this barrier
and touching you at last
has broken all that down

Into dust
blown away
Now there's us
and we're real

Oh I love you
Always have and always will
and I wanna face this moment
Hold it near
Hold it deep
Hold it still

Oh I love you
Always have and always will
and I wanna face this moment
Hold it near
Hold it deep
Hold it still
Did I tell you that I love you today...

Claire closed her eyes, drifting of to peaceful sleep.

Alex was in Claire's room looking around. He inhaled scent of her in her wardrobe, on her pillow...

He reached to his pocket and took out small black box. He looked at it, smiling happily. She was the love of his life. Always was and always will be.

Alex looked around the room and got an idea. He opened a box that revealed beautiful diamond ring. He slowly put opened box on Claire's pillow.

All he could do now was wait. Wait until his love comes back. Until his Claire comes back home. To him.