Two days after, Alexis will have to return to her old life. Her calendar reminded her that the vacation is almost over and she needed to get back to work.
So many contracts were pending, so many shoots on hold and she didn't know how she would breathe among all of these again after getting a taste of carefree dayoffs.
"Can't you delay your flight for a few more days?" Her mother pleaded. She didn't like how getting to see her daughter has become the toughest thing for her for years now.
"I'm sorry, mom. But I really can't. It was an unexpected leave that I took as Rebecca suddenly got married. I had to leave behind so many pending tasks just to attend her wedding. And then, I was going to stay one week but ended up buying a ticket 10 days later. I can't delay it more than that."
Angela already knew that. She also knew this one single thing keeps her daughter alive and happy. She once saw her daughter's life shattered and broken into pieces. From that moment to present, her career was that one thing which kept her alive, kept her passionate personality sound.
Although Alexis did a business major, she totally changed her life path because photography was keeping her alive. She knew Alexis was a meritorious child and she would possibly flourish in every sector she went to. Rather she wanted her to choose a different career, where she will never cross paths with the person who was responsible for her demise.
"I wish you could spend some more time with me," Angela replied while her eyes grew a little moist. She also wished that her daughter had someone for herself only. To whom she could run to. But she wasn't going to say this out loud. Because she is afraid Alexis isn't ready for anything romantic yet.
Only she knew how it was for her on the first ride. Taking the second one might be the bravest yet hardest decision for her.
Alexis put all the necessary items in order which her mother stuffed into her suitcase.
"I'm going to go kill some time outside. Don't wait for me, I'll be home late. Have dinner on time, okay?"
Alexis took her father's car for some shopping. Her co-workers asked for a souvenir. She needed to pick up something useful yet unique for them.
She texted Rebecca that she is already on her way before stepping on the acceleration. It took her more than 30 minutes to reach the mall. She almost forgot how the traffic jam was terrible in the city.
Rebecca was already waiting for her at an antique gift shop when she reached.
"Did you find something?" Alexis asked when she saw Rebecca rummage through a few gift items.
"Not yet!" Rebecca replied, keeping her gaze on the items.
Alexis picked up a stuffed toy which was even smaller than her hands and clicked a selfie with it. Cute.
Suddenly she got reminded of something she needed to ask Rebecca. "Hey, did you give my number to Arthur?"
"No, why?" Rebecca finally looked back at her. "Did he reach out to you?"
"Sort of. Never mind."
Rebecca raised her eyebrows but didn't say anything.
"What?" Alexis couldn't help asking the reason for the reaction.
"Nothing, you guys must have become good friends."
"Friends? You must be kidding," Alexis replied, contempt spilling from her voice.
"Why? What happened?" Rebecca asked, bewildered.
"Who even wants to be friends with a man like him? He isn't even capable of communicating," she huffed.
"Hmmm, he doesn't talk much but honestly he is a good silent company. I mean, I thought like you when I first met him as Josh's best friend. But see? He is Josh's friend! Not some other quiet guy's friend. You will get his game after you become closer to him. I bet you have a hunch of that anyway," Rebecca kept on her charade as if she is his advocate. Although she didn't do it consciously, that was clear.
It was partly true, Alexis did feel an unexpected calm aura around him. Somehow that comforted her in a weird way. It wasn't in an exhilarating way but more in a tranquil way. But being closer to him? Not happening. Not when he was so stubborn as to decline her friendship.
Alexis already found a few suitable gifts for her work friends pretty easily with the help of Rebecca. Now she wanted to buy something for herself as a keepsake. It's been a while since she bought something for herself.
Her eyes caught on a handbag that looked good on display although it wasn't exactly her style.
As she was debating on whether she should try seeing if it suits her or not, a hand stopped her. It was a man's hand, a familiar yet stranger one at that.
"That's not your style, this one is better," that hand picked up a small pocket pouch beside the handbag and offered to look at it.
Alexis didn't take it, instead clenched her fingers of her hand which was interrupted a moment ago. She looked at the tall figure standing beside her, her mood shifting quickly.
Stefan Ashford.
What is he even doing here? Shouldn't he be busy covering news of his personal life? And yet he is here in front of the public eye like his life isn't a messy display to the media at all.
Stefan extended the pouch closer for her to have a closer look. But she took a few steps backwards, not giving a shit about his suggestion.
"I don't like these," she replied simply, keeping her voice as distant as possible.
"You used to love these," he still held her gaze.
"It was a long time ago. Taste changes," maybe she changed her taste in men too. Maybe she was no more into those red flags douchebags who keep her hanging for months and give her thousand needles of bad memories. But she didn't say it out loud.
"Okay, as you wish," Stefan felt a little dejected.
"Stef? Why are you here?" Rebecca wanted an opinion of Alexis over a new pair of shoes she wanted to buy and came to find her. She didn't expect to see Stefan there at all.
"I wanted to talk to Alexis. It's important," he replied, not breaking eye-contact with Alexis.
"Oh, did you? But I don't. You can go back to your work then," she replied smoothly, without wasting her breath.
"I didn't tell you where I'm going to have me followed, Stefan," the anger in Rebecca's voice rang dangerously.
She was lucky enough to still have Alexis by her side after whatever bullshit her brother put her through. But whenever Alexis comes back to the city for even one week, Stefan just grows so inpatient, tracking all the whereabouts of Rebecca just so he can know how Alexis is doing. If he cared about her this much, why did he even let her go this way? So pathetic. Even she couldn't accept her brother's side.
"I didn't follow you. If it wasn't important, I wouldn't have come searching for you here. You know me well, Alexis. You know I don't waste my time on things that's not important to me. And this is important," he replied a bit too vigorously, emphasising on the important part.
Alexis observed his facial expression for a long minute.
"No, you're wrong. I don't know you at all. And I don't really care what's important to you. Because that's nothing to me," She replied, taking her sweet time to spell each and every word with precision.
"And if you really insist, say whatever you want to say right now. I can spare you 60 seconds. Not more than that."
Alexis felt like his eyes were a boring hole in her but she didn't stop returning his gaze. He possessed a beautiful pair of blue eyes. She used to love them, couldn't get enough of looking at them. But now looking at them made her feel rather complicated, suffocated. Because she knew those eyes were just the illusion of a facade and nothing else.
Suddenly a few snap sounds of the camera grabbed all of their attention to the customers who were enjoying the show. Alexis didn't even realize when there were onlookers. They might not know her quite well but they definitely recognized Stefan instantly. After all, he had his face plastered on for a few days on every social media.
"Let's just go," Rebecca dragged Alexis out of the shop before glaring at her brother for one last time. The glare was a message. Message to never let his path cross with her best friend again.