She ran.

My heart felt as though it had been ripped out of my chest, and stomped on. I had made sure to fix up Florescent's car on time so I could meet up with Amelia before she closed, telling Abel I needed to be home because there was an emergency. When I got there, I saw the guy who drove her off from the mechanic shop. I knew he looked familiar.

"She's not here." His tone was rigid, stare not meeting mine. I knew it was a lie. So I insisted, he most likely knew a bit of what was happening so I told him I'd get it sorted. It told him it was a misunderstanding. I wasn't sure what Flo told her other than us being engaged but she seemed sad and hurt. It was all my fault. Dammit, I felt like shit the whole time. Seeing her tears drop because of me hurt.

After she left, I didn't even know what to say to Flo. I was too gutted to say anything. All I did was go back to the shop, fix her car silently and when Abel came, I told him I needed to leave early. So yes, you can say seeing her run from me into the toilet ripped the shred of hope I had left.

"Shit," I muttered to myself on impulse. It was the staff bathroom, which clearly prohibited anyone else from entering. I ran my hand through my hair, tugging against it. What now? Looking towards Preston, I saw he was already glaring at me, with a sigh, I made my way towards him.

"Please, man."

He rose his hand in surrender. "What do you want me to do? She bolted into the bathroom man. You're on your own." Preston — I think that was his name, said casually with a shrug.

Huffing, I decide to go into the bathroom, but before I could reach the handle, Preston stopped me. "Woah, man. You do realise if Mrs M sees you you're suspended from coming to the shop." He rushed out with a confused look, how was I meant to know that? I'd be prohibited from coming here? Could I really risk not seeing Amelia here again just for today? I tugged in my hair.

"Then what should I do?!"

"Don't raise your voice at me," Preston said with his jaw clenched. This made me calm down, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry, I just...I need to, okay?" He huffed, walking away. Muttering the same words he did before, you're on your own. I swore, why would she bolt off?

Gave warned me.

I should have listened, I thought I still had time. How was I supposed to know Amelia would come to see me when Flo was there? Goodness, I didn't even know what that woman said to my little lady. What caused tears to brim her eyes? What on earth did she hear to make her voice hard?

Dammit.

I began to knock on the door, hard. "Amelia, please come out." Could she even hear me in there? Crud. I knocked again, closing my ear to the door to listen for anything that gave her movement away. None. "Amelia, please let me explain. Baby, come on."

Nothing.

"Do you need some help?" I turned around, to see a short girl with brown hair. Her eyes were similar to doe eyes, she had a cute face. "I'm Ava! Also, I'm going to the toilet anyways." She introduced cheerfully.

"Please, I'd appreciate that Ava." She nodded, turning the door knob open before disappearing inside. Trying to be patient, I gave myself reasons not to barge into this darned door blocking me from getting to Amelia. Finally, I heard mutters before Amelia stumbled out with wide eyes.

"Ava! You did not just shove me out!" Amelia's eyes were wide in panic, without looking my way, she was about to sprint back in. That was when I snapped.

"No, you don't." The words left my lips faster than I could process, my hands scooping the little lady up. Amelia squealed, as though surprised that she was being lifted up. "Everest!" Her shriek was in a whisper, probably because the bakery wasn't empty. Oh, now she knew I was here? Cute.

"Put me down!" She was wiggling in my arms, frankly, I expected her to weigh more. "No can't do, sweetheart." We were now drawing attention, this made her hide her face in my chest. Giving the customers an apologetic smile, I was sure questions would reach Mrs M as to why a man was carrying one of her employees out like a cradled baby.

"Drop me!" Amelia increased the volume of her voice now we were out of the bakery and near the tree shading a part of the building. "Promise not to run off again," I responded, staring her in the eyes. She narrowed her gaze.

"It's my choice."

She was right, gosh, she sounded angry right now.

"Baby, please. I need to talk to you. Or I'll just have to strap you in my car and drive off." Her eyebrows knitted, pouting that pink lips of hers. Amelia scorned, "I said don't call me that." I sighed.

"I'm dropping you know." I did. She stepped back, crossing her arms protectively against her chest. "I'm still working on you, big oaf! Do you want me to get fired?!" Her tone shocked me, ah, so the little lady could be feisty.

"Of course not." I deepened my frown, hoping it would move her heart just a little. Amelia's frown faltered, playing with her fingers. "I'm sorry for yelling." She muttered, still annoyed for sure. This had got to be the umpteenth time I'd run hand in my hair out of frustration.

"I don't mind you yelling sweetheart, heck, I'd even feel better if you hit me." Her face didn't crack even a little smile, "Why would I hit you? That's not nice." Her words were clearer now, still firm though.

"And what I did was not nice. It was a wrong move Amelia and I'm really sorry to have embarrassed you like that." Her eyes narrowed, and I took her silence as a sign for me to continue. "Whatever Flo said, I'm sure it was exaggerated. She was my fiancée, yes. But there's nothing between us now. It's been ages, Amelia."

She didn't say anything.

"I'm going." My heart sank. What? She was leaving already? Before I could speak, she rose her hand.

"I'm going to sign out, I'll meet you in a minute. We can...talk in the car or wherever." Pursing her lips, Amelia entered back into the bakery, leaving me speechless. That meant she was going to hear me out, right? Smiling, I quickly went to start the car, turning on the air conditioner and making sure the car scented of the strawberry fragrance I picked up from Saffron's room (she didn't know that).

I stood nervously at the Padang we seat, wondering how and where I'd start my story from. This was my chance to clear the air, it made it more nerve-wracking. It didn't take long before she came back, a small bag strapped against her chest. She wasn't smiling, as usual, her lips were slightly downturned, movements hesitant.

I guess there was no hugging today.

"Let me." I stumbled on my words, stretching out to take her strapped back, her eyebrows quizzed me but she complied. The next thing I did was open the door for her, making sure she was all buckled up. Our eyes met, my face close to hers, there was a pause, tension rising.

"Hey." I breathed out, not knowing what to say. Her innocent gaze dazed me, my dear Amelia looked so beautiful up close. She pursed her lips, looking away. Was that a smile I saw? "Hi." She muttered, pouting her lips. I held in a chuckle, closing her door gently.

"Focus man." Those were words of encouragement, I didn't want to be staring at her lips, instead of explaining everything to her. Perhaps we could kiss and make up after. Ah...that's right, so had to seal the deal first.

The picnic was tomorrow, good Lord, I hoped she didn't cancel it after this.

"How was work?" I asked as soon as I entered the car. She shrugged. "Good." Her reply was flat. Was that all she was going to say? Okay, perhaps I deserved it, but darn did it hurt. "I didn't see you in the serving area. Did you switch?" I tried again, my words cautious and voice gentle.

"Yeah, I joined the bakers today." Amelia was being curt, it gutted my insides.

I fucking missed her ramble.

Pardon my language. I cleared my throat, chewing the inside of my cheek. "Amelia..." Seeing as I wasn't allowed to call her endearments for now. She hummed, not looking at me.

"May I take you to my house today? We can talk there if that's okay with you."

There was a pause, as though she was pondering in her head. After some time, she shrugged. "I'm okay with that." Her words made my shoulders relax. There was hope. My cheery Amelia at the end of the tunnel. I couldn't get there faster.

"Alright." I began to drive to my home. This was the first time she'd be to mine, and it was to resolve an argument. I'm pretty sure Gabe was shaking his head wherever he was.

"In high school, I was a...how should I say it, reserved guy." Seeing as anything other than what she wanted to hear was irrelevant at this moment, I decided to start from the beginning. Amelia finally seemed interested in what I uttered because she shuffled in her seat, paring me a glance.

"It was when my Ma fell terminally ill, so, I was always angry. The sports I used to play in middle school, I dropped it all." I looked her way to see she was already staring at me, her lips downturned. "I'm sorry." Her words were comforting, somehow.

I gave her a small smile.

"So, I didn't really have a lot of friends. In my last year of high school, Flo transferred to the school. Florescent I mean." Amelia continued to listen. "She didn't care that I was some loner always sitting at the back of the class, she somehow wiggled her way into my life. I wasn't used to it, the attention or the company. It was all weird after so long."

"We started dating after graduation, and I was in love. And when my Ma eventually met with the Lord, she was there for me, she was always there." I smiled, grateful that Florescent was there to pick up the pieces.

"I knew Pa was broken, so why did I get so angry when he brought another woman in after just a year? That was a selfish move I admit." Remembering this made my heart ache, I knew how much of a headache I was to Emily, Saffron's mother. I hated the fact that she was trying to replace Ma, or at least I thought she was trying to. Now I knew all she was doing was picking up his broken pieces.

"And so, I decided it'd be a good time to join the army. I did want to follow my Pa's footsteps, but the truth is, I was too coward to face Emily, that's Saffron's mother — my step Ma." This was the first time I was admitting this. I was a coward, I knew I was.

It was as if Amelia sense my inner battle because her hand caressed my lap. "It's okay." Were the words of her soft whisper, her thumb drawing circles on my clothed thigh. "It's okay to be selfish sometimes. You were hurt, and young." I chuckled, a small smile on my lips.

"So I began applying, without telling Florescent. Honestly, I didn't think there was a need to at the time, I was trying to get away from the house, trying to avoid the new family my Pa was building, thinking he wanted me out of it. But, he didn't, I just...I just had a messed up mentality." I admitted with a bitter taste in my mouth.

I knew she was just saying that to make the burden less but was it really okay to be selfish? Thinking back, my heart twisted in regret, seeing how much pain I'd caused Pa after Ma's death. Why couldn't I just be happy for him? Happy that he found a woman willing to love a man as broken as he was? I didn't realize I was tearing up until Amelia called my name. "Everest, it's in the past."

Her words had a reason, it was in the past.

Parking the car in front of the house, I turned off the engine. We were here. "I...I know, I just feel bad is all." Goodness, was I really crying right now? My heart felt as though it couldn't be contained in my chest. Not wanting to seem pathetic, I quickly hopped out of the car, wiping my face dry. Going over to her side, I opened the door for her.

Amelia didn't come down, she simply spread her arms.

"I'm mad at you, but you need a hug."

The little lady explained without looking at me. I laughed, my eyes tearing up even more, without much talking, I eagerly hugged her. Amelia's arm wrapped around my sides, tightening her arms around me. "It's not your fault." She whispered, squeezing into me. I took the comfort, gladly.

"Thanks, bab--Amelia."

Amelia pulled away, opening her mouth to say something but closing it immediately.

"Shall we?" I spoke up, helping her down and taking her messenger bag with me. Leading her into my family house, I realized how weird it may have been. A thirty-something-year-old living with his dad and mom. "This is large." Amelia gasped, looking around. "Quite antique." She continued, looking around with wide eyes.

Most of the furniture was wooden and glass because my dad fancied the house looking decades old. There was a column at the centre of the living room, and a dining room after a partition, another partition leading to the kitchen.

"Welcome to my house. Well, our house. The whole family lives here." The words slipped out nervously, she looked over, tilting her head. "Since I got into the army, I didn't really see a need of getting my own house or apartment. Perhaps it's time to move out anyways, and get me a flat of my own."

I was rambling now, it was partly not to seem like a leech, and partly because I'd actually been thinking of moving out.

"I get it. It'd be nice to have your own place too, I don't know, I still live with my Papa." She whispered the last phrase to herself but I still heard it. "Yeah, it would."

"So, Saffron is not around yet, she's probably out with her boyfriend." Taking a carton of juice out of the fridge, I placed it on the tray. "Would you be okay staying in my room?" She shrugged, nodding.

When we had settled down, Amelia took off her shoes and sat on my bed with her socks on, while I sat in front of her, we finally had the environment to talk. "Are you okay here? Is the juice fine? Should I open the windows?"

This earned a giggle from her, quietly, she sipped the cranberry juice. "Are you rambling Evie?"

My heart jumped at the nickname, oh, how I'd missed her calling me that. Scratching my neck, I tried to wave it off with a chuckle. "I...uh...I want you to be comfortable here. Are you?" Amelia nodded. "I am. So get on with the story...so I can forgive you already." I almost didn't catch the last part, with a small smirk, I tried playing dumb. "What was that?"

Her eyes widened. "I said get on with it! Or I'll leave." Her eyes narrowed again. I didn't feel as bad anymore, she was willing to hear me out. I loved that. I loved...her.

"Right, where did I stop?"

"You signing into the army." She said almost immediately, her eyes peering at me. Amelia seemed more relaxed now, with a cup of chilled cranberry juice in her hand and a comfy bed to sit on. Thank God, the tension was dissipating by the minute.

"I didn't know if I'd get in, so I carried on with life, after months, I got a ring and made up my mind to propose to Florescent. When I eventually did propose, she said yes. The way she did really made me think she'd be with me, for better or worse."

Amelia nibbled on her lips, watching me.

"After a week, I got an email, I was enlisted into the army and was to leave the next week. Darn, I could remember how happy I was. But when I told Flo, she was anything but. It was a huge argument, but I thought we'd settled things. The next morning, she was not in my room anymore, and I saw the ring I got her, on my duffel bag. She left a note saying she couldn't be a wife to someone whose return was unsure."

I gave her time to process it all, thinking back to what Flo had called me.

Selfish.

Bastard.

The worst fiance on earth.

Good for nothing.

What didn't she say that day? I chuckled, shaking my head. I couldn't blame her. "So, when did she get back?" Amelia asked, her eyebrows knitting. I was unsure of the question myself. "I don't know, but, that doesn't change anything. We were engaged, yes. But she broke it off, it was bloody hard to move on but I did and met you. And Amelia..."

I took her empty palm in mine, squeezing it reassuringly. "I wouldn't change that for anything. Not for my past relationship, not for anyone. Okay?" It took a minute, but she nodded, dropping the glass. A strand of her hair loosened from the bun, falling to her face. "Are you sure though? I saw her Evie, she's gorgeous, tall, slim and--"

I would have kissed her, but I didn't. That wasn't the right approach. "She is," I said, making Amelia's eyes widen, she tried to take her hand back. "Hey, listen, she's all those things, no doubt. But you're the one I want, you're the one I have feelings for Amelia. You're so beautiful, so kind and thoughtful, so--" Before I could finish, her little palm slapped against my lips, stopping me from dosing her in true facts.

"Stop!" Amelia scrunched her nose, shaking her head. "Y-you're overdoing it."

I chuckled, "Am I?" That was what I meant to say but it came out as muffles. Holding her wrist, I began to plaster kisses over her palm. Amelia bit her lip, not removing her hand. "You're such a sweetheart, you interact well with others even if you don't feel like it, you care, and you listen." I continued, loving how soft her hand felt on my lips. She peeked open an eye.

"W-what else?"

Oh? I wasn't overdoing it anymore? This made me smile. "You...are the one I deeply care about. The one...the one I love."

Both of her eyes opened, it was as though she froze. "H-huh?" Amelia asked, lips parted. I could read her expression, so I repeated it, firmer this time, getting the strand of hair behind her ear.

"I love you, my dear Amelia."