The Apple To my Pie.
It had been three weeks. I wouldn't say I was doing well. But I was getting through each day. I had immersed myself in work, much to Marley and Parker's annoyance. But my only excuse was that I had been missing work quite a lot, and I had to make up for that.
I got to work the earliest, and went back home last. I took work home, and I did nothing else. I had declined a number of times when my best friends had asked me to get out of my apartment.
I still replayed the entire thing in my head. All of us do. And the more I thought about it, the more I created different scenarios in my head about it, thinking about how it would end differently.
And Ian. How could I not think about him? He was always at the back of my mind. His voice, his face, his bright eyes, they were etched in my mind.
The good thing was, I stopped crying every night, I stopped having the nightmares. And I started therapy again. Being with Ian had opened up old scars, old wounds and made me vulnerable again. And if I had to take someone's help to get over Ian, I would.
"Khloe." Parker's voice made me look up. I was surprised. We hardly saw each other at work, with him being in a different department.
"What's up?" I smiled at him.
"We are going out for dinner."
"I have wo--" before the lie could leave me mouth, Parker's murderous glare shut me up.
"No, you don't. How much are you going to lie?"
"Parker --"
His eyes narrowed. "You better be dressed by seven. I'm picking you up. And if you aren't dressed, I will take you in whatever clothes you are."
I raised my eyebrows. "And if I'm naked?"
"I will still take you. No doubt, it will be an amazing floor show."
I quickly nodded, knowing Parker would actually do something like that. "I'll be dressed."
"Good. And since it's the weekend, no bringing work home."
I merely nodded. I didn't want to risk annoying Parker. He had that look on his face. The one which said that he wild probably bury me alive if I as much as uttered work.
Parker smiled at me, leaving. I quickly finished work, wanting to soak up and get dressed well tonight. As soon as I was home, I stripped and filled up the tub.
Somehow, confidence filled me. And I knew that something good would happen to me. I relaxed in the tub, soft music playing in the background, and a book in my hand.
I was so lost in the book, I only realized that I was getting pruny and cold when the songs started repeating again.
I quickly got out of the tub, walking out in my towel. I got dressed in a cute little blue dress, which stopped about midway to my thighs, and brought out all my curves.
Using slight makeup, I only blow-dried my hair straight. I didn't want any attention tonight. I only wanted a good time with my best friends. Slipping on my heels, I quickly grabbed my purse and phone, walking to Parker's apartment. As I opened the door, I heard him on the phone.
"Don't worry, Marl. I will make sure that she's there. I'm done with her moping. I will even drag her there, if I have to."
He hadn't noticed me as yet, as he was busy trying to hold the phone, and button his shirt.
"Ahem," I purposely spoke, making him look at me. He grinned.
"Our Khlo's back. We'll meet you at the club in some time."
Parker smiled at me. "You look gorgeous."
"Thanks, Parker." I grinned. "You look great too. Can we go?"
"What happened to not wanting to go?"
I shrugged. "I want to go. I have a very funny feeling."
Parker raised his eyebrows as he slipped his phone in his pocket and picked up his keys. "Funny feeling?"
"Something good's going to happen." I grinned.
Something crossed Parker's face, but he quickly smiled. "I'm happy to have my Khloe back. Oh, and you have full permission to get sloshed."
I narrowed my eyes playfully at him. "Thanks dad."
The club was bustling, no surprise there. Friday nights were usually full. Thankfully, we managed to get a table, and our drinks quickly.
"Shots!" Marley said before I could get a word in.
"You got it," the waiter winked at her, making Parker glare at him, and pull Marley closer.
After three rounds, I was completely drunk. And a drunk me was an annoying me.
"It's weird." I stated.
Both my best friends looked at me, confused.
"You two. Together. Having sex."
Their eyes widened. "Do you have a problem with us, Khloe?"
I shook my head, a drunk chuckled escaping me. "Nope."
"Then?" Marley looked confused.
I squinted my eyes. "You two are cute together."
Marley smiled. Parker just laughed. Then I noticed him behind Parker. His eyes, his lips, his grin. He looked just like Ian. But Ian wasn't here. Blinking, I looked back at the place, hoping to see him again, but all I saw was a group of girls.
Suddenly, all the drunkenness I was feeling minutes ago had disappeared. "You guys, I'm leaving. I think I've had too much to drink."
Instantly, both of them were on their feet. "We'll come with you."
I shook my head. "I'll call a cab."
Parker narrowed his eyes at me. "Both of you wait outside, while I clear the bill." And that was final, I guess.
***
Surprisingly, I didn't wake up with a bitch of a hangover. Nor did I wake up with the feeling of self loathing I recently had. I was happy when I was up.
I hummed to myself, making breakfast and coffee, dancing along to my out of tune humming. Once that was done, I decided on a long drive.
"Parker?" I asked as I opened his door.
Minutes later, Marley walked out, wearing Parker's shirt. I smirked. "I'm going out for a drive. I'll see you guys later."
Marley smiled. "Keep your phone on."
I nodded. I went back to my apartment, dressing up in a pair of jeans, a sweater and my flats. I pulled my hair in a ponytail, quickly applying some lip gloss.
When I walked into the parking lot, a surprise awaited me. My eyes widened as I saw my car. The tyres were slashed, making me extremely annoyed.
Our building had amazing security, and this was beyond questionable. Just as I whipped out my phone to call security, I heard an all so familiar voice.
"Will you go out with me?"
My eyes widened. Ian stood near the car, a bunch of carnations in his hand.
"What?"
"Will you go out with me?" He repeated. Then he looked at my car. "And, I will get your car repaired."
"You slashed the tires?"
Ian nodded, sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Khloe."
I sighed. "What for?"
Ian shrugged. "The list is so long, I don't know where to start."
I swallowed. "I thought you were leaving."
Ian looked away. "I was. I was so angry. I don't think I've ever been so angry in my life. Not at you, that's for sure."
"Then?"
Ian closed his eyes, before taking a deep breath and opening them again. "Can we talk somewhere else?"
I shrugged. "Since you slashed my tires..."
Ian looked away sheepishly. "My car is outside."
I raised my eyebrows. "Your car?"
"I bought it last week."
I didn't say anything, choosing to follow Ian to his car instead. We got in in silence. This was uncomfortable silence, one that a knife couldn't cut through.
"Where are we going?" I finally picked up the courage to ask.
"My apartment."
Hurt filled my heart, almost instantly. The last time we went there... A shudder passed through me.
"I don't want to go there," I muttered.
Ian turned to look at me, before looking back at the road. "Okay. Where do you want to go?"
I pointed him in the direction of one of my favourite café. I preferred if we spoke on neutral ground. And it wasn't as if I was blaming him. I understood where he was coming from.
"We're here," His voice brought me out of my musings. We got a table at the far end of the café, both of us asking for coffee.
"What did you want to talk about?" I asked.
"First of all, I wanted to apologize. I shouldn't have walked out like that. I should have listened to you." I could see the regret and pain in his eyes. "I couldn't bear it, I didn't know how to react to what you were saying.
"All I could think of was my child. And I think what hurt me most, was that I wasn't there for you."
"Ian--"
"Don't." Ian muttered, just as the waiter came back with our coffees. I gingerly sipped mine, waiting for Ian to continue.
"I couldn't understand the pain you went through. For me, the closet thing I had to a son, or anything like that, is Caleb. And I knew that if it wasn't you, I wouldn't get married again."
"I'm not going to lie, I was fucking pissed. I had to leave, before I did something that I regretted."
"I'm sorry," I managed a whisper.
Ian's eyes blazed into mine. "There isn't anything to be sorry about, Khlo. You were hardly nineteen. I thought about it. And at the end of the day, you didn't know."
I was stunned by this revelation. This was so different from the Ian who stormed out of his place three weeks ago.
"How?"
Ian closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He then looked at me with such intensity, it made me uncomfortable, and most importantly, vulnerable. "I thought about it. And I read about it, a lot. I realised why you didn't think you'd be pregnant. With the pills, and... And everything else, it would have been hard."
Then his eyes turned accusing. "You didn't tell me about the coma."
I swallowed, looking away. "I didn't think it was important."
I was waiting for a backlash. I knew Ian would be pissed. So, when he reached for my hand, and held it, I looked back at him, surprised.
"How can you think that, Khlo? You were in coma for two weeks, how do you think that's not important?"
I didn't reply.
"From now on, whatever it is, even if you don't think its important, you will tell me. Understood?" I could see the hidden anger on his face, as well as love.
I nodded. "I will."
"I'm sorry, Khloe. For all the pain I put you through."
I shook my head. "Don't. I understand. I would have been fucking pissed too."
Ian gave me a dry smile,but for some reason it lit up hope in me. "So, does this mean you aren't leaving?"
Ian smirked, that all so familiar smirk. "Of course not, baby."
Then just as the waiter came with our apple pie, he grinned. "You're the apple to my pie."
