Vincent
The party was over. Mum and Dad stood at the door, thanking the departing guests. Andrew had already driven off to drop Anne and her friends.
I, on the other hand, had to take Alexa, who was feigning drunkenness and claiming she couldn't drive home. Mum had insisted I drop her off.
We had dated briefly during our undergraduate days — briefly — because Alexa ended it. She was perceptive and quick-witted, but she was also easily swayed by the people around her, and back then, her social circle had decided that dating older men was the the ultimate sign of social success. She had chosen that path over us without much hesitation.
I remember being more surprised than hurt. I had thought she was above that kind of thing. Maybe that was my error.
And now, working for my mum in one of her boutiques, she had made it her life's mission to get my attention. It was almost funny to watch her try, but end up getting every other man's attention instead.
Mum had invited her to the party, but she, on her own, had made herself my date.
I let it slide because, knowing her, she would have made a huge fuss. That was the last thing I wanted for my dad's party.
I drove her to her apartment despite knowing she wasn't drunk. It wasn't a big deal.
During our drive, my mind kept drifting back to that scene near Dad's study.
I was on the phone with my patient when I heard raised voices.
Instantly, I knew it was Dad and Andrew at it again. I moved quickly to stop things from escalating and pull my little brother out of my dad's wrath.
Dad's last words pierced straight through me. My little brother didn't deserve any of that. Why was Dad still doing it?
I moved forward, ready to step in, but her voice stopped me dead in my tracks.
She sounded hurt and pained, like that first time I saw her talking to my brother in his hospital room. The same rawness and exhausted courage.
Tears prickled my eyes. Everything she was describing — a young man suffocated by a father's contempt — I had watched that happen for years. I had tried to absorb as much of it as I could. Apparently, it was never enough.
If her words hadn't reached him, I would have punched it into him myself.
When Dad walked away without a word, I knew she had gotten through. And before I had made any conscious decision about it, my arms had already gone around her.
A wave of pure electrifying warmth rushed through me the second I touched her. I'd had feelings for people before, but it didn't feel a fraction as strong as this. This was so much more than I was used to, and it completely caught me off guard.
"Vince, Vince?!"
I turned to Alexa, who was looking furious.
"Yeah?"
"I was literally talking to myself the whole time," she said, exasperated.
"Sorry, I had something on my mind. You were saying?" I asked, pulling up on her driveway.
"Don't bother," she sighed and stepped out of the car. Seconds later, she peered through the window.
"Aren't you coming in?" she asked, with the sweetest voice she could manage.
"I wasn't planning to, Alexa," I sighed. I had not given her the slightest sign of interest, and I had told her so plainly more than once. The lady simply would not accept it.
"Could you at least walk me to my door... please," she said, softer now.
Part of me genuinely wanted to pull away and leave her standing there. But I did not. Her misguided effort was exhausting to watch, but I couldn't bear to be cruel.
I stepped out of my car, walked around it, and went ahead of her towards the entrance to her apartment.
She caught up with me and wrapped her arms around my waist, pressing her body against my back.
I suppressed a sigh.
All I wanted was to go home, have a hot shower, and sleep.
"Please stay with me tonight, Vince. I've missed you. I've missed us," she said softly.
I slowly removed her hands from around me and turned to face her, keeping a small distance between us.
"There's no us, Alexa."
My patience was thinning.
"There was before," she pushed.
"Please, I'm tired. I don't need this right now."
I moved past her and walked toward my car.
"It's because of her, isn't it?" she said flatly.
That stopped me.
"She had on the dress you bought from your mum's boutique..."
She moved to stand in front of me.
"Vince, please. I was naive. I was stupid back then..."
She waited for a response, and when none came, she pushed harder.
"It's not as if you cared whether I stayed or left, Vince. You never loved me anyway," she said, grabbing my shirt.
I unclenched her fists from my shirt and stepped back.
"Get some sleep, Alexa," I said, and walked back to my car without looking at her.
She went quiet. I could feel her staring at my back, but I did not stop.
'She had on the dress you bought.'
Alexa was always perceptive. It was one of the things I used to admire about her.
I started the car and pulled out of her driveway with a dull ache building behind my eyes and another within my heart.