I will lower the moon for you Page 2

  "My name is Emma, and I am here with my best friend and boyfriend", I stuttered, pointing in their direction.

  His expressions suddenly changed, and he now looked a bit uncomfortable.

  "Oh, good to know. Well, see you around", he muttered with a small smile, as he walked back to his friends.

  My eyes were piercing his back. Part of me wanted him to stay a bit longer, hear him talk, and admire the aura he emanated.

  While the other part of me was bought back to reality, as I heard Niki scream my name. She was waving at me, and without any further ado, I left Jake and my thoughts near the shore to go back and join my friends.

  The rest of the day was eventful, we all warmed up over fun games and interesting chats. It was late in the evening when we reached back at the resort.

  I was exhausted and yet a little shaken by the odd encounter I had with a total stranger today, and my mind could not help but kept going back to his icy blue eyes.

  Shrugging the thought away for the millionth time, I decided to take a quick shower and changed into my nightwear before hitting the bed.

  ***

  Morning came sooner and I couldn't believe myself as I woke up from a dream where I was vividly close to a guy who I had met for five precise minutes. I dreamt about Jake.

  Jake... who the hell was he? And why did he have to affect me like this?

  I felt Niki's hands gripping my shoulder before she jerked me out of my thoughts.

  "Earth to Emma! Where the hell are you so lost?"

  "Ouch! What the hell Niki, God! you are strong. "I looked at her annoyingly as I rubbed my palms softly against my shoulders.

  "I have been screaming your name from the shower to hand me my dress laying on the bed. You were totally zoned out. What were you thinking? Come on, reveal."

  "It's nothing, chill. Just something random." I tried to walk past her to the shower, but she pulled me back on the bed and looked into my eyes "Tell me what is bothering you? You seem nervous."

  "Nothing. I just had this dream."

  "What dream? Did you see something terrible? Did it scare you?"

  "No, not like that. It was just... an intimate dream." I confessed as my cheeks turned deep red, but before I could complete, Niki interrupted me "Oh crap. Sorry, I asked. For the first time I don't want details. I cannot hear how you got down and dirty with my brother in your fucked-up head", she laughed hysterically, making me feel more embarrassed.

  How do I tell her that the guy in my dream was not her brother but a man who I just saw yesterday and knew nothing about, except for the fact that he looked like a Greek God?

  Niki had a good laugh for the next couple of minutes, and when she calmed down a bit, she continued, "well, when you already have your hormones breaking lose in the middle of your sleep, why don't you just get over with it? I am sure, all you have to do is ask". She winked.

  "First of all, I am not having this conversation with you. This is getting weirder than I thought and after I tell you what I am about to tell you, promise me, you will leave me alone to get ready for our day. No more teasing or poking."

  "Ok promise, now shoot," she jumped excitedly.

  "Umm, I have decided to you know, to consider taking our relationship to the next level, tonight, after your birthday party," I cooed shyly.

  Even though we had been dating in the last four years, I was still a virgin. Nate and I were intimate, yes, we kissed and made out many times, but never went too far.

  "Aww. Look at that, my sweet innocent Emma. I am so happy. I know what this means for you. Wow. I can already picture you as my future sister-in-law." She squeezed me in a tight hug.

  "Control your horses, Niki. Before you start planning my wedding, will you please get out and let me get ready?" I almost pushed her out of the door.

  As soon as I was alone in the room, I headed to the shower and took a long warm bath. The untamed meaningless fantasies about a total stranger had to stop.

  Nate's my boyfriend, and I love him with all my heart.

  I wore a short red dress, perfectly fitting the shape of my body. I let my hair lose, put my favorite natural color lip gloss, grabbed my bag and made my way down to join everyone else.

  It was a beautiful sunny day, and tonight it was Nate and Niki's pre-birthday party at one of the fanciest beachside clubs here. We were going to ring in their birthdays at midnight.

  We were heading out of the resort when suddenly I felt a hand snaked around my waist. I turned around and saw Nate giving me a loving smile.

  "Hi, there. Someone is looking hot today". He winked with a shred of mischief on his face.

  I was relieved. This was the first normal and alone moment we both had ever since we got here and having Nate's arms around me made me feel relaxed and at ease again.

  Nate looked handsome in a basic blue t-shirt paired with black jeans. "Somebody isn't looking bad either, and I am glad somebody has finally found some time for me." I wrapped my arms around his neck and giving him a peck on his cheek.

  "I am happy to be with you here, Emma. Let's just have a good day today. I want to make it special and unforgettable for both of us". It only took a string of soft words from his mouth to rein still my fading faith.

  Hand in hand, like an adorable couple, we went around the city. We saw museums, monuments and street markets before we settled to dine for lunch in one of the authentic specialty restaurants in the heart of the town.

  We chatted and explored, the day passed in a blink, and soon we were driving back to our resort. Everybody headed to their rooms, and we decided to meet at the reception at eight pm to go to the club together. I was heading to the elevator when Nate asked me to stay back while Niki went ahead to our room.

  He held my hand and asked me to follow him. He pressed the button for 14th floor, that's where he was staying. Rest of our rooms were on the 13th floor. I felt nervous, but none of us uttered a word.

  As soon as we reached his floor, the elevator's beep got me out of my thoughts, and when we stepped out, Nate without leaving my hand, made us walk to his room.

  A guy likely from guest services was cleaning up his room when we entered. He warmly greeted both of us and left the room, closing the door behind us.

  Once inside, I turned around to look at Nate.

  "Hey, what are we doing here?", but before I could complete, Nate came closer, cupped my face in his hands, and leaned in to kiss me. His lips met mine, and soon his tongue slid in, as his hands gently stroked my back.

  At first, I was taken aback, but then I kissed him back with the same passion, my hands in his hair at the back of his head.

  After a deep long kiss, his lips slid down slowly to my neck, and his hand slid up my dress, softly caressing my inner thigh.

  I was feeling dizzy and lost, and for a moment, my heart gave in to his soft touch. As much as I wanted him, I did not want this to happen like this, not before I talked to him and cleared our misunderstandings.

  "Nate, please stop," I murmured.

  He was too involved to listen as he continued to kiss me. I repeated, but a bit loudly this time, "Nate, please stop baby. I need to talk to you first."

  He stopped with an agitated look in his eyes, "Come on, Emma, what do you want to talk about now?"

  "I want this too Nate, trust me, I do. But we have some unresolved issues. Last few months have been very concerning. Let's talk for a bit first, please?"

  "What issues Emma?"

  "It felt like you were ignoring me, you have been so distant lately. We hardly talk or meet. I don't know what happened Nate, but I missed you." I finally collected all my courage and let it out.

  "We both were at different places Emma! I almost had a new life, bigger and better lifestyle and an elite group of friends. I needed my time to settle in, and I could not do it by hanging with you all the time. I wanted some space, that’s it". He looked angry, he was pacing up and down the room, his hands running in his hair.2

  "Nate? What do you me
an? I understand that..."

  "No, you will never understand any of this, because in your head you are still stuck in that small neighborhood". His words felt like a sharp knife.

  Tears welled up in my eyes, and before I could muster the strength to reply to his uncalled remark, he stormed out of his room, leaving me alone. I broke down on the couch as his toxic retort replayed loud and clear in my head.

  Nate was no longer the same, or was I no longer good enough for him?

  Chapter 3

  Jake

  Emma

  Corsica - Three months ago

  Nate's words stung my heart. I wiped my tears and calmed myself before heading back to my room. I saw Niki was already in the shower, probably getting ready for the party.

  I did not want to bother her with my problems, at least not on her birthday eve today, so I decided not to share anything with her.

  I put on the white short dress I bought specially for tonight and combed my hair, leaving my soft curls lose brushing against my back and shoulders. I put on a light mascara and a red lip gloss completing my look.

  "Oh my god! Nate is one lucky bastard", Niki entered the room in her bathrobe with another towel wrapped around her hair.

  "You look gorgeous Emma; Nate will have his eyes only on you tonight. I am so excited; I know today is the big day." She stepped forward and hugged me.

  "Thanks, Niki. But enough about me, today is your birthday eve, and I want to help my favorite girl in the world get ready."

  Niki dazzled in the body-hugging red dress of hers and made heads turn as we walked through the corridors.

  Sometimes I felt how incomplete my life would have been without her. She indeed was an indispensable part of me, someone who made me whole. She was the sister I never had.

  When we reached the reception area, we met Austin and Jared, and they told us they had texted others to meet us directly at the club as it was just a 5-minute walk from our resort anyway.

  We headed to the beach clubhouse. It was a colossal space which had both indoor and outdoor sitting areas. We settled ourselves outdoors next to the sea.

  The sun was setting; the shades of yellow-orange and purple were slowly seeping behind the dark clouds of the night sky. The vast ocean was now covered with a blanket of shiny stars, right above the horizon.

  The atmosphere was slowly turning musical, and it was slowly getting crowded. Everybody started to order their drinks while my eyes were just searching for Nate. He wasn't down yet. Guilt began dominating my instincts.

  Was he not showing up because of me?

  I felt responsible for all the mess I had caused ever since we got here. I felt this sudden urge to make things right, and I decided to walk back to his room, to apologise and get him to his own party.

  After waiting for another twenty minutes, I excused myself from the rest of the group and headed back to the resort determined to make up with Nate. I reached the 14th floor and slowly walked towards his room.

  I knocked lightly and heard no response. I then took my phone and dialed his number, but it went straight to voicemail.2

  I paused for a second to look around, just in case I could see any sign of him, but when there was nothing, I turned my back and started to walk out. That was when suddenly I heard a sound, and it appeared to be coming from his room. I went back to knock again but still no response.

  Confused I slowly walked down the corridor, the same guy from guest services we met earlier in the day, greeted me humbly.

  "Good evening madam, I see you were trying to get in your room. Did you misplace your room keys?"

  "Yes, umm right, umm... ya I forgot the key. It would be great if you could help me open the door". I hesitated.

  "Sure. I have a master key with me. I can help you." He offered sincerely.

  We walked back to the room and using his master key; he opened the door and left with a smile.

  As soon as I entered the room, I saw my worst nightmare.

  Nate and Jessica were in bed. Naked.

  Nate turned around and saw me standing there, dumbfounded. "Oh, Crap! Emma, shit, Emma, listen!" He screamed.

  I ran down the corridor. I was breathing frantically with a very heavy heart, an ocean of tears flowed down my burning cheeks.

  "Emma! Emma, wait, please stop." He followed me half naked, with a blanket wrapped around his waist. I brisked up my pace through the empty passage; every step dug a deep hole in my aching heart. I had no courage to turn around and look at his face.

  How could he?

  He tried to catch me, but before he could, I entered an almost closing elevator. As the door closed between us, I stared straight in his eyes with shock and disbelief

  He cheated on me with Jessica. One fight and he got into somebody else's pants. Or maybe he was doing it all this time? I remembered how they were both missing on the day we arrived at this place.

  I felt shattered, heartbroken.

  Every nerve in my body relayed into a thousand piercing spikes; the pain was enduring, and I felt as if I got whacked by a bus. I did not want to hear any explanations; I just never wanted to talk about this ever again.

  And just like that, everything we ever had was gone, ruined.

  ***

  I went back to the party to tell Niki that I was returning to our room, having her press me for answers was the last thing I wanted for now. I decided to give her an excuse that I was not feeling well or something.

  When I got back, I saw nobody was at the table anymore, except for the drinks we ordered. Everyone was already on the dance floor.

  Niki was with some guy who was flirting with her. I saw them from a distance. My sense of control and wisdom was unleashed, and without thinking twice, I took back to back shots of all the four drinks laying on the table.

  I realised I couldn't face her at the moment; the loud music was rattling my ears. My eyes were still wet with welled up tears. I turned around and walked out of that place.

  I kept walking until I reached a quiet end; there were not many people around. I emitted a deep sigh in an attempt to contain my withered emotions. I sat down at the shore curled up like a ball.

  Time stood still.

  Every single childhood memory felt tainted, and every minute spent in adorning my first love felt repulsing.

  After a while, I heard somebody call me from behind.

  "Hey there! Emma, right? Remember me? Umm... I am Jake. I met you yesterday at the other beach?".

  Yes, it was Jake from yesterday, the same gorgeous man from my dreams. I was shaken as to how ironical it was to meet him right now.

  "Hey, yes, I remember." I gave him a small smile while dodging a direct eye contact. I was a broken mess, and I had no intention to talk to anyone at the moment.

  "You look sad, and alone, are you alright?" His eyes reflected worry, as he stared at my spoiled mascara. He hunched and took a seat next to me, his blue orbs still staring the side of my face. He must have noticed the traces of grey lines that adorned my face after bouts of tears that left my eyes.

  "Oh, yes. I am fine, It's nothing." I meekly attempted to diffuse the building tension. He took another minute to observe me, and I heard him heave a sigh. He started looking into the oblivion as well, the soft sound of waves became the background score. My heart started pounding in my chest, when I heard what he said next.

  "A beautiful girl like you doesn't deserve to cry in isolation like this. Can I help in any manner? Maybe drop you back to your hotel? It's getting dark, and you are all by yourself here".

  On a normal day, I would have felt alarmed if I was approached by a stranger like this. However, right now I could sense sincerity in his tone, he didn't sound like someone with bad intentions.

  "You think I am beautiful?", came my response. I wasn't sure if it was the alcohol talking or if I had lost my mind, but that's exactly what I asked him.

  He stared at me for a while, as if he was trying to read me, and after a lingering pause, his eyes went sof
t.

  "Yes, you are gorgeous Emma, extremely attractive. And you have the prettiest hazel eyes I have ever laid my eyes on". He stated without slightest of hesitation in his tone.

  I liked what I heard. It was probably nice for my drowning self-worth and confidence. Behind Jake, I saw Nate standing at a distance. He was looking around. Perhaps, he came searching for me, and it wasn't hard for him to spot me on this isolated beach. He saw me talking to this stranger. He started to take steps in my direction, but I was in no mood to have a confrontation with him.

  Getting my attention back to Jake, I replied, "Oh, what an irony. My boyfriend doesn't seem to think that way."

  "He is a fool to not value what he has". Jake's words fell on my ears, and my nerves turned inside out.

  Puzzled, I looked at him and my heart skipped a beat. The expressions on his face were stern. He was looking at me with such intensity, scanning every feature on my face. The depth in his eyes and integrity in his tone made me flinch.

  This guy in front of me barely knew who I was, and yet he was pointing my worth to me like he has known me forever, as if he had been admiring my existence since the beginning of time.

  He sounded so sure of his opinion of me. It was strange since even Nate never talked so highly about me, that too, with such conviction in his words.

  Jake stood up, gave me his hand gesturing me to get up as well, but before he could say or do anything further, I saw Nate closing in. I could not control myself anymore. I wanted to explode and undo the wrongness I felt.

  For once, I didn't want to act by the book.

  For once, I wanted to break the rules and set free.

  For once, I wanted to embrace the forbidden.

  I instantly grabbed Jake's hand and got up. I clutched his shirt, pulled him closer, and within seconds, crashed my lips on his.6

  I caught him off guard, and tasted his lips with passion, pouring all my pain and suffering into him.

  Surprisingly, after a minute or two, he kissed me back with the same fervor. His hands rested on my lower back, and his touch felt like fireworks. The sensation was burning every desire in my body, something I had never felt before, not this way at the least.