Page 14 of Falling for My Ex Next Door

He was there, just a few inches away from me, with his azure, blue eyes glued to me. I wanted to turn away, but I realized I couldn’t. My nerves were numb, and my limbs were stiff. However, I wrestled with my consciousness and successfully broke eye contact.

“Cla-”

I slammed the door shut.

What did one do when one’s ex reappeared out of the blue?

I bit my lip, trying to regain my composure. I can remember the times when I always longed to see him; whenever I did, it was ecstasy. But now my chest hurts so badly that I cannot afford to continue being around him.

Sitting abruptly on the sofa, I hastily removed the scarf around my neck and shoved it aside. I tried to breathe. Until then, it had felt like I had been choked. It was terrible to imagine that he still had a stronghold over me.

I thought of calling my mom, but I decided against it. I couldn’t be a crybaby all my life. I needed to get out of this situation on my own. It was my life and not my mom’s. Secretly, I wished we were together so I wouldn’t have to go through the trauma alone all over again. She was a powerful force for me.

My heart became unsettled once again, ruminating over the past, of which I knew the effects were dangerous to my well-being.

For once, I thought I had moved on and wouldn’t be affected, but it was not quite so. I was wondering if I was at a loss or not. Could I control this feeling while I was here? Since no one, I concluded, would budge from here for the other, I had to find a way to withdraw out of the stronghold he had put me in.

Chapter Four

Jacob

December 2nd, 2018, was quite a memorable day in my life. As I glanced through the memories on my e-calendar, I realized how much I missed my life with Clara.

The door had opened, and Daisy had been there, standing defensively.

“I’m here to see-”

“Clara.” She had curtly said. “She doesn’t want to see you.” She grimaced.

“Daisy, don’t be melodramatic.”

She frowned.

“I-”

“What’s going on, Daisy?” Her voice had come from the living room, cutting me off.

Over Daisy’s shoulder, Clara’s face had appeared pale and subdued.

“He’s here to see you.” Daisy turned to her.

She had fallen entirely quiet and had ambled inside her bedroom.

“How could you be so mean, Jacob?” Daisy said.

“I’m sorry.”

“Say that to her, not me.” She left the door open and walked into the kitchen.

Carefully, I made my way to Clara’s bedroom. The door was not locked. I felt it was a good sign. When I stepped in, she was not shrouded in her duvet; instead, her back was turned to the room, and she was quietly gazing outside the window. It seemed she was prepared for anything that might happen.

“Clara,” I called to her, hoping she’d turn to face me, but she did not. “I’m sorry for acting so foolish, I-”

“It’s good you admit you were foolish.” Her voice came unexpectedly. My mouth fell open, and it took a while before I recovered from her words.

“Well, I’m sorry. Could you please look at me now?”

No response came. After a moment, I walked closer to her and dared to slip my hands around her waist. She did not protest as I had imagined, so I went further to fully hug her.

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