Page 9 of Destined Lovers

I run after her, but someone cuts me off, and by the time I get to the back of the hall, she slams the door, and I instantly hear the click of a lock.

My patience is wearing, and that says something for me. So I bang on the door and yell to let me in. The sign on the door saysmanager, and I’m about to get said person when I hear another door slam. What was that?

I call after another waitress and ask what’s behind the door, and she says it’s the manager’s office and the exit for the employee car park.

It hits me like a ton of bricks. She ran.Again.

I’ll never catch up with her by the time I exit through the front.

That can’t deter me, though. Nora better be ready because I haven’t wasted ten years to be treated like this. And for the first time in my life, I’m going to demand something for myself.

I want answers.

So I’ll be back soon, and every day after if I have to until she talks to me.

Whether she likes it or not.

2

Nora

No.No. No. No!

I stand like a statue as if Declan can’t see me while I run through every scenario that can possibly happen right now.

None of which makes sense, except one.

Run.

I take one last deep breath as I look past Declan because there is no way I can look into his eyes.

I will break, and everything I have worked so hard for the last ten years will crumble down to the ground. So, I muster up every scrap of energy and courage I have in my body to turn around and run.

Fast.

He will not let me leave without a fight, but if I can just make it to the back office, I’ll be in the clear. He will have no idea there is a back door that leads right to my car.

Declan gets caught up by someone cutting in front of him, so I make it easily, slamming the door and locking it in record time. I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding, lean against the door, let my body drop, and hang my head.

It’s been ten years since I disappeared, ten! Why did he have to find me now, when it’s almost all over? A little over a year, that’s all I had left, and I would have found him.

Ah!

A loud banging rattles the door, startling me, but I’m quick to jump up and run toward the exit.

“Nora, open the door!” Declan screams from the other side.

I pause for a split second while looking back wistfully at the door, wishing I could run through it into Declan’s waiting arms, but know full well I can’t.

I’m truly hoping that he will forgive me one day. Otherwise, I’m doing this all for nothing.

I can’t dwell on that now, so I snap back to reality and run through the door straight for my car, putting the pedal to the metal and getting the hell out of here.

After I’ve put enough distance between Declan, the pub, and myself, I pull over on a side road, lean my head back, and breathe.Finally.

A part of me is hoping this is just a terrible dream, but knowing my luck, that could never be possible.

I don’t know what I’ve been putting out in this universe because whatever it is hasn’t helped me in the least. One day karma will catch up with me. One day this destined path I walk will lead me to my happily ever after in life and love and the day I stop believing that is the day I have nothing else to live for. So, I better keep going because you better believe this girl isn’t ready to give up yet.

---