"Listen To Your Heart" by DHT

Sometimes you wonder if this fight is worthwhile. The precious moments are all lost in the tide. They're swept away and nothing is what it seems.

When I woke up the Friday morning, my eyes momentarily skimmed over to Henry's side of the bed, but it still remained empty since last night when I returned. A breath expelled from my lips.

With a heavy heart, I forced myself up from the bed and got dressed for work.

On my way to Horizon, I stopped at the traffic lights and my gaze moved up to the top floor of Pearce Hotel and Resort. Was Henry up there in his office, preparing for the hotel's anniversary next week?

I had planned to visit him during lunch today to see if he was there, but changed my mind at the last second and instead, I decided to grab a bite to eat at Meli's Café alone. How could I showed up in front of him after how harsh I behaved?

Maybe he was there-or maybe he wasn't. He could have flown out of the country on some business trip-dining with his friends, sitting on a nice, warm beach somewhere down south-probably to get away far away from me. Who knew where he could be?

I took a spot at the same table that Henry and I had lunch a few weeks ago on my birthday and now did I realized why he appeared so trouble that day behind his forced smile.

And now I knew the reason-it was because of the things he did to my family. He felt tempted to admit his wrongdoings to me that day, but fear overcame him and so he kept his silence.

When I thought about it, even if Henry had told me the truth back then, I didn't know how I'd cope with it or how different things would have panned out between us.

Uncertain of what to ordered, I selected the Egg Benedict-which reminded me of Henry-and to my surprise, it was really delicious.

My eyes peered up from my phone screen and I noticed someone I knew entering the cafe. She wore a bright red dress and had her hair in two piggy tails. Once the little girl walked in, her eyes darted over to where I sat and shortly she patted the woman next to her who bended down to her level. The little girl whispered something in her ears as she pointed my way and the woman nodded with a smile.

With the approval from who appeared to be her mother, she ran over to my table with a big smile on her face. I stood up and opened my hands for her as she enveloped her tiny arms around my waist.

"Hello, Violet. How lovely to see you today. How are you doing?" 

"Hello, Ally," she murmured shyly as we pulled away and I sat down on my seat.

Her appearance was better now and she looked stronger. Her clothes were no longer dark and dingy like the last time I saw her at the shelter and there was no blue rim noticeable around one of her eyes anymore.

But the one aspect that captured my attention above all was the smile. Knowing that she was able to smile again touched a part of my heart.

"Is that your mother over there, Violet?" I asked.

She nodded delightfully. "Yes, that's my mama. She said we're getting lunch here today. Can we join you? You look very lonely by yourself."

"Yes, of course. I love you to join me."

She climbed on the empty chair next to me.

"How are you, Violet? I went back to the shelter a few weeks ago, but Patty said you and your mother left already."

"Yes, we went back home to daddy soon after I saw you that day. But daddy, he... umm...some things happened again between mommy and daddy...so we had to leave again."

"I'm very sorry to hear that, Violet. You and your mommy are very strong." I placed a hand on her head, pulling a grin for her.

"Hello, you must be Ally," a woman's voice sounded.

I peered up at Violet's mother who was holding a tray of food. Violet looked exactly like a smaller version of her mother. They both had very dark long hair, brown eyes, and freckles on their nose. "Yes, I am. And you must be Violet's mother?"

A friendly grin appeared on her face. "Nice to finally meet you. My name is Sophia. Can Violet and I join you for lunch?"

"I'd love nothing more. Please."

Violet's mother seated herself on the empty chair across the table from me and handed the plate of pancakes she ordered to her daughter. "Violet talks about you all the time."

"She does?" I asked a little surprised as I poured some maple syrup over the pancakes for Violet.

"Uh-hmm. She told me how you guys drew pictures for an activity at the shelter and how you asked her to be in a group with you." I glimpsed at Violet who was now cutting into a pancake with her plastic knife and fork. "She tells me how beautiful you are and how kind you've been to her."

"She's also a beautiful, smart little girl." I rubbed Violet's hair buoyantly. "Where are you guys staying now, if I might ask?"

"Well...after we left the shelter, we went back to my husband's place, but things turned worse one night when Don had too much to drink."

My heart almost stopped at her words, trying to find the reason why she would ever consider going back, but when I thought about her decision, I wasn't in her shoes. There were probably reasons I can never understand and would never know.

Sophia continued on, "Fortunately, Violet and I were able to escape that night. I didn't know what would happened if we didn't. We left for my sister's house and stayed there for a couple days, but then he found us. But yo-I mean, we were lucky to have some help. A restraining order was filed and Don can't come near me and Violet anymore."

"Thank god," I whispered, placing a hand over my beating heart.

"I know, right?"

"So where are you guys staying right now then?" I asked.

"With the help of the shelter, we found a place outside of the city, but we're safe now."

"I'm so relieve to hear that. You're a such strong woman, Sophia. I wish I was strong as you are."

"You never know how strong you are ... until being strong is the only choice you have."

We continued chatting for the next few minutes before I had to return to work. After exchanging phone numbers with Sophia, I bade them goodbye before walking back to Horizon, feeling alleviated that Violet was safe after all.

I didn't know how Sophia had the courage to tell me the events of her life, and I respected her for that. I hoped that nothing bad ever happens to her and little Violet because they didn't deserve any of it. Nobody deserves to be in that kind of relationship.

On my way back to Horizon, I walked pass by Pearce Hotel's grand driveway just as a black BMW pulled away into the street. My eyes pursued it while it turned the corner and disappeared from my sight.

As I left work at five, my gaze alluded to a woman standing a few feet outside from the revolving glass doors. Her hair was wrapped up into a messy bun and she wore an old thrifty dress. She played with her hands and muttered something to herself, appearing like she had many things going on in her mind.

I focused in on her as she slightly turned my way and my stomach churned. I avoided eye contact with her, but it was too late-she noticed me. I began walking away from her in the opposite direction towards the parking ramp.

"Alexandria?" she asked.

But my footsteps never halted and I continued down the sidewalk as she followed behind me.

"Lexi, dear, is that you? Please stop," her voice pleaded with sorrow. "I want to talk with you. Please."

My footsteps picked up and I started running without looking back. I needed get away from her, away from the woman who left me years ago when I was only a little girl.

My consciousness tried to convince me it wasn't her. No. It wasn't my mother-it had to be someone who looked like her.

But I couldn't deny that even after all this time apart from each other, I could still recall her voice-the one I'd always hear in my dreams.

I swiftly entered the stairs of the parking ramp to the third floor where my car was parked. With my heart racing and hands trembling, I flung the doors open and ran out without even looking where I was going.

In a quick moment, I heard car tires screeching loudly across the whole floor. Too shock to make a move, my eyes open wide as a pair of headlights flashed upon me, blinding my sight.

Someone's hand instantaneously grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the direction of the oncoming car. He swung me around and I brushed up against his chest, breathing fast in his hold.

I heard the sound of tires braking and the horn honking loudly before the car sped off the ramp into the exit.

Both of our breath stopped slightly as we stood shock in each other arms, but after the moment was gone, he immediately pushed me back from him once I laid eyes on his.

Horror depicted on his expression as he averted his eyes from mine, taking one a deep breath.

He was still in Chicago. He hadn't gone anywhere far away and knowing that small fact, my heart felt a little at ease.

Finally, he found the strength to look at me. "What were you thinking, Ally?!"

He seemed distraught and angry with me-too many times I had put him this position.

"Henry, I-I-" I stammered, trying to diffuse the situation, but nothing came out that could justify my reckless behavior. I didn't mention the woman who was following me.

"You can't just run out like that? It's dangerous. I don't want to lo-  " He paused right away without finishing his thought. His expression softened and he cleared his throat. "Promise me you'll never do that again?"

I nodded my head as I trembled.

Without saying anything, he spun from me, taking a few deep breaths again.

I studied his back, trying to discern why he appeared so worried and furious. One of my hands naturally lifted up to reach out and comfort him. Was he that concern about my safety? And how did he know I was going to be here?

But my hand retreated back to my side as he turned around again to face me. After giving me one glance, he gently snatched my wrist, pulling me along as we descended down the ramp stairs and onto the sidewalk.

My eyes searched for the woman, but she was nowhere in sight now.

"Henry, you can let me go, I can walk by myself," I insisted, jerking my wrist from his clutch, but he ignored my question. "Didn't you hear what I said?"

We entered the crowded sidewalks with busy pedestrians.

"Henry-"

He finally stopped and grimaced at me. "Can you just be still and quiet for a moment?"

I was rendered speechless as we continued walking again, his hand moving down now and lacing through my fingers.

We came upon a crowd huddled around something that seemed to be catching the attention of onlookers. When we came closer, I noticed it was a band playing. The crowd looked so happy with the lively atmosphere of downtown.

I broke my hand away from Henry's and marched away from the crowd, but he caught up and took my hand right away, directing us to a different direction.

"Can you please tell me where we going? I hate playing this game of surprises with you all the time," I bluntly stated as we turned a corner.

"I'm taking you to dinner."

"Dinner? What dinner?"

"It's a dinner with a couple friends."

Several blocks later, we entered a building not too far from Trump Tower and the river. The bellboy opened the door as we walked in and Henry led us straight into the elevator.

"You could have just asked nicely from the start," I said, scowling at him.

"I didn't know you if you wanted to come even if I have asked you nicely."

"I'm a person. I can be reasoned with."

We stepped off the elevator and strolled down the golden hallway to a restaurant similar to the Signature Lounge, but more aristocratic and elegant in his environment, employees, and atmosphere.

The waiter led the way to a secluded room with a couple of formally-dressed people inside seated around a grand, round-glass table. With their ten thousand dollar Wall Street suits and serious-looking expressions, the scene was quite intimidating for someone who was new to this society.  

My eyes browsed over the faces and I recognized a few of the them-John Sinclair and his wife, Annette Sinclair. Of course, these were Henry's people.

Thank god her daughter wasn't here. But after thinking about, it would have been a lovely time to see how she was after our little incident the other day at the golf outing.

"Sorry for being late, ladies and gentlemen," Henry apologized to his crowd. "This is my wife, Alexandria which some of you may already know."

A few "good evenings" were murmured as the people at the table acknowledged my presence with their scrutinizing eyes behind their graced smiles. Henry pulled out an empty chair for me while he took the one next to Mr. Sinclair. This must be one of their usual social events, I thought.

After the head of the dinner event made a few more announcements, dinner was served.

"Henry, how is business going so far for Cavill Group? I just heard you recently acquired Williams and Sheppard," John spoke.

I listened off and on as the people around me chattered about their investments, real estates, and other things regarding their money and business ventures. I didn't really care nor find the topics to be entertaining since I was probably never going to be in a position to ever make those kinds of decisions.

When a few brought me into their conversations about Henry, I slightly grinned and played along with them and after many rounds of toasts, my cheeks grew flushed from the wine.

"I hear you transferred over fifty percent of your shares to your wife, is that true?" John asked as I held the glass to my lips.

I swallowed the cherry bittersweet wine as it went smoothly down my throat, my attention languorously directing over to their conversation.

Henry's gaze flicked over to mine for a second, noticing that I was listening in in them. "Yes, the rumors are true," he confirmed. "I think it's time for me to bring Alexandria into the family business."

"That's a very generous gift to your wife and I'm sure she's fit for the role after her time at Horizon." John held up his glass as he began give a toast to us. "I wish the best to you and Mrs. Cavill in your business endeavors down the road."

I held up my champagne glass in response, my lips curving up. "Thank you, John."

When dinner ended, I bid my leave to the gentleman and ladies at dinner and made my way back towards my car as Henry walked behind me. After consuming so many glasses, I was ready to leave the room to get some cool fresh air and calm the warmness growing on my face.  

I stopped in my steps by the Horizon parking ramp stairs. "Why would you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Why would you transferred half your shares to me?" I asked, my question coming out in an absurd tone when I didn't mean to.

"Isn't this what you wanted?" he replied. "I thought you wanted my money."

"You don't know anything, Henry."

"You're right-I don't know anything. I don't know what you want now. I don't know how you feel about me. I don't even feel like I know you anymore, Ally."

"I can't help you there then." I spun around for the stairs, but Henry held onto my hand.

"I'll take you home. You had too much to drink tonight. I don't think you could drive yourself home anyways." Henry stepped up the stairs to my car as I followed him.

"It's fine, I can drive myself," I stated, trying to focus on my blurred vision.

"No, I'll take you."

He unlocked my Porsche as he approached and I figured it out how he did it-Henry kept a spare key for himself. I watched as he climbed into the driver's seat, started the engine, and waited for me to get in. Not sure what to do with his persistence and stubbornness, I climbed into the passenger seat. I wasn't in the mood to pick a fight. Not tonight.

When we arrived to the house, to my surprise, Henry got out of the car and paced behind me as I unlocked the doors to go inside. I thought he was going to leave right away once he dropped me off, but he didn't.

As I made my way up the stairs, he caught my wrist, holding me back again as before. "Do you want to know why I did that, Ally?"

I remained silent, waiting for him to give me the answer.

"I handed those shares over to you..." he began, "because if anything was going to happened between to us, I want to know that you will be well off without me."

My eyes averted from him, trying to hide the dismay surging in my face. "You didn't have to do that. Henry, you don't have to think of me as a responsibility. You don't have give me anything in return because I don't desire any of it. Just tell me when to leave and I will. I'll leave with nothing but the things I brought here with me."

Dismay crept in me, knowing our inevitable fate. Henry spoke as if he already knew the future between us and that part saddened me when it wasn't what I wanted to hear.

My hand freed my wrist from his clutch and I continued up the stairs into his bedroom without looking back at him, and he didn't follow me.

A knock came at the door, and thinking it was Henry, I went to open it only to find Nana standing there.

"Did Henry returned? I thought I heard his voice."

"He did, Nana." I opened the door wider for her to enter. "We went to dinner and he dropped me off before going back to work. Henry is pretty busy these days with the anniversary coming up."

"I almost forgot about the event. No wondered he has been at the office nonstop these nights. Oh, well, did you still want me to whip you something to eat, dear?"

I quickly shook my head no and bade her good night.

As Nana shut the door behind her, my attention again turned to his empty bed side and my thoughts drifted on him. If I had to be honest with myself, I'd have to say I missed him so much-just being apart from him.

But he probably doesn't know that. My foolishness these days blinded him to my true feelings for him and the worst part is, I had no one to blame but myself-it was my fault.

My heart thudded against my rib cage, just thinking about how cruel I treated him the last few moments we were together. I detested myself and my ego for not patching things up between us before they got to this stage-for not being the bigger person and just apologized.

How could I fix everything now?

Why couldn't I admit to him how much I wanted us to be happy together like a family?

And what was Henry thinking about giving me shares to Cavill Group?

I didn't want them.

I only wanted ...