The Broken May Be Mended - Broken Trust Part 2 (Rafe Adler)
Part 1
Rafe and I sat by a tree in a park. He had his arms around me while I rested myself against his chest, slowly rising and falling by his breathing. It was a sunny day and the clouds weren’t intermitting the mood of how comfortable it was to be with him. I knew back then that I wanted to stay with him no matter what happened between us.
“I want this to last.” He said, kissing the top of my head.
I only reply with a chuckle.
He let go of our embrace and stared me in the eyes, a small smile on his lips. “You don’t believe me?”
“No,” I hold his cheek in my palm. “Because those who says that often ends.”
“Well, trust me.”
I did.
I trusted him.
Maybe a little too much.
After that night when I caught him with that girl, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. The very memory still haunts my dreams and waking thoughts—it’s in my every movement.
He wanted it to last.
I guess he didn’t want it as much.
I was young and naive—I didn’t know that Rafe Adler would be trouble.
I should have.
He was handsome, successful and charming. Anyone can fall for him easily.
The ring that is laying on my hand catches my attention, the diamond reflecting the sunlight as it sits on a silver band. There’s no point of me keeping it. Some other girl might as well have it—she might even make it last.
Getting out of the car was as painful as seeing him kiss that girl, but I swallow the hatred and walk up to his door and ring the doorbell. I feel the ground beneath me spinning as I continue standing, knocking on the door to get his attention again.
The chain on the other end of the door unlocks and the door opens, revealing Rafe with a week old scruff; the bags under his eyes puffing his eyes as he smells slightly of old sweat.
“Jesus Christ.” I comment as he tries to move in for a hug, but I move away.
“I’m sorry.” He says, keeping back his distance.
I clear my throat. “I just came to give you the ring back.”
“Oh…” He study the ring, unmoved from his spot. He has his eyes fixed on it as if he’s thinking of taking it or not.
“It would be best… For her…” I grab his hand and let him take it, turning onto my heels to leave; but he calls my name.
“Listen,” I hear him walk down the porch steps. I turn around to face him. “I messed up… I know…” He clears his throat. “She was captivating—I swear I didn’t want to kiss her—”
“But that’s the thing, Rafe! You did!” I snap, my nose flaring as I remember how his smile was after they kissed. He looked so satisfied. He looked at her that way he used to look at me. “You looked so in love!”
“I wasn’t!” He holds me by the waist. “I was just,” he looks me deeply in the eyes, the way he’s done so many times before. I try to swallow the feelings I have for him, but his green eyes continues to captivate me. “Captivated.”
Everything inside me tells me not to believe him, but I know exactly what he’s talking about. That was the exact same feeling I had when I met him: captivated. We were young and had so much to live for, but I don’t know if I can wait until he grows out of his immature charm of wanting to be with every girl. She wasn’t the first.
“Take me back?” He asks.
I let go from his hold on my waist. “No, Rafe. I can’t keep taking you back when I know that you’ll get with another girl and find another excuse why you cheated.”
“But—”
“But nothing.” I turn around. “Goodbye, Rafe.”
* * *
The clock ticks behind me as I continue typing on my desk. The telephone beside me rings and I pick it up.
“Someone is here to see you.” The receptionist tells me and I tell her to bring them in. It’s normal for my clients to come spontaneously and I often enjoy guessing which one is coming in for an impromptu appointment.
The door opens and I push the laptop aside, saving the draft for my upcoming psychology book. As I look up, my heart stops up my mouth.
“I’m not doing well.” Rafe says as he closes the door. “I can’t sleep, I can’t stop thinking and I can’t stop hating myself.” He sits himself down on the seat across my desk. “I miss you.” As he looks me in the eyes, his appearance hasn’t changed since I last saw him a week ago. His scruff has grown longer, his hair messier, but his scent smells like the cologne I gave him on Christmas.
At least he showered.
I scoff. “Why now, Rafe? Out of all the times you could have mended it, why now?”
He rubs his face. “I grew up, I guess.” He takes a deep breath as he looks down on the floor, his elbows resting on his knees. “I grew up with you and I’ve been spiraling down this realization of wanting you.
“Your face appears in my dreams and no matter how much I try to forget you—I can’t.” He looks up again. “One last chance and you won’t regret it.”
I take a deep breath, putting his words into account. I swore to myself that I won’t be stupid enough to do this. Is it pity that I feel for him, or do I still love him? Even with the countless times he’s broken my heart, he looks more genuin now than years ago.
“Okay.” I tell him, my heart racing in my chest.
His ears perks up like a dog who’s heard the word ‘treat’. I smile slyly at it.
“Okay?” He mimics, moving his seat closer to me. “You mean that?”
“Yes,” I lean back in the chair, “but you have to work to regain my trust, Rafe Adler.”
His eyes start to glass as the light shines on his face. “It will be the first time I’ll work hard in my life.”
Part 3
