August - DONE
Our ‘holiday’ ended soon after upon finding ourselves back in the 23rd century, although most of us had seemed to prefer staying right where we were. It infuriated me because it was unrighteous of them to phase us back without our consent but I also knew well enough that it was only in their best interest… somehow. After they spent a lot of hours explaining the procedure to us, if we still wished to return back to the 9th century that is, we were finally allowed to leave but not before letting us know that an attorney would be assigned to our case.
I didn’t even realise how much I had missed home until I was eventually there. The first thing I did as I got home was jump on my bed! It almost felt surreal that I was back here after such a long experience and had missed the comfort that was practically non-existent in the 9th century. Upon turning on my phone, seeming to have returned back to its normal state, I noticed that the date read August 15th meaning that I had turned 19 not so long ago. It was very unusual that I would forget my birthday but because of the turn of the events, I would’ve been surprised if I had remembered it.
I suddenly realised that there seemed to be something under my pillow and when I took it out it was a white envelope with my name written on the front. I instantly opened it, dying to know what was inside and who was the one that left it there for me to see, yet it might’ve not been such a good idea to do so. I could feel my heart beating fast and gripped tightly at the paper inside upon reading the unbelievable words on it. It seemed as if I wasn’t the first one that wished to leave the 23rd century forever as even my father had done the same. He had visited the 20th century and fell in love with a woman which he didn’t want to ever be separated from, so he decided to leave all his wealth in my name. There was only one person who could have possibly placed it here and I didn’t intend on letting it go.
~~~
The next day I woke up feeling rather anxious but also excited to meet my attorney, and as I was about to leave the house my mother happened to come in. No better time than the present, I thought. She seemed to have just returned from a holiday with all the luggage she had, but that was unimportant for the moment. My own mother almost gave me the impression that she had forgotten all about me, guessing by the surprised look all over her face. She was going to come hug me but stopped once I raised up the envelope in my hand. I had hesitated all night whether confronting her was the right thing to do, but keeping me in the dark for such a long time was too unjust.
“You’ve known the truth this whole time and did not even dare consider my feelings for a single second, right? You’ve been lying to me my whole life!” I spit out with extreme frustration.
“Eden, I can explain…”
“What’s there to explain? I think my father did all the explanation right here, in this letter, which you’ve been hiding from me. I can’t even believe you managed to keep it all wrapped up for all these years… Is that why you didn’t want me to go by myself? To make sure I return?”
“I didn’t want you to do the same mistake as him and decide to stay in some era to which you don’t belong! Don’t you understand my worry for you?”
“If you call that worry, I call it selfishness!”
I slammed the envelope on the coffee table and left, heading to the meeting with the attorney. She didn’t even deserve to know what decisions I take anymore, which is why I had decided not to tell her about what I was planning to do. Now that I had returned back home, a part of me didn’t wish to leave but there was nothing holding me back either. Only if I find a very good reason to stay, I might decide to do so instead.
~~~
After being led to my assigned attorney’s office, I quickly fixed my hair and took a deep breath in before entering. Hopefully whoever it is will be capable of helping me well. Who would even be interested in a case like mine though, I wondered? Just as I was about to open the door, it opened by itself and I took a step back at it suddenly opening. I had forgotten for a split second that the 23rd century had become invaded with surveillance cameras and I rolled my eyes. As if I wasn’t capable of opening the door myself…
I headed inside with only a few doubts on my mind, but the situation instantly changed once I saw how attractive the man that took on my case was. I could barely walk straight as even simply his look made me feel as if I was about to melt and I gulped at the thoughts that passed through my mind in that moment. Apart from mesmerising, there was something in his eyes that felt too familiar but I couldn’t recall from where. I shook the thought of my head and tried to focus on his words but it was far too difficult…
He seemed to be very professional at his job and also enjoyed it. At least I was fortunate enough that such a person had decided to help me with the transition and there wasn’t a single question to which he didn’t answer. I really tried to focus on what he was saying but most of time I’d end up daydreaming about other things that I definitely shouldn’t even be thinking of. Sometimes he would even make a joke or two to which I couldn’t help but laugh. This man - he’s attractive, intelligent and humorous as well! I guess I’d consider him to be perfect in my eyes… I accidentally let out a loud sigh and would have sounded as if I had gotten bored of him, but instead he decided to close all the files on his desk and looked at me.
After realising that he had done so, I looked up at him confusingly with my cheeks probably flushed from embarrassment and raised my brow. His eyes seemed as if they were trying to read what was on my mind and I tried to do the same but I couldn’t keep my eyes on his for more than a single minute so I looked away. Gosh, what the hell is happening… I couldn’t even recall a single time where I was affected in this way by someone of my same century.
“So, you’ve decided to write off all your wealth to an orphanage instead of your only family member… it is pretty fascinating, actually. But there’s something I’m very curious about” he suddenly said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.
“Are you going to ask why I didn’t consider my mother? If so-“ I answered but got cut off.
“No, I wonder what is motivating you to give up everything you owe.”
I stared at him, unsure of what exactly to answer and then decided to only say a few words as there was no need for him to know the whole story. I must admit that it intrigued me seeing him interested.
“Let’s just say that I started feeling appreciated, that I finally belonged to someplace” I smiled as I remembered all the memories I had of the Vikings, and the amazing fun they had.
I looked up at him and the familiar look on his eyes was there once again. I almost could feel as if there was something linking us to one another, but I decided to ignore the thought as I probably was the only one to think so.
“I honestly think there’s more to it” he said with a smirk forming on his lips.
“There is, but you there’s no reason for you to actually know about it all” I confidently said whilst crossing my arms.
From the devilish look on his face I could instantly tell that he was brewing something in his mind and in fact, what followed next threw me totally off guard.
“Would you tell me more if I invite you to dinner?”
My eyes went wide at his reply and couldn’t help but laugh at his sudden question. I definitely was feeling flattered that he had asked such a thing but couldn’t help but be a bit hesitant, especially since he is in charge of my case.
“Why do you want to know?” I asked, rolling my eyes at his smirk and trying hard not to smile.
“Is it wrong that I’d like to spend more time with you?” he confidently answered.
I hated the fact that he had dodged my question with another one but… I also wished to get to know him better too so I decided to accept his invitation, which seemed to have made him very content. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the simple fact that I had given in to a man I had never met before. Now I was very looking forward to having dinner with him, wondering if he could feel the connection as well.
~~~
The next morning I decided to go get a new tattoo on my shoulder as a sign of freedom that we have in the 23rd action, where not a single action is restricted and no laws exist. I also was looking forward to that evening as I was meant to meet with my attorney, Cole Henderson, for dinner. Although I tried my best not to run late, it was inevitable after not being convinced by my first, second or third outfit. Fortunately he wasn’t an impatient person so I was relieved upon seeing him still waiting inside.
After we ordered our food, Cole insisted that I tell him some ‘fascinating’ things about the 9th century; the traditions, the people, their whole story. I eventually did as he truly seemed interested in knowing more and then asked once again what really was the reason why I was so motivated to return, so I decided to tell him how I finally had found someone who truly understood me, who was always honest to me and gave me enough reason to make me want to stay.
“You actually remind me a lot of him, you know. He was really helpful, humoristic and quite good-looking too. It was nice having him around.”
I admit that I still missed hanging out with Kol but sometimes our different mindset was too evident. I couldn’t fully open up to him about everything because it would’ve definitely changed the whole story line had I told him from where we really came from. At least now I could open up to someone who seemed to understand anything I say, and the fact that he reminded me of somebody I had grown really fond of made it even better. They were too alike, that’s for sure, but I didn’t mind it at all – perhaps I’d even end up feeling the same towards Cole…
“Then, you admit I’m good-looking… I really appreciate your compliment, Eden” he sarcastically said, taking a sip of his red wine.
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at his comment. “I guess I did accidentally boost your ego”
He laughed at my reply and I couldn’t help but smile at his handsome grin. “So, what you basically said… means that if you’d find a reason to stay… you wouldn’t leave?”
“Maybe” I said, tilting my head to the side and confused by whatever it was he was thinking of. “It must be a very very good one though. There’s nothing holding me back, yet…”
I tried to read the expression off his face but it was impossible; each time I look into his eyes I’d immediately picture Kol’s face and I found it quite uncanny. Could it be because he resembled him so much that I felt attracted to the man, that there was such a connection linking us to one another? It had only been a few days since we’ve met and I already felt so fond of him.
“It almost sounds as if you do want a reason to stay.”
He raised his brow and looked at me, to which I simply smirked and slowly nodded my head.
~~~
The two weeks passed by quickly and soon it was time to make our final decision. Cole invited me to dinner a few more times and I didn’t even refuse a single time since I began enjoying his company way too much. As the days passed, I felt the connection between us getting stronger every single day, so much to the point that I began considering whether to stay. On the last day I went to his office in the evening as I was too busy with preparing during day, with the thought of thanking him for all his help and say my goodbye, but instead the opposite happened.
“I’m not going to beat around the bush” I confidently said, with a serious look on my face. “You’ve convinced me to stay, so…”
I let out a huge smile and gripped on tightly to my black clutch bag, relieved but also bewildered that I had changed my decision over the course of two weeks. Apart from his influence, I also had thought of how terrible it was to meddle with history. How could I, someone from the 23rd century, become used to living in the 9th century? Just from the way it sounds makes it unreasonable. I really had become fond of Kol but maybe it would be better to simply let my feelings fade and stay right where I come from.
“So all we’ve done in these past two weeks was for nothing? Is that what you mean?” Cole sarcastically asked and I rolled my eyes.
“Getting to know you in those past two weeks gave me enough reason to stay… so I don’t intend to stop bothering you any time soon” I replied.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way” he answered.
I grinned at him and he did the same back. My heart felt all warm as his eyes met mine and as much as I wished to wrap him in a tight hug, I was afraid that it’d be weird. Hopefully my decision to stay won’t be in vain and now I finally have someone that appreciates me just as much, someone of my same century.
