My Little Secret

I decide to go regardless. It was an important day for Ivan and he wanted me to be there, why else would he send an invite? What if he did it out of niceness but he did not really want me there? Now I started getting nervous. I was contemplating asking the cabby to take me back. I was feeling hot in the dress. I was worried about being overdressed as well. Why does my brain think so much? From a distance I could see the Dover Castle approaching. It brought back so many memories from that day at the ball. Did Bryan know that I had worn the exact same dress that day? Was he trying to expose me? I brush out all the thoughts from my head and exhale as I get out of the cab.

"I see you've refused to use the car we've sent for you." I turned around and looked at Bryan. He had a smirk and I did not like that.

"Let's get you in." he said and extended his hand. I held it hesitantly and walked in with him.

As we entered in my eyes were searching, looking really hard for him, Ivan. The sound of his name, even in my head sounded peaceful. I found him laughing and talking to some man in the corner. The sound of his laugh was soothing to the ear. It was nice to see him happy. He deserved it after I abandoned him. But I had reasons, Ivan. Would you ever believe that?

Catherine was nowhere around which was relieving. Maybe they did not get back together like the rumours in the news. Yes, I tried to look for him, to catch up on his life. I loved him; it doesn't go away easy. Rumours had it that he was hooking up with Catherine. All their shippers were extremely happy, making edits of their pictures together and making edits of what their babies would look like. They looked cute, honestly.

I was lost in thought and when I snapped back, I realized that Ivan wasn't there anymore. I suddenly thought about that place in the backyard where I met the mysterious funny guy. I wanted to escape from here, I looked around and walked towards the door from whatever I remembered about that night.

"I knew it was you. I always wondered why you smelt like fresh strawberries and why the sound of your laugh was so familiar." I heard Ivan say. I turned around to see him.

I felt a lot of emotions when I saw him. I was happy that I finally was speaking to him, I was sad that I couldn't possibly see him again after this, I was angry that he did not reach out to me but then again, that was my fault. I wanted to hug him and stay in his embrace for as long as I could. I wanted to feel safe and loved again.

"I know you." He said and smiled while shaking his head. "You're the girl from that night, the uninvited one?" he was laughing now.

"No.. this is my first time here." I told him nervously. I did not want to be caught. Besides, how did he know about it. Did that guy blurt everything out to everyone? Was I called here to be disgraced?

"Sof. We met here that night, remember? I asked you for advice in exchange to letting you go?" he came closer.

I froze. What were the odds. I was kind of disappointed that my shot at love again was crushed. Ivan hated me and I had to leave. I turned to go when he held my hand. I did not want to resist but something in me told me I should. It was too painful, being here, watching him hurt, I was hurting too.

Ivan turned me around and I looked at him. He looked like an angel. He leaned forward and kissed me. I was too stunned to tell anything. I closed my eyes and felt his lips on mine. He was kissing me softly, his hand in my hair and the other one on my face.

"I've missed you, Sof" he said as he kissed my cheek. What was happening? Wasn't he supposed to hate me?

"Bryan told me everything, I don't expect you to understand but I'd rather lose my soul than lose you. I have never felt more alive than now. It's all because of you, Sof. And the prophecy..."

"The prophecy might've meant her." Bryan said as walked in. "She was present at the ball too, and she made contact with you. It only seems fair. You've been miserable since you've been with Catherine, maybe Sofia can fix that."

"Why would you send me away when you knew?" I ask Bryan with tears in my eyes. All these months of torture, it was for no good.

"He didn't know, Sof. He was just looking out for me. Look, I don't care about the prophecy. All I know is I love you and how amazing I feel around you. That's all that matters to me." Ivan said with his hands on my shoulders. I was shaking, was this even real?

"You know the reason you can't see things anymore when you touch people?" I nod my head saying no.

"It's because you've chosen to be vulnerable. You've trusted again. You trusted me; you did not need protection anymore because I got you." That was beautiful. Is this how it all was supposed to work? Is this how it felt to be loved back?

Tears stream down my cheek and Ivan seemed to get worried. "Are you okay?" he asks, pushing my hair behind my ear.

"I love you, Ivan. I'm sorry I left." I manage to say as I hugged him and burst into tears. "Its okay" he says as he rubs my back, "It'll all be fine". He knew how to calm me down. I felt warm and safe and as I closed my eyes and breathed in a lot of air, I knew, this was meant to be.