Chapter 220 - Hazel

Claire turned to the door and she watched the girl kiss Leo on the lips, she felt her whole body freeze.

No matter how much she tried to breathe, she could not pass air through her lungs. It was suffocating;

They turned around and Claire saw her face; she was really pretty with cute eyes. She had an innocent look and a charming smile;

''Is she your best friend you talked about?''

''Yeah, '' Leo turned to Claire; ''Claire this is Hazel, my girlfriend.''

''Oh wow, she's so much prettier in person! '' Hazel exclaimed;

''Claire, it's nice to finally meet you. Leo has said a lot about you. ''

''Wow! It's nice to meet you too; '' Claire stood up and gave her a warm embrace;

''Leo, you didn't tell me I was about to receive this huge surprise today! ''

He laughed; ''that's why it's a surprise; ''

''And she's so pretty! I'm so proud.'' Claire added with a light chuckle;

''God, I love her already; '' Hazel m.o.a.ned and they all laughed; she quickly took out a bar of chocolate from her purse;

''Leo said you love chocolates, so I got this for you. ''

She said giving Claire the chocolate bar;

''Awn; so sweet, thank you '' Claire took the chocolate from her.

They sat down and talked about how they met and other stuff;

''Actually we went to the same high school but I was his junior. We met a few months ago, but got closer a few weeks ago. ''

Hazel explained with excitement. It was clear that she really liked Leo from every word that came out of her lips. They ate dinner together, and Claire couldn't help but notice how Leo would put his meal and pass wine to her; everything he did for her was now for someone else.

She held herself till it was finally time to leave. They walked her to her car and bade her farewell as she left.

Claire held her breath till she hit the road; she didn't realize how fast she was driving until she nearly crossed a red light. The windows were wound down but she felt suffocated, unable to breathe.

She was sweating and her eyes blinked severally; she didn't want to think, no she didn't want to think about it. Quickly she turned on the radio and as though luck was not on her side, Ed Sheeran's 'Happier' started to play;

Walking down 29th and park

I saw you in another's arms

Only a month we've been apart, you look happier…

'… I saw that both your smiles were twice as wide as ours yeah;

You look happier you do

Ain't nobody hurt you like I hurt you

But ain't nobody love you like I do

Promise that I will not take it personal, baby

If you're moving on with someone new, cause baby you look happier you do…

My friends told me one day I'll feel it too

And until then, I'll smile and hide the truth

But I know I was happier with you.

She tried to ignore it, but the lyrics rang in her head and when she couldn't take it anymore, she quickly she turned it off, tears blurring her lids. She was trying really hard not to think about it, but the thoughts were pushing their way up into her mind, and when she couldn't shut it out anymore, her head dropped against the steering. That moment when she saw another woman hug Leo, it tore her heart apart. She had never felt that way about any man before in her entire life. She wanted to pry her out of his arms, but she didn't have the right to.

And when Leo said she was his girlfriend, she felt so sad. For a second, she wished she was in her place, she didn't know why she felt that way, but when she realized the thoughts going on in her head; she quickly pushed them away and embraced her.

She didn't love him right? She didn't love him, why was she feeling this way?

Why was she feeling so jealous instead of being happy for him?

Claire was jerked out of her thoughts by the horning of the cars behind her; and she quickly drove home. Her eyes stared forward blankly as though she was in a trance. When she got to her room, she changed to her nightwear and hugged her teddy bear close.

Did she love Leo?

This was the first time she had asked actually asked herself that question.

Did she love him?

Her eyes stared blankly at the high vaulted ceiling as she finally thought for the first time.

If she was in trouble, who would she call first?

Leo…

If she was hurt, who would she run to?

Leo…

If she needed someone to talk to, who would she call?

Leo…s

If she wanted to binge watch her favorite movie, who would she call to join her?

Leo…

If she was PMSing, who would she go to for comfort?

Leo…

Claire's throat tightened as tears clouded her eyes. Did she fall for him unknowingly? 

Her heart pounded so hard that it was impossible to breathe.

Did she push him away so rashly without even thinking for the slightest if she was in love with him? She had passed it to be just friendship, but right now, seeing him with another woman, she couldn't think straight, her heart felt so heavy and she felt like fainting.

Claire raised her hands over her lips as realization dawned on her.

She loved Leo, not just like a friend, but more.

But she realized too late. He belonged to another person now.

He had waited years for her, and she only realized it when he finally let go of her. Claire panted; sweat breaking out on her forehead.

Why didn't she realize she was in love with him all these while? Why was she just seeing it now he had finally let go of her?

Claire couldn't stop the tears as it flowed freely from her eyes. He begged her, he loved her, but she turned him down without a second thought, and now when he had finally given up on her, she fell for him.

What had she done?