Eclipse - Chapter 22. Twisted Fate
Title: Eclipse
Author: CC
Story: In a love triangle caught in a complex web of power, lies, deception, hatred, and dark obsession, who will pay the highest price to find true happiness?
Rating: Rated R
Warnings: Graphic Sex, Non-Con
Pairing: Kradam
Disclaimer: This is purely fiction.
Word Count: 2899
Chapter 22. Twisted Fate
Kris, your father is not getting any younger. Ever since his health suffered, he cannot talk about anything else but retiring and handing the family business to his only son.
His mother’s words had played over and over again in his mind like a broken record that made him upset for days. Even if he was thankful for his mother’s visit when she attended his graduation, he couldn’t also help feeling a little guilty. But who could blame him for wishing his mother away when all she succeeded in doing was made him feel guilt-ridden for not acquiescing to his sick father’s wishes to leave California. And even if it was unspoken, Kris shuddered at the thought that Kim, with utmost certainty, also meant to leave Adam.
The only way he was able to appease his dogged mother was not to tell her his outright no, so he said he would think about it and discuss his plans with Adam - and to that his mother gave him the meanest side eye he had ever seen her make. Kris was also convinced that the reason why his mother did not force the issue anymore was on account of Katy’s presence. He was downright embarrassed that his friend had to witness all the family drama. It was such a gratifying relief that Katy just remained quiet and kept all her opinions to herself.
That was more than a week ago. His chest did not anymore feel like a ton of load was pressing on it. Kris had felt so much better after Adam confessed that he would be willing to leave everything behind just to be with him. Just the thought that Adam was ready to make that sacrifice, to give up his dreams so they could be together warmed Kris’s heart.
The simple solution had been served to Kris on a silver platter; Adam’s revelation should have solved all of Kris’s problems. It was like Kris could have his cake and eat it too. If Adam would be the sacrificial lamb, everyone would be happy-his parents foremost, since they had always wanted Kris to take over the family business, and Kris himself would be ecstatic too, since that would keep his mother from breathing down his neck and he would enjoy a life with Adam. But instead of feeling like he had won a lottery, a tiny part of Kris was still tormented by doubts. What if Adam eventually resents the arrangement and hates me in the end? What if his contentment wouldn’t last? Would I be able to live with that?
Kris had already made up his mind. He would put Adam’s happiness over everything else-He would stay in California with his love. He would refuse to think only of himself. Convincing Adam to live with his parents would be his last resort. It would only happen if there was no other choice left.
The incessant loud knocking on the door cut through his deep thoughts. Kris moved absently to find out who the unexpected visitor could be. His mouth hanged open when he saw who was behind the door. “Katy! What are you doing here?” Kris exclaimed.
Katy looked past Kris’s shocked expression. She trudged through the door and sat wearily on the couch. Then she looked up at Kris, concern apparent in her eyes. When she finally spoke her tone tried to be reassuring, “Kris, I have bad news. You need to sit down.”
Although Kris’s heart was already palpitating from nervousness, he did as he was told and waited for Katy to explain her sudden visit.
“Kris…, your dad…,” Katy said in an anxious voice.
“What happened to dad?” Kris asked failing to hide the panic in his voice.
“Your dad suffered another heart attack last night and he’s in critical condition.” Katy halted when Kris suddenly stood up and started pacing the floor. Katy knew there was no way she could convince Kris to sit back on the couch so she continued speaking, “Your mom asked me to fly down here to tell you. She did not want you to hear the news on the phone.”
Kris’s brain started working overtime. There was nothing else left to think about. With a determined look on his face, he hurriedly booked three first class seats to London. He ignored Katy’s questioning look and quickly dialed Adam’s number.
****************************************
Adam wasn’t surprised anymore to find himself in the middle of another business transaction. Just a few hours ago, he was just quietly sketching in his office when he was told by Kara, Alex’s secretary, to drop everything because he needed to get dressed to accompany Alex.
The meeting turned out to be another money-making deal for Alex. Adam took everything in the way he usually did and paid close attention to the nuts and bolts of the negotiations. Adam had to admire the shrewdness of his boss. It remained an enigma to him how Alex could be both ruthless and a charmer. It seemed he could get away with almost anything and make even his adversaries eat out of the palm of his hands.
As soon the two parties had arrived at an agreement they were both satisfied with, the client shook everyone’s hand for a done deal and insisted that they stay behind to join his cocktail party. The rich client had decided to mix business with pleasure and thought that since he was already entertaining some guests in his mansion why not use the occasion as well to make more money.
After everyone had left, Adam and Alex stayed behind the client’s large office to make sure all areas had been covered, documented, and recorded.
“Let’s grab a few drinks before we leave,” Alex suggested to Adam when they had finished.
Adam nodded and said, “I need to go to the restroom first.”
Alex’s appreciative eyes followed Adam’s every move and his eyes fell on the fine contour of his backside down to his long slim legs. His ogling was interrupted when Adam’s phone that was left on the table started ringing. Alex saw the caller’s name on the screen and without even thinking, answered the phone, “Hello.”
“Adam?” The alarm in Kris’s voice was evident when he failed to recognize Adam’s voice.
“Adam can’t take your call right now,” Alex’s voice sounded cold and indifferent.
“Who is this?” Kris asked annoyed.
“This is Alex Kennedy.”
Kris was tempted to ask what he was doing with Adam’s phone, but he knew he could not waste time, so instead he tried his best to control his growing irritation.
“I need to speak to my boyfriend,” Kris said somewhat riled by the audacity of the asshole.
“He’s busy right now. Either you call back or leave a message,” Alex answered in a clipped voice.
Kris took a deep breath. He knew it was not the time to argue seeing how he was in a fix. “This is an emergency. Please tell Adam that my father is seriously ill. I booked a flight for us to leave tonight. Please tell him I’ll wait for him at the airport until ten tonight.”
There was a long cold silence at the end of the line. Kris thought the call was disconnected.
“Hello?”
“Okay,” Alex answered noncommittally.
“No, you don’t understand. This is important. Please make sure he gets my message,” Kris sounded desperate.
“I think I already made myself clear the first time!” Alex responded in his raised voice.
Kris was about to say thank you when the line went dead.
“Asshole!” Kris almost threw his phone in anger.
“Kris, do you think Adam will get your message?” Katy asked concerned.
“I’m not holding my breath. We’ve got to leave. I’ll just call Adam again on our way to the airport.” The dark shadow that he thought had been permanently lifted was suddenly back and had dangerously covered his sky with darkness.
Meanwhile in the large mansion of a business tycoon, Adam finally came out of the restroom. Alex was right outside the door to meet him. He held Adam’s arm and pulled him lightly to the party outside.
“Wait, I still have to pack our stuff.” Adam turned to look over his shoulder and was surprised to see that everything had been cleared away.
“I let Henry take everything away. Our client is waiting for us outside,” Alex hedged.
With the urgent tone in Alex’s voice, Adam did not anymore argue. The problem was he also forgot that he had left his phone on the table.
***********************************
Katy was surprised that Kris had not yet made a hole on the floor with the frantic way he had been pacing back and forth while trying to get hold of Adam on his phone.
“Kris, you need to relax or you’ll get sick.”
Kris did not seem to hear her as he continued to pace restlessly and to press his phone frantically. His fingers already hurt from trying, but he would not give up.
He called Adam’s office and practically begged the secretary to help him contact Adam. She was kind enough to agree to call her friend who she knew also attended the cocktail party. She promised to do her best to help Kris.
*****************************************
Oblivious to what was happening, Adam was courteously chatting with another guest to pass time when they were approached by another female guest.
“Mr. Lambert?” the young lady asked.
“Yes, I’m Adam Lambert, how may I help you?”
When Adam noticed that the lady did not feel comfortable in the presence of another, he excused himself politely from the other guest who kindly left to give them privacy.
“I have an important message from my friend, Kara Dioguardi. She wants you to call her immediately,” the lady said somewhat nervously.
“Oh. Would you like me to find Alex?” Adam assumed that Kara was looking for her boss.
In a much softer voice that was almost down to a whisper, the lady replied, “Actually, she clearly said that it would be best if Mr. Kennedy would not be informed about this.”
Before Adam could thank her, she disappeared and blended into the crowd as quickly as she appeared.
That’s strange, Adam thought. He picked up a negative vibe about the whole situation and hurriedly scanned the room for Alex. When he saw that he was busy talking with some guests at the other end of the room, he quickly snatched the chance to make that phone call.
“Finally!” Kara said when she recognized Adam’s voice on the other line.
“Hey, Kara. What’s up?”
“I hope I don’t get in trouble for this. I just couldn’t turn down his request. He sounded so desperate.”
“Kara, I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
“He said he had been calling you for hours, but he couldn’t reach you.”
“You’re not making any sense, Kara, who was calling me?”
“Kris, you’re boyfriend.”
Adam’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Kris’s name. His voice rose a pitch higher, “Why? What happened to Kris?”
“He wanted me to tell you that his father is in serious condition. He said he booked you on a flight with him and the plane is leaving at ten tonight.” Kara almost ran out of breath.
Adam looked at his watch. His eyes widened when he saw the time. “But it’s already 9, how can I make it to the airport?”
“I’m sorry, Adam. I did my best.”
“It’s not your fault, Kara. I’ll find a way. Thanks.”
**********************************
Kris was almost in tears. He could not believe this was happening to him. How would he be able to leave without at least talking to Adam.
He sat with his shoulders falling forward both from exhaustion and frustration. Katy’s heart cried out to touch and comfort him, but she stopped herself. It did not quite feel right for her so she just sat beside him quietly.
Kris turned to look at her with pleading eyes, “Katy, I can’t leave without Adam.”
“Kris, if you delay your trip, you might not see your father alive again.”
Kris shut his eyes tight when a disembodied female voice filled the room and he suddenly felt like he was losing his grip of his sanity. It felt like all his life was slowly slipping away from his fingers leaving him like an empty hollow shell that can shatter anytime into a million irreparable pieces.
“That’s the last boarding call, Kris. I’m sure Adam would understand. He can just take the next flight and you’d be together soon, you’ll see.”
This could probably be the most difficult decision he had to ever make in his life. His mind was telling him that Katy’s argument was right. His father was in dire condition and he needed him more right now. But if Katy was indeed right, as his mind was forcing him to believe, how come his heart and soul were telling him differently.
After making up his mind, Kris closed his eyes tight for three reasons. First, he wanted to fight back the tears from falling. Second, he silently asked Adam’s forgiveness for leaving without him. And third, he made a solemn vow to God that he would come back for Adam.
*****************************************
Adam took the very first chance he could find to slip away from the party unnoticed. He knew this could cause him his job and even his life, but he didn’t care. Grabbing his best chance to get to his destination in the fastest means available, he lied to Alex’s chauffeur and told him he was on an errand to the airport.
The tiny hope that he could still make it on time was dashed the moment he saw the congested lines of cars excruciatingly moving at turtle speed. “Um, Henry, can this thing go any faster?” Adam’s body felt like a tightly coiled spring that was just about ready to snap in extreme tension.
“I’m sorry, Adam, but you chose the busiest time of night.”
He wanted so much to commandeer the wheels and smash it against anything and everything that’s in the way so he could make it to the airport on time, but he knew it was not possible so he tried his best to calm down. “I know…, it’s not your fault…, but I will really appreciate it if you do your best to get me there before ten. After dropping me off, you can go back. Thank you, Henry. You’ve been really helpful.”
When they finally reached the airport, Adam jumped out of the limousine even before it had fully stopped and ran as fast as he could to the terminal. If his watch was right, Kris’s plane had already taken off a quarter of an hour ago, but Adam’s heart and brain refused to believe that it could possibly happen.
He dashed to the counter gasping for breath, “Excuse…me… please… I’m looking for someone.”
The airline attendant sounded sympathetic. “Sir, if you’re looking for passengers headed to London, they had long since boarded the plane. I’m sorry, Sir. Would you like me to book you to the next flight?”
Adam could not believe what he was hearing. How could this be happening? There must be some mistake. This was just a cruel joke. He rushed to the glass window to see Kris’s plane waiting for him. Kris would wait because he knew he would come. Kris would be waiting outside, smiling and waving at him. He would still get his chance to embrace him, kiss him, and tell him he would happily give up everything just to be with him… but instead, what he found was only an empty tarmac.
He could not remember how long he had been standing on the same spot looking out at the evening sky where he knew Kris waited for him.
Yes, he waited for you but you did not show up.
In the chaos of his tortured mind, Adam wondered how it could be raining when everything around him was so quiet.
The answer touched his very core and made his heart die a million times-- It is quiet because you are all alone, the only person that mattered to you most is gone-- and what he thought was downpour of rain were actually tears blurring his vision. His shoulders started shaking violently, his knees buckled, and he plopped down helplessly on the floor.
All the tension of the past week-the demands at work, his impending separation from Kris, all his doubts and fears-had finally reached its breaking point.
Adam covered his face, doing his best to muffle his desperate cries. There was no way to stop the raging storm of emotions that overtook him and he did the only possible thing that could be done-he waited out the storm. When at last it turned into tiny indiscernible sobs and there were no more tears left to be shed, Adam wrapped his arms around his tired body to control the tiny tremors still racking him inside.
He felt so cold and exhausted. He was ready to pass out, but he was so scared to go home to find an empty house without Kris. He was terrified to face tomorrow without him.
“I’m so sorry, Kris. I love you... I know you can hear me.” Adam whispered and with the hope that the universe will carry his message to Kris, he fell asleep in the uncomfortable seats of the terminal.
Author: CC
Story: In a love triangle caught in a complex web of power, lies, deception, hatred, and dark obsession, who will pay the highest price to find true happiness?
Rating: Rated R
Warnings: Graphic Sex, Non-Con
Pairing: Kradam
Disclaimer: This is purely fiction.
Word Count: 2899
Chapter 22. Twisted Fate
Kris, your father is not getting any younger. Ever since his health suffered, he cannot talk about anything else but retiring and handing the family business to his only son.
His mother’s words had played over and over again in his mind like a broken record that made him upset for days. Even if he was thankful for his mother’s visit when she attended his graduation, he couldn’t also help feeling a little guilty. But who could blame him for wishing his mother away when all she succeeded in doing was made him feel guilt-ridden for not acquiescing to his sick father’s wishes to leave California. And even if it was unspoken, Kris shuddered at the thought that Kim, with utmost certainty, also meant to leave Adam.
The only way he was able to appease his dogged mother was not to tell her his outright no, so he said he would think about it and discuss his plans with Adam - and to that his mother gave him the meanest side eye he had ever seen her make. Kris was also convinced that the reason why his mother did not force the issue anymore was on account of Katy’s presence. He was downright embarrassed that his friend had to witness all the family drama. It was such a gratifying relief that Katy just remained quiet and kept all her opinions to herself.
That was more than a week ago. His chest did not anymore feel like a ton of load was pressing on it. Kris had felt so much better after Adam confessed that he would be willing to leave everything behind just to be with him. Just the thought that Adam was ready to make that sacrifice, to give up his dreams so they could be together warmed Kris’s heart.
The simple solution had been served to Kris on a silver platter; Adam’s revelation should have solved all of Kris’s problems. It was like Kris could have his cake and eat it too. If Adam would be the sacrificial lamb, everyone would be happy-his parents foremost, since they had always wanted Kris to take over the family business, and Kris himself would be ecstatic too, since that would keep his mother from breathing down his neck and he would enjoy a life with Adam. But instead of feeling like he had won a lottery, a tiny part of Kris was still tormented by doubts. What if Adam eventually resents the arrangement and hates me in the end? What if his contentment wouldn’t last? Would I be able to live with that?
Kris had already made up his mind. He would put Adam’s happiness over everything else-He would stay in California with his love. He would refuse to think only of himself. Convincing Adam to live with his parents would be his last resort. It would only happen if there was no other choice left.
The incessant loud knocking on the door cut through his deep thoughts. Kris moved absently to find out who the unexpected visitor could be. His mouth hanged open when he saw who was behind the door. “Katy! What are you doing here?” Kris exclaimed.
Katy looked past Kris’s shocked expression. She trudged through the door and sat wearily on the couch. Then she looked up at Kris, concern apparent in her eyes. When she finally spoke her tone tried to be reassuring, “Kris, I have bad news. You need to sit down.”
Although Kris’s heart was already palpitating from nervousness, he did as he was told and waited for Katy to explain her sudden visit.
“Kris…, your dad…,” Katy said in an anxious voice.
“What happened to dad?” Kris asked failing to hide the panic in his voice.
“Your dad suffered another heart attack last night and he’s in critical condition.” Katy halted when Kris suddenly stood up and started pacing the floor. Katy knew there was no way she could convince Kris to sit back on the couch so she continued speaking, “Your mom asked me to fly down here to tell you. She did not want you to hear the news on the phone.”
Kris’s brain started working overtime. There was nothing else left to think about. With a determined look on his face, he hurriedly booked three first class seats to London. He ignored Katy’s questioning look and quickly dialed Adam’s number.
****************************************
Adam wasn’t surprised anymore to find himself in the middle of another business transaction. Just a few hours ago, he was just quietly sketching in his office when he was told by Kara, Alex’s secretary, to drop everything because he needed to get dressed to accompany Alex.
The meeting turned out to be another money-making deal for Alex. Adam took everything in the way he usually did and paid close attention to the nuts and bolts of the negotiations. Adam had to admire the shrewdness of his boss. It remained an enigma to him how Alex could be both ruthless and a charmer. It seemed he could get away with almost anything and make even his adversaries eat out of the palm of his hands.
As soon the two parties had arrived at an agreement they were both satisfied with, the client shook everyone’s hand for a done deal and insisted that they stay behind to join his cocktail party. The rich client had decided to mix business with pleasure and thought that since he was already entertaining some guests in his mansion why not use the occasion as well to make more money.
After everyone had left, Adam and Alex stayed behind the client’s large office to make sure all areas had been covered, documented, and recorded.
“Let’s grab a few drinks before we leave,” Alex suggested to Adam when they had finished.
Adam nodded and said, “I need to go to the restroom first.”
Alex’s appreciative eyes followed Adam’s every move and his eyes fell on the fine contour of his backside down to his long slim legs. His ogling was interrupted when Adam’s phone that was left on the table started ringing. Alex saw the caller’s name on the screen and without even thinking, answered the phone, “Hello.”
“Adam?” The alarm in Kris’s voice was evident when he failed to recognize Adam’s voice.
“Adam can’t take your call right now,” Alex’s voice sounded cold and indifferent.
“Who is this?” Kris asked annoyed.
“This is Alex Kennedy.”
Kris was tempted to ask what he was doing with Adam’s phone, but he knew he could not waste time, so instead he tried his best to control his growing irritation.
“I need to speak to my boyfriend,” Kris said somewhat riled by the audacity of the asshole.
“He’s busy right now. Either you call back or leave a message,” Alex answered in a clipped voice.
Kris took a deep breath. He knew it was not the time to argue seeing how he was in a fix. “This is an emergency. Please tell Adam that my father is seriously ill. I booked a flight for us to leave tonight. Please tell him I’ll wait for him at the airport until ten tonight.”
There was a long cold silence at the end of the line. Kris thought the call was disconnected.
“Hello?”
“Okay,” Alex answered noncommittally.
“No, you don’t understand. This is important. Please make sure he gets my message,” Kris sounded desperate.
“I think I already made myself clear the first time!” Alex responded in his raised voice.
Kris was about to say thank you when the line went dead.
“Asshole!” Kris almost threw his phone in anger.
“Kris, do you think Adam will get your message?” Katy asked concerned.
“I’m not holding my breath. We’ve got to leave. I’ll just call Adam again on our way to the airport.” The dark shadow that he thought had been permanently lifted was suddenly back and had dangerously covered his sky with darkness.
Meanwhile in the large mansion of a business tycoon, Adam finally came out of the restroom. Alex was right outside the door to meet him. He held Adam’s arm and pulled him lightly to the party outside.
“Wait, I still have to pack our stuff.” Adam turned to look over his shoulder and was surprised to see that everything had been cleared away.
“I let Henry take everything away. Our client is waiting for us outside,” Alex hedged.
With the urgent tone in Alex’s voice, Adam did not anymore argue. The problem was he also forgot that he had left his phone on the table.
***********************************
Katy was surprised that Kris had not yet made a hole on the floor with the frantic way he had been pacing back and forth while trying to get hold of Adam on his phone.
“Kris, you need to relax or you’ll get sick.”
Kris did not seem to hear her as he continued to pace restlessly and to press his phone frantically. His fingers already hurt from trying, but he would not give up.
He called Adam’s office and practically begged the secretary to help him contact Adam. She was kind enough to agree to call her friend who she knew also attended the cocktail party. She promised to do her best to help Kris.
*****************************************
Oblivious to what was happening, Adam was courteously chatting with another guest to pass time when they were approached by another female guest.
“Mr. Lambert?” the young lady asked.
“Yes, I’m Adam Lambert, how may I help you?”
When Adam noticed that the lady did not feel comfortable in the presence of another, he excused himself politely from the other guest who kindly left to give them privacy.
“I have an important message from my friend, Kara Dioguardi. She wants you to call her immediately,” the lady said somewhat nervously.
“Oh. Would you like me to find Alex?” Adam assumed that Kara was looking for her boss.
In a much softer voice that was almost down to a whisper, the lady replied, “Actually, she clearly said that it would be best if Mr. Kennedy would not be informed about this.”
Before Adam could thank her, she disappeared and blended into the crowd as quickly as she appeared.
That’s strange, Adam thought. He picked up a negative vibe about the whole situation and hurriedly scanned the room for Alex. When he saw that he was busy talking with some guests at the other end of the room, he quickly snatched the chance to make that phone call.
“Finally!” Kara said when she recognized Adam’s voice on the other line.
“Hey, Kara. What’s up?”
“I hope I don’t get in trouble for this. I just couldn’t turn down his request. He sounded so desperate.”
“Kara, I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
“He said he had been calling you for hours, but he couldn’t reach you.”
“You’re not making any sense, Kara, who was calling me?”
“Kris, you’re boyfriend.”
Adam’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of Kris’s name. His voice rose a pitch higher, “Why? What happened to Kris?”
“He wanted me to tell you that his father is in serious condition. He said he booked you on a flight with him and the plane is leaving at ten tonight.” Kara almost ran out of breath.
Adam looked at his watch. His eyes widened when he saw the time. “But it’s already 9, how can I make it to the airport?”
“I’m sorry, Adam. I did my best.”
“It’s not your fault, Kara. I’ll find a way. Thanks.”
**********************************
Kris was almost in tears. He could not believe this was happening to him. How would he be able to leave without at least talking to Adam.
He sat with his shoulders falling forward both from exhaustion and frustration. Katy’s heart cried out to touch and comfort him, but she stopped herself. It did not quite feel right for her so she just sat beside him quietly.
Kris turned to look at her with pleading eyes, “Katy, I can’t leave without Adam.”
“Kris, if you delay your trip, you might not see your father alive again.”
Kris shut his eyes tight when a disembodied female voice filled the room and he suddenly felt like he was losing his grip of his sanity. It felt like all his life was slowly slipping away from his fingers leaving him like an empty hollow shell that can shatter anytime into a million irreparable pieces.
“That’s the last boarding call, Kris. I’m sure Adam would understand. He can just take the next flight and you’d be together soon, you’ll see.”
This could probably be the most difficult decision he had to ever make in his life. His mind was telling him that Katy’s argument was right. His father was in dire condition and he needed him more right now. But if Katy was indeed right, as his mind was forcing him to believe, how come his heart and soul were telling him differently.
After making up his mind, Kris closed his eyes tight for three reasons. First, he wanted to fight back the tears from falling. Second, he silently asked Adam’s forgiveness for leaving without him. And third, he made a solemn vow to God that he would come back for Adam.
*****************************************
Adam took the very first chance he could find to slip away from the party unnoticed. He knew this could cause him his job and even his life, but he didn’t care. Grabbing his best chance to get to his destination in the fastest means available, he lied to Alex’s chauffeur and told him he was on an errand to the airport.
The tiny hope that he could still make it on time was dashed the moment he saw the congested lines of cars excruciatingly moving at turtle speed. “Um, Henry, can this thing go any faster?” Adam’s body felt like a tightly coiled spring that was just about ready to snap in extreme tension.
“I’m sorry, Adam, but you chose the busiest time of night.”
He wanted so much to commandeer the wheels and smash it against anything and everything that’s in the way so he could make it to the airport on time, but he knew it was not possible so he tried his best to calm down. “I know…, it’s not your fault…, but I will really appreciate it if you do your best to get me there before ten. After dropping me off, you can go back. Thank you, Henry. You’ve been really helpful.”
When they finally reached the airport, Adam jumped out of the limousine even before it had fully stopped and ran as fast as he could to the terminal. If his watch was right, Kris’s plane had already taken off a quarter of an hour ago, but Adam’s heart and brain refused to believe that it could possibly happen.
He dashed to the counter gasping for breath, “Excuse…me… please… I’m looking for someone.”
The airline attendant sounded sympathetic. “Sir, if you’re looking for passengers headed to London, they had long since boarded the plane. I’m sorry, Sir. Would you like me to book you to the next flight?”
Adam could not believe what he was hearing. How could this be happening? There must be some mistake. This was just a cruel joke. He rushed to the glass window to see Kris’s plane waiting for him. Kris would wait because he knew he would come. Kris would be waiting outside, smiling and waving at him. He would still get his chance to embrace him, kiss him, and tell him he would happily give up everything just to be with him… but instead, what he found was only an empty tarmac.
He could not remember how long he had been standing on the same spot looking out at the evening sky where he knew Kris waited for him.
Yes, he waited for you but you did not show up.
In the chaos of his tortured mind, Adam wondered how it could be raining when everything around him was so quiet.
The answer touched his very core and made his heart die a million times-- It is quiet because you are all alone, the only person that mattered to you most is gone-- and what he thought was downpour of rain were actually tears blurring his vision. His shoulders started shaking violently, his knees buckled, and he plopped down helplessly on the floor.
All the tension of the past week-the demands at work, his impending separation from Kris, all his doubts and fears-had finally reached its breaking point.
Adam covered his face, doing his best to muffle his desperate cries. There was no way to stop the raging storm of emotions that overtook him and he did the only possible thing that could be done-he waited out the storm. When at last it turned into tiny indiscernible sobs and there were no more tears left to be shed, Adam wrapped his arms around his tired body to control the tiny tremors still racking him inside.
He felt so cold and exhausted. He was ready to pass out, but he was so scared to go home to find an empty house without Kris. He was terrified to face tomorrow without him.
“I’m so sorry, Kris. I love you... I know you can hear me.” Adam whispered and with the hope that the universe will carry his message to Kris, he fell asleep in the uncomfortable seats of the terminal.