In recent weeks, Julia and I have grown even closer. Which I didn't quite expect after what happened at the airport. It really took me a few days to think about it afterwards. I could hear so much regret in Julia's voice and it hurt me. It felt really great, but that was not mutual. We haven't discussed it again either. I've resigned myself to the fact that it will never be more than a friendship between us. Which is sometimes very difficult, but I am grateful for the friendship we have. I really can't imagine my life without Julia in it. Silvia asked me several times what happened, but I told her it doesn't matter. It is thanks to Silvia that I sent Julia a message again after a few days. She had convinced me that whatever it was, I couldn't just let Julia walk away. Silvia was, of course, absolutely right about that. I am also very happy that she gave me that push to contact Julia again. Unfortunately Julia and I can't see each other every day, but luckily I still manage to be with her one evening a week. We also spend most weekends together. One time I am with Julia and the other time Julia and Sem are with me. Only the first time sleeping together again, there was a bit of tension in the air. Where we used to give each other a kiss before going to sleep without thinking, but then we didn't know what to do. We both lay restless in bed for a while. I finally gave her a quick kiss and after that it was fine. Since then we don't have to think about it anymore and we just do it.
We have both been extremely busy for the past two weeks. So we only talked to each other on the phone. Today is another busy day, but luckily I was able to convince Silvia that we can have lunch at the office today. I really need to see Julia. On the phone this morning she said she has been getting calls from an unknown number for a few days now. Every time she picks up, nothing is said and she only hears strange noises. I could tell from her voice that she didn't feel very comfortable with it. So I would like to see her today to be there for her. I also know that my father is not in the office today, where else she can go if she needs someone.
When Silvia and I enter Julia's office, Julia is standing by the window staring out. She doesn't realize we're here. Silvia sits down on the couch. I walk over to Julia. I stand behind her and wrap my arms around her waist. "Hey beauty," I whisper in her ear. She immediately turns into my arms and hugs me tightly. She buried her face on the crook of my neck. "I'm so glad you're here". I kiss her on the head. "Did you get a call today?". In my asking, her phone rings. Julia takes out her phone. I can see from her face that she is being called again by the unknown number. I take the phone from her hands. "Hello who is this?". I put the phone on speaker and hear the weird sounds Julia was talking about. "I better ask you that. Who are you?". Julia's eyes widen. She looks at me startled. "Twan what do you want?". I'm shocked when I hear that. "Who is that with you? It must be who I think it is." I look at Silvia and see her look startled too. "That is none of your business. What do you want?". I can tell from Julia that she's upset, which I can get into. I take her hands and gently caress the back with my thumbs. Fortunately, she seems to be calming down a bit. "What I want? Letting you know you need to be out of the apartment by Monday. I have informed the landlord that I am canceling the contract. I also arranged a new tenant for him. He will move in on Monday". I can't believe what I hear. "You have what? So you just put your son and me out on the street. We haven't heard from you in all this time and now you're doing this". I see tears in Julia's eyes. "Sem doesn't have to go out on the street. He can come to me. Unfortunately you are far too well than I would like. I thought it was about time to change that." How does the asshole have the guts to do this to her. "Never that Sem goes to you. I'm surprised you still remember his name. I'll make sure the apartment is empty on Monday. If I hear anything else from you or you come close to Sem, I will still go to the police. I have enough proof of what you've done". When Julia has said that, she hangs up the phone and bursts into tears. I give Julia a big hug. "It will be all right. I am here for you". She shakes her head. "How am I supposed to find another house in a weekend and get everything out of there. And what if he goes after Sem". I grab her face with both hands so that we look at each other. "I'll call someone from my security to watch Sem. Nothing happens to him. We will also solve the rest. You can come live with me if necessary. My house is big enough". She shakes her head. "Thank you. If you would like to do that for Sem that would be very nice, but I'll go to a hotel. I will look further from there". Now I shake my head. "We are talking about that later. I'm going to call first. ". I let go of Julia and look at Silvia. "Will you stay with Julia for a while? I have to call". Silvia nods and walks over to Julia. I hurry to my father's office to make sure Sem is being looked after.
It took me fifteen minutes to arrange everything. When I return to Julia's office, I see her sitting at the computer. I look at Silvia who is still sitting on the couch. She looks at me worriedly. I walk towards Julia. "It is arranged. They keep an eye on Sem, without him realizing it. What are you doing?" I ask looking at Julia's computer screen. I see she is looking at houses. I sit down next to her. "Thank you very much and I am looking for a place to live". I grab her hands and turn her in her chair so that she faces me. "Julia please. You can't do all that in two days. I don't want you to stay in a hotel with Sem. Like I said, I've got plenty of room. From there you can look further". She shakes her head. "No, I don't want to bother you. It's all complicated. I don't know if I can handle it now." I don't really understand how she means all that. "You are not a burden to me and you know it" She sighs. "Sorry, but I can't explain that to you. I'd better go to a hotel". Julia gets up and walks away.
I also get up and stand in front of Julia. I grab her face with both hands so that she looks at me. "Why can't you? And then do it for Sem. You can't do it to him to go to a hotel." Julia closes her eyes. "You don't get it. I can't handle living with you". I immediately let go of her face. "Why not? What did I do wrong? ". I have tears in my eyes. Julia shakes her head and turns away from me. "Then figure out what you're going to do all by yourself". Silvia grabs me from behind when I yell that to Julia. "You come with me NOW. Before you say things you will regret".
Silvia took me to my father's office. "Sil please tell me what I did wrong. I really don't get it at all," I say, hitting a wall. Silvia gives me a hug. "Calm down ". I gently push her away from me. "No. I love that woman, but what she said hurts like hell". Silvia comes back to me and grabs my face. She looks me in the eye. "Now you have to listen to me very carefully. The emotions are very high with both of you. A lot of things are going through Julia's head right now. What she said was not intended. I know what she meant to say. Let it rest for now. As much as I hate to say it, but you really have to go to your meeting now. I'll stay here and talk to Julia." I walk away.
I have the door handle in my hand and turn around again. "Sil, she really can't go to a hotel. If I ever run into that Twan, he's got a very big problem. How can he do this to her". I have tears rolling down my cheeks again. Silvia comes over and wipes my tears away. "I promise you it will be okay. Try to put your emotions aside a bit and then we'll talk later." I take a few deep breaths before leaving my father's office. I see Julia sitting on the couch crying. I walk over to her. I crouch down in front of her and grab her hands. "Julia, I have to go now. Silvia stays with you. She will help you where needed". I give her a kiss on her forehead. I shake my head when I see she wants to say something. Fortunately, she also remains silent. I don't know if I can handle it when she says something. What she just said really hurts a lot. I get back up and walk away.
I didn't hear from Julia for the rest of the day. I just received a message from Silvia that she is waiting for me at home. Luckily I'm on my way now. At home I find Silvia in the kitchen. She is waiting for me at the kitchen table. When she sees me she gives me a small smile. "How did it go? ". I shrug. "Fine. Where are Julia and Sem? ". That's all that interests me right now. "Sem was able to stay with a friend this weekend. Julia is outside". I'm relieved to hear that and I want to go outside right away. "Kimberly come and sit down first". I turn around reluctantly and sit across from Silvia at the table. "I went to her house with Julia. We collected the most important things from her and Sem. The rest is packed by a company. I said it can be stored here in the garage for as long as it takes. It took me a lot of effort to get Julia to come here." I feel my tears coming again when I hear that. "What did I do wrong? Which makes her not want to be here". Silvia reaches across the table to grab my hands. "You really didn't do anything wrong. It's time for both of you to open your eyes. You have known each other for over a year. I had expected by now that you would see what I have been seeing for so long. But you keep hurting yourself and meanwhile also hurting each other". I look at her questioningly. "What do you mean? ". She gives me a small smile. You know the saying love is blind? ". I nod. "It has blinded both of you in a way other than its meaning. I say no more about it. You really have to go see it for yourself. Tell her what you feel". I shake my head. "Sil, I can't do that. I don't want to lose her". Silvia looks at me seriously. "I promise you, that's not going to happen. I have to go home now. I'll be back tomorrow morning to see how things are going here and if I can help with anything. And you go outside in a bit and take some food with you, because Julia hasn't had eaten anything yet." I nod and get up to give Silvia a hug. "Thank you ". She kiss my forehead me and leaves. "Open your eyes and talk to her." She yells at me. I just don't really understand what she means.
I go outside to see where Julia is. I see her sitting on a bench near the beach. "Here, you have to eat". I hand her a bowl of strawberries. I know how much she loves that. So I'm pretty sure she's eating something anyway. "Thank you," she says softly. I take a seat next to her. "I'm sorry". I put my hand on her knee when she starts talking. She looks at me. I shake my head. "Not now, okay? I just want to sit here with you in silence for a while". I really can't handle that right now and feel my tears burning. She nods in understanding. We both stare in silence. Fortunately, I can see from the corner of my eye that Julia does eat something now and then. After I don't know how long I lay my head on her lap. I look up to her. Julia, like me, has tears running down her cheeks. I close my eyes as she starts playing with my hair. "Why can't you live with me? ". I don't think I could prevent her from hearing how much it hurts me. "Sorry, I wish I could explain it to you. It's something I feel that I can't say. I don't want to destroy anything". I sigh and get up. "Sleep well". Can I just get out before I rush in. Where I go to bed crying.
After anhour there is a knock on my door. "Can I please come in?" I can hearhow broken Julia is too. "Yeah ". I sit up in bed with my backagainst the wall. Julia enters my bedroom and sits down next to me. She takesmy hand. Nervous she starts to play with my fingers. "Can We Forget whathappened Today?" she asks softly after five minutes. I look at her. I cansee more tears on her. I shrug. I don't really know what to say. "PleaseSunshine. It's chaos in my head. The last thing I want is to argue with you.What I said came out wrong. Trust me you really didn't do anything wrong. Iscrew up every time. I just know no longer what to think and do. Thank you for allowingSem and me to live with you for the time being." I lie down. I actuallydon't have much energy left to talk about it. I think we'd better put it behindus. "Sleep tight beauty". I feel Julia wants to get up. "Aren'tyou going to sleep?". Not much later she lies behind me and gives a kisson my shoulder. "Sleep well Sunshine".