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Seeing You

Loving You

By Kelly BrackettPublished 3 years ago 16 min read
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It had been two days since she came back. Grandma Mary was sad, but happy to see her granddaughter. Michelle herself seemed a little out of it, mostly thanks to the news Ashlynn and Victor dropped on her. The whole reason she had moved was because she did not think she would be able to stand seeing Victor and Ashlynn together. She had even had a job offer with the local newspaper that she was going to take so her and Victor could stay together after they graduated.

Victor worked at the mechanics shop just off the main street in her hometown. He had planned on taking over for his father when he got old enough, so Michelle did not want to cause him to uproot his own plans. As she got ready for the day, she looked at herself in the vanity. Of course, she got her mother’s pretty looks with full bow shaped lips, brown eyes, and brown hair.

A knock sounded on the door, indicating her grandma had come up to wake her if she was not already. Turning her back on the vanity, she walked over to the door to find not her grandma but Victor standing there. Michelle felt like pulling her hair out, but she held off, finding solace in the fact that she only had five days to go.

“Hey, Elle. Your grandma sent me up to wake you up.” Victor said, reaching up to rub the back of his neck before tucking that hand into the pocket of his jeans. “Um…would you consider getting coffee with me sometime?”

She had to laugh at the very city like question coming out of his mouth. How many times had she been asked that after her divorces? How many times had she turned people down? She had friends she talked to, sure, but mostly women because getting too close to men seemed like a waste of time. Michelle shook her head slightly before meeting his gray eyes.

“Vic, I told you already. I’m not interested…”

“In rekindling an old flame. I know. But I don’t plan on giving up. Remember, it was my stubbornness that got us together.” Victor said before smirking slightly as he leaned forward. “And you called me Vic. You haven’t done that since we broke up.”

Everything he said was true. When Michelle first moved here, she did not believe he was actually interested in her. Back then, she was always anxious and shy around people. Victor had been friends with the twins before she moved there, and he used them to convince her to date him. Blake and Jake were peculiar for sure, but they were still her brothers. Usually, they did not like each other’s friends, but the pair loved Victor.

It had been very strange back then, before Victor convinced her to date him. The twins suddenly barged into her room and tackled her to the bed, telling her that she had to make Victor their real brother. She was so confused by their actions that she did not even realize he was standing in the door when they had done it. Michelle had promised to think about it at least, before yelling at them to get out. Thinking back, she was lucky she was wearing her pajamas back then.

“Look, Victor, I know you’re determined, but so am I.” Michelle replied, crossing her arms under her breasts. “I’m not ready for another relationship right now, so please stop.”

“Elle, your grandma told me it’s been four years since your divorce at least.” He countered, grabbing her hand before it fell to her side. “I’m not them.”

“No, I suppose you wouldn’t be, now would you?” Her voice dropped lower as she spoke. “Why are you so determined?”

“Because I never stopped loving you.” It was the simplest answer in the world, but still had her heart speeding up. “I haven’t seen you since you left, it’s been seven long years, but I still am so in love with you that I haven’t dated anyone since then.”

Her eyebrow raised at that. Instead of doing what she had done, he remained single all this time? Michelle scoffed before walking passed him into the hallway that led to the stairs. For some reason, she doubted he was telling the truth. When a warm hand wrapped around her wrist, she froze.

“I’m not lying, Michelle. I don’t care that you’ve been married twice. It doesn’t bother me in the slightest.” Victor said firmly. “All I want is to be with you again.”

She could tell he was serious, and the heat in his gaze was doing something to her insides. If everything that happened back then was false, then…no. She had a life in the city. Friends and a career. Michelle might have given that up one time, long ago, but she could not do it again. With a sigh, she broke free of his grasp and looked at the floor.

“I can’t give up my life in the city for you, Vic. Nor could I expect you to give up this place for me.” Michelle stated seriously. “We’re not teenagers anymore. I can’t just…”

When he pressed forward and tilted her chin up to meet his gaze, she stopped talking. Victor’s eyes were stern and serious, his jaw set and his lips a thin line as he examined her face. Before Michelle could back away, he pressed his lips against her in a kiss that had her thoughts fleeing. It had been seven years since she had felt anything anywhere close to what his kisses made her feel. Before her knees could give up, she felt his strong arm wrap around her waist and pull her body flush with his. She could not even fight him off and heat rushed through her veins.

“Elle, you’re just making excuses.” He whispered between pecking kisses. “You still love me.”

As much as she wanted to pull away and deny it, her heart would not let her. Of course, she still loved him. For the past seven years, he was all she ever thought about, even when she married. Those two, her ex-husbands, she had only married them because a part of them reminded her of Victor. It made since, seeing as he was her first love. But…but…nothing made sense anymore, and her head was starting to fill of nothing but thoughts of him.

“I’m not…” But he stopped her with another kiss, deep and passionate.

It was always like this, even back then. No matter where they were or what they were doing, if he kissed her, it was like her brain stopped working. Since it had been so long since she had kissed someone, for some reason, she had forgotten how to breathe at the same time. Pushing against his chest with her hands. Michelle needed air and his hot lips were giving her more than a few problems. Victor finally pulled away and she took in a sharp breath, trying to remember how to. She pulled her hand away from his neck and slapped his chest a couple times, but he paid it no mind as his eyes fell on her lips as if he wanted more.

“Even if I do still love you, it would never work, Vic.” She murmured, trying to ignore the way his heated gaze made her feel. “We’re both different people now. Surely, you’ve changed some too.”

“Yeah. My goals changed, but only because of you.” Victor replied, reaching a hand up to stroke her cheek. “My dad helped me save up, so I have enough money to move to the city with you.”

What? Oh no, this was not where we were going. Why was he doing this? Before she could even formulate a response to that, Grandma Mary began yelling up to them about breakfast. Pushing away from him, she shot a glare before making her way down to the kitchen so she could eat. There was no point in discussing it now, because Grandma was going to make sure they did not forget her presence. Taking two steps at a time, she turned left in the entryway straight towards the door of the kitchen. There she saw the familiar sight of Grandma standing in front of the stove, shaking her bottom as she listened to her favorite country station.

“Grandma, good morning!” Michelle tried to say cheerfully, to which the elder turned around. “Please don’t send him up to my room to wake me up. I have an alarm set on my phone so I don’t miss breakfast.”

“Oh, but dear, Victor loves to see you. Why, I remember on prom night, you were so excited you accidently smeared your lipstick.” Grandma said, her eyes crinkling as she smiled. “And when he showed up in that tux, you were as frozen as he was. After the dance, you said you had never seen him so handsome.”

“Grandma!” Michelle could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks as she blushed. “Come on now, that was almost eight years ago now.”

“And you’re telling me you don’t still feel the same way about that boy?” Michelle’s mouth snapped shut. “I saw the way you were looking at him day before yesterday. I’m old not stupid.”

“But Grandma, it’s not that simple…”

Grandma Mary shook her head and turned back to the stove. Michelle’s protests fell on deaf ears as Grandma went back to cooking. Victor chose that moment to walk into the room and sent a small smile Michelle’s way before taking a seat at the table. This was going to be a very awkward, long breakfast. She slowly took her seat, next to Victor, which was the only other spot besides Grandma’s chair. Part of her felt that had been done on purpose. It was at that moment, her brain decided to remind her of the kiss they had shared in the hallway before coming down here. When a plate was put in front of her, she barely noticed until Grandma cleared her throat.

“Victor has agreed to be your escort for today. Your second ex is supposed to be here so I figured you would want a protector.” The color drained from Michelle’s face as Grandma took her seat. “He’s a part of this town like you are, so I hope you can be civil, Michelle.”

“I can, so long as he stays far away from me.” She replied on a nod. “But I don’t need an escort. Thanks, though.”

It was true, her second ex-husband used to live here and was a part of this town too. His name is Matthew Halos. He was a business man Michelle met in the city after moving away from her hometown. When she found out he was from the same town as she was, they hit it off right away. Though, to be honest, he had only been using her to keep his parents off his back. Matthew had only cared about himself and his image, not her. Michelle sighed as she fiddled with her breakfast using her fork and put her head on her fist.

“Quit playing with your food, Michelle.” Grandma said, smacking my hand lightly. “I made that for you to eat, not play with.”

After breakfast, Victor followed her out to the church where Edith’s service was to be held. Everything in this town was in walking distance, so she walked straight past her car, and listened to her footsteps in the snow. Michelle hated the thought of getting there too soon and running into Matthew, but she also hated that Victor was keeping pace with her. He was apparently being stubborn again and while she did not mind that, she was not a fan of his behavior either. Sighing, she looked at the snow-covered trees as they walked by.

“I said I did not need an escort. I can handle myself just fine without a babysitter, Vic.” Michelle stated, tucking her hands into the pockets of her black down jacket. “I appreciate the thought though.”

“Too bad. I’m sticking to you like glue today, so you’ll just have to get over it.” Victor replied, looking down at her as he walked. “Stop putting up a wall already, Elle.”

All Michelle did was shake her head. Walking next to him brought up memories she did not want to think about. They used to walk in this direction towards the school seven years ago. Thinking back, she remembered it was on this road they had first held hands. Victor was not the only one that had fell in love at first sight. As soon as she had seen him, just outside her grandma’s house that day, her heart began to pound in her chest. When he introduced himself, he slipped and called her Elle because that was what the twins called her.

Back then, Michelle had blushed to her ears when he had said it, but now, it was no where near as effective. At least, that was what she was trying to convince herself of. She looked away from him with a frown on her lips. What was she supposed to say? Apparently, Victor had her all figured out, so she should probably just give up. She sighed, her shoulders slumping as her mind recalled more from their past. The kiss in the hallway kept reminding her of the first one they ever had, at sunset while up at lookout point.

With this memory hanging out in my mind, we arrived at the church. The truth was hard to admit, since I did miss him and want to be with him. I had for the past seven years, after all. But he had family here. Friends that had been around longer than I had. Even though I was not born here, I moved here my freshman year of high school. He was a sophomore back then. My parents had always moved around a lot because of their jobs, but send me to grandmas to finish high school. It was important that I went to the same school throughout high school.

“Michelle Halos…oh wait, it would not be Halos anymore thanks to the divorce.” Michelle frowned at the voice before turning to find her ex with a forced smile on her face. “I see you’ve returned for Miss Edith’s funeral. I have to say I’m a little surprised that you know the Collins boy.”

“Mister Halos. How are you?” Even to herself, the forced friendliness sounded strange. “Haven’t seen you in a while.”

“Mister Halos? That’s my father, Michelle, what happened to you calling me Matt?” He questioned, his brow furrowing. “Or are you going to pretend we didn’t have anything at all together.”

As he talked, a woman appeared at his side, wrapping her arm around his waist. Matthew himself did not pay it no mind so neither did Michelle. She nodded her head at the woman before looking back at Matthew who was smirking as though he had won something. Too bad Michelle had learned how to handle situations such as these thanks to her first ex-husband and her therapist. Now that she managed to refocus thanks to the woman, a real smile came to her lips unbidden.

“Mister Halos because I reserve the nicknames for people I care about, not people that are too focused on themselves to see anyone else.” Michelle responded cheerfully before looking over at Victor. “We’re here on behalf of Vic’s family, not yours, so I see no reason to humor you today, Mister Halos. I hope you enjoy your stay in town.”

“Who is that, Love?” The woman asked shooting Michelle a glare. “An ex?”

“My ex-wife, Michelle. And he is the grandson of the departed we are here to see today.” Matthew replied, nodding towards Victor. “So, you must care about him too, if you’re using a nickname for him.”

“That’s none of your business, Mister Halos. Now, I appreciate you coming to visit Grandma, but Elle has been a family friend for years as has her entire family.” Victor countered, the light in his eyes pointing to his anger. “The Halos only moved here a few years ago. It would not do to have you disrespecting her when her family is so well liked around these parts.”

Victor wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her into him, sending a glare at Matthew in the meantime. It was his possessive personality starting to shine through again, just like it did in high school. He always hated it when other guys would talk to her without him around, but it always ended in him coming over to ‘assert his dominance’ or so he said. Shaking her head as he pulled me away, she almost stopped walking as she remembered what always came next though. The first thing he would do was pull her someplace private and quiet.

“Victor…” Michelle started before his lips covered hers. “Vic…”

Today, it was one of the church classrooms, a few steps away from the funeral hall. Even as she began to think this was inappropriate, his hot lips slowly began to chase the thoughts out of her head. When she felt his tongue tease at her lips, instead of refusing, she immediately opened herself up to the sensory onslaught she knew was coming. As the hot muscle slipped its way into her mouth, a small moan left her lips. His hot hands were pulling her waist closer against his hard body, before his biting kisses made their way down her jaw to her neck.

A twinge of pain on her neck brought her back to her senses and as she tried to push him away, his hands crawled up her back to her neck to hold her in place. When he finally did pull away, he lifted his hand to the mark she knew he left behind with a satisfied smirk. His overbearing, possessive and determined attitude was really beginning to get on her nerves. When Victor’s hands released her, she reached over and slapped him as hard as she could. How dare he do something like this when she had not even agreed to date him again? She could feel the tears welling up as she met his gaze.

“I am NOT your possession, Victor Collins, and I do NOT want to be treated like this, again.” In a way, it reminded her of her first ex-husband. “You say you’re not my ex’s, but you just acted like one of them.”

Instead of waiting for his reply, she left the room, zipping up her down jacket in the process. Michelle hoped that the collar of it would at least cover the hickey he left on her neck. Entering the solemn atmosphere of the chapel where Edith’s body was being held, Michelle hung back towards the exit. Edith was a lot like Michelle’s own grandmother; well-loved and appreciated around the town for all she had done for everyone there. Michelle tried to ignore the presence she felt behind her and focused on the flowers.

If you like this story, please take a look at part one:

https://vocal.media/humans/seeing-you

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About the Creator

Kelly Brackett

It has always been my passion to share stories with people. I am building my online presence and opening myself up to other platforms to write for. As an author, I do my best to learn and grow to give my readers the best possible content.

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