41 In their own world
At Lillian's residence -
After their romantic date, Lillian invited Lucy over to her apartment. The two spent their night together.
**
Later into the night, after watching Lucy sleep soundly and Lillian couldn't fall asleep, she stepped out for some breeze. She walked out to the office on the first floor. It had a large French lattice- the only room where windows are accessible. Lillian moved the curtains to watch the night sky. It was silent and dark, with no clouds. She kept staring at the scene for a long time until she heard her mobile buzz. When Lillian checked, it was from Anna.
Anna - 2:15 AM
Hey Lilly, congratulations on your book, and I already got my copy. I began reading, and thus far, it's impressive. I will let you know the final review after finishing the book. Good work. I'm very proud of you.
Lillian smiled as she read the message when another notification popped up. It was also from Anna.
Anna - 2:17 AM
I delivered your message successfully.
Anna - 2:18 AM
I wanted to tell you. Don't stress too much, and lose your way once again. Leave it to fate, if it means to bring you two together, then so be it. I hope none of this disturbs your current lifestyle. Chill out and relax. Love you, Anna.
Lillian's face changed the moment she read the second message.
'What did she mean the message is delivered? Does that mean she went to Giselle's party, and Giselle had asked about me?'
The very thought of Giselle asking about her made Lillian fall into the abyss once again. Her heart still raced to get out of the house and run to Giselle so much that she, herself, thought that the idea is crazy.
..
As she stood there distracted and lost, in her own thought, Lillian heard a sound, something walking behind her. Before she turned around to see who it was, she overheard the voice speak.
"What are you doing here?" the voice spoke.
Lillian turned to find Lucy wrapped herself in the blanket. She was standing behind Lillian.
As soon as Lucy saw Lillian's face, she was able to recognize the suffering.
"Come here," Lucy called.
Lillian closed the distance and got trapped in those loving arms. She hugged Lucy tightly.
"Why do you look so sad?" Lucy asked.
Lillian gave out a smile. She felt safe. It could have been just Lillian feeling lost and empty that night if left all alone. However, with Lucy being there, it changed the game, Lillian's mood instantly improved as she forgot Anna's message for a moment and noticed what's in front; her present girlfriend, Lucy.
..
"How do you feel now?" Lucy asked again.
"Aroused!" Lillian responded.
"W- What?" Lucy's face brightened in crimson red.
"I mean, you're still naked under this blanket, and I can feel all of you against me, which is quite tempting," Lillian replied audaciously.
"Lilly, I am trying to make you feel better since you looked so miserable," Lucy grunted.
"Well, it worked. My mood is changed. So let's go make love again." Lillian dragged her into the bed for their second round of affection.
Lucy cried in joy, along with a secret relief of seeing Lillian's mood better.
***
Meanwhile, at Giselle's house-
Giselle got shattered, hearing Lillian's message from Anna. Soon after their conversation, Anna and Jake left the place.
It was late at midnight now, and Giselle's apartment glimmered. All of the balloons and decorations removed, and the place was clean again. The kitchen and dining area sparkled. Naturally, Giselle stayed up late at night to clean the apartment back to its original appearance. After all that cleaning, which was supposed to ease up the discomfort, Giselle appeared dead tired, but she couldn't fall asleep instead, she stayed awake in the living room watching random shows.
Her mind was in a maze. Throughout the whole time cleaning her apartment and watching TV, Giselle's brain occupied 'Lillian's message' and kept replaying it on and on. There was no expression on her face, and she looked literally like a corpse; without a soul. The confusion was majorly due to Lillian's quirky message. It has been weeks since Giselle returned to New York, but she hasn't really met Lillian or did try to reach for her. She did intimate Anna on her arrival, which was successful because Anna can inform Lillian. Despite their past, Giselle expected Lillian to show up like her usual cheerful self. Also, she did understand if there is no appearance from Lillian's side since the way they departed was terrible.
She realized that Lillian Grey might be furious with her and did not know where to start and progress the situation.
As she kept thinking about Lillian's message, Giselle found more daunting clues:
*Lillian knows that Giselle got married and has a kid now - which is possible because of Anna.
*Lillian decided to live her life without their memories - which can possibly mean that she's dating someone.
*And finally, Lillian hadn't forgotten about her and that she still loves her.
The last two points made an immense impact on Giselle- 'Lillian being in a relationship but still loves Giselle.' Giselle was on the verge of cracking up her brain. However, to her shock, even though she had expected these things already, it was hard to accept in reality. To avoid falling into the pitfall of darkness, Giselle glanced the TV, focusing on the content. It played some funny video compilations. Despite those videos being funny, she couldn't actually bring herself to laugh and enjoy.
One of those funny videos included high school kids during lunchtime. Giselle felt nostalgic from watching. She got reminded of Lillian and the time they spent together.
It is all in the past now.
..
"Not appear in front of you again, huh, Lilly?" Giselle whispered to her amusement.
"Do you think that it was easy for me to leave you? I had it the hard way too," Giselle explained herself.
As she did, she remembered that it was Giselle who fell for Lillian first. It is simply not possible for the poor soul to remove such an essential memory from her life. Giselle left believing that Lillian Grey might already forget about her and would move on sooner or later. However, hearing Lillian confess that Giselle's existence will never get erased from her life- it only ached more.
Giselle felt the urge to get out and rush to Lillian right away even though the idea is just insane.
The sound of the television no longer seem to disturb or distract Giselle. She was in her own solitude.
"I don't know what is going to happen to us. However, I wish- to see you again, just once- even from afar," Giselle prayed earnestly.
"Just for once," she whispered alone out of a selfish desire in the lonely living room.
