16 The pain of the past, she made me remember her
With someone else by her side that made her remember that past, Lillian Grey took a deep breath and exhaled loudly.
'This is bad,' Lillian mumbled to herself as she kissed Lucy on the forehead.
Bathing under her showering kisses, Lucy thought she heard something Lillian say,
"Did you say something?" Lucy asked.
Lillian struggled to answer and thus avoided the question.
Nonetheless, Lillian's face revealed itself. Lucy noticed the moist eyes and her pale skin. Sitting up straight, Lucy cupped her face.
"Are you sick?" Lucy got worried.
"Nah... it's nothing."
"Do you want to leave?" Lucy suggested.
"..."
"Yeah, but only after a few minutes. The sunset is almost over, so let's wait until it's dark." Lillian replied to her.
Seeing her state, Lucy felt anxious.
Taking deep breaths and looking unsteady, Lillian Grey appeared weak.
Holding her hands, Lucy supported Lillian Grey as they both stayed a little longer to enjoy the falling sunset.
***
The horizon became dark with stars overpowering the night sky.
Slowly, both returned to their car.
The two-hour ride back to Vegas was a silent trip. Lucy kept glancing at Lillian. She got worried as if something was wrong.
On the other side, Lillian Grey took the window seat and kept staring at the night sky. The pain still lingered. It seems to be awakened by Lucy. However, Lucy never reminded Lillian Grey of her past until now.
'Why now?' - it bothered Lillian.
All of these puzzled Lillian, and it just ruined the mood. The more she thought about it, the more emotional she became. Hence, to avoid breaking down in front of her current girlfriend, Lillian shut her eyes tight and began to ponder under the dark veil.
...
The entire day was filled with lots of trips and traveling. It made both of them looked worn out.
Lillian Grey checked in with the driver and informed him about their next destination. She glanced at Lucy, sitting next to her. Lucy was fast asleep, with her hands still holding onto Lillian's thigh.
Patting softly on her cheeks, Lillian leaned back to her seat.
They both rested on their return journey.
***
It was a good idea to visit the spa after a short trek.
"Shit." Lillian Grey cursed within.
She felt guilty for ruining their perfect date with the thoughts of past swirling into her mind endlessly. Though it got triggered by Lucy, Lillian Grey felt apologetic towards her girlfriend. She vowed to make up for it at the dinner.
...
After a short nap, Lucy woke up to see Lillian Grey awake and still.
She reached out to check her temperature and sensed it to be natural.
"How are you feeling now?" Lucy asked.
"I'm good," Lillian admitted,
"Wow, man. I felt surprisingly weak out of nowhere," she remarked.
"Is it? It looked more like you remember something old and sad," Lucy replied sarcastically.
"Of course, I am an old person, Lucy. I have experienced life more than you."
Lillian Grey paused and then continued,
"But- I apologize for making you uncomfortable. I'm surprised at myself for feeling so vulnerable. I was sure that I locked them away long back. Who knew that they came back rushing as my memories of the past."
Lillian's thoughts flowed because she can't avoid or ignore it forever. But this was depressing. She promised to give Lucy the best date but she, herself wrecked it now.
"That is true, you are getting old, but it doesn't mean that I shouldn't care. Anyways, we are here to relax. Make sure you clear your mind and body." Lucy advised.
Soon they arrived at the Golden Nugget spa & salon. They both got down, thanked for the ride, and went ahead.
The first session was massage therapy. Lucy and Lillian went to change their clothes to receive massage.
Both met for a second before going to their respective rooms.
"Now, forget all about your depressing past. I'm here with you, and that's all we need to do. Plus, you didn't sleep last night. Make sure to let me know if you feel sick, got it?" Lucy requested.
"Alright. Sure. Thanks, Lucy." Lillian assured her girlfriend.
Both of them went to their rooms to get massages. Lillian took her phone out and switched it back to normal mode. In case if Lucy called, she didn't want to miss it and ruin the mood again. After turning it back, she placed her mobile on the table and went to lie down.
...
"May I start, Mam?" the masseuse requested her.
"Yes, sure go ahead. Oh, and by the way, I pulled an all-nighter so please be careful with my body. You can't be breaking any of my bones."
"Sure. I'll help you relax by starting with your head massage mam," the masseuse informed and began to work her magic.
***
After 45 minutes of getting massaged, the ladies reunited for the steam room. Then, a shower and finally refreshing drinks. The spa therapy worked out great. Lillian Grey went back to normal mode, which means fooling around and being unpredictable. Lucy seemed relaxed and energized, as well. They went to get changed and headed out for the finale of their date, the romantic dinner.
The Paris Las Vegas, the Eiffel tower at Vegas- Inspired from the original Eiffel Tower at Paris.
Lillian booked a table for two and ordered good old wine to commemorate the dinner. It was dreamy and relaxed. Both were enjoying themselves in a pleasant, sumptuous meal.
...
"It is good to see you normal again," Lucy declared.
"I know, and I apologize again for causing the disturbance."
"Nah, it's alright. I just thought you might have remembered your first love or something. You looked so in pain and depressed." Lucy hit the nail. She knew the mood could plummet, but she couldn't forget the face Lillian had back then.
'I have to ask her-' Lucy compromised to herself.
Lillian's expression changed the moment she heard Lucy speak. It was hard to control herself from getting emotional.
"Only fools would think of their first love. I just got reminded of my career when I started. All the struggles and chaos, the first success- you know," Lillian redirected the conversation.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I can't help but feel bothered." Lucy expressed herself truly. She continued,
"Lillian, I don't know about all of your past relationships. But when I met you, I liked your personality, and I enjoyed spending time with you. Plus, you're never really 'getting the attention to yourself' type. However-"
Lucy paused before continuing.
"I don't know you. I know the current Lillian but the old Lillian? How much do I know her? Before all the fame and success, what were you doing? I want to know all about you."
She looked at Lillian for a response, but there was none.
Instead, Lillian Grey only looked up to see Lucy, with curiosity filled in her eyes.
"Let's enjoy this moment, shall we?" Lillian said, her tone sounded firm as if she doesn't want to continue this talk.
"How about we order the dessert now?" she evaded the conversation again.
Seeing that Lillian not willing to share about her past life, Lucy agreed. It is pointless to speak one-sidedly, and hence Lucy dropped the topic.
