Not Alone

Elaine's mind was a whirlwind of emotions, but she knew she needed to regain her composure and find a way out of this perplexing situation. "I think I should leave now," she began, her voice tinged with urgency. "My father must be worried about me since I disappeared from the party."

Dante's laughter rippled through the room, a mocking tone that struck Elaine like a verbal slap. "Do you really think he cared?" he taunted, a smirk playing on his lips. 

The words stung, echoing a sentiment she had tried to suppress. She shut her mouth, her irritation mingling with the painful truth that lingered beneath his words.

Elaine's glare shot daggers at Dante, her eyes reflecting a mix of frustration and indignation. His words had hit a nerve, exposing a vulnerability she was reluctant to confront. 

It was true—her relationship with her father had always been strained, even distant. But admitting that aloud, especially in front of Dante, was a blow to her pride.

Dante's smirk softened into a rueful smile as he noted the fire in her gaze. "Elaine, I didn't mean to—" he began, his tone less playful and more sincere.

Cutting him off, Elaine held up a hand. "It's fine," she muttered, her voice a mixture of annoyance and resignation. She didn't want his pity, nor did she want to delve into the complexities of her family dynamics.

With a sigh, she turned away from Dante, her focus on the door and the world beyond it. Her desire to leave was now fueled by a newfound determination to escape the awkwardness of their reunion. As her hand reached for the doorknob, she couldn't help but mumble, "Thanks for... everything."

Dante's expression softened, a flicker of remorse in his eyes. "Elaine, I didn't mean to upset you," he offered, his voice genuine.

She glanced back at him, her expression softening slightly. "It's not your fault. Just a reminder I needed, I guess."

As Elaine stood in the doorway, ready to step out of the room and back into the world outside, Dante's voice reached her ears once again. "Elaine," he said softly, his tone holding a sincerity that caught her attention. She turned back to him, her gaze meeting his, awaiting his words.

He looked at her with a depth of emotion that seemed to transcend their complex history. "I'm here," he said, his voice steady and unwavering. "And I'll always be here. Whenever you need someone to talk to or to lean on, you can come to me."

Elaine's eyes softened, his words weaving a sense of comfort amidst the uncertainty that surrounded her. It was a sentiment she hadn't expected from him, a reminder of the connection they had once shared and the potential for something more meaningful now.

She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you, Dante." What could she say more than to thank him over and over again?

He returned her smile, his expression warm and genuine. "Take care of yourself, Elaine. And remember, you're not alone."

As Elaine stood in the doorway, Dante's offer of support lingered in the air like a gentle breeze. She appreciated his gesture, but a deep-rooted resolve had taken hold of her. She couldn't allow herself to lean on him or confide in him, not after everything that had transpired between them.

With a polite nod, she replied, "I'll keep that in mind." Her words were measured, masking the turmoil within her. She knew she couldn't burden him with her troubles—not now, not when he was moving forward with his life.

As she turned to leave, the weight of her decision bore heavily on her shoulders. She was resolute in her determination to stay away from him and to retreat from the past, and it hurts ten times more every time.

The idea of reappearing in his life while he was on the cusp of an engagement felt like a betrayal to herself and to the woman he was soon to marry.

Elaine walked down the hallway, each step a testament to her commitment to move forward independently.