When Sparks Fly...Chapter 24

Hey everyone! Sorry for the wait but I hope you like this chapter! The next chapter is in Cardiff and you will meet Abbie (finally!) so hold on in there, building up is so important so I have to do it! Hope you like this chapter and please comment!
Some responses, I'm glad so many of you liked the ducky metaphor/symbolism! And yes, they are a very cute couple who are very much in love now, ahhhh...

Sam-ahh, thanks! Oh gosh you cried! It was pretty cute though! Yes, I think they are very human-like, Tor is me as she’s very paranoid and worries she’s not good enough and Caesar is quite secretive and a deep thinker-which annoys Tor. Haha, ahh, it’s all wishful thinking tbh, nothing special!
Ciriat-oh I know symbolism is so prominent when we want some sort of sign when really it is irrelevant, just your mind wanting to think that way.
Nami-ahh, I love that you love my ‘style’! I am trying to find a pic of Mac. I have described him before ages ago in the story, but he’s really a messy haired brunette guy with lovely eyes and a devilish smile!
Thirza-do you know what, I only just realised, it’s quite a lovely song and so cute that he calls her Tori!

Ella-Jade-haha, ahh I think it’s more realistic and more romantic that it happened spontaneously. I’d much prefer that than something else! But he only did it then because he fell even more in love with her because she was sick, you know, in sickness and in health he still loves her-pretty cute hey!
Rosabella Maria-oh I know! My stories upset me too since I have yet to find anyone like Caesar. Haha, yeah, Caesar’s a typical guy, sex on the mind and all. Ahhh, I like brightening up your day!
Ms.T-bless you! Ahh, yeah, imagine it and it’s beautiful! Haha, when I first heard it I was like awww! Haha, ball of paranoia! Tor is me so yes, I am paranoid! Ahh, do you? I do the same, imagine myself as the lead, it makes it more realistic I think. You’re so sweet! Bless you!
Nessy-ahhhh! You absolute sweetheart, haha, no I’m not but comments like that make my day, so thanks soo much!
Cheyenne Taylor-Oh I have no time to post, I am soo busy that I can barely write a chapter at all! Ahh, do you think?! That’s really sweet! Haha, nah, seriously it’s not.
SharShar-haha, famous-ahh, that’s so funny! Ahh, I just think people are really sweet for commenting.

Angel Dawn-ahh, will you? I’d love for more people to read my work and comment on it. It’s so rewarding after spending ages writing it. You’re so sweet, I’m so glad you like the story!
Mel-haha, ahh, cheesy is not a good thing, is it? But if you like it, that’s great! Yeah, they are pretty cute together. Abbie will be in the next chapter, I promise! Glad you like the duckies!
Phoebe-you’re so sweet! Don’t you find waiting annoying though? But I know what you mean about thinking, that’s why can’t read at night or else I will not sleep cos I’ll be thinking about what will happen! Haha, I know, well you can accept it for him!:D
Mia-ahh thanks! I love your reactions t the chapters-butterflyish and smiley is what I love to hear! Ahh, I know Hayden and Em are a really strong couple, bless them. Oohh you’ll have to wait and see with Abbie!
Latoya-bless you, I’m glad you think so! Yes, he has had a very sad past, poor soul and yes, so am I, they are officially in luuurve now!
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That afternoon, Caesar drops me back home and Emily and Hayden are in. I burst through the doors and feel like I’m gliding on air as I say dreamily ‘Caesar loves me. He told me so today.’

Emily then sweeps her head around and says ‘Say that again.’

I grin ‘Caesar loves me. CAESAR LOVES ME!’

Emily then jumps off Hayden’s lap and screams ‘OH MY GOODNESS! THAT IS AMAZING!’ She gives me a big hug and I feel like crying again ‘I love him and he loves me, Em. It’s really true.’

‘I’m so happy for you, babe. I know how you’re feeling.’

‘Scared and excited?’

She nods ‘Exactly that.’

I sit down next to Hayden and Emily sits on the floor beaming at me. That is what is so special about having Emily as my best friend. Everything that happens for me, she will feel the same emotion as me. We’re so close and I am so fortunate to have a friend who knows me so well.

‘Can I borrow your laptop?’ I ask Emily as I snuggle back into the pile of pillows behind me.

‘Why? Are you going to have cybersex with him now?’ She pokes her tongue out and goes to get her laptop for me to use.

‘Ha-ha, you’re just so amusing. You’re seriously one sex-crazed loony, Em.’

She nods when she comes back in the room and Hayden says ‘I don’t mind that.’

‘I didn’t think you would.’

‘Why do you want my laptop then?’ She asks handing it to me. Her laptop is so much nicer than mine. It’s also quicker which is a bonus.

‘Um, I want to search something.’

‘What?’

‘God you’re nosy.’

Emily’s jaw drops ‘Oh seriously, Victoria Rainford, you are the nosiest people I know!

I can’t help but laugh ‘Ok, but it’s nothing really, I just want to look up an address.’

I start to load the internet and then search the address. The page starts to load and then I realise she’s still in Wales. The address has to be Abbie’s. Caesar’s not mentioned any other place. I log onto Google maps and then realise it’s not a house, but the number of a restaurant in the centre of Cardiff. Ok, I’m guessing she works there.

‘Whose address is it?’ Emily asks.

‘No one special.’

‘Whose is it then?’ She probes.

I look up and blush guiltily. I can’t lie from Emily. I can lie to anyone else, but not Emily. ‘I think it’s an ex of Caesar’s.’

‘And why have you got her address?’

‘I, um, found it.’ I say moving the mouse around to get a better view of the restaurant.

‘And what are you planning to do with it?’

‘Nothing.’

Hayden laughs and I glare at him.

‘Tor, don’t tell me you’re planning to go and visit her.’ Emily asks, twisting her hair around her finger.

‘I’m not. I don’t know what I’m doing with it.’

‘You’re paranoid.’

‘Yes, I know, but I have a reason to be.’

‘And what’s that?’

‘He was in love with her.’

‘Huh?’ She querries.

‘He was in love with her.’

‘So? He was but he’s in love with you now.’

I close the laptop and shrug.

Emily rolls her eyes and says ‘Do you trust Caesar?’

‘Of course I do.’

‘Then believe him when he tells you he loves you, ok? Now, what do you want for dinner tonight Tor? You can then tell me all the soppy details of how he told you.’

‘Oh it was so romantic, Em.’ I begin thinking back on the whole romantic serenade and picnic in his study…

She smiles ‘Oh I’m sure as it’s Caesar. So, what do you want for dinner?’

‘Oh nothing, I’m not really hungry. I don’t trust anything staying in my stomach for that long after last night.’

She grins and teases ‘You should get drunk more often, then you’ll be accustomed to it.’

‘Um, no, I’ll pass.’ I say with a smile.

So I then spend all evening telling Emily and Hayden how Caesar told me he loves me and Emily’s eyes even well up with tears as I tell her about the song he sung to tell me.

‘I’d marry him here and now.’ She declares.

‘Caesar is against marriage,’ I tell her.

‘Well most men are, but they don’t mean it.’ Emily looks at Hayden to agree but instead he says ‘Well is marriage a big thing?’

Emily gasps ‘Hayden, tell me you are joking.’

‘Why? Do you want to marry me?’ He says with a smug look.

She nods, oh bless her. She adores Hayden. I love hearing about them when they were younger and how Hayden was a lanky charmer who captured Em’s heart from the moment they met.

‘Course I do.’

‘Ahh Emily.’

‘Do you?’ She asks.

‘If you want to get married, then that’s what we’ll do.’ Hayden says truthfully. He would do anything for Emily. Absolutely anything.

They then start kissing and I feel like a spare part again. I wish Caesar was here. I wish I could kiss him again.

‘I’m going to bed,’ I say, leaving them to it.

‘Oh no don’t go, you’ve not even had dinner, come on, I promise we’ll stop kissing.’ Emily says batting Hayden away from her like a comical sketch.

I laugh and say ‘No honestly, continue, I’m tired anyway. I’ll see you two in the morning.’

‘Ok, well night babe and I’m so happy for you. I really am, because I know he loves you.’

I grin.

Mmm, so am I.

*
Today is Thursday and Caesar and I have just finished our lectures on a book I didn't understand and we are currently on our way to get some lunch in town. Neither of us has been shopping so a quick meal from M&S will do perfectly.

‘What time are you going on Saturday?’ I ask.

‘Um, not too sure yet, I haven’t looked at train times so I don’t know.’ Caesar instantly looks edgy and turns into M&S, pulling me with him.

I walk over to the bakery and pick up a cherry bakewell tart and Caesar grins at me ‘I knew you’d pick that.’

‘Well you know me very well then.’ I wink.

'I sure do, baby.'

As we walk down the continuing aisles to pick Caesar up his sandwich, of which I predict will be bacon and egg, we bump, quite literally into Eddie.

I had not expected this.

I’ve not even seen him in months, let alone thought about him. Caesar protectively slips his hand into my back pocket and holds me closely to his side; hmm, I’m sensing he’s a little jealous, not that there is any reason to be, because I am over Eddie and I have been for a while now.

‘Hey Vicks, how are you getting on?’ Eddie asks with that same, warm affection oblivious to my boyfriend’s jealousy.

‘I’m really well, thank you. And you? I haven’t seen you in a while.’

He smiles ‘That’s what you get for studying medicine, but it’s all worth it. I love my placements so all is well.’

‘That’s great. I’m really happy for you. Doing something you love is so important. Anyway Eddie, let me introduce you to Caesar, my boyfriend.’

Caesar reluctantly shakes Eddie’s hand and Eddie grins at me ‘You two really suit each other.’

‘Do we?’

He nods ‘Yeah, Lola was talking to me the other day and was talking about you and she told me all about how good you two are together and what a great guy you are and how much you care for Vicks.’

I blush, but Caesar doesn’t say anything or even acknowledge the compliment.

‘What about you?’ I ask.

Eddie shrugs and says ‘What about my love life? Well Rox and I ended it, it was lovely being with her, but she’s having to go back home to do her placement and it wouldn’t be fair to stay together, but I have met someone else, her name’s Caitlin and things are going well.’

I start grinning ‘I am so happy for you, Eddie.’

Eddie doesn’t understand why, but smiles nevertheless ‘Thanks Vicks, and so am I. You’ve got yourself a good guy from what I’ve heard.’

I look up at Caesar and nod ‘He is.’

‘Well I’ll see you around soon.’ Eddie leans down and kisses my cheek before walking off to pay at the tills.

‘That was nice.’ I say.

Caesar raises an eyebrow ‘Whatever, he was staring at your boobs too much.’

‘Oh get out.’ I mock. ‘Eddie has never taken an interest in me and you know it.’

Caesar walks down the sandwich aisle and as predicted picks up the bacon and egg one grumpily.

I grin and Caesar gives me a puzzled stare

‘Why are you grinning?’ He asks.

‘Oh, because I knew you’d pick that one.’ I say proudly. I am such an attentive girlfriend!

Caesar smiles and brings me in close for a kiss regardless of the fact that it is the middle of the say and we’re surrounded by hundreds of rushing people wanting to get their lunch. ‘Mmm, I love you,’ I say.

‘I love you too.’ He says, wrinkling his nose.

My heart melts and I take his hand in mine and link our fingers together, giving his hand a quick squeeze to let him know I feel the same way.

‘Do you want me to come and see Abbie with you?’ I ask as we queue up at the till.

Caesar tenses up as I've caught him off guard like a deer in the headlights and shakes his head ‘No, I have to do this alone.’

‘Are you sure? Will you be ok alone?’

He nods ‘Yes, now let me pay, Chick.’

I watch Caesar pay the cashier and the lady swoons at him as he blows his curls out of his eyes to type in his pin number. She flutters her eyelashes desperately trying to catch his attention, but even if I did that, Caesar wouldn’t notice, he’s in Abbie mode now.

The mode that shuts off from me and returns back to the past.

*
‘What are you up to tomorrow, Tor?’ Emily asks me from the living room as I grab myself an apple. I’m having an apple phase at the moment after making a gorgeous apple pie last night for Caesar.

Her question catches me off guard and I simply shrug as I gnaw into my golden delicious apple ‘Why?’

‘Just wondering.’ Emily eyes penetrate mine and then she says quickly ‘You’re keeping something from me.’

‘What? No I’m not.’ I reply anxiously.

‘Oh get real, Tori, I know you, you’re hiding something.’ Damn her.

‘I’m not.’ I defend. My eyes edgily against my own will travel to my bag and Emily then leaps at the chance of grabbing it, knowing I’m hiding something inside.

‘EMILY NO!’ I say literally jumping across the room onto her back snatching my bag from her hands, collapsing on top of her and hitting my head on the bloody arm-rest. 'Oww!'

‘What are you hiding from me?’ She says standing up questioningly staring at my bag ‘Are you pregnant?’

I gasp and reply ‘What? No! Don’t be stupid, Emily, of course I'm not.’

‘Tell me then,’ She says with that forceful tone.

I look at Emily and then give in ‘I’m going to Cardiff.’

‘What?’

‘I’m going to Cardiff,’ I repeat.

‘Why?’ But before I say anything, she knows why ‘Oh no, Tori, don’t say you’re going to see Caesar’s ex. I thought you were joking about that, you know, still a little drunk from the party, you can’t be serious.’

I say nothing and Emily sighs ‘Tori, why are you going there? What will you get out of it?’

‘I need to see her.’ I say falling back onto the sofa. ‘I need to see who she is, what she’s like, how he is with her, what they’re like together. I need to see that he’s over her.’

‘He is over her! Tori, for goodness sake, he said he loves you! He’s with you now, not her. Why can’t you understand that?’

‘I know, but I can’t be sure. God, I do love him too, I adore him, and I know he loves me, I just want to make sure he is over Abbie. I need to see it with my own eyes.’

‘Caesar doesn’t know about this, does he?’

I shake my head guiltily ‘And he never will. Please Emily, you have to let me do this.’

‘You are too insecure, babe. You have got to trust him.’

‘I do! I just need to see her.’

‘Don’t you think that will add to your torment you even more?’

‘No. It’ll do me good, you know, being shown my fears first hand.’

‘I hope you know what you’re doing.’

I open my bag and take the ticket to Cardiff out placing it on the table and nod ‘Course I do.’

The doorbell then rings and we both eye the door. Cautiously, I get up to answer it when I realise its Caesar.

Oh shit, where did I leave the ticket?

I try to turn around to go back in, but Caesar waves at me brightly. Please let the ticket be out of sight. Please move the ticket Emily.

I open the door and Caesar doesn’t say a word, just pulls me into one of his famous hugs and holds me tightly for a few seconds which feels like a lifetime. His hands sink into the small of my back and he kisses my forehead before pulling away and smiling at me ‘Hey Chicken,’

‘What are you doing here?’ I ask a little too bluntly, folding my arms across my chest.

‘I just wanted to see you,’ He says sincerely. Caesar looks at me up and down and smiles. He pulls me into his arms again and I mould into his body so perfectly as his head rests on top of mine ‘I just wanted to let you know that tomorrow will change nothing, ok? I still and will love you. I just need to, as you said, talk things over with Abbie.’

I feel so guilty as he tells me this, because it’s the truth. He’s not lying. He honestly believes seeing her will not change anything and I know he does because I know he loves me. This isn’t a cover-up; this is genuinely Caesar saying all these things to me, wanting to reassure me, knowing that I’m scared about the outcome of his visit.

I nod and gently run my hand through his messy hair and sigh, circling the nape of his neck with my fingers ‘I love you,’

He grins ‘I love you too,’ He then leans down and presses his plump lips to mine and moves them slowly, lengthening the kiss and deepening the feeling.

‘I’ll see you when I get back, ok?’

I look up and say ‘Please, Caesar…’

‘What?’ He asks lovingly, caressing my neck in his masculine hands

I take a deep breath before I say bravely ‘Please don’t fall back in love with Abbie.’

Caesar’s eyes strain as he catches my desperate eyes, pleading him to not fall back in love with her. Caesar looks away as he shakes his head. He leans his head close to mine and whispers into my ear ‘I won’t.’ Caesar gently kisses my ear and trails delicate kisses down my neck, causing my back to arch against the hallway wall.

My hands grip at his cardigan and I sigh. I don’t want to let him go.

Caesar places one last kiss on my lips and winks at me ‘I’ll see you soon, ok?’

‘Yes.’

Caesar stokes my cheek and says finally ‘It’ll be ok, baby. I love you.’

As I watch Caesar walk back down the pathway, Emily wraps her arms around me and says ‘He came all this way to tell you he loves you.’

I feel a lump form in my throat as I nod.

‘But you’re still going, aren’t you?’ She says regretfully.

As I shut the door, I nod ‘I just need to.’

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