Lost and Found (A Novel) (24 page)
Read Lost and Found (A Novel) Online
Authors: Kathy Adams
“Hey.” She finally said softly after a considerable time had lapsed with them merely staring at one another.
“Hi-” Wynne could hear the crack in his voice, causing him to curse softly. “Hi Caelie.” He tried again after clearing his throat. Countless times he had envisioned the moment when he would lay his eyes on Caelie again. He had already practiced what he would say to her and ask the questions that had been burning in his mind ever since he walked into the empty hospital room. Yet, when that moment finally came, he found himself loss for words and unable to form a coherent thought. All he could do was to stare at her and the way she had changed so much. Her sudden appearance had caught him off guard and her new look had thrown him off track. Simply put, he was awestruck.
“Well, if there’s nothing else that you want to say to her, then we are taking her with us.” Alex said before grabbing Caelie’s arm and dragging her away with Chanell bringing up their rear. Caelie threw Wynne an apologetic look and shrugged her shoulders as she was being led away.
Wynne grumbled to himself, stomping his way back to his seat. Mentally he slapped himself for acting like a fool in front of Caelie and spoiling what could probably have been a perfect reunion moment for them. Throughout the evening, he kept his eyes peeled on her, waiting for a good opportunity to approach her again and get her alone but she was always surrounded by people who were as eager as he was to talk to her again but not quite as tongue-tied. When the night almost came to an end, he could not find her anywhere at all. Figuring that she could have left already, Wynne grabbed his things and walked dejectedly out to his bike and rode home. He supposed, he would just have to wait and talk to her another day. Besides, she would be working with them again and there would be many more opportunities to talk to her. And when the time came, he would make sure that it went a thousand times better than that night had.
It didn’t take long for Wynne to reach his house at the breakneck speed that he rode his bike. Elise would chew his ears off if she knew. Throwing his helmet on the armchair, Wynne flopped down on the sofa, lamenting his foolishness again. His mind worked hard to formulate a plan for the next time he met Caelie. Not long after, he heard the front door opened and the clacking of Elise’s heels on the floor as she walked in. She bade the babysitter farewell before walking over and standing over Wynne.
“Why did you leave so soon?” Elise asked.
Wynne looked up at her and shrugged his shoulders. “The crowd was beginning to give me a headache so I left.” His eyes then narrowed accusingly at her. “Anyway, why didn’t you tell me Caelie was coming back and joining our company?”
“Well, you didn’t ask, did you?” Elise turned on her heels and walked away. Just before she turned into the kitchen, she looked back at Wynne with the same mischievous look she had earlier that night. “By the way, I hope you don’t mind but I’ve invited Caelie to stay with us in the meantime.”
Wynne bolted upright, staring at the place where Elise was standing a moment ago with wide eyes. He wanted to ask her what she meant but the sound of footsteps at the door gave him the answers he wanted. Slowly, he turned, gulping at the sight of Caelie stumbling through the doorway as she pulled her luggage bag behind her. He knew he should be helping her but his body seemed to be stuck on the sofa, unable to move. His eyes widened even bigger when Caelie turned around and looked at him straight in the eyes.
“Oh hi.” She smiled nervously, hands clutching tight to her luggage handle. “Elise said I could stay here temporarily before I find another apartment. I hope I’m not intruding on your privacy.” Her hand went up unconsciously to her hair, twirling a strand of curls between her fingers. “It’s just that I had stopped renting my previous apartment went I left and have been staying in a hotel since I came back. I will look for another apartment soon, I promised.” She said hurriedly, worried that Wynne might not be comfortable with the arrangement.
As if he had somehow regained his senses, Wynne suddenly shot up from the sofa. “No, no it’s alright. You can stay here for as long as you want.” No sooner had those words came out of his mouth, Wynne smacked a hand behind his head. “I mean, you don’t have to rush...” Choosing to let his words trailed off before he said something else that was not appropriate, Wynne walked over towards Caelie and grabbed hold of her luggage. “Well, come on in. I’ll get your luggage for you.”
Caelie followed after Wynne awkwardly. She watched anxiously as Wynne pulled up her luggage and leaned it against the wall. She was hoping that he would show her straight to her room. She guessed he probably had a million questions for her and was hoping that she could put it off till the next day. He turned around then and motioned for Caelie to sit. Smoothing her dress, Caelie gingerly took a seat at the sofa. She smiled at Wynne who was now seated beside her.
“Well Caelie, how have you been?”
“I’m good. How about you Wynne?”
“Not so good...until a couple of hours ago.” His eyes stared intensely into Caelie’s eyes, making excitement fluttered inside her. “You changed the way you look.” He stated matter-of-factly.
Caelie laughed softly, the sound of her lilting laughter was a beautiful melody to Wynne’s ears. “I didn’t change...I just revert to the way I was originally supposed to look.”
“Yeah, I know Caelie...I know.” Wynne’s eyes took in the curly pale blonde hair and clear crystal eyes that he had missed all these while. “You are so beautiful, Caelie.” His eyes shifted to the floor momentarily when Caelie squirmed at his compliment. Clearing his throat, Wynne attempted to cover his straightforwardness. “I mean this suits you more, your natural beauty.”
“Yeah well, I just thought that it is time I learn to embrace myself and accept the way I look for what it is. Changing will not be able to help me in any way. Except for my name. I will always remain as Caelie Pierce.”
“I’m really sorry about what happened, Caelie.” Wynne rubbed his hands over the length of his face.
“No, no don’t worry about it Wynne, I’ve already told you that I’ve forgiven you.” Caelie waved a hand dismissively.
Wynne looked at Caelie for a moment and finally decided to ask what he had always wanted to ask. “Then why did you leave me?”
Caelie let out her breath and looked away. “I just needed some time away.” She replied weakly.
“You could have let me know where you went. I could have helped you. For years I have been looking for you, Caelie. You can only imagine the joy I felt when I realized that you had always been there right in front of me all the while. But then you left. When I walked into that hospital room only to find the kite and a note, you can only imagine the pain I felt. I lost you again...”
Caelie cringed when she heard the pain in his voice and the way he was looking ruefully at her, tore at her heart. “I’m sorry Wynne, but I had to do it. I tried so hard to escape my past and when you showed up as Judd, the only friend I had been closed to when I was young, it was just too much for me to handle. You reminded me of all the painful memories that kept me haunted. And then there was Dale. The memories he stirred were equally bad, if not even worst, Wynne. I had to leave...”
“For two whole years?”
“Yeah, I figured I might as well finish my studies before I returned.”
“And now?”
“Now I’m back for good.” Caelie smiled sheepishly. Wynne returned her smile and Caelie was struck again by how good-looking he really was.
“If you guys are done talking, then come in here and have some coffee. After that I believe Caelie deserved some rest. You can continue your reminiscing tomorrow.” Elise interrupted them from the kitchen.
Wynne rolled his eyes. “Let’s go then Caelie. The queen has spoken.”
“I heard that!” Elise shouted back.
Caelie giggled as she watched Wynne stood up and stomped his way to the kitchen. She shook her head at his behavior. He was still the same even after all these years.
Wynne turned to look at her just before he entered the kitchen. “I’m really glad you are back Caelie.”
Caelie smiled to herself at his words. She was glad that she came back too. And yes, this time she was there to stay. After taking so many turns, her life seemed to have finally found a straight path to ride on. Although she wished that Annetta was still around, she knew now that there were others she could rely on should the need arise. Wilburn had been one and now she had Alex, Chanell & Elise who had done so much for her. Then, there was Wynne. The first real friend she had ever known and thought she had lost. But he had always been there all these while, if only she knew. At least, they had found each other again and Caelie knew that their friendship had grown deeper. Perhaps one day, it could even developed into something more. Caelie would have loved that. For now, she was contented with the life she had and was determined to make the most of it. Caelie Pierce was now a brand new person, one who was no longer plagued by her past.
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