Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Lennox scanned the menu but nothing caught his gaze, Vince waited patiently as the server fidgeted beside them. Lennox motioned the server closer, pointing at what he wanted. The server left, grateful to be out of their presence.

"You're making everyone uncomfortable with your scowling. Stop ruining a dinner we haven't even started yet".

"I'm not scowling, I'm just tense today".

A small grin tugged on Vince's lips. "Why? Did you fight with your girlfriend or what".

Lennox flinched, his gaze fixed on the champagne flute, and jaws clenched. "I think I should leave, I don't have an appetite anymore" he got out, proceeding to stand before Vince reached out to stop him. Lennox remained seated, watching Vince's features tighten as he got serious, his fingers that were clad with expensive diamond rings running through his hair in frustration.

"It's been six years Lennox, I thought you'd be better now, haven't you moved on yet?"

"We both know I can never move on, or forget about what happened six years ago, I know you haven't forgotten either..."

Vince smashed his hand on the table, whispering fiercely. "Melissa was my sister Lennox, but you're making me feel shitty all over again because I did move on, I forgave you".

Lennox's jaw set. "You didn't love her as I did, you didn't watch her die, you didn't kill her".

Vince groaned, dragging his hands through his hair frustratingly. "Neither did you god damn it? I loved Melissa, but it was an accident, an accident that no one saw coming." He seized a deep breath as he took in Lennox's unwavering mask of pain. "No matter how much I repeat this to you, it won't help would it. You need to move on Lennox, this is not healthy. No one is holding you back, Melissa isn't either".

Lennox stood up, picking up his case. Vince watched him helplessly. "I'm done here. I will never forget about Melissa, I can't move on, not when I'm a murderer. I hurt everyone close to me, so you should stay away if you want to live a long life".

"That's bullshit Lennox and you know it. You don't mean that right?"

Lennox's gaze was stoic. "I mean everything I said. Stop scheduling all these meetings, it just makes me more suffocated than I already am". Lennox gave a clipped bow, walking out of the restaurant.

Vince looked around, noticing pairs of eyes who had been watching their exchange. He sighed, burying his head into his phone.

*******

Lennox walked back home, Melissa's voice ringing in his head as he remembered their last moment together.

"Let go of me Len, let the fuck go" she screamed at him, her eyes clouding up with unshed tears. He let go reluctantly, wanting to hold onto her even if it was just a little bit. "Why are you doing this Len, haven't I tried enough. I've done all I can Len, and I'm tired of trying for you. You're just a coldhearted man, you're an empty shell who can't force yourself to feel even just a spec of love for me". Her word twisted something in Lennox's chest.

"I am not, I love you, believe me, I do. It's just because I was raised different, that's why I find it hard to show my feelings, but you know I try hard for you right".

Melissa shoved at him, raising her voice another octave. "You wouldn't have to try so hard if you love me. I can't stay with a man who has to try before he can love me" she said and made to go, but he stopped her, grabbing onto her shoulder. She whirled around, slapping him across the face. He cupped his cheek, the sting of her slap registering, as his ears rang. Melissa gave him a nasty challenging look, then walked away from their house, moving towards her car that was parked on the other side of the road. Len watched her, his heart twisting in his chest, that was until he saw the truck heading straight for her. He shouted her name, running towards her, Willing the truck to move slower. It didn't happen, Melissa turned as she heard her name, making him stagger to a stop in his steps. The truck rammed into her, the force of it lifting her above the ground, then smacked her against the tiled road. The truck accelerated, swerving as it drove off.

Melissa rolled until her back hit her parked car. Lennox snapped out of his trance, running towards her, his body trembling as he crouched down in horror. He gathered her in his arms dialing the emergency contact on his phone. His voice shook as he relayed what happened, begging them to hurry up before the phone dropped from his hand. Melissa's blood seeped into his clothes, drenching them as he cradled her head against his chest. She coughed out blood as he held her, tucking the hair sticking to her face behind her ear. A darkening bruise marred the side of her face. Lennox felt shaken, his head refusing to believe what had happened.

"Melissa, please... Don't leave me... I am so sorry, so very sorry, this is all my fault, all my fault" he felt hot tears trailing down his cheek. Melissa stared at him, eyes glazed in pain.

"This is..." She gasped, clutching at his shirt. "I'm dying, Len... You... Let this happen... Don't... Don't... Le... let me... go". Her grasp wavered, even when she tried harder to hold onto him. "Len... Lennox... You... You have to save me... Save...". Her grasp slipped, her eyes shutting, forever.

Lennox shook his head in disbelief. "Melissa... Melissa" he tapped on her cheek, looking around wildly for the ambulance that said they were on their way. "Melissa, don't do this to me, just hang in there a little ok. You'll be fine. I'll save you, I promise. Melissa" he roared, pulling her into a tight hug. "Melissa!".

The siren of the ambulance sounded distant in his ears, the world was just one hazy place after she left him. He couldn't keep his promise. He couldn't save her.

Lennox held his head wincing from the pain that came with the memory. He hated whirling sounds, or any loud noises, they made him remember. His house was always quiet, he'd replaced the once bright colors that Melissa painted the wall with darker shades. It reflected his life. An empty hollow space.

He took off his suit, loosening his tie as he sank into the sofa, staring at the immaculate house. He could see Melissa everywhere even after he'd altered the room. Her bright smile as she flaunted a new dress, the grace with which she walked in heels, her golden wavy hair that always fanned her face like a halo. He could remember how she always went out of her way to make him happy, she dressed up as a clown for him once and acted like a Disney princess another time as she put on a show for him. Her clever advice, her help with the company, her loud laugh, her beautiful twinkling eyes when she smiled. He'd changed the house but it didn't stop her from haunting him. He was responsible for her death. That guilt would never go away even if he moved across the ocean. Living in solitude was his punishment, but he wanted it that way. He deserved to live like that.