EPISODE 4
LEAVING THE GHOSTS BEHIND

Days, weeks and even months passed. Max and Emily kept meeting, going out on dates as well as some writing seminars.

They both had this attraction for themselves, but they were scared to admit what they felt for each other. Emily felt it was not cool for a woman to confess her feelings to a guy first and Max felt she would give him a “No” for an answer.
Max called Emily early one morning “Hey you”.
“Hey Max” she said with a sleepy voice still stretching on her bed” Good morning, how you doing” she asked.

“Seems my call woke you, my bad” He says in a mocking tone.
“Yea, kind of but it’s fine, what’s up”
“You free this weekend? I would love you to join me for a writing retreat, a friend of mine is hosting it. I’m so sorry I’m inviting you on such short notice, I understand if you say no though, I just thought to invite you because I knew it’s something you would love to attend “Max said, unsure of what her reply would be.

“Hmmm, this is so impromptu but I guess I can move my activities for this weekend, I would love to attend it, I’ll get back to you… Infact yes I’m in. ‘ll join you”. She needed a change of environment at least to clear her head.

“Alright then, I’ll book a slot for you too and I’ll come pick you up this evening”
“Ok Max, thank you so much “She says.

Emily stood at her window, gazing out at the rain-soaked streets. The droplets on the pane blurred her view, much like her tears had blurred her reality for so long.

She thought of Chike, her brother, and the fateful night that changed everything. The memories still lingered, a constant ache.
But today marked a new beginning. Emily had made a decision.

With a deep breath, she grabbed her suitcase and started packing up for the trip.
“Where are you going?” her best friend, Sophia, asked, concern etched on her face.
“For a writing retreat,” Emily replied, her voice firm. “I need to leave the ghosts behind.”

That evening, Max drove down to her place and calls her.
“Hey Em, I’m downstairs”
“Alright, you ‘ll see me soon” she says packing her hair.
“I’ll see you soon my love, don’t miss me too much” she says, hugging Sophia.
“I’ll try. Please stay safe honey” Sophia says locking the door.

She walks down the step as she sights Max at the end of the stairs.”Hey baby boy” she says opening her arms to hug Max,”Hey beautiful, you look stunning as always” he says giving her a teddy bear hug. “It’s just a retreat, you’re taking it too personal” He says and they both laugh. He opens the car door for her.”Thank you”.

The drive to the retreat center was long, but Emily welcomed the solitude. As she arrived, the serene landscape enveloped her. They got to the venue, her head nearly detached from her neck as she looked round. “Wow, the environment is beautiful” she said still looking around.” I know right?”.
Lush greenery, Tranquil lake
Warm sunlight filtering through trees.

Emily’s heart began to unwind. They took a tour round the environment, met some writers who came for the retreat also. She was expecting a crowd but to her surprise, they were just a few people.

Max and Emily strolled round, talked for a while before taking their bags up to their registered rooms and bade themselves farewell for the night.
“Maybe,” Emily thought, “I can leave the ghosts behind, after all.”

At the retreat the next day, Emily and Max sat together on the retreat center’s porch, swapping writing stories and laughter.
As they talked, Emily felt an unfamiliar sense of ease. Max listened attentively, his eyes sparkling with genuine interest.
“You’re amazing, Emily,” Max said, his voice low and sincere.
Emily’s cheeks flushed. No one had ever spoken about her work with such passion.
“Thanks, Max,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “You’re pretty incredible yourself. Their hands brushed, sending shivers down Emily’s spine.

The next few days passed in a blur of writing sessions, group workshops, and stolen glances at Max.
Emily found herself opening up, sharing fragments of her past, and her fears. Max listened, offering gentle words and comforting silences.
One evening, as they strolled along the lake, Max took Emily’s hand. “I’m so glad you’re here,” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. Emily’s heart skipped a beat.
For the first time since Chike’s passing, she felt alive. But as the night wore on, Emily’s doubts crept in:
“Can I truly trust Max?”
“Will he understand my scars?”
“Am I ready to let go?”
As the stars reflected off the lake’s calm surface, Emily and Max found themselves at the
water’s edge, their hands still entwined, Max gently turned Emily toward him.
“Your eyes sparkle like the stars,” he whispered, his gaze tracing the contours of her face.
Emily’s heart fluttered. No one had looked at her like that in a long time.
Max’s fingers grazed her cheek, sending shivers down her spine.
“Emily, may I?” he asked, his voice barely audible.
She nodded, her lips parting slightly.
Their lips met in a soft, exploratory kiss.
Time suspended.
The world narrowed to the gentle pressure of Max’s lips, the warmth of his breath, and the security of his embrace.
Emily felt herself melting, her defenses crumbling.
For the first time in years, she allowed herself to be vulnerable. As they broke apart, gasping softly, Emily’s eyes locked onto Max’s.
“Wow,” she breathed.
Max smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“Wow, indeed,” he replied, drawing her closer.
Their bodies swayed together, the night air enveloping them in a cocoon of possibility.
But as the magic lingered, Emily’s past began to resurface:

Chike’s memory,the trauma,the fear of being hurt again. As Emily and Max’s lips parted, the world slowly came back into focus.
Emily’s thoughts swirled:
“Is this real?”
“Can I trust him?”
“Will the ghosts of my past haunt me forever?”
Max’s gentle touch anchored her.
“Emily, you’re trembling,” he whispered, concern etched on his face.
She nodded, her voice caught in her throat.
Max drew her closer, enveloping her in a soothing embrace.
“Let go, Emily,” he whispered. “I’ve got you.”
Emily’s defenses crumbled.
Tears streamed down her face as she surrendered to the moment.
For the first time since Chike’s passing, she felt:
Seen, Heard and Understood.
Max held her, his presence a balm to her weary soul.
As the night wore on, Emily’s fears began to recede.
She realized:
“Maybe leaving the ghosts behind wasn’t about forgetting,Maybe it was about finding someone to face them with”

The next morning, Emily woke to find Max sitting beside her, then she remembered she slept over in his room.
“Coffee?” he asked, holding out a steaming cup.
Emily smiled, feeling a sense of belonging.
But as they sipped their coffee together, Emily’s phone buzzed.
A text from an unknown number:
“Be careful with Max. He’s not what he seems.”

Emily’s heart sank, a shadow crept over her new found happiness. Emily’s eyes narrowed at the cryptic message.
“Who is this?” she typed, her thumbs hovering over the screen.
No response.
She showed the message to Max. His expression darkened.
“I don’t know who sent that,” he said, “but I assure you, Emily, I’m not hiding anything.”

Emily searched his eyes, seeking reassurance.
Max’s gaze held steady.
“Trust me,” he whispered.  But doubts had already crept in.
Emily’s mind raced:
“What if Max is hiding something?”
“What if I’m making another mistake?”
She recalled the comforting warmth of Max’s touch, the way he listened. Her heart wrestled with her head.

That evening, Emily decided to investigate.
She casually asked other retreat attendees about Max.

Their responses were thus:
“Max is a great guy, always supportive.”
“He’s private, but seems genuine.”
“I don’t know much about him, but he’s always kind.” Emily’s unease lingered.
As she walked back to her cabin, Max joined her.
“Want to talk about the message?” he asked.
Emily hesitated.
“I want to trust you, Max,” she said. “But…”
Max stopped beneath a lantern.
“Emily, I know I’m not perfect,” he began, “but I promise you, my intentions are pure.”
His eyes locked onto hers.
“I care about you deeply.” Emily’s heart skipped a beat.
Her phone beeped, it was a reply from the previous sender.

“I’m Max’s ex wife” she read it with her eyes wide open as tears clouds her eyes, looking up at Max who looked confused, he collects the phone from her and sees the message looking shocked.

To be continued…

Let us know what you think about the story so far, kindly leave a comment, like and share ❤️😊