More you Hate, the More you Love
Clarke woke up the following morning and found 3 missed calls from Lexa. She speeds dial her number, her heat beating fast. She wondered what was wrong; she didn't check if Lexa was able to arrive safely at her apartment last night. She knew Lexa took lots of wine.
"Good morning Clarke, how are you?" Lexa on the other line
"I'm good, how are you? Are you okay? I just saw your missed calls now." Clarke relieved to hear Lexa's voice after 2 rings.
"I'm fine, what's wrong...... Clarke?" Lexa in a slow pace
"Nothing's wrong with me, you called me while I was sleeping.."
"Yes, I did.. cause.." Lexa was interrupted by Clarke
"Okay, so why are you asking how I was? Clarke all of a sudden triggered by the tone of Lexa, she knows she's smiling on the other line.
"Clarke, my dear Clarke..you called me last night, when I was also sleeping."
"I...uhmm..I.. I must have dialed your number....." Lexa's turn to interrupt her now
"You dialed twice?"
"I was..."
"You were?..."
"I was....you made ..." Clarke losing her words thinking about Lexa's smile
"I was what Clarke? " Lexa in a sweet voice
"Stop doing that Lexa!" Clarke's tone up by a notch.
"Stop doing what? Stop thinking what you're about to say? Stop feeling what I'm feeling? Lexa continued. "Clarke, we may be separated by distance and time, but I know and you know that we are born to be together"
"You are wrong Lexa, you had this forced up on me, you saw my situation as weakness and you exploited it!" Clarke in anger
Clarke stopped talking, she knew it was never her intention to say that. She just wanted to retaliate, mad that Lexa knew, still knows her.
Lexa is no longer talking on the other line.
"Lexa..I didn't.. Lexa?" Clarke knew she hurt Lexa
There's a deafening silence for more than 3 minutes. Clarke's emotions building up, she feels she's about to cry anytime. She holds on her pillow tight, fighting not to release any tears. "Lexa, I didn't mean to say that..Lexa, please talk to me.." Clarke's voice cracking up.
"I..didn't know that you feel that way, I'm sorry." Lexa crying quietly on the other line. She pursed her lips. "We need to prepare for the gown fitting again. Don't you worry, you won't see me there. I plan to go there a bit late. Goodbye Clarke." Lexa disconnects the line before Clarke says something.
Clarke bursts into tears. She can't believe she said that to Lexa. After all the assistance they were able to get, she feels irritated when Lexa cares about her.
Anya opened the door and found Lexa's hands on her lap and sobbing like a little kid. Anya kneels in front her her."My little sister, what’s wrong?” She holds in her hands Lexa’s head. "Trouble in paradise?" Lexa nods.
"Look at you, head of a corporation, and yet you fold when it comes to Clarke, tell me what’s wrong?" Anya embraces her sister and kisses her hair. Lexa rested her head on Anya’s shoulder.
"You love her so much Lexa. You know she hated you still. Is it right that you’re marrying her now? We can always delay, you know that." Anya’s used to seeing Lexa cry over Clarke, but not in this scenario, not when they’re about to tie a knot.
Lexa faces her sister "I can’t lose her; I will die if I lose her again. Yes you’re right, I do love her. Even if I don’t understand why after all these years, hearing her name, seeing her face makes me feel like teenager again. What’s with her?” Her tears continue to wet her cheeks.
Anya rubs Lexa's hands and caresses her cheeks. "Maybe, there’s a love that really never goes away, no matter how long years maybe or how distance makes you apart. Remember dad? She knew your mom before she met my mom and your mom met Lincoln’s dad. They found each other again they had you. You’re a love child, Lexa. Dad and your mom were separated by time and distance but found their way back at each other. You’re not hard to love my sis, Clarke will eventually find her love for you again. She may forgot her feelings for you, but you’ll win her back. I can sense that." Anya smiling and caressing her sister’s arm.
Lexa smiled at the encouraging words from her sister. She placed her head in her pillow; closes her tired eyes. She falls asleep while Anya never left her side until she wakes up after two hours.
Clarke was with Octavia, Harper and Raven in for their 3rd and final gown fitting. Clarke was not at all in a good mood, though she remained quiet throughout the travel. She let Raven drive them to the place.
“Ei, what’s wrong with her?” Raven gestured at Octavia while checking her gown. "I really don’t know, she didn’t eat breakfast, she just drank coffee and took a shower." Octavia checking if Clarke was listening to them. "She’s just nervous, every bride is, right?" Harper smiled.
The Bridal assistant Bernice came in with the wedding dress of Clarke. "Fit and ready to wear, soon to be Mrs. Woods" her enthusiasm is emanating towards the whole room. She placed the sophisticated bridal gown in front of Clarke, which is luminous and lovely, with a plunging v-shaped neckline that accentuates Clarke’s lovely bosom. It also has dramatic sheer back yoke. Floral embroidered lace adorns the timeless ball gown frame. Bernice assisted Clarke in fitting the gown. When Clarke came out of the fitting room, there are echoes of “Oohhs and Ahhs” as Raven, Octavia, Harper and Bernice were mesmerized by the beauty of Clarke in the elegant floral embroidered lace dress. Clarke felt good in that dress; she's looking at herself through the cieling to floor mirror. She wondered though if Lexa chose the dress she wanted for her. It was a long shot she knows it. She gave Bernice some of her thought, thinking she might share it with Lexa.
They stayed for over an hour as the other three keep checking the fitting for their own gown. Bernice, brought them beverages of their choice and snacks. The whole experience made Clarke’s mood much better. She loves seeing her friends happy with what they’re having. Clarke walked over the corner and Bernice followed. "I wonder how much that lovely gown costs?" Clarke smiled. “Madame, you are not allowed to know as it’s a gift from your wife’s aunt Elise. I apologize.” Bernice bowed down. “Hey, it’s really fine. I really think they’re lovely.” Clarke touches Bernice’s arm.
“They are, those are top of the line and part of our finest collections” again Bernice continued to smile.
Clarke thought about the love and support Lexa's family has been giving her. Almost everything in the wedding has been shouldered or given as a gift by either a relative or close family friends.
After they finalized all the gown fittings, Bernice told them that the dresses will be delivered to their hotel rooms in an hour or two in pristine condition. All friends walked around the other shops nearby and after half an hour decided to head back the parking area and return to the hotel. "Dying to dip into the pool," Octavia said as she carries the earplugs she just bought. Clarke noticed she is missing her bracelet. She removed it and left it on the bridal room shop. She informed Raven she’ll be back quick.
Clarke walked another five minutes back to the bridal service shop and as she entered, she saw Lexa smiling at Costia. "Now, that fits better at you!" Lexa touches the chiffon floor length gown with pleated neckline bodice and shirred skirt. Anya first saw Clarke near the other fitting rooms and she adjusted her voice, "Oh wow, my sister in law checking on my dear sister, how are you Clarke?” Anya stood up and approaches Clarke. She embraces and kisses her cheeks. Clarke exchanged pleasantries with Anya and Costia. Bernice the bridal assistant also came out of another room, with her is Lexa’s gown. “I see both Mrs. Woods are here” she smiles. “I’m sorry Bernice, but I forgot my bracelet in the fitting room, have you seen it?” Clarke pointed at the fitting room A.
“I have it with me.” Lexa holding Clarke’s bracelet. Both of them looked at each other. Clarke walked over to Lexa and extended her hand to get it from her, but instead of Lexa giving it, she slowly pulled the lock and moved the bracelet below Clarke’s wrist, she moved it up and locked it. Clarke felt the hand of Lexa and wanted to touch it. She wanted to hold her hands and tell her she’s sorry about what she said.
"Darling, look how wonderful this gown I chose for you will fit now." Costia is excited over Lexa's wedding gown.
"I must go, friends are waiting outside..I'll see you all tomorrow. Have a good day ahead." Clarke moved one foot forward when Lexa grabbed her wrist, when Clarke turned, Lexa's head leaned over and kissed her lips gently. Then Lexa whispered in her ear "Don't worry, this is all for show." Clarke just nods and walk away.
Clarke must be losing her mind. She felt that kiss, that was Lexa, that's how Lexa kisses. Yet, she was taken aback when she mentioned that it was just cause her sister and Costia were there. It was all for a show.