Love Has No Boundaries Chapter 31
	Toni looked around as the sliding doors opened. She smiled weakly at him as he took a seat beside her. He placed his arm around her and Toni rested his head on his shoulder. “You okay? Tell me what’s wrong.” Nicky said as they sat quietly, watching the sun light up the dreary horizon. Toni sighed. She began telling Nicky everything that happened with her and Mark from the café and to the bridge. He listened silently, analyzing where the situation was heading. “Well, at least you know that Mark still loves you. I really don’t know if what you did was right though, lying to him about how you feel when he was completely honest with you.” “You know I had to. Even if I didn’t want to I just had to lie.” Toni said as she crossed her arms. “Suit yourself. Well, at least you do know that he loves you and you love him.” “Yeah… umm… what did you exactly mean by that? Sorry Nicky, you know how stupid I am when it comes to hidden meanings.” she said, looking at him. Nicky sighed. “Hmm… this isn’t about Loraine is it?” she asked. Nicky just nodded. “Well, I have noticed that you and Loraine don’t talk much anymore. Something’s definitely wrong.” she said. “Believe me, what you said was an understatement. Wrong isn’t exactly the word I’d use.” “What’s the score between the three of you? I mean, of course, you, Loraine and Alessia?” Toni asked carefully, studying Nicky’s facial expression. “Well, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve been excusing myself for the past few days to talk to Alessia.” he said, looking at Toni then at the view in front of him. Toni just nodded. “Well, I really can’t say what we were talking about because I was sworn to secrecy and it has something to do with Mark so…” he trailed off, still looking as the sun climbed its way up to the sky. “Well, maybe you don’t have to tell me really. From what you said I think I know what’s happening.” Toni said softly. “Just don’t get your hopes up again okay? I don’t want my ‘little sister’ getting hurt all over again.” Nicky said as he held her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. There was a long silence between them as they both watched the sun continue to envelop the city with its warm presence. Toni leaned back on her chair, unsure of what to feel. It was a mixture of happiness and being broken hearted. She looked at Nicky. Tears were flowing down his cheeks. “Hey! What’s wrong?” she asked softly. Nicky smiled through his tears. “That’s my line!” he said as he wiped away his tears. Toni placed her arm around him. Now it was Nicky’s turn to rest his head on her shoulder as he sobbed quietly. Toni stroked his silky soft hair. He managed to calm down after a few minutes. Toni was so surprised. She had never seen Nicky cry before. “Want to talk about it?” she asked as Nicky rested his head once more on her shoulder. He wanted so much to give up already. “Loraine and I… well, we had another fight last night.” he said, sighing as he finished the sentence. “Aww... there’s nothing a little ‘sorry’ won’t fix.” Toni said, suddenly regretting that she did. She remembered what happened to her in the past. A little “sorry” didn’t exactly patch things up between her and Mark. “No, this is different… it was my fault really.” he said. “No wonder your room was a mess.” Toni muttered. “Well, she started the whole mess really, I just started the fight.” he said. “Yeah, I was so surprised. Knowing Loraine, she hates having a messy room and can’t sleep knowing that there’s mess everywhere.” “Well, I reckon she changed. She slept through all of it like a baby. Either that or she got really tired from all the shouting that we did and from throwing things at me.” “Have you made up yet?” she asked. “Yeah. We still haven’t talked about it though.” “What really happened?” Toni asked. “Well, she was slightly worried because she couldn’t find me anywhere. My mobile phone was turned off and no one knew where I went. I was out at the local pub, having a drink and thinking to myself. I got back to the hotel, quite drunk I might add, and she started asking me where I spent the whole evening. She was just concerned that’s all. I shouted at her, getting defensive and I kept saying that I wasn’t with Alessia. She was really surprised because she didn’t actually ask if I was with Alessia. I got really insane last night and I started accusing her of being jealous coz I was spending some time with Alessia. Deep inside, I know she doesn’t really mind at all. I was really drunk and I felt like I wanted her to be jealous. Weird, I know. I don’t know why I actually wanter her to be jealous. It’s so ridiculous.” he said as he looked up at Toni. She was suppressing her laughter. “What’s so funny? Here I am, crying my eyes out and you’re laughing at me! Geez…” Nicky said as he took away her arm from him and leaned back on his chair. “Oh Nicky. I’m really sorry. It’s just that, you are such a nut! You’re crazy!” she said as she giggled. Nicky looked at her, disbelief and amusement filling his face. “It’s because you have a very understanding girlfriend, and you don’t want her to be understanding at all!” Toni explained as she tried to control her laughter. Nicky looked away for a while, only to find himself laughing at himself after a few minutes. He really was a nut!            Alessia knocked on the door. “Who is it?” he called out. “It’s me, Alessia.” Alessia said. “Come in. You really don’t have to knock you know.” he said as she entered the room. She looked at him, taking a deep breath. “Mark, we have to talk.” She said as she sat down on the sofa. Mark got out of bed, going over to the bathroom. “I’ll be with you in a sec.” he said as he closed the door behind him. Mark felt so guilty. “She probably knows what happened between me and Toni last night.” he thought as she washed his face. Reaching for his toothbrush, he began to think of how he was going to ask for her forgiveness. Unknown to him, Alessia was thinking of how she was going to ask for his forgiveness as well.      He got out after a few minutes, drying his face and hands with a towel. He sat beside her. The silence between them was so loud it could drive a person crazy. Alessia cleared her throat. “I really don’t know where to start.” she said, twiddling her thumbs. “Start by saying what you want to say.” he said. “Mark, first of all, I guess I want to say I’m sorry. You have no idea how much I’ve wronged you.” Alessia said, facing him. “Ha! Wait ‘til you hear what I’ve got to tell you.” Mark thought sarcastically to himself. “I felt like I can’t go on much longer with this. I’ve been fooling myself and I’ve fooling you.” Alessia said, taking a deep breath before she went on. “Can’t believe that I’m the fool again.” Mark sang in his head. “Mark, I really haven’t been honest with you. I do love you, or should I say, I did love you.” Alessia said quietly. “You mean you were in love with Nicky the whole time you were with me?” he asked. Surprised, Alessia didn’t even dare to look at him. She wondered how he could have guessed. “Sadly, yes. Mark, I really am so sorry.” she whispered. “Well, I’ve got to tell you something as well.” he said softly. Alessia looked at him. “I’ve been in love with Toni the whole time I was with you but I want you to know, that each and every time that I told you that I love you, I meant each and every single word that I said.” “So this means…” “Yup! We’ve been fooling each other all along.” Mark said. “I honestly don’t know what to feel.” Alessia said. “That makes two of us.” Mark whispered, leaning back on the couch. Alessia did the same. “Well, it was great while it lasted though.” Mark continued, reaching out for her hand and holding it. “I want to thank you. You really helped me heal my heart when it was broken.” Mark added. “I want to thank you too. You did the same for me.” she said. They kissed lightly on the lips for the last time, hugging each other afterwards.         Nicky sat at the bar, drowning himself in his thoughts. He was at a pub, having a drink. Later on Loraine will be meeting him there. After finishing his drink, he ordered another one. Nicky wasn’t looking forward to meeting up with his girlfriend. They were having fights most of the time, fights that he starts himself. He’s been acting really strangely lately.         The door of the pub opened, and Nicky looked up, anxiously anticipating the arrival of Loraine. His eyebrows shot up, seeing that it was Alessia who arrived. He watched her scanning the room, and when she spotted him she started making her way over. “Hey!” she said softly, sitting beside him. She ordered a drink, and faced Nicky afterwards. “Umm… Bryan sent me here. He told me to tell you that Loraine said she couldn’t make it.” “Did Bryan say why she can’t come?” Nicky asked, taking a sip on his drink. “Something cam up. I think she went shopping with Toni and did a bit of sightseeing as well.” Alessia said, rummaging through her bag to find her wallet to pay for the drink. Nicky beat her to it, fishing in his pocket for a few bills and handing it over to the bartender. “Thanks.” Alessia said, sipping her drink. “Don’t mention it.” he said, finishing his drink in one go. “Umm… I’m really sorry to hear about you and Mark.” Nicky said quietly, playing with his empty glass. Alessia gave a weak laugh. “Don’t be, coz we aren’t.” she said. Nicky’s eyebrows shot up once more. “Huh?” “Well, it’s a long story.” Alessia said. “I’ve got the whole evening to listen to you.” Nicky said. Alessia sighed, then began explaining to Nicky how she and Mark have somehow been “using” each other, leaving out the details that she was still in love with Nicky, and that Mark was still in love with Toni. Nicky just nodded, changing the topic as he ordered another drink. “Now that one’s on me.” Alessia said as she handed some money to the bartender. Nicky reached for her hand before the bartender could take the money. With his other hand, he paid for the drinks he ordered. “Hey!” Alessia said as the bartender left. “Now how am I supposed to get back at you for the drink you bought for me?” she asked, smiling up at him. She suddenly realized Nicky still hasn’t let go of her hand. Nicky looked into her eyes. “Alessia, I want you to know I’m not drunk at all when I say this… I’ve never stopped loving you.” Nicky whispered as he leaned closer to Alessia. He kissed her, his heart nearly bursting from the joy he was feeling. How he had longed for this moment to arrive. Alessia kissed him back, feeling the same way that he was. They pulled apart after a few minutes, quite breathless. “Nicky, I’ve never stopped loving you as well. That’s why I wanted to break up with Mark. It was so unfair for him. I really love you Nicky.” she said softly. Nicky leaned in for one more kiss. He pulled away, just in time to see Loraine standing on the doorway.
			Chapter 32