Chapter 32
It had been two days since Loraine left Ireland, leaving Nicky and their relationship behind as well. No one ever knew what happened exactly when they ended their relationship. Nicky didn’t want to talk about it, and so did Loraine. They didn’t part as friends, but they didn’t part as enemies either. She left after they had talked on the same night, heading back to London to continue her work.
It also had been two days since everything between everyone had become so awkward. No one really knew if they were happy that Mark and Alessia had broken up, since they never approved of the relationship right from the start. They couldn’t also decide if they were happy that Loraine left Nicky, so he could be with Alessia. No one also knew what Toni was going to do now. It was day 7 of their filming, and they just finished the concluding part. A few days ago, Louis Walsh and Anton Byrne, the lads’ co-manager and tour manager respectively, asked her to come along with them on Westlife’s upcoming tour, which was kicking off after Christmas holidays. She was asked if she could write a book on Westlife while they were on tour, a sort of diary style with a few interviews. They have read one of the articles she had written before about the band, when Helen, Bryan’s fiancee and Westlife’s publicist asked her to write one about them. They were really impressed and they thought Toni would be perfect for the job. She declined, saying she still had her studies to pursue and her job at the radio station was waiting for her.
Toni stood in the middle of the room, looking around if she left anything behind. Her flight was due in about two hours. The airport was just 10 minutes away by car, so she had plenty of time left. There was a sudden but soft knock on the door that startled Toni. “Come in.” she said, wondering who it was. Mark walked into the room, making Toni’s heart feel a dull ache. Ever since the day she left him crying at the small bridge at the back of the hotel, they haven’t spoken directly to each other, even in taping the show. “Hi.” he said softly, looking at the floor. Toni’s suitcases were lined up neatly beside her. “Hi.” she replied tucking a few stray wisps of her hair behind her ear. “Umm… aren’t you kinda bringing too much for a week long trip? I’m just curios that’s all.” Mark asked, eyeing all the huge suitcases. Toni took a deep breath. “Well, I went back to my apartment earlier, I got all my things and brought them here.” she paused, sitting down at the couch. She sighed. “I’m not coming back Mark. I’m going home and I’m never going back here.” she said, biting her lower lip. Mark felt a sharp pain cut through his heart. “You’re joking right? You’re just waiting for me to act so shocked and sad then you’ll suddenly laugh at me and say ‘got ya!’ right? Just like you always do right?” Mark asked, laughing forcefully. Toni shook her head. “I’m serious Mark. I’m not kidding at all.” she said, looking up at him. “But why? You haven’t finished your studies here yet! And… and your job… I know you love your job! I know you won’t be able to leave that. You can’t leave that… You just can’t leave…” Mark trailed off, tears starting to fall from his eyes as he paced the room back and forth. “ …and you can’t leave me.” he whispered, looking down on the floor once again. “Mark, I can’t not leave. My parents are getting old and there’s no one to take care of them. You know I don’t have any brothers or sisters. I want to be there for them when they need me. I don’t want to be thousands of miles away from them, worrying if they’re okay if or they’re hurt. I love them and I miss them so much.” Toni said, going over to Mark and hesitatingly putting her hand on his shoulder. “Is that the real reason why you’re leaving? You aren’t leaving because of the things I told you the other night are you?” he asked, looking into her eyes. He tried to search for answers but he couldn’t. “Yes, it’s the real reason why I’m leaving and no, I’m not leaving because of what happened between us a few nights before.” Mark sighed. He couldn’t believe it. Just when he thought he had another chance to get back with her, things had to get worse. “Do you remember the night when you told me you didn’t love me? I don’t believe you at all.” Mark said, shoving his hand into the pocket of his trousers while wiping away his tears with the other. Toni rolled her eyes. “How can you be so sure of yourself?” she asked, crossing her arms. Mark took the letter out of his pocket and handed it to her. She gasped, unable to move. She just stared at the letter in Mark’s hand. It was the one she wrote when she was in the dining room of the hotel before Mark arrived. “How… how did you…” “…get it? You dropped it at the bridge when you left. I wasn’t going to read it but I saw my name on it. Figuring it was a letter for me, I read it.” Mark said quietly. Toni stared at it, contemplating whether to get it or not. She reached for it, her fingers touching Mark’s hand. He suddenly held her hand, surprising her. Mark looked at her. “Toni, it’s so unfair for us not to be together when we both know we still love each other. I know long distance relationships don’t work often but let’s give it a try.” “Mark, I don’t love you.” she said, trying to break her hand free from Mark’s grasp. “If you really don’t, look me in the eyes and tell me you don’t love me.” he said. Toni took one look at him and she turned around. She just couldn’t do it. She couldn’t lie to him anymore. “Toni, please. Give us a chance. I know we can make it if we work this out. Together.” Mark pleaded. “Mark, I…” Toni began but she was cut off as someone opened the door and loads of people shouted “Surprise!” Toni looked and saw Shane, Kian, Nicky and Bryan standing on the doorway. Shane was holding a cake that had an airplane on it made out of icing. Bon voyage was written all over it and at a small space in the corner it said “We’ll miss you!”. All five of their names were written below it. Bryan was holding what seemed like two dozen balloons with all sorts of colors while Nicky and Kian were carrying this huge box that had holes in it. Something made a barking sound and both of them groaned. Looks like their surprise was totally ruined. “Erm… we seem to have come in a bad time.” Shane said as they made their way out. “No! No! You weren’t interrupting anything.” Toni said. Mark looked hurt. All four guys made their way over to Toni. “It’s not that we’re happy that you’re going away. We just wish you a happy trip and we wanted to give our Christmas gift to you coz we won’t be able to see you on that day.” Bryan said timidly, making Toni laugh. “That’s why it says ‘Bon Voyage’ stupid!” Shane said, hitting Bryan playfully after he finished placing the cake on the coffee table. “We hope you enjoy your week at home.” Nicky said as Kian and him placed the box on the floor. Toni bent and opened it, seeing a very cute Chow-chow breed dog in it. It was absolutely adorable. She had always wanted one ever since she was 15. She thanked the guys. “So, we’ll be seeing you in a week?” Kian said. “Yeah right! You’ll be seeing her in a week alright!” Mark said sarcastically as he headed out of the room, slamming the door as loud as he can behind him. “What’s with him?” Kian asked as all four of them looked at Toni, who was by then reduced into tears.