Chapter 6

It was an endless cycle that lasted nearly a week. Her alarm would go off, she would get up, have a shower and get dressed, have a coffee and then go straight to the rehearsal studio. She worked very hard each day to perfect her scenes in preparation for filming The Scarlet Pimpernel which was to commence in a fortnight on location in the Czech Republic. She would be away for six weeks and was determined to make the most of it. Yes she was looking forward to working in such an old, fascinating country but she also saw it as a means of escape. Matt had been calling her everyday and leaving messages, texting her, begging her for the chance to explain to her. But she couldn't face him, lest he told her that his relationship with Heidi hadn't really ended and they were just going through a rough patch because that would mean he had played her like a fool. She wasn't ready. Wasn't ready to face the desolation she believed would surely happen if she were to encounter him again. She wouldn't and couldn't take that chance because only she was the guardian of her heart. And her heart was aching. Time away would be a good time to start the healing process.

As much as she tried not to think about it, when she went home from work after a long day of rehearsals, had her dinner and curled up under her covers for the night, thought's of Matt kept imposing on her mind. She battled to keep them at bay but she was constantly under siege. He had seemed like such a good, kind man who endeavored to do his best with everything even if he didn't always succeed. The sort that man that doesn't come across very often. And he was handsome. There was no denying the attraction she felt for him physically coupled with his sweet personality. He made her comfortable and at ease when she was with him and yet for all of this, what did she know? That Heidi woman had turned up out of the blue and hit her, telling her to essentially get lost. Clearly there was some unfinished business or it wouldn't have happened. And clearly, Matt had a bit of a temper. He had come at Heidi like a charging bull and while he had let rip at her left, right and center, he had not so much as blink in the direction of the woman whom he was supposedly interested in. Me, thought Elizabeth. What does that make me? She was confused and she didn't have the answer.

Sighing, she rolled over onto her other side, pulling her pillow further under her head and trying to get comfortable. It was a daily mental torture for her. All day she barricaded it but in her most relaxed state she was defenseless. With agonizing slowness, she drifted into a troubled sleep.

The next morning started the same as ever other. She went about her normal routine, humming to herself as she gathered her clothes and put them into her washing machine. Soon the kettle was singing merrily, signaling the time for her morning coffee. Just as she was bustling about in the kitchen putting in a couple of teaspoons of instant coffee, she heard a knock at the door. Glancing at her watch she saw that it wasn't yet 8am. Perplexed, she made her way into the hall to the front door and unlocked it, pulling it open.

Matt stood on the doorstep, a bunch of white lily of the valley flowers in his right hand. He was wearing a grey suit with a dark blue tie and white shirt underneath. His trousers were also grey and his shoes well polished. Elizabeth trained her gaze over him as she recovered from the initial shock of his appearance. He looked…

"Handsome," she breathed then abruptly shut her mouth in horror. "I mean, wh-what are you doing here?" she stuttered, a crimson blush creeping up her neck. It was very obvious that he was here to win her back but she didn't plan on just swallowing it. She wanted answers and if they were going to be what she had already imagined then a suit and some flowers would do nothing to help him. Matt looked her in the eye.

"Since you have refused to return any of my messages for nearly a week I decided to take matters into my own hands. I want to explain what it was you were witness to on Friday."

"I have to get ready for work," Elizabeth began.

"I only need five minutes please," Matt implored her. She studied his face, the way his expression pleaded to her and she felt all her power of resistance fade away. Nodding slightly she stepped back and allowed him to pass.

"The kitchen is the first left," she called out as she closed the door behind her. Walking into the room she found Matt eying his surroundings with some interest. The kitchen contained a lot of wooden surfaces and the rest were painted a deep cream colour. It was open plan and very spacious with a tidy bench save for the coffee, sugar, kettle and mug that were clustered at one end. Elizabeth walked over to her kettle and resumed making her coffee, waiting for him to begin.

"This is a very nice room," he began awkwardly.

"I thought you came here to explain?" Elizabeth muttered.

"Yes, yes I did. Elizabeth?" His tone pressed against her tentatively, asking her for her attention. She poured in the hot water and milk and began to stir her cup as she turned to face him. "Please do not think that I still have any feelings for Heidi. If I am absolutely honest, I don't think I ever did. The only reason I dated her was because of her insistence and because I didn't have the heart to refuse her when she was making her feelings for me so blatant. I made a mistake letting it go on when it should never have started in the first place. It is over now and has been for a couple of weeks. I thought she understood that despite the fact that she was morbidly unhappy about it." Here he paused, trying to collect his thoughts together. She stayed silent, waiting for him to continue, her own head spinning like a top at his words. "I honestly had no idea that she was coming. I wouldn't have let her if I had known. I saw the way she treated you and she was lucky I didn't hit her but that wouldn't have helped if I had. She would have probably tried to get me thrown in jail," he laughed nervously. "Then I definitely couldn't date anyone else. I feel like I've failed you somehow Elizabeth, otherwise you wouldn't have left and I-" The sound of Elizabeth's mobile ringing cut him off. Elizabeth shot him an apologetic glance as she flipped it open.

"Hello?"

"Elizabeth darling how are ya?" Leon drooled as he sat in his office, swinging on his swivel chair.

"Fine thanks Leon," she lied. Truth be told, Matt's revelations had thrown her emotions right out of the water.

"Good, good. Hey um, I've been given a script for a TV show that is looking for someone to be a guest for five episodes and I thought you'd be perfect for the role. Can I drop by the studio today to give it to you?" he asked, sticking the pen in his hand in between his teeth.

"Uh yes, that'll be fine thanks." She glanced at Matt who started gesturing to her, trying to get her to wrap up this untimely interruption. All the while, Leon continued to babble into her ear about how cool this role would be for her.

"Elizabeth!" he prompted through gritted teeth, thoroughly pissed off with Leon for calling. She nodded.

"Is someone with you Elizabeth?" Leon asked curiously, furrowing his brow.

"Erm yes. Matt is here," she replied, biting her lower lip as Matt rolled his eyes.

"No way," he gushed into his mouth piece. "So things are really taking off between you and him eh? Are you two shaggers now? I thought he was still with Heidi?" Elizabeth groaned.

"I haven't got time to tell you now or I'll be late for work," she said firmly. "And no we are not shaggers," she hastened to add. At this, Matt's face contorted into something resembling shock and horror. "I've got to go. I'll see you later."

"Alright darling, have fun with Matt but don't be late for work," Leon chided teasingly.

"Stop it Leon," Elizabeth responded in a reprimanding tone.

Matt couldn't take it anymore. He was desperate to ask Elizabeth for forgiveness and to tell her how he felt about her without making her late for work and Leon was being nothing but a nuisance now, he could tell. Putting the flowers down on the bench he strode forward and took the phone right out of her hand, putting it to his ear where he heard the sounds of Leon's snickering.

"Leon we are in the middle of something here and we haven't got much time so do me a favour and bugger off!" Snapping the phone shut he handed it back to a stunned Elizabeth. "Sorry," he mumbled. "But I know as well as you do how he can be if he gets wind of anything and he was irking me."

"You're telling me," she replied. "Oh God I'm going to get hell for this when he comes in later," she moaned, putting her head in her hands.

"You can worry about that when it happens but it's now nearly 8.10am," he informed her, examining his watch. "I don't want to make you late but I have to finish what I was saying." Elizabeth raised her head and picked up her discarded coffee again, drinking deeply. Matt took a deep breath as he fought to pick up the thread from before.

"As I was saying before we were interrupted," he cringed, "I feel like I have offended you in some way. Surely my anger and my words at Heidi must have told you that whatever she had been going on at you about wasn't kosher and yet you still left. What did I do wrong? I don't understand," he said simply. Elizabeth gaped at him, completely caught off guard.

"You, you didn't do anything. I, well," she sighed, struggling to form a coherent thought. "After Heidi slapped me, I was in a state of shock. And you are right, I did hear what you said and felt your rage for her but I was confused. I thought perhaps it wasn't over between you two at all and you were just going through some relationship trouble. That was the impression Heidi gave me and when you came out, it was as if I didn't even exist. I couldn't stay, not then. It hurt too much. All of it," she whispered, lowering her gaze. In that moment, Matt wanted nothing more than to go to her and take her in his arms but he stayed rooted to the spot, sure that if he attempted it he would be rebuffed at this point.

"I never meant to hurt you," he said quietly. "Never! And I did wonder afterwards if my lack of acknowledgement might have had something to do with it. I've been kicking myself ever since then. If you'll give me a second chance, I promise I won't shut you out like that again. I'll handle whatever comes our way differently, better. Please Elizabeth, forgive me for my seeming lack of compassion. I care about you a lot. What I feel for you now is more than I have ever felt for her. I'm only asking for one more chance."

His words hung in the air between them and Elizabeth noticed that her breathing had become heavier. What had transpired in the last few minutes was the polar opposite to her own imaginings and as she peered up at him, she saw the honesty in his features as well as how much it had cost him to lay his heart on the line to her. She could see his nervousness, how he was waiting for her reaction with bated breath and she felt the invisible walls around her crumble. Placing her mug down onto the bench she took three steps towards him and tilted her head up, her countenance soft. Slipping her arms up around the back of his neck she raised herself onto the balls of her feet and tentatively pecked his lips before withdrawing to meet his gaze. "I care for you too," she whispered.

Matt felt he might cry with relief but keeping himself in check he instead rested his hands on her hips and bent down to kiss her again, his lips lingering on hers. "Thank you," he said as he drew back.

"For what?" she smiled coyly at him as he raised an eyebrow.

"For giving me another chance. For making me the happiest man alive," he offered. She hummed appreciatively and nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck as he wrapped his arms around her.

"My pleasure. I have to go to work now though or Richard will eat me alive." Pulling away from his embrace reluctantly she went over to a chair in the adjoining lounge room and picked up her handbag as he watched her. "Would you like to come over for dinner tonight since we never got to have that one the other night?" she asked.

Matt felt as though he had gone from hell to heaven in a matter of minutes as a broad grin spread over his face. "That would be great! What time should I come?"

"How about 6.30pm?" she suggested as she put her cell phone into her bag and zipped it up, walking back through to the kitchen towards the hallway.

"I'll be here," he assured her.

"Good, it's settled." Pausing she turned back around and nearly ran into him as he had started to follow her. Skirting around him she picked up the bunch of flowers and squatted down opening a cupboard, rummaging around for a vase.

"Elizabeth, the time," Matt reminded her. "You'll definitely be late." Successfully reemerging with a glass vase, she rose up again and poured some water into it.

"I know but I'm so happy right now I'm not sure I care anymore," she glanced over at him, her eyes sparkling with mirth. Matt shook his head in amusement as he watched her place the flowers in the vase and set it in the middle of the bench.

"You are incorrigible." She giggled and swept past him again.

"In the best possible way I hope?"

"Naturally. Your spunky attitude is one of the things that I find so attractive." Elizabeth opened the front door and turned to him with a pleased expression.

"Then I shall endeavor not to disappoint you tonight," she winked. "I'll text you later." Kissing him briefly on the cheek she stepped over the threshold and moved to let him pass, locking the door behind them. In that moment, the sun burst out from behind a cloud, warming them both to their cores. It was promising to be a beautiful day.

this chapter was all Settees-under-siege she is an amazing writer and is a major part to this story :)

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