Chapter 2: I upendo you
Last chapter:
“No buts Julian. This is it. This is the movie of your career, the movie that will make my firm the most maarufu in Hollywood. So it’s either the girl, au the end of your career,” Paul alisema firmly as he walked towards him, “You have one week to make your decision. These are your plane tickets. I hope to see wewe au your resignation letter in my office in LA inayofuata Monday.”
--
The inayofuata evening, Brooke was getting ready for a tarehe with Julian. She was exceptionally excited about this tarehe because Julian asked her to dress up saying that he had a surprise for her, and Brooke Davis loved surprises.
“Can wewe take off that sickeningly bright smile of your face? It makes me want to puke,” Sam alisema rolling her eyes as she walked in her foster mother’s room and plopped messily of her neatly made bed.
“Sam I just made that,” Brooke groaned, turning to glare at the smirking teenager.
“See, now that’s the expression I like,” Sam alisema approvingly pointing at her scowling face.
“Very funny Sam,” Brooke alisema sarcastically, “You’re just jealous.”
“Jealous? Of what? wewe looking like an idiot? I don’t think so,” Sam alisema stubbornly.
“You amuse me Sam, wewe really do. One dakika you’re all supportive of Julian and me, and the inayofuata wewe have a problem with me smiling because I am happy with Julian. wewe have to make up your mind,” Brooke alisema teasingly.
“Oh no, I don’t have any problem with wewe and Julian. I just have a problem with your chirpy face every morning. I don’t think I have ever seen anyone smile so much,” Sam shot back grinning.
“I know I look like a teenager with a crush, but I can’t help it. Julian makes me really happy, Sam. I haven’t felt like this in, well ever since I graduated high school,” Brooke alisema seriously.
“So when are wewe going to tell him those three life changing words,” Sam asked curiously.
“I’m pregnant is just two words. Well technically it’s three but—”
“I mean when are wewe going to tell him that you’re in upendo with him?” Sam asked rolling her eyes, “But I guess the other one would be a good swali too.”
“I don’t know,” Brooke alisema hesitantly, “I am just going to wait for the right time, I guess.”
“When’s the right time going to be? When wewe give birth to his kid?” Sam asked sarcastically.
“Sam—”
“What I am serious! You’re probably the world’s biggest procrastinator especially when it comes to feelings and stuff,” Sam alisema bored, “Look how long it took wewe to actually agree to tarehe Julian.”
“That was different okay,” Brooke alisema dismissively.
“Well duh. Last time it was about sex. This time it’s about wewe being pregnant with little Julian. Very different,” Sam alisema enjoying pushing Brooke’s buttons.
“Sam must wewe be so blunt?” Brooke asked shaking her head.
“Hey, I just want to find out if you’re actually going to come out clean to him au if I am going to have to spoon feed him the information. And that might get ugly,” Sam alisema innocently.
“Samantha Walker, don’t wewe dare. You’re not going to tell him anything. Promise me that wewe won’t a breath a word to him about this pregnancy au my feels,” Brooke alisema panicked.
“Only if wewe promise me that wewe will actually make an effort to tell him at least one of your big news tonight,” Sam proposed.
“Fine, fine, I’ll try, I promise,” Brooke relented, “But if it turns out to be a disaster then I’m blaming you.”
“Everything’s going to fine Brooke,” Sam assured, and Brooke couldn’t help but believe her.
--
10 dakika later while Brooke was putting on her earrings, the doorbell rang indicating Julian’s arrival.
“Sam could wewe get that,” Brooke shouted.
“Already there,” Sam shouted back as Brooke heard her unlocking the door.
“Hey Samson,” she heard Julian’s voice greet her foster daughter, and just his voice was enough to put a smile on her face. God, she was in too deep for this guy.
“Hey Julian, wassup?” Sam asked as she stepped back to let him in.
“The usual,” Julian answered, closing the door behind him, “Where’s Brooke?”
“She’s getting ready,” Sam answered, “She should be here in a couple of minutes.”
“Ok, cool,” Julian alisema nervously, raking his hands through his hair.
“Are wewe okay, Julian?” Sam asked concerned.
“Yeah, I am fine. Why?” Julian asked trying to put a smile on his face.
“Nothing, wewe just seem distracted,” Sam noted.
“Oh it’s nothing. Just a little nervous,” Julian lied, trying to laugh it off. Sam obviously didn’t buy it, because seriously Julian has never been nervous before a date, but thankfully she didn’t ask anymore questions.
“Hey,” Brooke greeted cheerfully as she appeared at the juu of the stairs.
“Hey,” Julian replied, turning his gaze towards the stairs, and the sekunde his eyes met Brooke’s, a real smile appeared on his face. This was the affect Brooke Davis had on him. One look, and he was grinning like an idiot. And the fact that her face lit up every time she saw him, it made him feel like the most accomplished man in this world. God, he was in too deep. But he knew that tonight was the last time her face would light up because of him. He knew that tonight was the last time she would laugh with him, kiss him, last time she would talk to him. After tonight, he would be nothing short of a monster to her. Another addition to the Lost orodha of men that had already broken her heart. His moyo broke into a million pieces at that thought, but he knew there was no other choice. He had to end it with her, no matter how much it killed him to do it.
He was brought out of his reverie when he felt Brooke’s small hand caressing his face as she called his name trying to get his attention.
“Huh? What?” Julian asked stupidly.
“Where have wewe been? I’ve called your name 3 times. I know I look pretty, but I didn’t know I looked good enough to drive wewe speechless,” Brooke alisema teasingly, pulling her hand away from his face.
“I am sorry. I was just thinking,” Julian alisema apologetically as he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
“It’s okay,” Brooke alisema a little breathlessly as they pulled up for air.
“So wewe ready to go?” Julian asked placing his hand on the small of her back.
“Yeah, let’s go,” Brooke agreed, then turning around she called out, “Sam keep all the door locked, and—”
“Call wewe if there’s any sort of emergency and absolutely no parties. Yeah I know. wewe say that before every date, it has kinda sunk in kwa now,” Sam finished rolling her eyes as she poked her head out of her bedroom, smiling mischievously at her foster mother.
“Well wewe can’t blame me for being cautious can you?” Brooke asked pouting as Julian laughed.
“I guess not. But have a good time wewe guys,” Sam alisema smiling.
“We will,” Brooke alisema confidently as she and Julian made their way out of the door.
As Sam heard the door close shut behind the couple, she released a sigh. She knew there was something off with Julian tonight. She had never seen him act so oddly, and he was never nervous. Wondering what was wrong with him, Sam made her way to the couch, praying with all her might that Julian’s odd behavior was only temporary, because if it was anything other than that, well she didn’t even want to think about the possibility.
--
“Wow Julian, I can’t believe wewe got us reservations to one of the most elite restaurant in mti Hill,” Brooke alisema impressed as she walked into mti kilima steak, mnofu House, “Don’t wewe need to make reservations 5 months in advance to get in here au something?”
“Normal people do,” Julian acknowledged as he led her to the reception area.
“Table for 2 under the name Baker,” Julian alisema to the manager.
“Right this way, sir,” the manager alisema once he had consulted his reservation list.
“So are wewe saying that we’re not normal people,” Brooke whispered resuming their awali conversation.
“No, we’re just special,” Julian alisema smirking as they approached their table.
“Please take a seat,” the manager alisema courteously, “A waiter will be with wewe shortly.”
“Julian you’re not giving me straight answers, and I don’t appreciate that,” Brooke alisema pouting once she had taken her seat.
“Fine, fine. I know one of the managers here. That’s why I was able to get a reservation at such a short period,” Julian admitted.
“Ahh so the truth finally comes out,” Brooke alisema grinning, “But I’ve got to say, this is amazing. And they even seated us in a private seating area.”
“Actually I asked them to kiti, kiti cha us in a private area,” Julian alisema smiling mischievously.
“Julian, wewe didn’t need to do that,” Brooke gasped out, “Private seating is so expensive.”
“I wanted this night to be special, Brooke,” Julian alisema sincerely.
“Just being with wewe is special enough Julian. wewe didn’t need to do all this,” Brooke whispered her face glowing in the soft candle light.
“You look beautiful,” Julian alisema softly as he grasped her hand in the middle of the table.
“You look pretty dashing yourself Mr. Baker,” Brooke complimented, loving the feeling of his thumb stroking the soft skin of her hand.
Julian looked tempted to lean over to kiss her, but they were interrupted kwa the arrival of their waiter.
“Good evening,” the waiter greeted pleasantly, “Do wewe guys know what wewe will be ordering this evening?”
“I’ll have prime rib with mashed potatoes and supu with a small helping of salad,” Julian ordered.
“And I’ll just have grilled chicken with salad,” Brooke alisema politely.
“Any appetizers au drinks?” the waiter questioned.
“Can we just have a serving of garlic mkate sticks?” Julian asked as the waiter jotted down the order, “And I’ll take red wine with the dinner.”
“And wewe maam?” the waiter asked turning towards Brooke.
“I’ll just have maji ya limau, lemonade thank you,” Brooke said, avoiding Julian’s questioning gaze.
“Will that be it?” the waiter asked.
“Yes, thank you,” Julian alisema nodding to the waiter.
“Was I hallucinating of did wewe just order lemonade?” Julian asked surprised once the waiter had left.
“What’s so shocking about me ordering lemonade?” Brooke asked defensively.
“Nothing, except for the fact that you’re the biggest wine drinker I know. And from all the first class wines available on the menu, wewe chose lemonade?” Julian asked quirking his eyebrows.
“Maybe I just didn’t feel like drinking wine today,” Brooke alisema dismissively, “That’s not a crime is it.”
“Fine, fine, no need to be so touchy,” Julian alisema raising his hand in defeat, “You drink whatever wewe want to, but if it’s about wanting to save my money, don’t worry about it. I have zaidi than enough.”
“Trust me Julian, this has nothing to do with saving wewe money. I promise,” Brooke alisema in a tone bordering on finality and Julian knew the topic was over.
As Brooke looked at Julian, she knew this was the perfect time to tell him about the pregnancy, but she didn’t want to ruin the perfect atmosphere. She still didn’t know how he would react to the news, and she didn’t want to take any chances. At least that’s what she kept telling herself.
--
“That was absolutely amazing Julian,” Brooke alisema sighing contently on their way back.
“I am glad wewe liked it,” Julian alisema sincerely sending her a smile that sent her moyo fluttering.
“You know what would make this night absolutely perfect?” Brooke asked contemplatively.
“No, but I have a feeling that wewe are going to tell me,” Julian teased.
“A walk at the beach,” Brooke alisema dreamily.
“Brooke it’s about 50 degrees outside, you’re wearing a dress and not to mention your 5 inch heels, and wewe want to go walk on the beach?” Julian asked incredulously.
“I am just saying, doesn’t mean we have to do it,” Brooke alisema shrugging.
“Okay,” Julian alisema training his eyes back on the road.
However 5 dakika later, he turned onto a road going the complete opposite direction to her house.
“Julian, I don’t know if you’ve forgotten, but my house is on the opposite side,” Brooke alisema uncertainly.
“I know,” Julian alisema shrugging nonchalantly.
“Then why are we going this way?” Brooke asked incredulously.
“Because we’ve had a sudden change of plans,” Julian alisema vaguely.
“Change of plan? Where are we going now?” Brooke asked curiously.
“To the docks,” Julian alisema simply, and from the corner of his eyes, he watched as Brooke’s face went from being curious to one radiating excitement.
“To the docks? But what about the cold weather and my 5 inch heels?” Brooke asked mockingly as her eyes glittered in happiness.
“Guess I’ll just have to take a risk,” Julian alisema smiling, “Anything to get wewe your perfect date.”
“Aww aren’t wewe a sweetheart,” Brooke alisema affectionately as she leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
“Please don’t use the word sweetheart when you’re describing me. It’s bad for my image,” Julian alisema smirking.
“Well then should I call wewe mathlete? Is that better for your image?” Brooke asked teasingly.
“Touché,” Julian alisema grinning, knowing that Brooke had won that argument.
“Plus, I am your girlfriend. I can call wewe whatever I want and wewe can’t complain about it,” Brooke alisema smugly.
“I guess, but only because you’re so cute,” Julian replied grinning as he parked the car in the empty parking lot inayofuata to the docks.
“Shall we my lady?” Julian asked putting up a British accent as he opened the passenger side’s door to help Brooke out.
“We shall kind sir,” Brooke alisema placing her hand in his outstretched one, her eyes twinkling with mirth.
“You sure you’re going to be fine in the heels?” Julian asked caringly.
“I’ll be fine. And anyways, I have wewe to lean on don’t I?” Brooke asked seriously, her eyes finding his as he found it hard to look away from her intense gaze.
“I’m here,” Julian promised, his insides filling up with guilt and pain as he realized that this was probably his last happy saa with Brooke.
“Good,” Brooke alisema as she leaned up and softly placed her lips against his as he instinctively pulled her closer to his body.
“You’re amazing, wewe know that right?” Julian asked softly once they had come up for air.
“So I’ve heard. But it means the most when wewe say it,” Brooke alisema gently stroking his face, and Julian almost Lost it right there. He knew he was leading her on, he knew that he was about to hurt her. He knew that he should have ended this when he first walked into her door. But he hadn’t listened to the rational side of his brain. And as a result, after tonight, it would be much harder for the both of them to let go.
“Hey what happened? wewe dozed off again,” Brooke alisema concerned as Julian came back to reality.
“I was just thinking how beautiful wewe look today. And how wewe deserve so much better than me,” Julian alisema honestly as they started walking along the shore.
“You’re good enough Julian. You’re zaidi than good enough for me. And it’s about time wewe realize that,” Brooke alisema seriously as she laid her head on his shoulder, his arm supporting both of their weights.
“You know in the book, when Lucas described wewe as the girl who would change the world someday, I didn’t know what to make out of it. But now I understand what he meant kwa that. wewe have changed my world Brooke Davis,” Julian admitted softly looking down at his girlfriend’s smiling face on his shoulder.
“You changed my life too Julian Baker. Before you, I had aliyopewa up hope of being happy again, and then wewe happened and my life took a whole new turn. wewe gave me something to look mbele to Julian. wewe gave me my life back and that makes wewe the most important person in my life right now. Well first Sam and then you, but wewe know what I mean,” Brooke alisema smiling as Julian laughed.
“I think I am okay with taking sekunde place to Sam. Had it been anyone other than her, I wouldn’t have been so accommodating, but Sam’s okay,” Julian alisema giving Brooke his infamous grin as he pulled her closer to him.
“Those words and that grin combined together just make me lo—like wewe even more,” Brooke alisema catching herself just in time.
Julian nearly felt his moyo stop at her words. Even though the transition had been fast, he had caught her stumble, and as he looked at the woman inayofuata to him, he couldn’t help but think, was she about to say that she loved him?
“Are wewe cold?” Julian asked as she felt Brooke shudder against his chest.
“A little,” Brooke alisema sheepishly.
“Here take this,” Julian alisema immediately taking off his koti, jacket as carefully draping it around her shoulder.
“What about you? Aren’t wewe going to be cold?” Brooke asked half heartedly, loving the warmth Julian’s koti, jacket was providing her cold body.
“Nah, I’ll be fine. I’ve got wewe to warm me up don’t I?” Julian asked grinning as he once again draped his arms around Brooke’s waist pulling her as close to his body as possible.
But before he could take another step forward, Brooke suddenly turned him towards her, and Julian uigizaji on instinct, leaned down and quickly placed his lips tenderly on hers. It didn’t take her long to respond, and very soon they were both fully making out in the middle of the beach, pwani completely Lost into each other and their feelings.
“Wow that was amazing,” Brooke gasped out as Julian finally released her.
“Does that surprise you?” Julian asked his breathing slightly uneven.
“No, not really,” Brooke admitted as she brought his face down to meet hers for yet another breathtaking kiss.
--
After ½ an saa of an intense make out session, Brooke and Julian finally decided to return home.
As Brooke unlocked the front door, she couldn’t keep a grin from appearing on her face as she remembered the past 30 minutes.
“You want to come in?” Brooke asked as she stepped in her foyer.
“Yeah sure,” Julian alisema hesitantly. He knew that this was it. He was going to come clean to her right now. This was probably the last time he would see her smiling like that towards him. That thought was enough to break his moyo into two.
“Brooke,” Julian called out as he grasped her wrist and turned her towards him.
“Yeah,” Brooke asked pressed tightly against his chest.
“I-I want—oh fuck this—” Julian growled out as he crashed his mouth against her surprised one. He knew he was uigizaji like a coward, trying to prolong the moment for as long as he could. But he had to kiss her one last time, kiss her with so much intensity and power that it would forever be embedded in his memory, because he knew that he would never feel for another woman what he felt for Brooke.
“I upendo you,” Brooke breathed out once he had pulled away. Her eyes were closed and her lips swollen, and for a sekunde Julian thought he was hallucinating.
“What?” Julian gasped out.
“I upendo you,” Brooke alisema louder as she opened her eyes to stare into his stunned ones, “I upendo you.”
“No, Brooke, wewe can’t,” Julian alisema panicked. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t tell him that she loved him a dakika before he was about to break up with her.
“Why can’t I, Julian?” Brooke asked confused, “I know that this might come as a shock to you, and I don’t expect wewe to say it back, but I do upendo you.”
“Don’t say that Brooke. Don’t say that,” Julian alisema harshly.
“Why are wewe uigizaji like this Julian? What’s so horrible about me loving you?” Brooke asked hurt.
“It’s horrible because you’re going to be biting back your words in about one minute,” Julian alisema frantically.
“What?” Brooke asked even zaidi confused now, “Why would I be biting back my words. It had taken me long enough to get the courage to tell wewe this, I don’t think I’ll be biting it back.”
“You will. Once wewe hear what I’ve got to say, wewe will be,” Julian alisema sadly, his eyes filled with so much pain and misery that Brooke felt her moyo clench in her chest. Something was very wrong.
“Julian what are wewe talking about? The only situation I would be taking my words back would be if you—Oh my god, you’re breaking up with me!” Brooke gasped out as realization dawned on her face.
“Brooke I—”
“You’re breaking up with me? You’re breaking up with me?” Brooke asked stunned. How had they gone from ending their perfect tarehe to him breaking up with her?
“I am leaving,” Julian admitted softly.
“What do wewe mean you’re leaving?” Brooke asked trying to make some sense of the situation.
“I am going back to LA,” Julian clarified.
“What? wewe can’t do that. What about Luke’s movie?” Brooke asked angrily.
“The movie’s been cancelled Brooke. The director quit, and there’s no way we’d make the deadline with a new one. So the movie’s off. And I’ve got an amazing offer to produce the film adaptation of Gossip Girl in Hollywood--”
“And wewe chose Gossip Girl,” Brooke finished for him, “When are wewe leaving?”
“6 days,” Julian alisema quietly.
“So tonight, it was all a hoax? wewe were leading me on the whole time?” Brooke asked incredulously.
“Brooke I would never—”
“But wewe did, Julian. wewe knew wewe were going to be leaving the whole time, and yet wewe didn’t say a word to me. I can’t believe wewe of all people would do that to me. And to think that I actually thought that wewe were the one for me,” Brooke alisema disgustedly as tears started falling from her eyes.
“Brooke, I am so sorry,” Julian alisema softly.
“And to think that I told wewe I loved you? How stupid am I? After everything that had happened to me, I can’t believe I actually believed that maybe for once everything would be okay. Well I guess your job’s done. wewe made Brooke Davis fall in upendo and ended up breaking her moyo worse than any other man had done before. wewe should be proud of yourself, because seriously this is a new low for me,” Brooke choked out as tears blurred her vision.
“I didn’t mean to hurt wewe Brooke,” Julian alisema sadly knowing that he had done the one thing he had promised never to do. He had made Brooke Davis a broken woman again.
“You know what the sad part is Julian? The fact that my perfect tarehe was nothing but a bunch of lies. I—”
“Tonight was not a lie Brooke. I meant everything I alisema to you. Tonight was not a lie,” Julian alisema desperately.
“But it seems like it. I can’t believe anything you’ve ever told me. I can’t believe I gave my moyo to someone who didn’t even like me enough to be honest with me,” Brooke alisema bitterly.
“I know I should have told wewe in the beginning Brooke—”
“Then why didn’t you? Huh? Why didn’t wewe end it before taking me on that tarehe that just made me fall deeper for you? Why Julian? Was this your idea of some sick joke?” Brooke asked hysterically.
“I never wanted to hurt wewe Brooke. Trust me that was the last thing I wanted,” Julian whispered, not knowing how to answer the rest of her maswali when he still wasn’t sure why he hadn’t told her the truth in the very beginning.
“Just leave Julian,” Brooke alisema tearfully.
“Brooke—”
“Just leave dammit. Get out of my house and my life. I don’t want to see your face again,” Brooke shouted her mind numb kwa the shock and pain of everything that had happened in the past 10 minutes.
And Julian knew that this was it. Their relationship was now officially over. Lowering his head in defeat, he just nodded quietly and turning on his heels, he walked out of the door and out of Brooke’s life.
When Brooke heard the door shut behind him, she let go off the kitanda as her knees buckled beneath her and she fell to the floor tears falling like waterfalls from her eyes. Julian was gone, and as her hands found her flat abdomen, she realized bitterly that he wasn’t just gone for her life. He was gone from their life.
Last chapter:
“No buts Julian. This is it. This is the movie of your career, the movie that will make my firm the most maarufu in Hollywood. So it’s either the girl, au the end of your career,” Paul alisema firmly as he walked towards him, “You have one week to make your decision. These are your plane tickets. I hope to see wewe au your resignation letter in my office in LA inayofuata Monday.”
--
The inayofuata evening, Brooke was getting ready for a tarehe with Julian. She was exceptionally excited about this tarehe because Julian asked her to dress up saying that he had a surprise for her, and Brooke Davis loved surprises.
“Can wewe take off that sickeningly bright smile of your face? It makes me want to puke,” Sam alisema rolling her eyes as she walked in her foster mother’s room and plopped messily of her neatly made bed.
“Sam I just made that,” Brooke groaned, turning to glare at the smirking teenager.
“See, now that’s the expression I like,” Sam alisema approvingly pointing at her scowling face.
“Very funny Sam,” Brooke alisema sarcastically, “You’re just jealous.”
“Jealous? Of what? wewe looking like an idiot? I don’t think so,” Sam alisema stubbornly.
“You amuse me Sam, wewe really do. One dakika you’re all supportive of Julian and me, and the inayofuata wewe have a problem with me smiling because I am happy with Julian. wewe have to make up your mind,” Brooke alisema teasingly.
“Oh no, I don’t have any problem with wewe and Julian. I just have a problem with your chirpy face every morning. I don’t think I have ever seen anyone smile so much,” Sam shot back grinning.
“I know I look like a teenager with a crush, but I can’t help it. Julian makes me really happy, Sam. I haven’t felt like this in, well ever since I graduated high school,” Brooke alisema seriously.
“So when are wewe going to tell him those three life changing words,” Sam asked curiously.
“I’m pregnant is just two words. Well technically it’s three but—”
“I mean when are wewe going to tell him that you’re in upendo with him?” Sam asked rolling her eyes, “But I guess the other one would be a good swali too.”
“I don’t know,” Brooke alisema hesitantly, “I am just going to wait for the right time, I guess.”
“When’s the right time going to be? When wewe give birth to his kid?” Sam asked sarcastically.
“Sam—”
“What I am serious! You’re probably the world’s biggest procrastinator especially when it comes to feelings and stuff,” Sam alisema bored, “Look how long it took wewe to actually agree to tarehe Julian.”
“That was different okay,” Brooke alisema dismissively.
“Well duh. Last time it was about sex. This time it’s about wewe being pregnant with little Julian. Very different,” Sam alisema enjoying pushing Brooke’s buttons.
“Sam must wewe be so blunt?” Brooke asked shaking her head.
“Hey, I just want to find out if you’re actually going to come out clean to him au if I am going to have to spoon feed him the information. And that might get ugly,” Sam alisema innocently.
“Samantha Walker, don’t wewe dare. You’re not going to tell him anything. Promise me that wewe won’t a breath a word to him about this pregnancy au my feels,” Brooke alisema panicked.
“Only if wewe promise me that wewe will actually make an effort to tell him at least one of your big news tonight,” Sam proposed.
“Fine, fine, I’ll try, I promise,” Brooke relented, “But if it turns out to be a disaster then I’m blaming you.”
“Everything’s going to fine Brooke,” Sam assured, and Brooke couldn’t help but believe her.
--
10 dakika later while Brooke was putting on her earrings, the doorbell rang indicating Julian’s arrival.
“Sam could wewe get that,” Brooke shouted.
“Already there,” Sam shouted back as Brooke heard her unlocking the door.
“Hey Samson,” she heard Julian’s voice greet her foster daughter, and just his voice was enough to put a smile on her face. God, she was in too deep for this guy.
“Hey Julian, wassup?” Sam asked as she stepped back to let him in.
“The usual,” Julian answered, closing the door behind him, “Where’s Brooke?”
“She’s getting ready,” Sam answered, “She should be here in a couple of minutes.”
“Ok, cool,” Julian alisema nervously, raking his hands through his hair.
“Are wewe okay, Julian?” Sam asked concerned.
“Yeah, I am fine. Why?” Julian asked trying to put a smile on his face.
“Nothing, wewe just seem distracted,” Sam noted.
“Oh it’s nothing. Just a little nervous,” Julian lied, trying to laugh it off. Sam obviously didn’t buy it, because seriously Julian has never been nervous before a date, but thankfully she didn’t ask anymore questions.
“Hey,” Brooke greeted cheerfully as she appeared at the juu of the stairs.
“Hey,” Julian replied, turning his gaze towards the stairs, and the sekunde his eyes met Brooke’s, a real smile appeared on his face. This was the affect Brooke Davis had on him. One look, and he was grinning like an idiot. And the fact that her face lit up every time she saw him, it made him feel like the most accomplished man in this world. God, he was in too deep. But he knew that tonight was the last time her face would light up because of him. He knew that tonight was the last time she would laugh with him, kiss him, last time she would talk to him. After tonight, he would be nothing short of a monster to her. Another addition to the Lost orodha of men that had already broken her heart. His moyo broke into a million pieces at that thought, but he knew there was no other choice. He had to end it with her, no matter how much it killed him to do it.
He was brought out of his reverie when he felt Brooke’s small hand caressing his face as she called his name trying to get his attention.
“Huh? What?” Julian asked stupidly.
“Where have wewe been? I’ve called your name 3 times. I know I look pretty, but I didn’t know I looked good enough to drive wewe speechless,” Brooke alisema teasingly, pulling her hand away from his face.
“I am sorry. I was just thinking,” Julian alisema apologetically as he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
“It’s okay,” Brooke alisema a little breathlessly as they pulled up for air.
“So wewe ready to go?” Julian asked placing his hand on the small of her back.
“Yeah, let’s go,” Brooke agreed, then turning around she called out, “Sam keep all the door locked, and—”
“Call wewe if there’s any sort of emergency and absolutely no parties. Yeah I know. wewe say that before every date, it has kinda sunk in kwa now,” Sam finished rolling her eyes as she poked her head out of her bedroom, smiling mischievously at her foster mother.
“Well wewe can’t blame me for being cautious can you?” Brooke asked pouting as Julian laughed.
“I guess not. But have a good time wewe guys,” Sam alisema smiling.
“We will,” Brooke alisema confidently as she and Julian made their way out of the door.
As Sam heard the door close shut behind the couple, she released a sigh. She knew there was something off with Julian tonight. She had never seen him act so oddly, and he was never nervous. Wondering what was wrong with him, Sam made her way to the couch, praying with all her might that Julian’s odd behavior was only temporary, because if it was anything other than that, well she didn’t even want to think about the possibility.
--
“Wow Julian, I can’t believe wewe got us reservations to one of the most elite restaurant in mti Hill,” Brooke alisema impressed as she walked into mti kilima steak, mnofu House, “Don’t wewe need to make reservations 5 months in advance to get in here au something?”
“Normal people do,” Julian acknowledged as he led her to the reception area.
“Table for 2 under the name Baker,” Julian alisema to the manager.
“Right this way, sir,” the manager alisema once he had consulted his reservation list.
“So are wewe saying that we’re not normal people,” Brooke whispered resuming their awali conversation.
“No, we’re just special,” Julian alisema smirking as they approached their table.
“Please take a seat,” the manager alisema courteously, “A waiter will be with wewe shortly.”
“Julian you’re not giving me straight answers, and I don’t appreciate that,” Brooke alisema pouting once she had taken her seat.
“Fine, fine. I know one of the managers here. That’s why I was able to get a reservation at such a short period,” Julian admitted.
“Ahh so the truth finally comes out,” Brooke alisema grinning, “But I’ve got to say, this is amazing. And they even seated us in a private seating area.”
“Actually I asked them to kiti, kiti cha us in a private area,” Julian alisema smiling mischievously.
“Julian, wewe didn’t need to do that,” Brooke gasped out, “Private seating is so expensive.”
“I wanted this night to be special, Brooke,” Julian alisema sincerely.
“Just being with wewe is special enough Julian. wewe didn’t need to do all this,” Brooke whispered her face glowing in the soft candle light.
“You look beautiful,” Julian alisema softly as he grasped her hand in the middle of the table.
“You look pretty dashing yourself Mr. Baker,” Brooke complimented, loving the feeling of his thumb stroking the soft skin of her hand.
Julian looked tempted to lean over to kiss her, but they were interrupted kwa the arrival of their waiter.
“Good evening,” the waiter greeted pleasantly, “Do wewe guys know what wewe will be ordering this evening?”
“I’ll have prime rib with mashed potatoes and supu with a small helping of salad,” Julian ordered.
“And I’ll just have grilled chicken with salad,” Brooke alisema politely.
“Any appetizers au drinks?” the waiter questioned.
“Can we just have a serving of garlic mkate sticks?” Julian asked as the waiter jotted down the order, “And I’ll take red wine with the dinner.”
“And wewe maam?” the waiter asked turning towards Brooke.
“I’ll just have maji ya limau, lemonade thank you,” Brooke said, avoiding Julian’s questioning gaze.
“Will that be it?” the waiter asked.
“Yes, thank you,” Julian alisema nodding to the waiter.
“Was I hallucinating of did wewe just order lemonade?” Julian asked surprised once the waiter had left.
“What’s so shocking about me ordering lemonade?” Brooke asked defensively.
“Nothing, except for the fact that you’re the biggest wine drinker I know. And from all the first class wines available on the menu, wewe chose lemonade?” Julian asked quirking his eyebrows.
“Maybe I just didn’t feel like drinking wine today,” Brooke alisema dismissively, “That’s not a crime is it.”
“Fine, fine, no need to be so touchy,” Julian alisema raising his hand in defeat, “You drink whatever wewe want to, but if it’s about wanting to save my money, don’t worry about it. I have zaidi than enough.”
“Trust me Julian, this has nothing to do with saving wewe money. I promise,” Brooke alisema in a tone bordering on finality and Julian knew the topic was over.
As Brooke looked at Julian, she knew this was the perfect time to tell him about the pregnancy, but she didn’t want to ruin the perfect atmosphere. She still didn’t know how he would react to the news, and she didn’t want to take any chances. At least that’s what she kept telling herself.
--
“That was absolutely amazing Julian,” Brooke alisema sighing contently on their way back.
“I am glad wewe liked it,” Julian alisema sincerely sending her a smile that sent her moyo fluttering.
“You know what would make this night absolutely perfect?” Brooke asked contemplatively.
“No, but I have a feeling that wewe are going to tell me,” Julian teased.
“A walk at the beach,” Brooke alisema dreamily.
“Brooke it’s about 50 degrees outside, you’re wearing a dress and not to mention your 5 inch heels, and wewe want to go walk on the beach?” Julian asked incredulously.
“I am just saying, doesn’t mean we have to do it,” Brooke alisema shrugging.
“Okay,” Julian alisema training his eyes back on the road.
However 5 dakika later, he turned onto a road going the complete opposite direction to her house.
“Julian, I don’t know if you’ve forgotten, but my house is on the opposite side,” Brooke alisema uncertainly.
“I know,” Julian alisema shrugging nonchalantly.
“Then why are we going this way?” Brooke asked incredulously.
“Because we’ve had a sudden change of plans,” Julian alisema vaguely.
“Change of plan? Where are we going now?” Brooke asked curiously.
“To the docks,” Julian alisema simply, and from the corner of his eyes, he watched as Brooke’s face went from being curious to one radiating excitement.
“To the docks? But what about the cold weather and my 5 inch heels?” Brooke asked mockingly as her eyes glittered in happiness.
“Guess I’ll just have to take a risk,” Julian alisema smiling, “Anything to get wewe your perfect date.”
“Aww aren’t wewe a sweetheart,” Brooke alisema affectionately as she leaned over and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.
“Please don’t use the word sweetheart when you’re describing me. It’s bad for my image,” Julian alisema smirking.
“Well then should I call wewe mathlete? Is that better for your image?” Brooke asked teasingly.
“Touché,” Julian alisema grinning, knowing that Brooke had won that argument.
“Plus, I am your girlfriend. I can call wewe whatever I want and wewe can’t complain about it,” Brooke alisema smugly.
“I guess, but only because you’re so cute,” Julian replied grinning as he parked the car in the empty parking lot inayofuata to the docks.
“Shall we my lady?” Julian asked putting up a British accent as he opened the passenger side’s door to help Brooke out.
“We shall kind sir,” Brooke alisema placing her hand in his outstretched one, her eyes twinkling with mirth.
“You sure you’re going to be fine in the heels?” Julian asked caringly.
“I’ll be fine. And anyways, I have wewe to lean on don’t I?” Brooke asked seriously, her eyes finding his as he found it hard to look away from her intense gaze.
“I’m here,” Julian promised, his insides filling up with guilt and pain as he realized that this was probably his last happy saa with Brooke.
“Good,” Brooke alisema as she leaned up and softly placed her lips against his as he instinctively pulled her closer to his body.
“You’re amazing, wewe know that right?” Julian asked softly once they had come up for air.
“So I’ve heard. But it means the most when wewe say it,” Brooke alisema gently stroking his face, and Julian almost Lost it right there. He knew he was leading her on, he knew that he was about to hurt her. He knew that he should have ended this when he first walked into her door. But he hadn’t listened to the rational side of his brain. And as a result, after tonight, it would be much harder for the both of them to let go.
“Hey what happened? wewe dozed off again,” Brooke alisema concerned as Julian came back to reality.
“I was just thinking how beautiful wewe look today. And how wewe deserve so much better than me,” Julian alisema honestly as they started walking along the shore.
“You’re good enough Julian. You’re zaidi than good enough for me. And it’s about time wewe realize that,” Brooke alisema seriously as she laid her head on his shoulder, his arm supporting both of their weights.
“You know in the book, when Lucas described wewe as the girl who would change the world someday, I didn’t know what to make out of it. But now I understand what he meant kwa that. wewe have changed my world Brooke Davis,” Julian admitted softly looking down at his girlfriend’s smiling face on his shoulder.
“You changed my life too Julian Baker. Before you, I had aliyopewa up hope of being happy again, and then wewe happened and my life took a whole new turn. wewe gave me something to look mbele to Julian. wewe gave me my life back and that makes wewe the most important person in my life right now. Well first Sam and then you, but wewe know what I mean,” Brooke alisema smiling as Julian laughed.
“I think I am okay with taking sekunde place to Sam. Had it been anyone other than her, I wouldn’t have been so accommodating, but Sam’s okay,” Julian alisema giving Brooke his infamous grin as he pulled her closer to him.
“Those words and that grin combined together just make me lo—like wewe even more,” Brooke alisema catching herself just in time.
Julian nearly felt his moyo stop at her words. Even though the transition had been fast, he had caught her stumble, and as he looked at the woman inayofuata to him, he couldn’t help but think, was she about to say that she loved him?
“Are wewe cold?” Julian asked as she felt Brooke shudder against his chest.
“A little,” Brooke alisema sheepishly.
“Here take this,” Julian alisema immediately taking off his koti, jacket as carefully draping it around her shoulder.
“What about you? Aren’t wewe going to be cold?” Brooke asked half heartedly, loving the warmth Julian’s koti, jacket was providing her cold body.
“Nah, I’ll be fine. I’ve got wewe to warm me up don’t I?” Julian asked grinning as he once again draped his arms around Brooke’s waist pulling her as close to his body as possible.
But before he could take another step forward, Brooke suddenly turned him towards her, and Julian uigizaji on instinct, leaned down and quickly placed his lips tenderly on hers. It didn’t take her long to respond, and very soon they were both fully making out in the middle of the beach, pwani completely Lost into each other and their feelings.
“Wow that was amazing,” Brooke gasped out as Julian finally released her.
“Does that surprise you?” Julian asked his breathing slightly uneven.
“No, not really,” Brooke admitted as she brought his face down to meet hers for yet another breathtaking kiss.
--
After ½ an saa of an intense make out session, Brooke and Julian finally decided to return home.
As Brooke unlocked the front door, she couldn’t keep a grin from appearing on her face as she remembered the past 30 minutes.
“You want to come in?” Brooke asked as she stepped in her foyer.
“Yeah sure,” Julian alisema hesitantly. He knew that this was it. He was going to come clean to her right now. This was probably the last time he would see her smiling like that towards him. That thought was enough to break his moyo into two.
“Brooke,” Julian called out as he grasped her wrist and turned her towards him.
“Yeah,” Brooke asked pressed tightly against his chest.
“I-I want—oh fuck this—” Julian growled out as he crashed his mouth against her surprised one. He knew he was uigizaji like a coward, trying to prolong the moment for as long as he could. But he had to kiss her one last time, kiss her with so much intensity and power that it would forever be embedded in his memory, because he knew that he would never feel for another woman what he felt for Brooke.
“I upendo you,” Brooke breathed out once he had pulled away. Her eyes were closed and her lips swollen, and for a sekunde Julian thought he was hallucinating.
“What?” Julian gasped out.
“I upendo you,” Brooke alisema louder as she opened her eyes to stare into his stunned ones, “I upendo you.”
“No, Brooke, wewe can’t,” Julian alisema panicked. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t tell him that she loved him a dakika before he was about to break up with her.
“Why can’t I, Julian?” Brooke asked confused, “I know that this might come as a shock to you, and I don’t expect wewe to say it back, but I do upendo you.”
“Don’t say that Brooke. Don’t say that,” Julian alisema harshly.
“Why are wewe uigizaji like this Julian? What’s so horrible about me loving you?” Brooke asked hurt.
“It’s horrible because you’re going to be biting back your words in about one minute,” Julian alisema frantically.
“What?” Brooke asked even zaidi confused now, “Why would I be biting back my words. It had taken me long enough to get the courage to tell wewe this, I don’t think I’ll be biting it back.”
“You will. Once wewe hear what I’ve got to say, wewe will be,” Julian alisema sadly, his eyes filled with so much pain and misery that Brooke felt her moyo clench in her chest. Something was very wrong.
“Julian what are wewe talking about? The only situation I would be taking my words back would be if you—Oh my god, you’re breaking up with me!” Brooke gasped out as realization dawned on her face.
“Brooke I—”
“You’re breaking up with me? You’re breaking up with me?” Brooke asked stunned. How had they gone from ending their perfect tarehe to him breaking up with her?
“I am leaving,” Julian admitted softly.
“What do wewe mean you’re leaving?” Brooke asked trying to make some sense of the situation.
“I am going back to LA,” Julian clarified.
“What? wewe can’t do that. What about Luke’s movie?” Brooke asked angrily.
“The movie’s been cancelled Brooke. The director quit, and there’s no way we’d make the deadline with a new one. So the movie’s off. And I’ve got an amazing offer to produce the film adaptation of Gossip Girl in Hollywood--”
“And wewe chose Gossip Girl,” Brooke finished for him, “When are wewe leaving?”
“6 days,” Julian alisema quietly.
“So tonight, it was all a hoax? wewe were leading me on the whole time?” Brooke asked incredulously.
“Brooke I would never—”
“But wewe did, Julian. wewe knew wewe were going to be leaving the whole time, and yet wewe didn’t say a word to me. I can’t believe wewe of all people would do that to me. And to think that I actually thought that wewe were the one for me,” Brooke alisema disgustedly as tears started falling from her eyes.
“Brooke, I am so sorry,” Julian alisema softly.
“And to think that I told wewe I loved you? How stupid am I? After everything that had happened to me, I can’t believe I actually believed that maybe for once everything would be okay. Well I guess your job’s done. wewe made Brooke Davis fall in upendo and ended up breaking her moyo worse than any other man had done before. wewe should be proud of yourself, because seriously this is a new low for me,” Brooke choked out as tears blurred her vision.
“I didn’t mean to hurt wewe Brooke,” Julian alisema sadly knowing that he had done the one thing he had promised never to do. He had made Brooke Davis a broken woman again.
“You know what the sad part is Julian? The fact that my perfect tarehe was nothing but a bunch of lies. I—”
“Tonight was not a lie Brooke. I meant everything I alisema to you. Tonight was not a lie,” Julian alisema desperately.
“But it seems like it. I can’t believe anything you’ve ever told me. I can’t believe I gave my moyo to someone who didn’t even like me enough to be honest with me,” Brooke alisema bitterly.
“I know I should have told wewe in the beginning Brooke—”
“Then why didn’t you? Huh? Why didn’t wewe end it before taking me on that tarehe that just made me fall deeper for you? Why Julian? Was this your idea of some sick joke?” Brooke asked hysterically.
“I never wanted to hurt wewe Brooke. Trust me that was the last thing I wanted,” Julian whispered, not knowing how to answer the rest of her maswali when he still wasn’t sure why he hadn’t told her the truth in the very beginning.
“Just leave Julian,” Brooke alisema tearfully.
“Brooke—”
“Just leave dammit. Get out of my house and my life. I don’t want to see your face again,” Brooke shouted her mind numb kwa the shock and pain of everything that had happened in the past 10 minutes.
And Julian knew that this was it. Their relationship was now officially over. Lowering his head in defeat, he just nodded quietly and turning on his heels, he walked out of the door and out of Brooke’s life.
When Brooke heard the door shut behind him, she let go off the kitanda as her knees buckled beneath her and she fell to the floor tears falling like waterfalls from her eyes. Julian was gone, and as her hands found her flat abdomen, she realized bitterly that he wasn’t just gone for her life. He was gone from their life.