Welcome back. The journey between two worlds continues.
Chapter 6 – Confusion
For Nathan, “later” translated into I won’t be surprised if I meet you again when my shift ends. That thought gave him both hope and energy.
She finished around 9 p.m., and Nathan was there. Waiting.
He debated bringing flowers, but until she truly accepted him, it felt better to restrain himself from any romantic gestures.
“You’re here,” she said, not hiding her joy.
“You don’t sound surprised. I guess I managed to get it right this time. Hungry? Dinner or a late‑night snack?”
“Not tonight. But I’m thinking of letting you walk me home. How does that sound?”
“Perfect,” Nathan said, barely managing to contain his happiness.
Over the next few days, the “random encounters” became planned, agreed, and gradually evolved into dates. Each time they met, Nathan told her a little more about his experiences: the other world, what he calls energy fields, the car, AI Sara who knew him far too well, the similarities between the worlds, and finally, Sarah.
Talking about Sarah, it felt so strange. Even though he knows here she’s Olivia, and this is another world entirely, it still felt deeply unsettling. Sometimes eerie. And now, as the story approached its end, the point where avoiding Sarah becomes impossible, it felt almost frightening.
What if knowing the connection, there reason he looked for her, makes her push me away? What if telling her everything makes me sound creepy instead of romantic? After he finally covered everything, a moment of heavy silence followed them.
“I know you’re not her,” he said breaking the silence. “And I’ve told you everything. Truly, without hiding anything. I hope… it would help you understand me better, not make you think I’m a weirdo with a fixation.”
“Well…” she said playfully.
“Fine, fine. Maybe a little bit,” he added, noticing her curious look. “OK…not a little bit. Happy? But with no bad intentions. Believe me!” said and he signed a cross over his heart.
She smiled. “Fine. But you must admit it’s a bit creepy. Still… here we are. You managed to find me… the look‑alike. You told me the story you wanted so badly to share. What’s next?”
They walked in sync, her hand holding his arm.
“I… I never thought this far ahead. Since you agreed to listen, I stayed in the moment. No plans. No hidden agenda. I was… am… happy.”
She nodded slowly. “That’s sweet, but also a conundrum. Logic tells me to stop. But if I silence the noise it’s making, stopping now doesn’t feel right.”
“This is it, Olivia. Silence the logic,” Nathan said, pulling her into his arms and kissed her forehead
They walked a little longer. Olivia asked about the other world, mainly about how it looked and how it felt. She listened closely to Nathan’s impressions and first‑hand experience. And before they realized it, they had reached her home.
“Can’t you stay a little longer? Tomorrow’s the weekend, after all,” he asked, hopeful.
“I’m a bit tired, Nathan. But… I wouldn’t mind if you came upstairs for a cup of tea.”
“Gladly. Lead the way,” he said, unable to hide his joy.
The sexual tension between them had been building up for a while. After the tea, one thing led to another, until the night ended in a shared, passionate surrender.
Nathan woke up with a wide smile. Olivia rested her head on his chest while he gently stroked her hair. After a moment, she opened one eye, then the other, and murmured, half‑asleep, her voice slightly hoarse:
“Morning.” She stretched her arms lazily, then placed a hand on his chest. “I’m hungry. Let’s find something to eat. Come on, wipe that satisfied smile off your face and help me with breakfast. You’re so sweet… still as happy as the first time.”
She threw the blanket aside and stood up, stretching before leaving the room. She wore a light‑pink lace bikini and a loose tank top, a sight Nathan will never be tire of.
He stretched and looked toward the sunlight.
Wait… “as happy as the first time”? What does she… he froze. “No…”
He rushed to the window.
Late spring.
“I’m… back… This means she’s… Shara. When did this happen? And with whom did I sleep last night?”
“Nathan? Aren’t you coming?” her voice made him jump.
He quickly pulled on his pants, grabbed his shirt, and slipped on it as he walked out. The kitchen opened into the living room. She was there, washing tomatoes and cucumbers. Calm, natural, unremarkable in the most unsettling way.
She moved gracefully, her body only deepening his confusion.
“Sarah?” he whispered, barely keeping his composure.
“Here you are.” She smiled. “Come on. Cut the vegetables.”
“O‑okay… Sarah,” he said more clearly, making sure she heard him. “Were… were we last night?”
She paused.
“Are you okay, Nathan? Don’t tell me you forgot again. I watched you at dinner and you haven’t had any alcohol.”
She took his face gently between her hands and examined his eyes, searching for some explanation.
“Clear skin. Clear eyes… Are you messing with me?”
“I…”
“Stop playing and let’s eat,” she said, giving him a quick kiss.
They ate in silence for a while. Nathan studied her, trying to detect any difference from Olivia beyond hairstyle and maybe the hair color, but found none. Either he couldn’t stare long enough, or he was too easily distracted.
“Oh… I got a call. I need to stop by the clinic. An urgent case. Sorry, love. I can’t come with you to your father today.”
“My… father?”
“Don’t play with me. We talked about it yesterday. You said he texted you… something important. I still don’t understand why you keep ignoring his calls.”
Nathan grabbed his phone and scrolled. There it was.
“Nathan, I need to see you tomorrow. It’s urgent. You’ll understand why. It’s about Ellie, your mother.”
He wondered if this is his father… or this world’s Nathan’s father?
“Nathan, you’re spacing out! Can you drop me off at the clinic on your way?”
“Yes… sure,” he said, taking a sip of coffee.
Downstairs, Nathan realized he had no idea where the car was, or how to reach the clinic, or his father’s place. Less alone how they reached Sara’s place or where the car park is.
Right on cue, the car pulled up in front of them. Nathan exhaled of relief and whispered “I love this tech”
“Good morning, Sarah. Nathan. What is the plan for today? May I suggest a few optimal routes for this beautiful day?”
“Sorry, Sara,” Sarah said. “Emergency at the clinic. Take us there first please. Then make sure you take Nathan to visit his father. Don’t let him talk his way out of it, like last time.”
“Understood, Sarah. I will ensure Nathan reaches his destinations. Traffic is light. We’ll arrive in twenty minutes. Enjoy the ride.”
Until they reached the clinic, Sarah spoke about the power of forgiveness, urging him to listen, to consider his father’s side, to be the bigger man. The psychologist in her fully surfaced.
“We’re here,” she said, and the car door opens. “Please listen to me, Nathan. He reached out first. You gain nothing by ignoring him. OK love? OK… See you tonight.”
She left quickly. Sara closed the door, on the display the address for Nathan’s father was loaded and started moving.
“Sara… how often do I visit my father?”
“I do not have full details. I only know that Sarah attempted for over a year to reconcile you and your father. I do not know the origin of the conflict, but I advise trusting Sarah’s judgment”
“Because he left. Shortly after Mom died. Without explanation,” Nathan said, anger tightening his voice.
“Nathan, your pulse is above 120 beats per minute, and your blood pressure concerns me. Shall we return to the clinic?”
“No. Just keep going. I’m okay. Thanks Sara”
“Certainly. We will arrive in approximately forty minutes. Please relax. I will play the list you like.” Hearing “arrive” and “relax” in the same sentence didn’t make any sense to him. His anger was still there. But he had promised Sarah he would listen first, and not let the emotions of the past judge the present.
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