After making a few phone calls, Hector had made arrangements for to have dinner with Eileen and Chad on Friday night at one of the most popular and expensive restaurants in town. As they were seated at their table, Eileen took in the surroundings. She had never been there before and she was very impressed with what she saw.
While they waited for their meals to be served, Hector and Chad reminisced about their days in college. Eileen didn't have much to add to the conversation, but the stories were entertaining and she had a good time listening to them and laughing along with Chad and Hector.
Both Chad and Hector had majored in business when they were in college. After graduation Hector got a corporate job right away, but Chad took a different path. He had done some modeling in college to make some extra cash and decided to stick with that line of work for awhile. Eventually, he moved his focus behind the camera and became more involved in the business side of the industry.
"We used to tease him about being a model," Hector explained to Eileen. "But we all envied him for being around so many gorgeous women. So did the appeal finally wear thin?" Hector asked Chad. "Is that why you're here?" After receiving an annoyed look from his fiancee, he added, "There's only one gorgeous woman in this town and she's taken."
Chad laughed. "No, that's the one part of it that didn't get old. I'd been thinking about trying something else for awhile now, but the plans I was working on fell through."
"Don't tell me you're finally going to settle down and get a real job," Hector teased.
"I wouldn't go that far," Chad replied with a laugh. "But I've got to tell you, I don't think I'd mind having your life right now, Hector."
All through class that evening, Lauren had been waiting for a chance to talk with Lawrence. The opportunity came after class, when the students were handing in their term papers before leaving class. She sidled up behind Lawrence as he turned in his assignment.
"So Lawrence, I heard your friend Hector's getting married. Tell him I said congrats. I think they're a great couple and I know they'll be really, really happy together."
Andrew, who couldn't help overhearing, scoffed and mumbled, "I wouldn't bet on that. The only reason he's marrying her is because she's the boss's daughter."
Suddenly interested, Lawrence turned to Andrew with alarm, "Do you know that for a fact? Did he tell you that?"
"He never said anything to me," Andrew admitted, "But I know his character."
Lawrence just nodded pensively. He wouldn't be surprised if getting ahead in the company was Hector's motive for marrying Eileen, but he had no way of knowing if that was the case or not.
As Andrew walked away, Lauren spoke to Lawrence. "I'm sure that's not true. Mr. Martin must be mistaken. I've seen them together and there's no doubt that they're truly in love. They're so perfect together. If you don't believe me, take me with you to their engagement party tomorrow night and we'll see for ourselves. What do you say?"
"I already have a date," he replied absentmindedly and walked away, leaving a surprised Lauren behind.
Just the mention of Hector's name still made Andrew bristle, but to hear that he was still fooling everyone to get everything he wanted, made Andrew furious. He sat at his desk for a few moments after his class had left, intending to get some work done, but he was too angry to focus. Instead, he packed up his papers and decided to stop by the bar before he went home.
On the way to the bar, Andrew heard a familiar voice that made him stop in his tracks. He looked up and took notice of a small group standing outside of the restaurant he was walking past.
"Tomorrow night at seven," Hector reminded Chad.
"I've got an out of town appointment in the afternoon," Chad said. "but I should be back at the hotel in plenty of time to get ready."
"Make sure you are," Hector said lightly. "We can't have an engagement party without our best man."
The group looked like it was about to part ways, so Andrew turned and quickly walked away before Hector could see him. He was in no mood for Hector's snide remarks or for the confrontation that was sure to follow. He decided to walk away from it, for now at least.
Amanda walked to the window and looked outside at the empty street. It was getting late, not late enough for her to be worried, but she still wished that Andrew would come home soon.
She turned from the window and looked absently around the room. Her home just wasn't the same anymore. With Mother gone, Alma living on her own, and Andrew away during the evenings, the house seemed empty. Everything had changed so much in such a short time. She had resisted it for awhile, but she realized she had to accept that things weren't going to stay the way they were.
She still didn't like losing the house, but she had reached the point where she didn't want to stay there anymore. She was no longer comfortable in this home that was no longer hers.
She had really hoped that they would be able to find a new place right away, but their trip to the real estate agent hadn't been very promising. Amanda knew that Miss Jordan had done her best to find something for them, but nothing they had looked at was right. All of the nice places were out of their price range and the places that they could afford weren't to their liking at all.
Amanda sighed as she remembered the unsuccessful trip and wondered if they should be less picky and just take something so they could get out of this old house. Maybe things would be better with a fresh start.
Amanda was lonely and restless and tired of being alone with her thoughts, so she decided to give her sister a call. Alma usually wasn't the best of company, but Amanda thought it might be nice to talk to her sister or pay her a visit.
When Amanda called Alma's number, Bernice answered.
"Alma's not here. She went out."
"Oh," Amanda replied. Somehow she just expected Alma to be there. "Do you know when she'll be back?"
"Not until late, I think," Bernice replied, eager to tell what she knew. "She's out a date with that nice Dr. Wilton."
"Really?" Amanda asked with surprise. She really hadn't expected that news, but she was very happy for her sister. She seemed to be having more luck getting her life in order and Amanda was glad that at least she was doing well.
Meanwhile, Alma and Edward were having dinner in a nice, quiet restaurant. Alma had been unsure about accepting the invitation, but now that she was there, she was really enjoying herself. It had been a long time since she had been out for a fun evening. This was the first time in years that other responsibilities weren't taking precedence in her life and she could just take time to enjoy herself.
As the evening continued, Alma was surprised to discover that the more time she spent with Edward, the more she liked him. He was very nice, well mannered, and easy to talk to. The date was going much better than she had ever imagined.
At the end of the evening, Edward walked Alma to her door. "I hope you had a nice evening, because I thought tonight was wonderful."
"I did," Alma replied sincerely. "Thank you for taking me out."
"It was my pleasure," Edward replied. He hesitated a moment for continuing. "I want to tell you something, Alma, and I hope I'm not being too forward, but I think you deserve to know my intentions. I've admired you for a long time and that's very rare. I haven't met a woman that I've been as interested in since . . .well, in years." Edward paused, as if caught in the past for a brief second. When he continued, he decided the whole story needed to be told.
"A long time ago I was in madly love with a certain woman. I wanted to marry her, but she wanted someone else. I gave up on having a marriage or a family, thinking I would never find someone else that I felt so strongly about. I was heartbroken, so I focused solely on my career and put my personal life on hold. But I have no regrets now. I can see now that it was for the best. Back then I didn't have the means to provide such a comfortable life or the time to devote to a family, but now I do and I'm ready to change my focus."
Alma didn't like where this conversation was going. The more Edward spoke, the more nervous she became. By the time she thought to interrupt his speech, she was so nervous that she felt physically ill. "What are you trying to say?" she managed to ask calmly, hoping he would get to the point and get it over with.
"Just that I feel like I've lost a lot of time and I want to be completely honest. I want to get married and start a family and I think you may be the woman I've been waiting for. Of course, I'm not asking you to say anything now. I know it's much too soon and you'll need some time to get to know me better. I just wanted you to know what my intentions are when I ask you if you would be interested in seeing me again."
"I see," Alma said quietly. Her mind was going around in circles, thinking about all that he had said and how it would affect her new life.
"I know I've said a lot, but can I call you later this week? I'd like to take you to dinner again."
Alma thought it over for a second. Reaching a decision she answered coolly, "No. Thank you, but don't bother." Alma turned and walked quickly into the house, leaving Edward bewildered and wondering what had gone wrong.
No comments:
Post a Comment