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melissabik

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Aiden gives me a Valentine’s Day card, and now I am in total confusion.  Why would he take the time to get me a card?  After all of the things we had been through in the last months, he gives me this…  Maybe it was a sign; or maybe he was trying to tell me something.  Was he in love with me?  Suddenly my heart began to pound faster.  Was he the man in my fairly tale?  What he wrote inside my card… did it have a hidden message?  My brain was beginning to hurt.  Thinking about all of the possible scenarios was giving me a headache.  But he MUST be telling me that he loves me…   I got up from my chair and walked outside, holding the card.  I was going to get to the bottom of this—right now.  I began to walk to Aiden’s office when I saw someone inside with him.  It was a woman; it was Maria.  I stood there, watching them…  Maria had her hand on Aiden’s shoulder as their backs were turned to me.  I couldn’t tell what they were talking about, but it seemed serious.  Suddenly, Maria moved her hand from Aiden’s shoulder and grabbed his chin.  She isn’t about to… That’s when she kissed him.  My heart broke into even more pieces.

Sure, Maria was there, but I had never actually seen her with this display of affection before.  Now I knew how Aiden felt.  The card was just a gesture of kindness.  That was it, and nothing more.  How could I have been so stupid to think he was in love with me?  Why did I want that?  I was being selfish; I all ready had a man in love with me, and he was a wonderful man.  Maybe Aiden’s note was steering me in Vince’s direction.  Maybe if I would just stop being so uptight I would find myself happy…  So I took the Valentine’s Day card and walked back to my office.  I decided to discard of the gift; it was better that way…  I just didn’t want that reminder.  Every time I would look at it, I would see Maria kissing Aiden.  It still made my stomach turn as I thought about it.  I was almost angry…  I had the urge to just go out there and say, “Get away from my man!”  But he wasn’t my man.  Come to think of it, he never was…

After a long and tedious day at work, I knew Vince had plans for me.  I grabbed my jacket and tote as I headed towards the elevator.  Kip had all ready left, and it was growing dark outside.  I figured I was one of the last people there; I generally stayed longer than most of our workers…  I waited for the elevator doors to open when I heard a door close behind me.  I wondered who could still be here…  Footsteps resounded behind me as they came closer and closer.  “You’re still here,” Aiden stated as he stood next to me.  Crap…  I shrugged my shoulders.  “I always stay late,” I muttered, not wanting to look at Aiden.  If I did, all I would see is the image of him and Maria kissing…  That would make me vomit.  “Did you like the card?” Aiden asked.  Who was this guy?  He gives me a Valentine’s Day card, makes out with his ex-wife, and then asks me about the card of love…  I struggled not to explode.  “It was nice… Sleeping Beauty,” was all I could bring myself to say.

The elevator doors swung open as I headed inside.  Aiden followed after me.  “You’re not one for Valentine’s Day, are you?” he observed as the doors shut.  I shrugged my shoulders.  “It’s a dumb holiday,” I muttered.  Aiden smiled at me for a few seconds.  I looked up at him and saw amusement.  “It’s a dumb holiday,” I repeated, trying to defend my statement.  Aiden nodded as he turned away.  “Aren’t you with Vince?” he asked.  I rolled my eyes as I stared at the ceiling.  When was this elevator ride going to be over?  “YES,” I stated in annoyance.  “Then how can you not enjoy Valentine’s Day?  I’m sure you two must have used… the word love, haven’t you?” Aiden wondered.  I froze; what do I say?  Do I lie or tell the truth?  “He’s said it, but I haven’t,” I heard myself say.  I wanted to kick my own shin; I should have lied…  Aiden nodded his head, suddenly deep in thought.  “Do you think you’ll tell him today?” he asked.  “You seem to have an awful lot of questions,” I muttered as the elevator doors finally swung open and I stepped out.

“You’re really thinking about this, aren’t you?” Lindsay mused as she sat on the edge of my bed as I got ready for a night out with Vince.  I shrugged my shoulders as I struggled to find a dress to wear.  “Yes; I think this would be the perfect time to tell Vince that I love him,” I stated, still cringing at the word “love.”  Lindsay shook her head.  “You don’t love him, Anne…  You love Aiden,” she protested.  I turned back to her, holding a dress up against me.  “What do you think of this one?” I stated, ignoring her remark.  Lindsay gave me a look.  “Stop changing the subject.  You can’t tell Vince that you love him when it’s not true.  That wouldn’t be fair to him,” she stated, grabbing the dress from my hands.  I let out a sigh.  “Lindsay, you have no idea if I love Vince or not; I just think he is a great guy and he deserves to hear those words.  Who’s to say that they’re not true?” I suggested.

Lindsay just shook her head in disappointment.  “I know that I told you Vince would be good for you, but I would rather see you with Aiden,” she replied quietly.  I turned to her from my closet.  “Well, that can’t happen.  He’s with his ex-wife now.  I saw them kissing in his office today; a Valentine’s Day kiss…” I exclaimed.  Lindsay looked up at me in shock.  “Oh, Anne…  I’m so sorry.  I didn’t think it would get serious,” she soothed, feeling sorry for me.  I put my hand up.  “I don’t need your pity.  I’m over him.  He can make all the mistakes he wants to; I am going to be happy with Vince.  I think it’s time that I stop holding back,” I replied as I finally chose a dress for my date with Vince.  It was red strapless dress that was just above the knee.  I actually only chose it because it was red; Valentine’s Day red…  (It was more or less Lindsay’s idea.)  After Lindsay had done my hair and makeup, and I was fully dressed and ready, I sat at the edge of the bed, staring at myself. 

“You look great,” Lindsay stated half-heartedly.  “Thanks,” I replied half-heartedly.  We really were a depressing pair.  But I wasn’t giving in to Lindsay’s reasoning.  I didn’t care that for the first time in our 10 years of friendship she was starting to make sense.  I just wanted to get over Aiden.  I was sick of this back and forth pendulum of my feelings.  It was starting to wear me down.  Suddenly there was a knock at the door.   Lindsay stood up.  “I’ll get it,” she offered.  “He should be surprised,” she added as she headed towards the door.  I grabbed my coat and red clutch and headed after her.  “Hey Vince…” Lindsay greeted as she opened the door.  Lindsay never truly liked Vince, but because he had a change of heart, she decided to be nicer to him.  “Lindsay,” Vince greeted.  “Can I come in?” he asked, looking around her.  “Where’s Anne?” he added.

“I’m here,” I stated, emerging from the corner.  I felt extremely nervous; I knew where this date was going to end.  Vince seemed speechless as he took me in.  Lindsay moved from the doorway so he could get a better look.  “Wow,” he whispered as he looked me up and down.  I began to blush as I looked into his eyes.  He seemed pleased.  “You don’t look so bad yourself,” I countered as I looked down at my watch.  He was wearing a suit with a pink tie; we were ready for Valentine’s Day.  “You two have a good time on your date, you hear?” Lindsay stated as we exited my apartment.  As the door closed behind me, I suddenly felt uncomfortable.  Who was I kidding?  I would never be able to tell Vince that I love him…  I don’t even really remember telling him those words when we were together the first time…  “Are you ready to go?” Vince asked as he held out his hand.

I nodded as he laced his fingers through mine.  We began to walk down the stairs to his car, but he wouldn’t let me inside.  “I have something to give you first,” he explained as he went to the driver’s side and took something.  He returned to my side and handed me a little box.  Oh great; he got me a gift and I didn’t get him anything…  “You got me a gift?” I asked as I took it from him.  “Just open it,” Vince urged.  I could feel my hands trembling.  I sighed in relief as I realized the box was too big to be a wedding ring…  I took off the little silver bow and opened the box slowly.  Inside the box were two movie ticket stubs.  I became confused.  They were framed in a little black frame; it was a ticket to the movie, “Casablanca.”  I looked up at Vince.  “What is this?” I asked.  Vince was smiling from ear to ear.  “Do you remember the very first date that I took you on?” he asked.  I struggled to search through my memory.  I remembered the day I met Vince.  He was walking across the street when I almost ran him over.  I yelled at him a lot, and he just smiled at me.  When I finally asked him why he was smiling, he stated, “When you fall in love, boy do you get hit; and hard.”

The restaurant was decked out in red and pink, and there were candles all over the place.  It was packed with so many couples, we had to wait an extra few minutes to get a table.  When we were finally seated, Vince ordered for us, and we received our drinks.  “Who would have thought that you and I would be together on Valentine’s Day again?” Vince stated as he looked over at me.  I shook my head.  “I guess we just couldn’t get enough of each other,” I stated, taking a sip of my drink.  “I really am glad that you gave me a second chance, Anne,” Vince stated whole-heartedly.  I smiled at him as he grabbed my hand from across the table.  I guess this was as a good a time as any to say something I wasn’t sure I wanted to say.  “Vince, ever since we started dating again, you have been a real prince.  You have gone above and beyond to show that you still care about me, and I just can’t believe how hard you would work for a girl like me,” I stated.

Vince shook his head.  “Don’t put yourself down; you are the most wonderful girl I have ever met.  I have the most fun when I’m with you,” he assured me.  I felt my knees begin to buckle as my palms began to sweat.  Just say it and get it over with.  “I have a wonderful time when I’m with you too…  And I think I’m finally ready to say… Vince, I…”  My voice trailed off as I looked behind Vince.  He looked at me in confusion and tried to follow my gaze.  “Anne?  You what?” he urged me to continue.  But I couldn’t.  My gaze was broken because there was someone being escorted this way.  It was Aiden and Maria.  What the HELL?  How could this happen?  How could they pick the same restaurant?  They CANNOT be here right now!  “Anne?” Vince called again.  I finally turned back to him.  “What did you want to say?” he asked.  I shook my head as the waiter actually brought Aiden and Maria to the table right next to us.

Aiden smiled at the waiter, until he realized who was next to him.  “Anne?” he breathed as Maria turned around and gave me the look of death.  I was frozen in fear.  “Do you know him, Anne?” Vince whispered to me as I became limp.  “What are you doing here?” Aiden asked as Maria just stood there, staring at me.  I just wanted to crawl into a whole and die.  “I’m on a date with my boyfriend, Vince,” I muttered as I pointed to him.  Vince looked up at Aiden in confusion.  “I’m Anne’s partner, Aiden,” he introduced himself.  Vince got up from the table.  “Oh, yeah…  The British guy,” he stated as the two men shook hands.  “Let’s get another table,” I heard Maria whisper.  Aiden nodded as the waiter came by.  “Excuse me, but would it be possible to get another table?” he asked.

The waiter shook his head.  “We are very busy on Valentine’s Day.  If you want another table, you will have to wait an hour or two.  This is the only available table at the moment; I am sorry,” he replied.  Aiden turned back to Maria and shrugged his shoulders.  Maria huffed as she sat down reluctantly in the chair near me.  I still hadn’t looked up from the table.  We all sat there in silence for a few minutes; it felt like hours.  I couldn’t stand it.  Our food was brought to us, and Vince struggled to hold conversation with me.  Aiden would glance over periodically and so would Maria.  As dessert rolled around, I had barely said a word since we got there.  “What is it you wanted to tell me before, Anne?” Vince questioned as he took a bite of his tiramisu.  I shook my head.  I couldn’t tell him that I love him in front of Aiden.  That would be the most awkward thing I would ever do in my life.

“It’s not important at the moment,” I muttered as I took a bite of my carrot cake.  Vince looked over at Aiden, who was trying hard to listen intently into our conversation.  I occasionally glanced over at Maria, who barely touched her ice-cream.  She was still staring at me; I think she had been staring at me all night.  I’m surprised she didn’t jump over the table and attack me right there.  “Happy Valentine’s Day, Aiden,” Maria finally stated, a little louder than she really needed to be.  I turned to watch as she handed him a gift.  Aiden smiled awkwardly as he opened it.  It was two cuff links with his initials on them.  “Thank you, Maria.  These really are wonderful,” he stated as he kissed her hand.  BLEH.  I just wanted to vomit.  His lips had been everywhere, hadn’t they?  I spotted the waiter and motioned for him to send the check.  This evening was over; I couldn’t take this tension anymore.  Vince paid the bill and stood up to put my coat on for me.  I looked down to the floor as I buttoned up.  I couldn’t bring myself to look at Aiden.

“It was nice to meet you both,” Vince stated to Aiden and Maria politely.  If only he knew the situation…  This night might have ended with more violence.  Maybe it would have been better that way…  Vince grabbed my hand as we walked out of the restaurant.  When I got outside, I finally felt like I was able to breathe again.  I needed the cold night air to wash over me.  “What was that in there?” Vince finally had the courage to ask as we walked to the valet so he could pick up his car.  How should I answer this?  “Aiden and I don’t really get along very well…  It was just awkward to be so close to them,” I muttered.  That was the only explanation that I could give him.  “Well, I’m sorry you didn’t have a good time.  I was hoping that tonight would be special,” Vince replied with disappointment.  Suddenly I felt like the worst girlfriend in the world.  Vince had given me the most wonderful gift, and I gave him nothing.  I had caused the awkward evening, but Vince was the one to apologize for MY discomfort.

He really didn’t deserve all the crap he was getting.  I didn’t deserve him…  “Oh, Vince…  I am sorry about all of this.  You have been so great to me, and all I do is cause problems,” I stated as the valet pulled up.  I couldn’t do this to Vince.  It was time for me to say the four letter word…  Vince began to walk to the driver’s seat, but I grabbed his arm.  “What is it?” he asked as he stopped in his tracks.  “I’ve been wanting to say something all night, but there have been too many interruptions…  Mostly from my nerves…”  I took a deep breath and let it out.  “You have been so wonderful and understanding these last few months; I’ve been terrible.  You’ve also been extremely patient with me, and I think I’m ready to say it…  Vince, I love you.  I’m sorry it took me so long to say it, but I love you,” I finally managed to reply.  As I looked into Vince’s eyes, I saw such happiness there.  He was suddenly the happiest I had ever seen him.

It made me feel good to bring him this happiness.  He deserved it.  “Oh Anne… This is the best Valentine’s Day gift you could have ever given me,” he stated happily.  He pulled me into his arms and pulled me close to his chest.  “Thank you,” he whispered as he put his lips gently against mine.  When he pulled away, I looked off into the distance and saw Aiden standing there in shock.  I didn’t care if he saw everything.  Maybe this was just what I needed.  I was now on the right path…  But then why did I feel like I just made the biggest mistake of my life?