BETTER THAN EXPECTED

“Miss Young, I need a copy of the new children’s book.” Mr. Martins, the editor in charge, asked, walking past my cubicle.

“Right away, sir.” I said, getting to my feet in search of the book in the writer’s centre. “Mr. Martins would like to see the new children’s book.” I informed them the minute I walked into the room.

“Oh, it’s right here”. I was drawn to the side of the room by a muscular voice. A 6’0” Canadian man with golden brown hair, stunning blue eyes, and a dapper smile.

When I saw him approach me, I bit the inside of my lips to try to stop the flush from spreading to my face.

“Here you go, beautiful.” He says this, handing me the book.

“Oh, um, thank you.” I stammered out, taking the book from him.

“Ryan, quit flirting with Val.” Lauren, who was in charge of the writers, yelled teasingly, causing the rest of the group to start laughing. “It’s best for you to avoid him, Val. He is merely a filth and a man whore.”

“Ouch, Lauren, sweetheart, you wound me.” Ryan says this with a cheeky smirk on his lips while putting his hand to his chest.

“That much is common knowledge. We don’t want any more office drama or love-sick vitriol.”

“You make me sound so bad, Lauren.”

“Perhaps you constantly make out with the secretary, which makes them fizzle out. Why Mr. Martin hasn’t let you go yet remains a mystery.” I could detect a hint of resentment in her taunting tone.

“Maybe I’m simply damn good at what I do.” Ryan responded by casually shrugging his shoulders.

“I should give Mr. Martins this right away.” I say, not wishing to participate in their discussion.

I didn’t wait for their response because I was out of the office. I walked over to the editor in charge’s office, giving a soft knock and only entering when I got his permission to do so.

“Here is the new book, sir.” I say, giving it to him, but he doesn’t respond. Instead, he simply takes it out of my hand and sets it down on the table.

I curtly nodded as I walked away, taking his lack of acknowledgement as my cue to leave. When I returned to my table, Ryan was already waiting.

“Can I help you?”

“Oh, umm. You must have overheard Lauren and I talking.” He paused. “Of course she heard, stupid. She was there”. The final few sentences were murmured to himself and i tried not to laugh at how cute he looked. “Despite how awful Lauren paints me out to be, I thought I might try out my luck and see if you were interested in going out on a date with me today.”

I had a surprised expression on my face. I was aware that he was a flirt and that his use of affectionate nicknames for me was who he was. They still managed to get my heart to race. The moment I laid eyes on him, I knew I had a crush on him. Who wouldn’t, really? He was a typical heartbreaker.

Yet, I had never experienced anything like it; I have only ever been around scumbags, so I was terrified to even begin a relationship. But how can I really go on if I can’t leave the past behind?

“I want you to know that even though I know you are a little frightened and probably don’t trust me, I really do like you. I really, really do. I... “ He bit his lip as a scarlet streak painted his face and gave him a truly adorable appearance.

“I can’t.....”

“I perceive. It’s...”

“No, I mean, I can’t go today because my friend and I planned on having a girls’ night out.” His gorgeous smile quickly replaced the despair that had already crept across his face, melting my heart.

“So, how about tomorrow, then?” I nodded modestly and smiled shyly in response to his eager question. “Good, I’ll pick you up tomorrow at six”. I laughed as he called out, walking back to his office.

Today seemed so bizarre. Despite being terrified and disturbed when I woke up, today was going better than I had anticipated. This was the first opportunity I’ve had in my 24 years of existence to do things that women my age get to do. Even though it was a bit late, it was still fun and exhilarating.

My stomach grumbled. When I looked at the clock, I saw that I still had thirty minutes until I had to clock out. As the clock approached five, I made my way back to my desk and tidied up, then bid everyone goodnight, grabbed my bag and phone, and I was back on the crowded streets of New York.

I was trying to hail a cab to take me home as I stood in front of the street when I felt my phone vibrating in my hand. I looked down at it and noticed it was an unidentified number. Debating whether or not to answer it, I pressed the call button, bringing it to my ear.

“Hello.”

Silence.

“Hello.” I called out again, and there was no response other than the background shuffle.

I turned my attention back to my phone and looked down at the caller ID.

I ended the call, getting into a cab. I told the driver my address while I sat back, looking out the window at the streets of New York, when my phone vibrated again with the same number.

This time, I made the decision not to pick. The phone continued to ring even after I clicked the end button, causing the driver to glance back at me through the rear-view mirror, and I groaned before picking it up again and bringing it to my ear.

“Hello.” I could hear someone shuffle in the background, just like the first time, but silence greeted me. I continued speaking after exhaling an irate sigh. “I have no idea who you are, but if you wouldn’t contact my phone again, that would be great.” I was just about to hang up when a familiar voice on the other side started speaking, sending chills down my spine.

“Valencia,” A raspy voice called out, and I grew pale.

How did he acquire my number? Despite my belief that I was free of his control, he has managed to track me down once more.

“Valencia.” Tears stream down my face as I answer his repeated call.

“father.”