The Man I Call Strong

Chapter 18: Birthday Break-Up

I am having a stare down with the large steak that is sitting on my plate. I feel a breath on my ear. "Is it too daunting for you, Miss. LaRue?" I almost shiver at Mr. Strong's warm breath on my neck. Blushing, I remember to answer him. "Um-- I-- I don't think I can uh... Waiter! May I have more water?" I hand my expensive, crystal glass to the man behind me. "Is the wine not to your liking, Miss. LaRue?" I hear Mr. Strong ask.

'No, but you are.' I gasp at my sudden, inappropriate thought. "No. I mean... Uh-- I don't drink." I grab the glass that is now full with water and I gulp it down, hiding my red cheeks. After a while of chatter and unnoticed conversation I hear Mr. Strong's father speak to me. "How is your job at my son's company, Miss. LaRue?" I sputter into my water slightly before practically choking on it. "Uh-- it's--- I'm... It's very..." I say the first thing that comes to mind. "...clean." I say before taking another sip of water.

Silence is heard from our table before Mr. Strong's father starts bursting out laughing. Suddenly, laughter erupts from the table. I look to Mr. Strong and he's holding back a laugh by drinking from the white sparkling wine in his glass, while I hide a burning blush with my napkin. "That's my boy, Ian! Always keeping a clean, tight ship." The laughter continues and for some reason, I'm back at college graduation, recalling the laughter and fun we had. Then my mind goes to Brad.

Oh Brad. But before I could dwell on him...

"Did someone say ship?" I hear a deep, feminine voice come from the door. All our attention is brought to the unfamiliar voice standing in the door way of our private room.

"Lia!" Selena leaps from her chair and runs to the woman in a dark dress and white hat. Marines? Lia is a military woman?

"Hello, Selena. How are you?" Lia holds Selena so close and even tightens her grip further, taking in Selena's soft, sweet aroma. "I've missed you, big sister." A tear rolls down Selena's cheek. "Lia." Mrs. and Mr. Strong get up to hug their daughter with passion. Mr. Strong gets up and takes hold of my hand gently. I feel a sweet tingle of warmth in my hand as he takes hold of it.

"I want you to meet Lia, Aurora." I get up and follow him to his sister. She's almost as tall as Mr. Strong. Almost black hair, in a tight bun, and blue eyes. She holds herself high and sternly. Small, rectangular, military ribbons cover half her chest, at least five medals cover the other half.

"You must be Tina. You're even prettier in person." I blush and look down, but timidly take Lia's hand. "No.... Actually... this is Aurora, Lia." Lia gives Mr. Strong a knowing look after introducing me. "Aurora?" Lia clarifies. Mr. Strong exchanges Lia's knowing look and nods. 'What's going on? What's that look for?' I don't know.

"You wanna take a walk, Sebastian? Get caught up with what's going on?" Sebastian puts an arm around Lia's shoulder and Lia does the same to him as they walk out. I gaze at their retreating figures as they leave the private room. My mind flies around as I keep my gaze on the closed door that Mr. Strong and Lia left to.

"Those two were as close as children can be. Even to this day." I hear Rowena say from behind me. "When she joined the military, she came back home two weeks later beaten and bruised." I spin around and look to Rowena, horror surely written across my face. "What?" Rowena nods solemnly. "Sebastian was crushed. He wouldn't talk to anyone, see anyone, he wouldn't even eat. When he found out two male officers beat her, he swore he would try everything in his power to stop any form of abuse." And the light bulb went off.

'So that's why.' I felt tears boarder my eyes. 'You need to tell him. He deserves to know.' I walk back to my seat and sit down, suddenly feeling very hungry.

After about ten minutes, the two siblings stride back in almost silently. Mr. Strong sits Lia next to me and sits back in his seat on the other side of me. He picks up his glass and taps lightly on it with a knife, getting the attention from the different siblings, aunts, and uncles.

"Everyone, thank you for attending. I'm honored to have family that cares, loves, and appreciates each other as much as this family does." Mr. Strong smiles and sighs. "A new birthday means a new year of life. And with new life, comes new starts." My heart suddenly stops.

He's going to propose to Tina.

Mr. Strong looks down at the glass in his hands. "Tina..." He then turns to Tina and looks down to her. "You are..." He hesitates. "Everything a man could ask for..." Tina's face is beyond elated as she rises and holds Mr. Strong's hand in hers. "... And I'm sure you'll make a good companion..." Tina practically jumps up and down in joy. But Mr. Strong looks like he's in pain for some reason. "... Just... Not this man." He alludes to himself as he looks to Tina.l, who's expression drops.

"What?!" Her voice is harsh and low. "I'm sorry, Tina. But..." Mr. Strong turns to me and looks in my eyes. And for some reason, I can't breath as he looks into my heart. "You're not the one that makes my heart flutter.... Every time I look into her eyes." My breath hitches and Mr. Strong knows it.

"Are-- are you breaking up with me?" Tina looks at him with anger and infuriation clear in her voice. "Yes." I break my gaze with Mr. Strong and look down at my half finished steak. There was silence across the room. But, in all honesty, the family, from his parents to his aunts and uncles, looked happy and satisfied at Mr. Strong's decision. And I couldn't help but feel happy too. I looked around once more before I hear Mr. Strong trying to comfort Tina, earning him a slap across the face.

I swear, I saw every bodyguard in the room reach for their guns.

Mr. Strong's mother runs to him as I instinctively fish out some ice from my water, wrapping it in the cloth napkins and walking over to Mr. Strong. Without thinking of the after effects, I bend down and place the ice against Mr. Strong's cheek. He locks his innocent, gentle eyes with mine. We're so close to each other that I can smell the expensive white wine lingering gently on his breath. "Sebastian, darling, are you alright?" I hear his mother and know he's in good hands. Backing off, I sit down gawkier than usual, feeling the sweet, blissful consequences of looking into those crystal-blue eyes.