Betrayed

Sally's

Remi drove me to work for my first week at the diner where I learnt everything Sally had to teach me. She was eager for me to be on my own so that she could migrate to Florida for the winter. We had discussed my impending surgery and she had assured me that someone would take over for my two weeks of convalescence.

I enjoyed living with Remi because like everything else in our relationship it was easy and simple. He was uncomplicated and doted on me. Before starting his job in Newfoundland he worked at his dad's shop as a mechanic. I had met his parents and immediately adored them. They were very supportive of their son and incredibly sweet with me. I was sad when he left in September but I also had a nagging feeling of relief that filled me. Remi had lent me his truck to travel to and from work while he was gone and added me to his TV, internet and electricity account as a shared user so that I could contact them if I needed to.

On the morning of my birthday there was a potted orchid sitting in front of the apartment door with a note wishing me a happy birthday. I immediately assumed it was from Remi, but unsure if he would still be sleeping I just sent him a text to thank him. I got to work for the breakfast shift and started my morning preparations. My coworkers had gotten together to buy me a card and some lottery tickets while the kitchen staff had baked me a cake. We were celebrating my birthday together during one of the morning lulls when Gabriel showed up.

"Happy birthday Harper" he said when he spotted me. I gasped as I realized the orchids were not from Remi, but from Gabriel.

"Shit!" I said under my breath. I grabbed my phone to see if I could unsend the message I had sent Remi in the morning but it was too late, he had already read and replied to my text.

07:56 Remi: Thanks for what love?

10:13 Harper: Thanks for being amazing and letting me stay at your place. I miss you ):

10:17 Remi: I miss you too, see you next week.

"Are you okay?" Gabriel asked, concerned when I didn't reply to him.

"Yeah, did you send me that orchid this morning?" I asked to confirm my suspicion. I was sure Remi and I had not talked about when our birthdays were.

"Yeah, I hope you like it. I don't imagine Ace has too many plants in his apartment, thought it might brighten up the place for you"

"How thoughtful" I said, trying to be polite. What was he playing at? "I better get back to work then" I said abruptly. 

 I saw Gabriel on a semi-regular basis, he would come in for his 'usual' wave at me then leave. He never brought anyone with him when he came and I thought that was rather peculiar because every time I ran into him elsewhere he always had a different chick on his arm. 

I picked up Remi from the airport for his first week off. He looked thinner than before and I couldn't help asking if their camp cook sucked.

"He certainly is nothing like you babe" he said with a grin. I knew he wasn't a picky eater but wondered if they were on rations up there.

"I'll have to fatten you up this week then" I teased. Nothing in Remi's apartment had changed since he left other than the beautiful orchid I had placed by the window. Remi's eye was drawn to it immediately as he entered his place. He walked over to it to examine it and I kicked myself for not removing the Happy Birthday note still attached to it.

"Babe!" he called out.

"Yes?"

"When was your birthday?"

"On the 6th"

"Shit..." he said. "I'm sorry Harper" a sad look of guilt flickered in his eyes. He hugged me tightly, then swept me off my feet and tossed me on the couch. He leaned over me his lips softly kissing my face. "I'm not sure I even knew when your birthday was. How old did you turn?" he asked.