Lilacs Forever

Chapter 12: Red

"So Delilah, I have something to ask you, I hope you don't mind."

"Sure, what is it, Anita?"

"My cousin is getting married Friday night and I was hoping you would help me watch the kids. Don't worry about cooking, I'll have everything set. I really don't want to bother you though."

"No, it's not a problem at all!" Delilah couldn't remember the last time she watched kids. When she was in high school her aunt would always ask her to watch her little cousins. Even so, she loved kids, they made her very happy.

"Really? Thank you so, so much. I'll repay you, I promise."

"Oh no you don't have to, I love kids!"

"Good. It's practice for when you have your own," Anita winked.

Delilah blushed hard. "I-I don't think I'm ready for that yet!"

Anita laughed and became quiet, staring off into the distance.

"Are you looking for a husband?" She sighed.

"N-no. I just graduated college... I have no idea what good husband material looks like."

"Just remember this, find one responsible, someone who treats you right and will never give up on you," Anita said sadly.

Delilah had to change the subject, the attention was already overwhelming her. "So, Anita, I guess you'd really like a husband. What type of guys do you like?"

That seemed to work, Anita gave a small smile, looking away. "I'd love a handsome man like Alexander, but I doubt he'd like a woman a few years older than him."

"Oh come on, Anita, you're not that old. If anything, you aren't old at all!"

"Delilah, I'm thirty six years old, and Alexander is what, twenty eight? Twenty nine? I'm almost frickin' forty, and I'm not trying to be a cougar."

"Well, what do you like so much about Alexander?"

Anita chuckled. "Oh there's a lot of things. I mean, we already know he's devilishly handsome, just look at that jawline!"

"W-why would I look at a man's jawline? Especially our boss?"

"And he's cool, charismatic, and strong looking. He always acts like a gentleman around me. Or anybody really. Like, everything he does shows power. He's built like steel, in body and in personality. Oh, and his domineering attitude is kind of a turn on for me."

"You must really like him then,"

"Not just like, I'm madly in love with him."

"Why don't you get him to spend more time with you? I know he's our boss and all but I believe in an office romance," Delilah winked.

"I'm absolutely terrified by that idea."

"And if it doesn't work," Delilah continued, "Maybe he's not the one. You know what you want in a man, you want someone who is strong, loyal, and romantic. You want a gentleman who will care for and will protect you."

"Delilah, do you watch a lot of soap operas?" Anita laughed.

"N-no, but I read a lot of romance books..." Delilah blushed.

"Anyways, you must have some criteria for worthy men. How about you?"

Delilah would normally be flustered by such a question but she had to admit it, it would be nice to get married, especially to the right person. It was time to admit her longing for another person and being in love.

"I'd like..." she started, "someone who's cute, funny, and kind. I want him to make me laugh and be my shoulder to cry on. I want someone who will love me no matter what, no matter what I do or what I look like..."

"Sounds like you'd want a sweet guy, but that's hard to come by these days, and also loyal men to add to that."

"Maybe we can look for some together" Delilah giggled.

"Yeah, we're the man hunting club, oh and if you'll excuse me I need to finish this report real quick. And would you mind sending it over to Alexander's office?"

"Of course, and while you're at it, write a love letter too," Delilah winked.

—-

Delilah, with papers in hand, made her way to Mr. West's office. She could hear people speaking as she walked by.

"You don't need to worry about it cause I'll do it no problem. I get work done fast, if I do say so myself."

"Oh is that so?" A deeper voice spoke.

"I mean, in college I joined a lot of clubs and did a lot of stuff. Anything I joined, I could do pretty good in. I joined the ski club, newspaper club, poetry club, and the graphic design club and-"

Delilah arrived to see Mr. West and Ashley speaking. Or more like Ashley speaking and Mr. West listening. He remained cool and collected but from his face, he was obviously bored out of his mind.

"Oh, Ms. Sanchez, I was expecting you."

"I'm here with the reports," Delilah softly spoke.

"Thank you, Ms. Sanchez. I appreciate your hard work."

"Anytime Mr. West."

Mr. West retreated back into his office, reading over the papers Delilah gave him. Delilah smiled, satisfied with the job done. As she turned to go back to her desk, she noticed Ashley's eyes looking towards her direction.

With fists clenched and face flushed red, she found Ashley glaring at her...