Illuminate

Chapter 6

To say that I was in a daze after I left Oliver's office that day would be a terrible understatement. I could not hear over the ringing of my own ears.

Somehow, I managed to stumble onto the bus to my apartment. Once I fell into my living room, I passed out cold for a few hours.

When I awoke, my head was throbbing and my body was sore from lying in a cramped position for so long. I got up, massaging my temples as I made myself some strong tea.

"Roger?" I whispered. I simply could not comprehend what Oliver had told me.

Roger was apparently coming to town. Now that he was an extremely successful businessman, everyone who had the faintest idea of any American culture would recognize him and flock around like birds to seed.

He would also come to see me. To rub salt in my wound.
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I saw him from afar. The most handsome man I'd ever seen by any standards, Roger certainly was the pride of our small town. Nobody had any doubt that he would make it big, and everyone loved him. Especially me.

He approached me. "How's the pretty lady today?" he asked, a playful smile creeping onto his features.

I returned his smile. "Just fine. We're still on the calendar for tonight, right?"

"Of course."

What I didn't tell him was that I had news to share with him that would ultimately shake our world.

The night came quickly, more swiftly than one might expect when waiting for something good.

Roger had reserved us a table at the fanciest restaurant for miles around. it was planned out to be a spectacular evening, but dread weighed heavily on me as I thought of what I had to tell him.

When he came to pick me up, I plastered a smile on my face and rode with him to the restaurant.

We enjoyed our food and drink for a while, making friendly conversation and laughing. Finally, I blurted, "Roger, I have something to tell you."

He instantly zoned in. I could feel his brown eyes intensely paying attention to what I was saying.

"Roger, I... I'm taking a job overseas-in London-"

His fork clattered to the plate, and his jaw dropped.

"I'm sorry about having to leave and all, but I think this will be a good experience for me, and it will be a big help to my family." It was no secret that my parents had been struggling financially for a few years, because they insisted I get a college education.

"I can't believe this," Roger hissed. "I thought we had a future together! But you have to go running off selfishly while I have to stay behind and wait and wonder." Roger should have been enlisted in the draft to fight, but he had flat feet and was unable to join the military.

I sighed. "We can still have a future together, Roger. You'll still be here when I get back. We won't change. We can still get married if we want. I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. As long as we love each other, our love won't change."

"Do you honestly think that will work? Are you out of your mind? You can't expect me to wait to get married. In fact, I won't wait for you."

I sat there, breathless, as he paid for our dinner and left. At least he did one right thing in his life.

The very next night, I saw him cozying up to another girl, their laughter creating a cavern in my nearly empty heart.
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I loved Roger. The heartbreaking thing is, he didn't feel the same way. Now he was coming here to London, probably to tell me of his new life and new wife. I knew, thanks to Iris.

It was almost funny. Me, following the apparent whim of a relative stranger, Oliver, to avoid running into someone of my crushing past.

Suddenly, I had a breakthrough. I threw my door open and ran across the hall, pounding on the door.

A half-asleep Margaret answered. "What do you want, Veya?" she grumbled.

"Mar, would you happen to know where Mr. Oliver Grey lives?"