Sweetheart

Apology

Consumed by my glowing computer screen, transfixed on my work. Tunnel vision, I stare directly at my screen, not even glancing at the keyboard as my fingers dance over its keys. Words appear on the screen as the cursor races from letter to letter.

"Hey sweetheart" Scarlett's voice breaks my focus. I crazily look around, meeting her eyes. I blink to moisten my suddenly extremely dry eyes.

"Oh I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to interrupt you" she frowns apologetically. I focus my gaze on her, feeling a pang of sadness to see her frown.

"No no no, it's ok! Really. I was staring at that screen too long. Probably not good for my eyes anyway. So I welcome the interruption" I reassure her. She smiles, her warm returning to her.

"Well, I just wanted to bring you a cool drink"

She hands me a cool peach tea from the vending machine.

"What for?"

"Oh to apologise for my rudeness earlier"

I am flabbergasted. How can I soul as gentle and as loving as hers be rude to another?

"Rude?!" I question.

"Yes. I went off on a conversation with Mark, ignoring you. I'm sorry sweetheart. Can you ever forgive such impoliteness?" she frowns once more, looking down in shame.

I hastily grab her hands, feeling responsible for her sadness.

"Of course I can! Scarlett, it's my fault. I just wanted to get back to work, that's all. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel like you made me feel bad for talking to Mark!"

She looks up at me. I blush, overwhelmed by her eye contact. I feel her warm hands in my grasp. My heart flutters as I realise I am holding her hands. I quickly let go out of shock.

"Sorry" I mumble pathetically.

She politely smiles.

"Nothing to apologise for, sweetheart. Seems we had a mere misunderstanding" She gets up to leave.

"Oh, wait! Don't forget your tea!" I stop her.

"You have it"

"But, there was no need for you to apologise" I remind her.

She smiles softly.

"Have it. I notice how you buy it whenever you're happy. So I hoped to make you happy by buying it for you" she quietly says before she walks off.

My heart melts and I grasp my hands around the bottle, tightly hugging it into me as if it were her.