PROMISE

FORTY-FIVE: Pedophile Era

KYLE

"IF THAT'S ALL then I guess I better leave. I'll see you tomorrow Samantha." I said already on my feet. I had been mentally occupied all day and I couldn't wait to get to Amanda and have her in my arms. Holding her always made me feel better.

"Okay then. Let me not keep you here for any longer. You seem rather in a hurry to leave. Any reason for that?" I sighed grabbing my laptop bag.

"Yes. I have plans that I won't be sharing with you." There were boundaries so she had to know that. She smirked grabbing her laptop and hand bag as if getting ready to leave as well. I had been in a meeting for the past two hours and I was about ready to bounce.

I barely had an hour before I had to get home, get ready then go to pick up Amanda. This day has had a lot of things going wrong already. The last thing I needed was to be late for our very first official date. That would be terrible.

"And I won't ask you any more questions as well. I think we understood each other very well after our chat the other night."

The other night.

The other night that almost cost me my entire future. The more I kept from Amanda, the further I felt her slowly slipping away from me. There were times that I just wished we were just back to when we were younger and slowly growing closer to each other. If only I had let things develop naturally.

"Well then, I hope you enjoy the rest of your night."

"You too." I said kissing her on the cheek.

Hopefully I got home on time and I prayed there wasn't any traffic.

************

My phone beeped just as I was about to drive over the remaining five minutes to Amanda's place. I grabbed it and saw a text from her. It left me impatient to see her.

Come pick me up.

Was all the text said. I hadn't told her I was on my way to her and I couldn't wait to see the look on her face. I had planned the perfect date. It was a wonder I had even managed to pull it off. I couldn't wait to show her exactly what I had planned for her. I hoped she loved it. But I wasn't too nervous about that. Amanda was a very simple woman. The only thing I've known she wanted was just me. The simple things always made her happy.

Even during our childhood, she would have forgiven me even if I gave her a simple shrub and a sincere apology. That's what always made her special. Her genuine smile, kindness, apologetic nature and angelic heart. There was no one like her. Which made it that much scarier to lose her.

Who wouldn't fear losing something that's one of a kind?

I had somehow managed to live six years without her in my life, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I wouldn't manage that the second time. It was just pure luck I was still standing.

I got out of the car and grabbed the chocolate box and the flowers. It wasn't exactly original but everything else would be. It was exactly seven thirty when I stood at her door ready to knock. The door swung open just as I raised my knuckles to knock on it. It took me by surprise so I was startled a bit.

"Oh I..." The words died down in my mouth as I stood there facing her.

"Damn."