her remedy

13

"Please put your seat belt on. We are starting to take off."

This is my last desperate attempt to get Simon back. He may be able to decline me on a phone, but he could never decline me in person.

At least, I don't think he can.

I feel the plane begin to move forward on the runway until we're in the air.

There's no going back now.

*

With dark sunglasses covering my red eyes and a tissue in my hand, I walk through the airport doors and climb into the cab.

"The Hilton, please." I say to the driver, looking out the window at the "Welcome to Chicago" signs.

He nods and drives through the light rain. The radio is playing quietly. After several songs, I suddenly recognize a piano melody.

I hear my own voice sing, "I heard that you're settled down."

Of course.

"Would you mind changing the station?" I ask.

"Really? You don't like Adele?"

"Not really. She's boring." I say.

He looks surprised and then changes the station.

I stare out the window at the city lights, tears running down my cheeks. I cry silently to myself, terrified of what is about to happen.

The cab pulls up to the curb right outside Simon's hotel. I glance at the clock on my phone.

7:43.

He won't be here for another three hours.

I've always loved Chicago, so I might as well try to enjoy some of it. I look at the street of shops and restaurants when a cute café catches my attention.

It looks warm and welcoming, so I dry my eyes, take a deep breath, and open the door.

As soon as I step in, warmth wraps around me like a comforting hug. There's only a dozen people in here, including a particularly attractive man alone in the corner.

I stare at him for a moment until he looks up at me and we make awkward eye contact. I smile shyly and quickly look away.

I order a tea and sit down by myself, taking out my phone and scrolling through my unanswered messages.

A wave of comfort washes over me. The calm and peaceful environment of the café brings me an odd sense of security.

After a few minutes, I put my phone down and just watch people walk by outside the window.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see the man get up from his table and walk towards me.

Suddenly I get nervous and I start to bite my bottom lip. His voice breaks the silence of the room and he says, "You look like someone who could use company."

I nod. "That would be nice."

He sits down across from me, setting a cup of coffee down. I get a closer look at his face and realize he's even more attractive than he looked from a distance.

He looks strikingly similar to Leonardo Dicaprio, just with brown eyes and a bit more youth.

"I'm Michael." He says, offering me his hand.

I shake it and say, "I'm Adele."

"What brings you here alone on a Friday night?"

"I just got here, actually. I flew here from London a few hours ago and decided to stop here before I go to my hotel."

"I love your accent!" He says with a smile. His eyes light up just like Simon's do.

I laugh. "What brings you here?"

"Just a way to wind down on a Friday. I live alone and like to come here just so I'm not alone."

I know exactly how he feels.

We talk for half an hour, and I start to really like him. He's funny, charming, and obviously gorgeous.

I find myself almost falling in love with him.

"Well, I've gotta run home. It was a pleasure to talk with you, Adele."

"You too. Has anyone ever told you that you look exactly like-"

"Leonardo Dicaprio?"

I laugh. "I guess so."

"Yeah, I get that almost every day." He takes one last sip of his coffee and then says, "Has anyone ever told you that you are beautiful?"

I inadvertently blush. "Oh wow, thank you."

"You're stunning. I love your eyes." He says.

Both of us look into each other's eyes for a moment. I'm beginning to really actually fall in love with him.

His face gets closer to mine until he locks our lips together.

My heart jumps at the sudden contact and he takes me completely by surprise.

I don't pull away. I feel something, but it isn't the same feeling as when Simon kisses me. It doesn't even compare.

The café door opens, but we're too distracted by each other to notice who it is.

We kiss for a good minute, until I hear a voice that makes my heart race.

"Adele?"

I turn around to see the person the voice belongs to, even though I have no doubt in my mind who it is.

"Simon?"