As We Lost the Light

XVI.

To my surprise, the next few weeks seemed to fly by, despite the fact that I was missing Vic like hell. It helped that I was swamped at work, and I was able to submerse myself into various projects, which proved a wonderful distraction. I was basically shut in my office from sun up to sun down, my nose buried in my computer, logging idea after idea after idea.

Friday came quicker than I had anticipated; rain was pouring from the sky, which was uncharacteristic for San Diego in the summer, and I had one final meeting standing in between me and a relaxing weekend.

"Damn, its starting to look like a flower shop in here." I looked up to see Sydney standing in the doorway, glancing around my office with an amused grin on her face. Half a dozen vases sat around the small space, each holding a unique bouquet. "Vic doesn't do anything half-assed, does he?"

I shook my head and laughed, my eyes drifting to the newest addition to my collection, a crystal vase holding beautiful pink peonies, the accompanying card simply stating 'Two More Weeks.'

"Subtlety is definitely not his strong suit." She took a few steps into my office and collapsed in the chair that sat before my desk, crossing one leg over the other.

"I take it things are going good for you guys?" I sighed, a content sigh, and nodded again.

"Things are...amazing." And they were. Vic was keeping all of his promises. He called when he said he would, he expressed his love for me every chance he got, he didn't miss FaceTime dates, he showed interest in my career. He was being attentive, sweet, thoughtful - everything that I needed him to be. And he had recently started sending me flowers, something he had never once done for me before. Every other day I received another delivery, each card inked with something different. Our relationship had become what I had always wanted it to be.

"I'm happy for you, Sadie. I really am." Sydney bit her lip and directed her gaze to her lap, her body stiffening slightly.

"But..." I added, knowing there was something more she wanted to say. I knew her well enough, she was holding something back.

"I just - I hope it doesn't simmer. I hope he doesn't fall back into old habits." She gave me a sad smile, and I swallowed, subduing the anger that was threatening to rise to the surface. I knew she wasn't trying to be rude, she wasn't trying to rain on my parade; she was being realistic. It would take more than flowers to convince her that he had changed. And I understood that. I couldn't say that I had never had the same thoughts. I was just trying to remain optimistic that his love for me would prevail this time.

She stood up and reached across the desk, patting my hand reassuringly before retreating back into the hallway. I leaned back in my chair, pinching the bridge of my nose as I tried to redirect my thoughts. We would work this time. He was different. I was different. Things seemed different. They were different. Vic loved me, and until I had reason to believe otherwise, I would continue reveling in my bliss.

Before I knew it the work day was over and I hurried home to change, busying myself with housework while I waited for Alysha to arrive. She had talked me into going to a private event at the Benefit Cosmetics store in La Jolla, and though I had originally been none too thrilled about leaving the comfort of my own home, I was now excited for the evening ahead.

After deciding that laundry was the last thing I wanted to be doing, I flung myself onto the couch and dialed Vic's number, hoping to catch him before the show.

"Hey, baby!" Vic exclaimed, picking up after the second ring.

"Thank you for the flowers, Vic." I smiled, twisting a lock of dark hair around my finger. "They're beautiful. Just like all the others."

He chuckled softly. "I'm glad you liked them. Did you like the card."

"I loved the card. I think it was my favorite one yet," I said, and he laughed again. It was like music to my ears.

"Even better than the one where I listed all of the things I'm going to do to you when I get home?"

I gasped, my cheeks burning with embarrassment, and I flung my arm over my eyes. "You what?" I squealed.

"Oh, oops. You must not have gotten those ones yet." I rolled my eyes and gnawed on my lip. Men.

"Sadie?!" I heard Alysha call as she stepped through my front door. "Where you at?"

"Hey, babe, Lysh is here, I gotta go. Kick ass tonight," I said as I rose from the couch.

"Always, babe. You guys have fun. I love you, Sade."

"I love you too, Vic. Bye." I hung up the phone and shoved it into my pocket. "In here!"

Alysha appeared from around the corner, flashing me a brilliant smile before pulling her eyebrows together. "Why is your face all red?" She asked and my eyes widened. Thanks a lot, Vic.

"No reason. You ready?" She nodded her head and I followed her out the door, sliding into the passenger seat of her shiny, black BMW. She cranked up the music as she began speeding down the street, merging her car into the heavy, Friday-evening traffic. We sang along to the generic pop hits that flowed through the speakers, and she talked excitedly about tonight's event, sure I was going to love it. She pulled up to a stoplight and looked over at me.

"Seriously, Sadie, what is better than free makeup and free pampering? Nothing. Except maybe sex." She grinned at me and I shook my head. The light turned green and she began accelerating through the intersection, still chattering excitedly.

From my periphery I could see that something wasn't right. I turned to my right and my mouth dropped open. "Alysha look out!" I shouted, grabbing the dashboard to brace myself.

My ears were suddenly filled with the sounds of metal upon metal, glass shattering, squealing tires, and screaming - lots of screaming. But then there was nothing. Just silence. And everything went black.