Waiting For Superman

Rejected Once Again

“You need to relax Glenn. Everything will turn out fine,” Cheong reassuringly as he watched Glenn pace up and down his office. “To be honest, this wasn’t what I was expecting when you called me into your office earlier on, “Cheong admitted as he stood up and walked over to Glenn. 

Glenn smiled at him and said, “So then Cheong, do you think I’m doing the right thing then?” “Does my opinion really matter?” Cheong asked, looking up at Glenn. Glenn chuckled and said, “Cheong, if I didn’t care, do you really think you’d be sitting in my office right now?” Cheong shrugged his shoulders and said, “You have a point.” 

“So,” Glenn said, sitting down in his chair with a sigh. “What do you think Cheong?” “Well, I’m pretty conflicted actually. Part of me thinks you’re rushing into this, yet the other part of me thinks that you’re making the right decision. Since I’ve started working with you, this is the happiest I’ve seen you, and it sure does make it a lot easier to work with you,” Cheong said with a smile. 

Glenn chuckled and said, “Alright then. Let’s see how it goes.” As Cheong opened the door, he said over his shoulder to Glenn, “Glad to know my opinion matters so much to you.” Glenn rolled his eyes and said, “Get out of my office Cheong.” 

As the door clicked shut, Glenn sighed. He picked up the ring on his desk and played with it, watching it sparkle under the light. Today was Kara’s birthday, and he planned on making it one to remember. He was going to propose to her. He had been toying with the idea for quite some time now, and he finally decided to go ahead with it. He had gotten a ring, and formed some sort of plan in his head. He was going to take her to a Japanese restaurant he had found, and after dinner, he was going to ask her to marry him. 

He heard her office door open and quickly hid the ring. His office door opened a moment later and Kara stuck her head in. “Hey, we have plans for dinner tonight right? I told Sharon I can’t celebrate my birthday with her today,” she asked. Glenn nodded and stood up saying, “Of course we have plans tonight, it’s your birthday. How could we not have plans?” 

Kara rolled her eyes and said, “Right, I forgot you believe in celebrating almost everything.” Glenn chuckled and pecked her on the forehead saying, “Trust me when I say you’ll enjoy what I’ve planned tonight.” Kara laughed and said, “Alright then, I’ll pack up and see you soon.” 

Glenn smiled at her as she closed his office door before putting the ring back in the box and slipping it into his pocket. He pushed open his office door and switched off the light to office, yawning. “Sir, you’re going home so early today?” Matthew asked as Dynesh made a sad face. “Going home to catch up on your sleep?” Glenn rolled his eyes as Cheong whispered, “I’ll tell you all later.” 

The door to Kara’s office opened and she slipped out before switching off the lights. “I know where you’re going already Sir,” Norah said with a cheeky smile. Kara laughed and said, “We’re going to celebrate my birthday.” 

“Ma’am why didn’t you tell us it’s your birthday today?” Dynesh asked as he handed her a lollipop from his stash. “Happy Birthday.” Kara laughed out loud as Glenn dragged her away from the Team and over to the lifts. “Bye guys, we’ll see you tomorrow,” Glenn said as he waved at them before stepping into the lift with Kara in tow. 

“So where are we going tonight?” Kara asked as she slipped her hand into Glenn’s. “I found a new Japanese restaurant nearby,” Glenn said. He knew how much Kara loved Japanese food and watched her light up at his words. “Great! Let’s hurry there now!” she said, pushing him out the moment the lift doors opened. 

He chuckled as she ran over to his car and stood waiting impatiently. “Come on, I’m hungry,” she complained as he slowly made his way over to the car. He unlocked the car and she jumped him, leaving him amused. “Drive faster,” she commanded as he started the engine, causing him to burst out in laughter. 

“Relax dear,” he said as he pulled out of the car park. “It’s really nearby.” Kara smiled over at him and said, “Thanks for planning all this just for me.” “No worries Kara,” Glenn said gently. “You’re the most important person in my life, and I’d do anything to make you happy. That’s how much I love you.” 

 Kara blushed and said, “I love you a lot too Glenn.” “Not more than me,” Glenn countered as he pulled into a parking lot. “ Both of them got out of the car and Glenn loped over to Kara. “Come on,” he said, grabbing her hand. “I already made reservations for us.” 

Kara pushed open the door and gave the waiter Glenn’s name before following him to their table. As they sat down, Kara looked around and said, “Wow, this is a really nice place Glenn.” Glenn smiled at her and said, “I’m glad you like it.” 

As they flipped through the menu, Kara frowned and said, “The food here is really pricey Glenn.” Glenn looked up at her and said, “It’s alright. We’re celebrating a special occasion anyway, and we don’t eat out often.” “Are you sure? A meal here could easily cost us about $200,” Kara replied, biting her lip. 

Glenn reached out for her hand and said, “It’s okay Kara. You deserve a treat once in awhile.” Kara smiled at him and said, “Okay then.” After placing their orders, Glenn stood up and said, “I’m gonna head to the toilet alright?” Kara nodded at him and picked up her phone as he walked away. 

“This is it,” he whispered to himself as he pulled the ring out of his pocket and walked over to a waiter and explained what was happening. “Of course I can help sir,” the waiter said with a smile. The waiter brought two glasses of wine over and Glenn slipped the ring into one before watching the waiter bring the two glasses of wine over to his table. He watched Kara pick up her glass and sip from it before putting it down. 

He took a deep breath and walked over to her as she was fishing the ring out. “What’s this Glenn?” Kara asked, her voice trembling in shock. Glenn gingerly took the ring from her and got down on one knee. “Kara Yeo, I love you with all my heart, mind and soul. I want to spend the rest of eternity and forever with you,” Glenn said gently. “Will you marry me?” 

Kara looked down Glenn, her mouth opened in shock. “Glenn… I…” Kara said, speechless. Glenn smiled at her and said, “I mean it all Kara. I love you, and I want to spend my forever with you.” 

Kara swallowed and whispered, “I’m sorry Glenn, but… I’m not ready for all this.” She grabbed her bag and ran out of the restaurant, leaving Glenn there, still on one knee. Glenn stared at the empty chair for a moment before standing up and running out of the door after Kara. 

By the time he pushed the door of the restaurant open, Kara was climbing into a taxi. “Kara, wait!” he shouted, reaching out a hand, but the door to the taxi closed and the taxi drove off. Glenn stopped and looked at the taxi growing smaller, the ring still in his hand. 

“God damn it,” he hissed, running his hands through his hair. “I knew something would go wrong.” He sighed and walked back into the restaurant, sitting down at their table. He looked at the empty seat across him and felt his heart clench. He was once again, alone.