My Sweet Valentine #scholarship2020

Chapter Twenty - my Love, my Valentine

For months I had fantasized about meeting my secret admirer and how that meeting would go. I had thought of what I'd say to him when I finally saw him and even how he'd react to it. I had it all planned and I had been rehearsing for so long. But the theory of something is not always its reality.

Finally, Edmund stood in front of me in his tall broad shouldered self, fitting perfecting in the grey suit he wore, and that smile. Oh! That smile that crept its way into my heart as he continued to stare at me, uninterruptedly. His gaze unflinching from mine, as though he was looking right through me, seeing beyond my nerves and reading my thoughts.

We stood in silence for a while, the sweet music from the hall filling the space between us. Finally, I was infected by his smile that I smiled too.

"Sweet Liv," he said, "I didn't know you could sing like that. That was beautiful."

Somehow I was overtaken with courage that I spoke without pausing, pushing everything in one breath.

"You should know Phillis and I moved out of our dorm room even before the exams. So I didn't get your letter to meet with you until it was too late. And I wasn't sure you wanted to hear from me after I didn't show up. I thought you'd be too embarrassed that I may have rejected you. That's why I didn't call."

His smile broadened and his eyes sparkled as he spoke. "I know now that you didn't reject me. And I'm glad to know the full story. Honestly, I was a little worried you did, which is why even today I couldn't deliver the flower myself."

"The girl."

He nodded. "She's my cousin."

We were quiet again but this time it felt like a good quiet. We continued to stare for a while, smiling as we did. I then decided to clear my doubts once and for all.

"You said you've loved me since the beginning, since first year?" I asked.

"I have." He replied, and begun to walk towards me.

"I thought you were dating Alexis."

"Well then I guess we're even cos I thought you were crushing on Mike." He said.

"What? Why would you think that?" I was very surprised at his response.

He stood right in front of me, his eyes never leaving mine, as he replied. "You always seemed to be looking at him every time I was looking at you."

When I realized what he meant, I laughed. I could barely control myself when I answered. "I was trying to make sure you didn't see me looking at you."

The depth of misunderstanding between us baffled me. For two people who lived different lives and had never exchanged hellos, we sure were very wrong about each other.

"So you don't seem like the shy type." I said. "Why did you really run out on me the first time?"

He took a deep breath and leaned on the balcony beside me. "I don't know." He replied. "I was there that night. But I just panicked and left. I laughed the whole way out, couldn't believe what I was doing."

"I'm very glad you decided to come today. I was really praying you would. I thought I'd see you one last time."

"Is this the last time?" I asked.

"I'm afraid we're just getting started." He replied almost immediately and that made me very happy.

He looked at me and smiled. Then he handed me the rose flower he was holding.

"Happy Valentine's day, my sweet Olivia."

THE END!!!

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God bless you!
Kisses