EMPTY GLASS

CHAPTER TWO

A D I F F E R E N T R E F L E C T I O N

( VICTOR'S POINT OF VIEW )

As I start to drive the atmosphere of the car is quiet, dead, and gloomy.

Rain starts to fall and dark clouds appear. I look over to see Rose she looks outside the window and I can tell she is crying from the glance that the reflection of the car window offered; her eyes are a bit puffy and her nose is red. I get out some tissues and hand them to her, her tiny hand accepts them and I decide to play the radio to lighten the mood.

It's funny to think when I first saw her an hour ago she looked like a strong woman a bit intimidating, fearless, and bold, but now I see she is like any other woman, a woman with feelings and pain.

As I look at her small figure I then decide to talk with a somewhat soothing voice. "You know I've heard many great things about you how you are very talented in many things and hard working. I again apologize for the behalf of my younger brother. I'm not a perfect man myself, but I'm not stupid like him to hurt such a lovely lady like you. You know even though I have not been in many real deep relationships with someone. One of my biggest fears is to be let down by a loved one, so I understand how you feel."

I then stop talking and look at the road ahead of me as I see rain hit the concrete making it wet. I then hear Rose's voice ringing in my right ear.

"I appreciate your kindness today and you speaking to me. A lot of my friends completely blocked me thinking I cheated on Vincent, gossiping rumors about me and why he left me; after all the things that happened 8 months ago I was in a place of confusion and darkness. I constantly would wake up at night thinking what I could have done differently for a different outcome. I felt like it was my fault that he left and I was to be blamed."

I look at her shiny puffy eyes and ask "And tell me do you still feel that way?" She pauses for a second and looks to the front window staring into the raining sky. "Sometimes but I know it will be better."

I get out of my car, walk across the other side of it with a black umbrella opening the door for Rose. She gets her white hand purse and unbuckled her seatbelt, stepping out with her white pearls heels being careful with her beautiful dark blue dress she then looks at me and smiles slightly thanking me once again.

I hold the umbrella for the both of us and we walk to the gray stone house. I must admit I was not expecting her to have such a nice house considering her age and that she is single . As we walked to the door I noticed she had a similar pin as my mom. Rose opens her purse to get out her keys and unlocks the front door as the door opens. I can see her house is decorated; white and very elegant, but still manage to make it seem warm.

Her small body turns to me and she looks up to my eyes. I smile at her and she does the same. She then speaks up and says "Victor thank you again for everything I really appreciate your help today." I then respond by saying "No problem Rose, anytime you need someone to talk to, you can always call me or if you just want to have fun" as I hand her my business card with my phone number on it.

She nodded and after a couple of words said our goodbyes, left her house, and headed to mine. I am in the car.

I think of my brother's relationship with Miss Rose Anderson and how it went wrong. To be honest I thought I was the playboy of the house, but what Vincent did in this case is questionable.

Their love at first as I heard was almost perfect. They had similar likes and wanted a similar future, but his wife now, Joanna, has always been a part of us since my parents were business partners with her parents. But then why get engaged with Miss Marcil? Did he not truly like her to break things off in the end?