The Bridge

Chapter 1

Present Day

Aurelia

iMessage

Tue,  Aug. 4,  2:49 pm

Lia: You know how I operate, so why would you even fix your mouth to say something like that to me?! Also, I wouldn't blatantly disrespect you knowing we just broke up, especially in front of you like an immature ass little girl. Nice to know you think so low of me.

Tue,  Aug. 4, 2:51 pm

Aubrey: You're right. I'm sorry. Can we talk? I wanna fix this. I miss u.

Tue,  Aug. 4, 3:10 pm

Aubrey: u still there?

Tue,  Aug.4,  3:58 pm

Lia: While there is plenty to fix, I just don't trust that you are truly ready to fix anything Aubrey. Romantically you are unstable. I am not putting myself through that again. I shouldn't feel the need to question you constantly and I do. So I am good. I love you Aubrey, so much. I am just going to have to do it from afar. At least for now.

Tue,  Aug. 4,  4:02 pm

Aubrey: Baby please, just give me a chance to prove it to you. Whatever you want me to do, ill do it. I give you my word. I love you so much. You know I do babygirl.

Tue,  Aug. 4, 4:30 pm

Lia: I don't know. I'll think about it.

Tue,  Aug. 4, 4:35 pm

Aubrey: Pls do, you're my everything.
        

And just like that, he could reel me back in. I don't even understand how it happened. How is it possible to break up with someone and then what seems like .05 seconds later, they convince you to give their ass another opportunity like they didn't just dog you. How can someone make me forget that. I don't remember feeling this way towards other men and their treatment of me. Granted my relationship history isn't all that extensive, but still. This is so unhealthy. I truly am disappointed in myself for even considering another run with him but I truly love him, unconditionally.

I remember when we first met a little over a year ago. My friend Aris and I were in desperate need of a night out. No, we didn't hit the club and get sloshed. Though I would not mind being incoherent at the moment if it would truly help me forget about his ass.

We went to a restaurant called Hyde Park located in the Detroit, Michigan area. I adore it there. It was more of a intimate setting with dim lighting, fireplaces and roomy high back chairs. The kind where you could very well just snuggle up with a blanket and read a book. The food was fantastic and fountain drinks don't come from the tap, nope, glass bottles. The waiter opens and pours it into a chilled glass right there at the table. You definitely go there for the experience. It gives off a very romantic vibe and is sure to impress which is why I shouldn't have been surprised that when I met Aubrey he was on a date shortly before.

ONE YEAR AGO

Aurelia

"Hello, how many are dining with us this evening? Just the two?" said the maitre d' who asked and answered his own question, "...right this way ladies".

"It must be slow tonight if we got in right away, I was pretty sure we were going to have a pretty decent wait time given I didn't make a reservation" I said looking down at my phone to check the time, it was 7:00 pm on a Friday night. Aris just nodded in agreement as we were led to our table.

"So Lia tell me what's new?! What's going on in that world of yours and let your sentence start with "I" and end with "found a man!"" she enthusiastically said once we had time to comfortably adjust ourselves in our seats and place our drink orders.

I busted out laughing and rolled my eyes. I was loud about it too. So much so that in this rather quiet establishment many eyes settled on me, including his. I didn't realize that I was being looked upon until I opened my eyes and viewed my surroundings. My laugh is pretty hearty and can go for quite some time; well past the time of a joke even being considered funny anymore, if I find the joke funny enough.

When our eyes met, he didn't just stare at me. It was more...thoughtful. It was like we were fixated on each other. I broke eye contact with him for a brief moment to notice that the woman whom I assumed was his date, was glaring at me harshly. I quickly reverted my eyes back to the mystery man as he continued staring before tilting his head slightly to the right like he had just come to a realization and watched as seconds later a smirk graced his lips. He then turned back to his date but the smirk quickly faded as he devoted the remainder of his time to his lady friend.

"All those people staring at you was so awkward!" Aris chuckled drawing out the last word, "uhm hello and what or who are you starting at?" she continued as she turned in her chair trying to pinpoint my gaze.

"Uh, nothing and no one" I replied dropping my head trying to hide my rosy cheeks.

Aris figured me out quickly but like a good friend who knows when to quit the conversation turned to us discussing all the activities we participated in over the past month. I wish we could do this more often, especially over a wonderful meal. My steak was so tender; Aris opted for a caesar salad. However, our good time was cut short halfway through our meal when Aris' phone sounded.

Aubrey

My date was boring the hell out of me. I don't think I have enjoyed myself once since I sat down at this table until the cutie with the stylishly large framed glasses across the way let out the loudest laugh that I have EVER heard. I couldn't really make out all of her facial features with the restaurants lighting set low but I couldn't help but feel drawn to her. Her head was tilted back with her mouth slightly wide open giving glimpses of what seemed like perfectly straight teeth. Whatever she was laughing at had to be funny as hell because she was laughing from the gut for sure. A pretty girl with a fucked up laugh, I chuckled to myself. I could get down with that. Shit, it's the first time I truly smiled all night.

We finally made eye contact, at least I think we did. It was kind of hard to tell with the amount of glare her glasses produced, preventing me from being certain. When I realized we were zoned in on each other I gave her a slight smile which she returned. Her company seemed to be trying to gain her attention and I was on a date so I diverted mine back to the woman sitting in front of me.

It was honestly hard to pay attention to my guest this evening. Tonya, I think is her name. I mean she was beautiful don't get me wrong but she just seemed so typical. Her body was right but seemed completely manufactured and she definitely looked like she kept herself well put together style wise but beyond that the conversation was just lacking. I hate when I have to pull talking points from thin air because the other person is giving me nothing to play on. Which brought me back to the pretty little thing across the way.

I would look at her from time to time when my date wasn't paying attention, slowly picking up small details about her appearance as the night went on. Given the setting, she most certainly was not dressed for the scale of the restaurant. She looked like she had minimal makeup, if any, with dark framed glasses and a messy bun of curls sitting on top of her head. She sported a white long sleeved v- neck body suit, it had to be with how unwrinkled it looked tucked into light gray sweats and to complete the look, plain white high top nike's.

After about thirty minutes I watched as the company she kept frantically pushed her chair back and made her way to the exit. I looked back in messy bun's direction and noticed she and her waiter speaking. He nodded in agreement to something she said and proceeded to help her gather her things to set them at the bar area where she got herself situated and continued enjoying her meal while playing on her phone.

My date wrapped shortly after. I paid for the meal, left a hefty tip and proceed to exit the restaurant to walk my date to her car. Passing by the bar on the way to the front doors I caught a scent. It had to be hers, floral. Curiosity had me pondering if it was the scent of a shampoo or conditioner she used or if it was her perfume. After Tonya was safe inside her vehicle and pulling out of the lot, I lazily strolled to my car before stopping, turning around and making my way back into the restaurant. I had to meet her.