Why can't I be happy?
A/N: I also have a story titled Scared Silent, check it out.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot line…
Rating: M…for mild sexual content
Summary: Well I can't do that lol.
ENJOY!!
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It was another dull, boring day. To Reba it seemed like she did the same dull things everyday, there was no excitement or fulfillment. It had been 4 years since the divorce and she still hadn't filled the emptiness in her heart that Brock once occupied. She still loved him as the father of her children and as the man she shared a history with, but not as a husband or romantic interest. She knew she ought to get out into the dating world again. She needed someone other than her family to keep her happy. Don't get me wrong she loved her family, but it would be nice to have someone who loved her the way only a man could, or Brock had. All the relationships she had since the divorce didn't last long. Reba couldn't get too close to these men, why she didn't know. She wanted a guy who could fill the void in her heart, someone who would love her the way she deserved.
She was consumed in her thoughts when Nicole, her co-worker, interrupted her train of thought.
"Hey Reba, you alright? You've been staring mindlessly for a while now." Reba looked at her.
"Oh, I'm fine. Just thinking about how boring my life is." she said a little depressed. Nicole just laughed at her friend.
"Well maybe your life wouldn't be so boring if you went out once in a while."
"I don't have time to go out. I mean between work, and taking care of my family, I have no time for myself or that 'special someone'."
"Reba you have to make time. I'm pretty sure your family wouldn't mind you going out."
"Yeah right. You don't know my family. If I skip out on my daily duties they'd fall by the waist side." Reba said kind of laughing to herself. It seemed like whenever she did something for herself or left them alone, they quickly fell apart.
"Look Reba I'm saying this as a friend, you really need to take some time for you. I mean your ex-husband has moved on with his life, maybe it's time you do the same thing." With that she walked away. Reba knew Nicole was right. Brock had moved on with his life. Every night he climbed into bed with the love of his life, while Reba went home to an empty one. It wasn't fair that Brock found his "true" love and he was the one who had an affair. Reba had been jilted. After twenty years of marriage, her world came crashing down and realized that the man she thought was her true love; wasn't.
Reba had finally made it home after a hard-day's work. She wanted nothing more than to soak in a nice, hot bath. But knew she had other responsibilities. Just like she suspected, her family was waiting in the kitchen for her, so she could cook.
"Hey mom, what's for dinner?" Cheyenne asked, not considering if her mother even felt like cooking for a family of five.
"Cheyenne I just got in the house. I've had a long day and you don't think I could use a break? It would be nice if you and Van got off your butts once in a while and helped out around here." Reba didn't know why she snapped all of a sudden but before she could catch herself she had already went off on her now shocked kids.
"Whoa Mrs. H, what was that for?" Van asked sounding shocked and a little upset.
"I'm sorry for going off on you guys. It's just I'm having a bad day. I mean it's not fair that everyone around me has care-free lives, while I'm stuck doing the same things over and over. I mean don't get me wrong I love you guys but I don't have time for me. And when I finally do get a little alone time, Brock and Barbra Jean are barging in…" she was cut off by the sound of the door opening.
"Speak of the devil" she said silently. Reba just rolled her eyes and went back to preparing supper. She knew her family didn't understand where she was coming from, after all they had lives. They talked amongst themselves. Reba didn't bother joining in on the conversation, mainly because Brock and Barbra Jean were talking about how they had a romantic evening the night before. Reba always felt uncomfortable when Brock and BJ talked about their relationship. It was like they didn't take into consideration that Reba would feel uncomfortable when they talked like that.
It hurt Reba when she seen Brock and BJ together. Of course she was over Brock, but the way he loved Barbra Jean made Reba think that he totally forgot and tossed away the marriage he had with her. It felt like the love that they shared was nothing more than a mere dream turned nightmare. If it weren't for the kids they had together, she could've swore it was just that, a dream turned nightmare. She felt like he rubbed his new marriage in her face. "Why must I suffer over everyone else" she thought to herself.
"Reba…Reba, you okay?" Brock asked, interrupting her train of thought.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Just preparing dinner." Brock noticed she hadn't engaged into the conversation everyone was having. By now she would have given either him or BJ one of her famous zingers.
"Well you've been awfully quiet. I just want to make sure your alright." he asked a little concerned. Reba just nodded her head. She didn't want to make small talk. To be quite honest she wanted them to leave. She went on preparing supper. Brock took this as a sign that he and BJ should go. He didn't quite understand Reba's bad mood. But he didn't want to make her more upset by asking more questions and figured leaving would be in his best interests.
At dinner tensions could be sensed over the smell of the food. No one made a peep, except Van and Cheyenne attempting to make small talk. Reba soon left and retreated to her room. Not saying 'I love you' or 'Goodnight' to anyone.
"Cheyenne what's wrong with your mom?" he asked a little curious and annoyed.
"I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe we should just leave her alone and hope that in the morning she'll be in a better mood." Van agreed with his wife. They finished their dinner and went off to bed themselves. Reba lied awake for a while before dosing off. She just laid in bed and looked out the window. She thought about her life and how everything was different. She wished that she could be madly in love again. She wished she had someone to come home and cuddle up to at night. She needed love and companionship as much as the next person.
The next day at work Reba had a better attitude. She decided she wasn't going to sulk and whine about how unfair life had been to her. She knew that if she wanted to be happy she would have to stop her little pity party and learn to accept the challenges that had come her way. She decided she would move on with her life just like everyone else had. She treated herself to a nice Italian restaurant for lunch. She had just ordered her meal when she saw a handsome man looking at her. When she caught him looking he acted as if he hadn't. Reba slightly smiled to herself.
He was sitting by himself too. Both his and Reba's meal arrived at the same time. While eating she quickly forgot about him and consumed herself in thoughts. When he saw it was okay he continued to stare at her. He wondered why such a gorgeous woman ate lunch alone. He looked at his waiter and asked if he knew who the mysterious red-head was.
"Umm waiter, do you happen to know that woman over there?" he asked pointing at Reba.
"Not really sir. All I know is that she comes here at least once a week."
"Does she usually come alone?"
"Yes sir she does." The guy saw this as a golden opportunity.
"Well do me a favor, get her a glass of white wine on me" the waiter obeyed. Reba was looking over some paperwork when the waiter placed a glass of wine on the table. She looked up at him curiously and confused.
"Um excuse me sir I didn't order this."
"Oh I know mam, that gentlemen over there did." he said while pointing his way. The waiter walked away. Reba looked over at the guy who was sweetly smiling at her and waving. Reba couldn't help smiling herself. She was a little nervous and shy. The guy smiled to himself because he could see her blushing. So he got up from his table and walked toward her. Reba's mind was racing, what would she say to him.
"Hi, my name is Brad MacIntosh. I noticed you sitting all alone and wondered if it's okay to join you?" he said pointing to the empty seat across from her.
"Yeah sure." he happily sat across from her.
"Thanks for the drink."
"No problem. I just wanted to get your attention. I couldn't help wondering why a beautiful woman like you is all alone."
"Well I'm actually suppose to be at work right now, I'm on my lunch break."
"Oh where do you work?"
"Cameron Realty. It's that big building on the corner. And yourself?"
"Um well I work for myself. I'm CEO of Johnson & Company. It's a marketing company." Reba was really impressed. She had heard of his company. It was a huge worldwide marketing business. She was surprised that this high-in guy took notice of her. She had too admit she was a little intimidated. They were having a good conversation before Reba realized that she had spent way too much time on her lunch break.
"Oh wow I hate to cut our conversation short but I must get back to work." she said. Brad stood and helped her from her seat. She said her goodbye and was on her way out the door when Brad caught up to her.
"Reba I know this might sound a bit forward, but would you mind coming back here later for dinner?" she was a little taken back. She had just met him and didn't know whether she should accept. But then realized that there shouldn't be a problem, after all it was just dinner.
"Sure that sounds fine."
"Can you meet me here at around eight?" Reba nodded in agreement. She practically skipped all the way to work. She couldn't believe she had a date. It seemed like the day went by pretty smoothly since her encounter. She was counting down the hours until she could go home and get ready. She was looking forward to talking with him some more. Though they hadn't talked too long at lunch she was really relaxed with the little time they did spend together.