AN UNFORGETTABLE LOVE
by Mallory Quinn
Chapter 4
"Bitter-sweet feelings"
Albert was waiting on the pier for Candy. He bought Archie and Annie with him. He was impatient to see Candy; the separation had been too long. And the holiday season without her, was not the same. Annie was eager to see her best friend, her "sister", she missed her so much. Archie was also happy of his cousin's return. He used to be in love with her, but Candy never encouraged him because of her friendship with Annie. Candy liked him like a brother anyway. He finally resigned and married Annie who was madly in love with him. They had two children, a six year old named Anthony, and a 4 year old named Jessica.
Candy saw her little group of friends and waived her arms in the air. She couldn't run to them because there were a lot of people getting off and going on, you almost had to jostle one another to get by. She finally arrived where her friends were; it was joy, tears, hugs and kisses. Albert kissed Candy and hugged her, has he loosened his hug to look at her better…
- Excuse me said a man's voice passing in the middle of them.
Candy recognized Terry, he threw her a mocking look. She quickly smiled at him.
- Isn't that, that actor…? Albert started.
- Come on Albert, we have a long way to go, Candy interrupted him, where is my luggage?
Terry was on the pier and feeling a little funny to have passed between Candy and her fiancé, but he couldn't help himself, it was irresistible! Susanna saw him from a far and making him big sings with her hands.
- Terry, Terry! Over here! She cried.
He took her in his arms and kissed her quickly on the lips. As he loosened his hug, he heard a woman's voice.
- Excuse me, please she said jostling Susanna a little.
The emerald eyes and the dark blue eyes looked at each other for the last time. Terry saw Candy's mocking smile and smiled back at her. Susanna wasn't happy of the interruption. She didn't see the two lovers glancing at each other, but she was unhappy Candy jostled her. Candy left with her little group like nothing happened.
During the return trip, Albert felt a change in Candy. She was distant with him. He put that on the tiredness due to the trip. He was looking at her: she was so beautiful! He couldn't wait to marry her.
In Chicago, Candy and Annie were talking in her bedroom. She was unpacking her suitcases and arranging the present she bought for the children and her friends.
- Come on, start talking! Said Annie, you look different. You're glowing with happiness.
- What do you mean, Annie? Asked Candy innocently.
- Candy, I've known you forever, you can't hide anything from me. Tell me what happened during your trip.
- Well, nothing special…
- Candy!
- Ok, she said with a smile.
After all, she had to confide in someone, she couldn't keep everything to herself. She started talking.
- Annie, promise me you won't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you. Not even Archie. I have to talk to Albert first.
- But, Candy…
- Promise, Annie, or I won't say anything.
- Alright, I promise.
- Ok. The trip was pretty much formal, nothing special, beside changing countries, which was interesting and tiring. But on the trip home something happened.
- What? Asked Annie who getting impatient.
- I met a man.
- A man?
- Yes. And I fell madly in love with him!
- What! Asked Annie who couldn't believe her ears, what about Albert?
- I still love Albert, I love him a lot, but I realized that I wasn't in love with him. Annie, I know now what you're feeling for Archie!
- But Albert…
- Annie, I was the first one surprised when I realized it. It didn't make any sense. I had just met this man, and I couldn't get him out of my head!
- Wow! And then what?
- We spend the rest of the trip together. By the way the Juliet costume you made me buy, great! There was a masquerade party on the ship for the New Year. I had so much fun!
- Really? Good for you! What about your lover boy?
- I'm getting there, patience Annie. In the beginning I was dancing with different partners, every body was wearing a mask and the lights were dimmer than usual. Then I started dancing with this guy and there was a series of slows. Annie I've never felt so good in the arms of a stranger. Then, he wouldn't let me go so we spent the rest of the evening dancing together. We went outside to get some fresh air, when midnight stroke and everybody took their mask of and screamed Happy New Year! What a surprise it was, actually I was only half-surprised; my dance partner was none other than the man I just spent the day with! You were right Annie, Juliet found her Romeo, only it wasn't Albert.
- Oh… and then what? Annie asked hanging on to Candy's every word.
- Then, the first half-surprise passed, he leaned to kiss me.
- And you let him? Asked a surprised Annie.
- I couldn't stop him, because, I wanted it as much as him she said blushing.
- Oh Candy! How was it?
- Annie, it was the most wonderful thing in the world. I forgot about the rest of the world, there was only the two of us at that moment. Until an old lady and her husband said that we were cute as Romeo and Juliet. We realized that we were dressed as Romeo and Juliet.
- It's like you were destined to meet…They also say that the person you're with at the stroke of midnight in the New Year, is the person you're destined to be with. Come on, please continue.
- Where do you get these things?
- In magazines. Don't change the subject, Candy. Come on, continue your story…
- He took me to my cabin, and I went to sleep.
- Candy!
- Ok, ok, but I'm telling you, you're going to be shocked by the rest.
- Go ahead, Candy, I'm ready.
- We said good night, he leaned to kiss me, and then we were in my cabin…
- Oh my God Candy you didn't….
Candy went bright as red.
- You did! Candy you must have loved him a lot to….
- We were like two magnets drown to each other. I'm not ashamed of what happened, Annie. I love him with all my heart.
- I'm happy for you my dear. I 've got to admit; I've never seen you so happy and glowing. Has he got a name your new lover boy?
- Well, you know him too, by sight at least….
- Really? Who is it?
- Terrence Grandchester.
- The actor? … Wow, I can't believe it, he's so handsome!
- His looks have nothing to do with my feelings. He's gentle, generous, thoughtful, he's got a good sense of humor…and…
- …and he's engaged to Susanna Marlowe! I don't want to rain on your parade, but he's engaged to be marry and you too for that matter!
Candy looked down, and said softly.
- That's why we will meet again in six months
- Six month? Why six months?
- So we can be sure that we still feel the same, that it wasn't a cruise fling, and to fix our current situations.
- Are you going to keep contact now?
- No, no contact until July 8th, at 5 pm on the top of the Empire State Building, in New York
- New York? The Empire State Building? You're moving to New York? You've got a lot more surprises like that!
- Come on Annie, New York isn't that far. You can come and see me when ever you'll want to. And I'll come and see you too.
- What if he doesn't come to the meeting? What if you change your mind?
- If one of us doesn't come, no more contact forever.
- And you're future with Albert?
- Annie, I'm so sure of our feelings, that it's a risk I'm willing to take.
- Ok. When are you going to tell Albert the truth? That you're in love with another man?
- As soon as possible. He's got to know the truth, so he can maybe find someone else. But it's going to break my heart to hurt him.
- But it's better than to live a lie.
- Yes. That's what's giving me the courage to do it. Let's finish this up, I have to go to the Pony House, to give them their presents.
- I'll come with you.
They got ready to go. Annie went to get her kids and they took the train together to the Pony House.
Miss Pony and Sister Maria were happy to see their former boarders with all the gifts for every body. The children were happy to see their "boss" who had lots of stories to tell. Miss Pony was looking at Candy and had the impression that something had change in her little protégée; she seemed to be glowing with happiness.
"The trip must have done her some good" She thought.
Sister Maria saw the change in Candy too. She talked about it with Miss Pony when everybody was in bed.
- Did you notice that Candy has changed? She asked her friend.
- You noticed it too? She glowing with happiness!
- Something happened during her trip, but what?
- She'll tell us when she's ready, Sister Maria.
- Let's pray her wishes come true.
Susanna vas trying to glue herself to Terry on the cab on their way home, without success. Terry seemed distracted: he was looking at the window, he seemed thousands of miles from there.
Terry arrived at his apartment tired by his trip. Susanna was with him and gave instruction to the housekeeper, Mrs. Henderson to take care of the luggage and serve them some tea and sandwiches.
- How was your trip, dear? Asked Susanna.
- Very good, thank you.
- You weren't too bored by yourself? I wanted to stay, but I wanted to spend the holidays with Mom, you see…
- No problem Susanna, let's not talk about it anymore.
- I can make you forgive me in the bedroom….
- I'm tired, Susanna. Not tonight.
- Really? Ok, dear, I'm going to let you rest and I'll come by tomorrow morning, ok?
- Ok. Goodbye.
Susanna kissed him on the lips and left.
Terry was sitting in his living room, thinking about his "freckled nurse" Candy…He missed her so much! Six months! Why did they give themselves so much time? They didn't need that much time to know that they were made for each other… But what was done, was done. He had to brake up with Susanna to be with Candy. He asked himself if she'd broken up with her fiancé yet.
"Candy my darling, we'll be together soon" he thought in his head.
He spent the rest of the evening thinking about Candy and he suddenly had the urge to paint. It was a hobby he rarely did; in fact his acting career didn't give him much time to paint. He had a room in is apartment for his favorite hobby. He went there and started a new painting. He worked on it all night and went to bed at the first hours of the morning.