Why Can't I Be Happy?

Chapter 2

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Reba impatiently waited for the last hour to pass before she could leave work and get ready for her date. Every two seconds she was staring at the clock, and swearing that time was taking long on purpose. She knew she ought to calm herself down, I mean it was just a date. She probably wouldn't even like the guy. Time had successfully passed and Reba took no time in leaving and getting home. It made her even happier to know that no one was home when she got there. She could get ready in peace. She had made dinner and proceeded to her room to get ready.

Reba had gotten into a nice, hot shower. She took her time in the shower, gently massaging the cherry-blossom liquid soap all over her body and skin. Reba thought about her date. She wasn't expecting anything magical to happen. She just wanted a friend, and if that friend happened to be a hot, eligible bachelor then so be it. Reba hoped that she and Brad could become close friends. She didn't really have friends since Lori-Ann moved out of state again and even though Barbra Jean claimed Reba to be her best friend, she wasn't. She loved the idea of having someone to talk to about her problems, fears, dreams or whatever else friends talked about.

She forced herself out of her train of thought, so she wouldn't take too much time in the shower. She wrapped a towel around herself and went into her room to look in the closet for something to wear. La Vita Bella, the restaurant they'd be eating at, was a pretty fancy place; especially at night. She didn't want to be too over or under dressed. So she decided to wear a white, off-the-shoulder shirt that fit kind of snug to the body and a pair of plain, black dress slacks. Reba wanted to look nice for her date, so she took her time applying make-up and combing her hair. She looked herself over in the mirror and was really satisfied with the results.

Time was going by kind of fast. By the time she was done, it was seven-fifteen. She grabbed her small hand-held purse and proceeded downstairs. She went to check if everything in the house was okay before she left. Her kids still hadn't made it home and it worried her a little, but figured they would've called her if something was wrong. She was just about to leave when Brock came in.

"Hey Reba…whoa, why are you so dressed up?" he asked looking her over. Reba didn't think it was any of his business but told him anyway.

"I have a date." she simply said. Brock looked at her kind of funny and then laughed a little.

"Yeah right Reba, you don't have a date." Reba was a little shocked and hurt. Why was it so impossible to think that someone had taken an interest in her.

"For your information mo-ron, I do to have a date." she said defending herself.

"Oh really, well what's his name?""Brad…Brad MacIntosh." Brock stopped laughing and just looked at Reba. He had heard of this Brad MacIntosh. He was one of the most successful businessman in the world. He had been featured in business magazines and Forbes.

"Reba, how the hell did you get a date with Brad MacIntosh?" he asked pleasantly surprised.

"Brock I don't have to explain anything to you. I mean is it so hard to think that he'd be interested in me. Now if you'll excuse I have to get going or I'll be late." she felt a little insulted and just walked pass him an towards the door. She didn't even bother looking back at him or saying good-bye. She got into her car and drove away. She quickly tried to bury any anger she had towards Brock so she could have a good time with Brad. She had finally arrived at the restaurant. She had to admit she was a little nervous. She thought maybe he wouldn't show up an she'd end up looking like a fool.

"Hi, I'm Reba Hart. I have a meeting with Mr. Brad MacIntosh." she shyly told the receptionist.

"Oh yes, Ms. Hart right this way please." the receptionist walked her over to where Brad had been waiting patiently for her. At least her biggest fear was drowned out, he hadn't stood her up. As a gentlemen would he rose from his seat and helped Reba into hers. Brad had ordered a bottle of chilled Crystal for them.

"Reba you look amazing."

"Thanks. I must admit I was a little nervous about tonight. I thought you were going to stand me up."

"Never. To be quite honest I thought you wouldn't show up. I guess we were both proven wrong." She gave him one of her best smiles. He admired her beauty, especially under candle light. He thought her dimples were so adorable. To him, her dimples were a sign of innocence, which every man loved. Reba, on the other hand, noticed how sexy Brad's lips were. They weren't too big nor too small, but just right. He had flawless skin and no hair on his face. When she looked into his eyes she saw a man with a lot of riches but with a humble and simple nature. Not one of them said a word. They stared at each other, both trying to figure out who the person they sat across from was. The waiter interrupted their thoughts.

"Your bottle of Crystal has arrived sir." the bell boy said. He carefully poured the wine into the long-stem wine glasses. Reba thought the wine was fantastic.

"So Reba tell me about yourself."

"Well as you already know I'm a real estate agent. I have 3 beautiful children, a son-in-law, and a precious grandchild. I was once married but my husband had an affair with a woman who organizes her beanie babies by occupation and she insists on being my best friend." Brad couldn't help laughing at what Reba was saying.

"I don't mean to laugh but I find it hard to believe that your husband would leave you, and for a woman who seems insane. I mean how could he be such an idiot?"

"Well we'd been having problems for a while. He was going through his mid-life crisis when we finally separated. I tried so hard to make it work but he never even made an effort. When I finally told him it was time to come home, he told me that he was divorcing me to marry his pregnant dental hygienist. And on top of that I found out my teenage daughter was pregnant and planning on marrying her equally teenage boyfriend." Brad just looked at her in awe. He couldn't believe her life was seriously chaotic.

"Wow. That's deep. I mean Reba you seem like a woman who has no drama or stresses in her life. I guess it's true when they say that hind-sight is 20/20."

"Yeah well I will admit it was hard going through all of that. I felt like I was going at it all alone while everyone else successfully moved on with their lives." as she said this Brad could visibly see a look of hurt in her eyes.

"But enough about me, how about you?"

"Well unlike you, I have no kids, or ex-wives. I tried dating but when I started falling for a woman and considered asking her to marry me, she either cheated or was a gold-digger. So for that reason I'm a little gun shy when it comes to dating.""It must be lonely."

"Yeah it is. Most people think that because I have money my life is an endless stream of extravagance after another. But it's not. Sometimes I wish I had the comfort of a female companion in my life. Someone I can cuddle up to and tell her I love her until the end of time. I know it maybe hard to believe but I would much rather spend time walking along the beach with my significant other versus making money or hob-knobbing with high class society." Reba could see the sincerity in his eyes. She was so surprised that a man with so much at his disposal only wanted the most intriguing and mystical thing that anyone wanted; love. It was amazing how they shared the same dream of finding someone to love and be loved. Though they lived extremely different lives, their dream came to a common point.

They ate, laughed and talked for hours. The restaurant was beginning to become empty. But they were so into their conversation that they hadn't noticed. They talked about everything from their personal life, work, family, and even their favorite foods. They were having such a good time that they didn't notice the restaurant was about to close.

"I'm sorry to bother you two but the restaurant is closing." the bellboy said. Reba and Brad just looked at each other, surprised that they had let time pass them by so swiftly. Reba looked down at her watch and noticed the time and it was pretty late. Maybe because she was having so much fun that she didn't realize that time had flew. Brad paid for the meal. He refused to let Reba spend even a penny of her money. Reba smiled at his persistence to pay. She thought it was so egotistical but cute all at the same time. He helped her from her chair and let out his arm as a sign to grab it. Reba happily obliged.

Brad walked Reba to her car. For a moment, neither of them knew what to say to end the night. They were both disappointed that their date had ended.

"Well Brad I truly had a wonderful night. I don't remember the last time I had a good laugh and conversation with someone." she said with a sincere smile.

"Like wise. Thanks for showing up." He equally smiled back at her. Reba was just about to get into the car when Brad spoke up once again.

"Reba I really had a great time and would hate to end it just here. If it's okay I'd like to give you a call sometime."

"Yeah I'd love to talk to you again too." She gave him her number and vice versa. They shyly shook hands and Reba got into the car. They were like two school kids. Once Reba was in the car, she rolled down her window and looked up at him.

"Thanks for a nice time. I really needed it. I hope to talk to you soon." She gave him a sweet wink and smile, before driving away. Brad looked at her car until the tail lights were no longer visible. He was so happy with how the date went. He really wasn't looking for a girlfriend. All he wanted was a friend, someone like Reba. She seemed like the perfect person to go to when he needed uplifting and someone to listen to him talk about his day. Because of the life he lived, it was hard to determine who was a true friend or an enemy. Especially since everyone wanted a piece of him. Being rich isn't as easy as it seems. But with Reba it was different. He was comfortable around her. She radiated a sense of calmness and sincerity. He knew he could trust that she indeed was a friend and not a gold-digging bimbo.

He looked forward to calling her. She truly was different from the women he usually dealt with. Maybe it was her southern charm, or fiery red hair. Maybe it was her mesmerizing blue eyes, he thought. Whatever it was he was drawn to it and was eager to figure out exactly who she was. As he drove himself home, he could only smile at the thought of the amazing, beautiful red-head.