Chapter 30: Careful What You Wish For

"Graham, I've been waiting for over 30 minutes. You know how much I can't stand being at a table on my own so I wouldn't go in. To top it off, you're cell phone was not even turned on."

"Sorry Vicky, I was at the hospital. Alice's due to be released soon."

"God, I wish I'd never hear you say her name again."

"Well you might just get your wish."

"True, she's moving out of town soon. Actually not soon enough."

"She's not moving out of town, Vicky, she changed her plans. How about we talk about it over dinner? I'm sure they've kept our reservation and I'm hungry"


Victoria was hungry too so she decided to let him off the hook. Only for that moment though.

"Let's have some wine, Graham. I want this to be a romantic diner. You owe me after all that waiting."

"Yes, sure, order whatever you would like."


Graham was distant he didn'tknow how he should bring up the subject. He had invited Victoria for diner for a precise reason. Only now, Vicky seemed to be in a romantic mood. He would ruin her diner if he started telling her why he brought her there. On the other hand, he didn't want to be deceiving. He was the one who picked up the restaurant. Somehow it all made sense to him before; end it where it all started. Now it seemed mean and cynical.


"Something's bothering you? I've asked you three times already what you were having."

"I'm sorry, Vicky. I'm just having second thoughts about this diner."

"Why would you have second thoughts about a simple diner."

"Weren't we suppose to discuss our future together? We were cut short last time we tried discussing the subject."

"It can wait after. Now I just want to spend sometime with my one and only."


Victoria smiled while inside she was torn apart. Something was wrong and she could feel it. He was late for starters; extremely out of character. Then there was this enigmatic comment about Alice. Now to top it off, it was easy to tell his mind was somewhere else.


"Vicky, how strongly do you feel about me, about us?"


The dessert had barely arrived that Graham felt he couldn't take it anymore and needed to end it as soon as possible. Vicky had been sweet through the whole diner, making future plans. Romantic gestures, romantic lines, she hadn't miss anything. He refused to believe she didn't notice his lack of candor. If he waited a minute longer, he knew he would hate himself for doing so.


"Well, we've had our differences. I believe what we have now is great. We are stronger than ever, we can tell each other everything. I love you, Graham; I'm willing to go the extra mile for you.

I've learned a lot when we were apart. Like how I can be cruel and dishonest. I still have a bit of a jealous streak but I'm working on it. You have changed also. You are more of the man I was looking for. I've never been so in love."


Victoria smiled and held Graham's hand. She was facing him and he couldn't bare the thought of seeing her face as he hurt her so deeply. He brought his hand together, away from Victoria's. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.


"Vicky...I wish I could tell you I felt the same. I do love you but all I learned while we were apart is how I wanted and needed someone different. You just said you learned how cruel and dishonest you could be and that stayed with me. I can't forget how you just played with other's emotions including mine.

I also believed the games were over and we'd be honest with each other. Only I just obtained an interesting information. You lied, Vicky; once again. Just when I thought I could trust you, I realize you haven't changed at all."


Graham opened his eyes. He could face her now. He had nothing to feel bad about, she had brought it up on herself. Vicky didn't seem to understand. He waited a moment to see if she'd try to deny or defend herself but she stayed silent.


"You didn't know from the start that I cheated, did you? You found the information in Keshia's diary. Then you came to me with this nice little story to justify your wickedness when you left me. You had lost everything and wanted it back. I guess you would do anything. I wouldn't call that love, Vicky. I will not have a life based on a lie and maybe lies since I can't tell how many you've told. It's over."


Victoria was crying. She didn't even want to stop Graham from leaving. She was out of tricks. Now she understood what he meant when he said she wouldn't hear him say Alice's name again. She just wouldn't hear him again.


"I'm sorry, Graham. I'm so sorry you wouldn't believe it."

"You're right. I wouldn't."


He got up and left.