CHAPTER ONE
The cloud is thick, blue-white, stretched across the wide sky and reaching beyond and disappearing out of sight, it’s expansion beyond sight.
You hear nothing but thunder claps, whistling and then all too suddenly the cloud breaks to reveal someone coughing.
More like a child… or looks like one.
When he turns you see that it is a man-child.
He has a smoking pipe in his hands as he whistles. He takes a few drags.
He is dressed in nothing but a white cloth covering his genitals.
It has always been wondered if they do have one. They never had shown the world if they had a little peewee to dangle or maybe that’s where they hide their powers… so the stories goes.
The cloud is floating like a hard surface as he walks on it, his arrow slashed over his back…he is peering down.
The mist below clears to reveal a city. Little ants of people going about their business. The blaring of horns. The lights. The city…the music.
Earth!
He chuckles.
“Too much hate in the world”, father said. ..”too much hate. Spread a little love.. give a heart a sparkling jolt” he laughs taking a drag and pumps out air.
A shape of love is formed, dancing away.
He pokes it and it fades into the clouds.
“Now… who would be the lucky b—–d” he frowns stretching to look deep into the city.
His head pops out of the clouds. His frown deepens..
“Too far”
He opens his cloth, frowns as he looks within.
“Now… I need something …Aha, this would work” he brings out binoculars…”Inventions inventions, all Technically-advanced invention… knew it would come in handy..” he laughs to himself.
He stretches and grabs the cloud, some pulls out. He folds it and then makes it into a stool. Then he changes his mind, takes some more and makes a dangling bed.
He made slim ropes out of the cloud and then hangs the dangling bed. Satisfied he jumps on it, crosses his leg and then he pushes it.
It dangles from side to side. He has the binoculars to his eyes, he is whistling and then the pipe in his other hand.
“Now… Mini mini mani mor… who is the love-less sucker of them all..” he looks right,he looks left, he zooms in .
He shakes his head. .”Nope. Nope. Hell na. Fxxk no… er… sorry Mama, too old. Oh… no dog love this year sorry bingo. ..er” he looks around to the other side. “Mini mini mani….Ohhhhhh there there…….”
He smiles as he zooms in to what he sees.
“There there”…
He grabs his arrow “I see the loneliest of them all”.
He pulls the clouds lower,to take a closer look at her, fingering his bow absent-mindedly as he listens to her.
*****
“No!!” She sniffs as she holds the phone closer ,shaking her head from side to side so hard you would think her neck would snap. “No Daniel… Please I…I love you. We have been together three years. Three good years and now this?”
She is seated on her bed, her room is dark save from the light coming from the muted screen.
She grabs the picture she has on her bed side table and looks at it. It is a wedding band picture of a happy man and a really really happy bride. It got delivered today to her from him.
The wedding was slated in two hours. Three cities away.
The woman, she has only seen in pictures. She had googled her Facebook page and saw how pretty she was. She was high class, into money. She was it. The girl any man would fight for to marry.
Whether they were marrying her or her money is left to the significant other.
And He? She had known him for over three years.
He was the best thing that ever happened to her since he walked into her office to sign a contract. His smile was to die for, his hands made her shiver and his kisses made her feel as though she was flying.
That same man, He, getting married to the love of his life. The wedding band wrote. They were High school sweethearts since grade school.
He, who had been her fiance for a year was getting married today.
And he only just called off their own engagement like… five seconds ago.
Who does that?
She blows her nose.
“Daniel, you told me you were going away for a job. Be away for two weeks you said. We had the amazing vacation during Christmas. You proposed to me this day a year ago and we planned to get married this day too. We planned to go to vegas today and get married. You and I. But you postponed it. You told me you had to go on a trip and you just wanted to backdate the date. But… you were going away to get married to her..?” She sniffs “You are getting married to another woman Daniel. What happened to me? I have done nothing but given you the best three years of mine life and you were cheating on me with her?” She cries over the phone.
Frowning as she listens to him talk, her eyes enlarges.
“You were cheating on her with me” She is shocked as she wails in tears. “So I was the side chick? Oh God!!” She cries into the phone “but I love you Daniel…I. .I already got a dress and picked out your suit and… the house we both looked at… I already …’ she pauses.
Then she begins to wail as she hears voices in the background “Come groom, don’t keep the bride waiting. Go dress up”
She is shaking her head and holding her chest… “Dan? Daniel… don’t go. Don’t leave me please. I love you”
The next thing she hears causes her to freeze..
Her lips trembles, her eyes filling with water. She repeats what she hears.
“You never loved me. You… were testing waters. You… you don’t want me to ever call you again. You. …” she blinks.
The end tone of the call could be heard.
He had cut the call.
She blinks, and let’s the phone slip as she slips with it. Curling herself into a ball she cries her heart out.
Loudly. Painfully.
She needed to purge the pain threatening to choke her out of breaths.
She pulls the ring from her finger and tosses it.
She stays on the floor crying.
Today was supposed to be her wedding day. She was supposed to be the most happiest person on earth today.
She was supposed to be marrying the love of her life on this day of love.
Very significant right? Now, she would remember this day for the rest of her life.
Today, February 14th.
St. Valentine’s day.
Her love-day turns to nothing but shattered dreams and pain.
And it would be so for a long time.
*****
“Awwwn” He, pulls back from the cloud and wipes a tear from his eyes.
“Oh, poor girl” he shakes his head. “See, that was a horrible horrible heartbreak” he pouts.
Fingerings his bow, he moves it before him, letting go of the pipe as it floats in the air.
“She is really really sad. What do I do to make her feel better? ”
He taps his jaw tentatively ,..
“What is a heart of pain, where there is love? What is love where the ground is fertile to be groomed.? What is a lonely woman without her boo? What are missions without a shot from the moon?” He gets up from his dangling bed” and what is an arrow without a lonely heart too..”
He turns away from the girl crying in her room and peers down to earth, pushing the cloud away from his eyes. His arrow in place, the bow ready to shoot.
“Find me the one who is as lonely as she is too. And let love begin spiraling in both lonely hearts”
Then he hears it, he turns grabbing his binaculars, and looks at the direction from where it is coming from.
“Interesting !!” He exclaims…
“Interesting !!” He repeats.
He leans in closer from the clouds and tries to listen in to the scene below him..
*****
The shock vibrates through his body and leaves him speechless for a few seconds before he is able to find his voice and understand the scene before him.
Oh my God!!!
“What the hell! !!!” He exclaims standing just outside the door that leads into his bedroom.
He had just walked in on his girlfriend having sex with another.
She jumps off from the bed grabbing a cloth to cover herself. “Darren… I… I am sorry” she looks to him and back to her lover.
Darren looks at her shocked to his bones… he staggers back in shock.
“What the actual hell?” he looks at her and her lover who is still on the bed. Barely bothered about him walking in on his girlfriend with a lover.
“Natalie? How could you do this to me and with…with…oh God I need..I need to breathe” he chokes blinking rapidly.
“Babe…Babe I am sorry I…I didn’t know you were coming ” she comes to him.
“Don’t, don’t you dare… touch me.!! How could you Natalie?” he holds his chest as it suddenly constricts in pain. He backs away from her.
“Baby… Darren I… I didn’t want you to find out this way. I..erm”
Darren looks at her in disgust. He wants to express his anger at her. But he would never hit a woman, even if she were the cheater.
His eyes darts to the naked lover on the bed. No remorse. Nothing. Two pairs of eyes staring back at him, mocking him, laughing at him.
Just like the cold hearted ones of his girlfriend! He looks back at her, pained, betrayed, cheated.
This was his world. His love. Why?
“Why Natalie?” he asks as he folds his fist. “Why?”
“Because… because I have always been this person babe and ..”
“No you haven’t always been this person. When did you start this… cheating on me with a..a ” he let’s the words trail off. He runs his hand over his head and then punches the wall in anger.
Natalie winces, her lover didn’t move an inch.
“No babe… I have always been this person but you never saw that. Because I only showed you what I wanted you to see. This is me, you were a past time, a covering for my parents so they can stop asking me about a man. But other than that… you were nothing but… a side man to me. But… look at it this way. We had fun. I mean you were great and all but… come on, now that you have seen me I don’t have to pretend about it. And besides, I was going to tell you soon”
“A side man? What are you saying and… tell me when? When Natalie? We have been dating for over three years. Three!! When were you going to tell me. ?”
“Soon!!” She bites her lips.
He shakes his head, the disgust overwhelming him. He backs away from the room and leaves. She follows after him to his living room.
“Darren, babe?”
He doesn’t answer her as he goes to his bar, takes a bottle of red wine and pours it into his glass.
He takes a glass, gulps it down and takes another .
“Easy babe!!” She seats in front of him.
“Easy? How am I supposed to react to that… that… what I just saw. How? I am angry. I want to punch someone. I want to run someone through the wall. But I can’t… because… your lover is… is” he shakes his head taking another glass of wine.
She smiles “You know you can say it though. It is not an abomination ”
“Are you high? It is. What the actual hell Natalie. On my bed. Our bed.. in my house. You have been cheating on me in my house with a …” he takes another glass “Aren’t I enough. Didn’t I love you enough… Am I lacking? I mean I got a good job, I treat you right, I love you right. You are my world Natalie. All the plans we made together…everything . Only to find you cheating on me with a…with a..” he points at the door. The lover is standing there staring at both of them, a sly smile played along the lover’s lips.
“A girl okay, you can say it!!” Natalie smiles “It’s not such a bad thing. In fact, it is thrilling really.” She bites her lips.
He takes another glass, winces as the spirit hits his head. He shakes it.
“You think? Because you are twisted to leave a man whom you are supposed to only have sexual intercourse with to frolic with the same sex. What the hell did I do wrong Natalie? I want to spit fire but I can’t. Your lover is a woman. How the hell do I attack a woman for having sex with my girlfriend in my house. I can’t hence… I am trying to calm my nerves by drinking but all I want to do is slam my fist into a face” Darren exclaims bitterly.
“I am sorry Darren. Really I am. But.. I am in love her”
He spits out the wine choking “You love her. You are in love with her? God!!”
‘”Yes I am and I know you don’t buy into this new generations love but come on, freedom of who to fxxk right?”
“God Natalie!!” He exclaims looking up “leave my house” he tells the girl who is resting by the corner.
“I know this isn’t what you planned coming home to meet but… really I am sorry” Natalie gets up.
“Not you. Her. I need her out of my house Natalie” He stops her pointing at her lover.
They needed to talk. He and his girlfriend alone.
They just needed to talk about all this because it wasn’t making any sense.
“Actually, I was already leaving.” Natalie gets up going to her lover who links her hands in hers.
“To?” Darren turns to, he frowns “we have to talk about this. We have to make sense of all this”
“Sorry babe. This was long over due. I was going to leave next week but I might as well. ”
“What… what do you mean leave. Like travel?” He leaves his bar and walks to her but stopping away from her, he eyes her lover who blows him a kiss. His anger hovers.
“This has been fun and I know first hand you are a sweet guy but… we can’t do this anymore”
“Are you breaking up with me?” Another jolt of pain strikes his heart.
“Yes I am.”
“You are throwing away the years we have had together?” He can’t believe it. “But I love you” he chokes.
Yes she was cheating and with a woman but still, men found that exciting to watch girls go at each other sexually.
Not him!
He has always liked to have his woman by himself. He has always been the loyal and the committed one. But to find this? It was heart wretching.
What is he to make of this.,?
“I know you do babe but… I love her and we are going to travel the world together after my surgery” she looks loving at her girlfriend. They good hands.
“What surgery? ” Darren blinks ..
“I need to get a dxxk. D—o’s and strap ons are great but.. you want to take charge when you are there.”
“Excuse me?”
“I want to become a man. Chest, sex organ. .you know. Got a good doctor. Got me a tone but hey? My baby is sponsoring .”
The shock leaves him speechless. .
“Darren?” she calls his name a few times. He blinks
“You have me Natalie? You instead preferred a woman to bask in sexually. Now you want to become that thing you rather not be with?”
“You won’t understand but that’s fine.. but her.. see you around” she beckons on her girlfriend.
“Natalie… I love you, I have loved you for so long. What am I supposed to do. How am I supposed to go on. What do I do with my life now that you are leaving me for.. for her” he still can’t believe it. He walks closer to her and stops her. “Let’s talk about it. U can even tolerate it just so-” he trails off.
“You know you Darren, and this has always been spent in your desire. Hence my hiding. But it’s okay. You would be fine. You would find someone and you would love and she would love you. Just it wouldn’t be me. I would leave in a few minutes. Take care of yourself Darren. ”
Without further ado she turns and leaves. Darren watches them exit the door a few minutes later, bags and suitcases in hand.
He sinks to his chair. His head in his arms..
“What am I supposed to do Natalie? How do I go on without you. How, how can I stop loving you… How?” he gets up abrupt, grabs the empty wine bottle and flings it. It shattered.
“Never again. Love hurts. People always leave. They always leave. Enough. I am done !!” He exclaims.
“I am done” he wipes the only tear that drops. He sniffs.
He places a call “Yes, this is Darren Bloom, cancel my dinner reservation for tonight. And the flowers and then the tourist tour.” he cuts the call.
Today, he had had the best day planned for her.
Today, it would have been beautiful with her in it.
Now… it was nothing but a sour taste in his mouth. He gets up walking to his window overlooking the city. Tonight, the city was awake. The lights, the cheeriness. The love in the air was felt as it was obvious.
Today, February 14th… was going to be an amazing day for him. Now all he wants to do is shut down the street lights and tell every one that love is nothing but a mirage and that those who fell for it were mere fools. And he was done being one.
“Never again”
He goes back to sitting on the chair and resting his head.
Never again. Love wasn’t for him. Screw it.
*****
He pulls away.. “I see two hearts, broken, in need of a blended fix. I see the black and white. I see the tears within those eyes. I see the pain, and I may have just the right inside.” He fingers his bow and pulls at it fixing the arrow to it..
“Too much hate in the world… spread a little love, let two hearts blend as one.”
He shoots the arrow upwards and watches it kiss the overhead cloud, makes a U-turn and goes down below, passing hard clouds and going to earth.
“Find the hearts. Blend it into one, make a heart sing a merry-happy-tone”
He watches it hit the surface of her roof. Then he shoots another one and watches it hit his door. He turns away happy, whistling a song he dances on his feet.
“Cupid!!! Cupid!!!?” The voice is thunderous.
“Yes… father?” He looks up and then back and then everywhere.
“Did you spread a little love?”
He smiles walking deep into the cloud that opens like a door and swallows him in.
“Oh, yes I did. You just wait to see the lonely hearts I have quicken”
“Ah… tell me about it”
Cupid chuckles …
*****
” Are you okay? You want to come over?” The phone is lying on her ear as she laid sideways on the floor.
“Yes Lucy. I would be thanks. ”
“You can’t stay home… it’s going to hurt and stuff.”
“Cried to my heart’s content.”
“Okay, I tell you what. Go out’!”
“Don’t want to”
“Do it Anna. You would feel better.”
“The streets is filled with love and lovers. I don’t want to”
‘”I know. Okay to the the Mac and Tees out on the 7th street. Less crowd. You can breath there. Okay?”
“No” Anna tells her friend.
“Do it or I am coming over and-”
“Fine. ”
“Good. You be good okay. Don’t cry over that b—–d. Good riddance to bad rubbish. ”
“Yeah! See you later .”
The line dies.
After contemplating it, she packs her hair in a ponytail, rushes a bath, gets dressed and leaves her apartment.
Live a little right?
She sighs in the cab.
*****
“It’s crowded Sir, should I go in?” The cab man asks Darren.
Sighing Darren turns to the window.
What was he doing in fact, coming to a place like this that would remind him of her and love? He needed some place he can just gaze into nothing and not be asked anything. Home was too quiet… too her too… argh!!
“Where else can I go to and not be swept away by this kind of happiness?”
“You don’t like Valentine Sir?”
“I used to until today” he rubs his chest mentally.
The man nods “Well, Mac & Tee at the intersection is quiet. You want to go there?”
Darren turns away from a happy couple kissing . “Yes, anything but here”
‘”Okay Sir”
*****
“Ma’am, we are at Mac & Tees” she pays him and alights. Her bag falls from her lap causing her contents to pour and scatter.
“Oh dear!!” She exclaims picking up items as the cab zooms away.
Another cab stops at the entrance, the passenger alights and begin to walk towards the entrance when he saw a lady on the floor, picking up items and cursing.
He walked on only to hear her exclaim in pain. .
“Owww! God dammit !!”
Out of curiously he turns to see her placing her index finger in her mouth, a frown on her face and all her items still scattered from the bag.
Shaking his head and turning, he goes to her.. “Need help!?”
Her eyes accesses the man before her.
And that is how they come.
“I am not interested!!!” She blurts out.
He was taken a back.. “Excuse me?
*****
To Be Continued.

TWO
****
”Erm..excuse me?” He repeats with a frown on his face, his eyebrow raised.
”I said I am not interested. Shu!! go away” She places her finger back into her mouth and then takes it out again and frowns at it. Red liquid appears over the tips of her finger ”Damnit!! ” she exclaims. She forgot to remove the office pin she had in her bag when her button popped off showing white bra that had her colleague smiling at her a little too much last Friday.
She dips her finger back into her mouth again and sucks on it, looking around for what to use to stop the bleeding. It was a nasty little poke. She had always hated to see her blood.
He raises an even higher eyebrow and takes her all in. ”Really?”
”What, I said shu!!! I don’t want no man to waltz into my life acting all I-can-help-you and stuff. All liars the lot of you!!!”
”Okay Lady, I don’t know what your problem is but generalizing like that is wrong” he points out. She scoffs.
”Like I care” She looks at her finger again. The bleeding had stopped. She bends down to pick up her items from the floor and flinging them into her bag.
She shouldn’t have come out anyways. She should have remained home, licked a bowl of ice-cream and then eat chocolates, cry some more and then sleep.
Take it one day at a time, eventually the pain would stop and she wouldn’t have to feel hurt over him anymore.
But she had to listen to her friend Lucy and came out, bad choice!
She gets poked by a tiny little needle.
A tiny?
Really today was just not her day. A broken engagement and-
Where the hell was that d–n ring he gave to her anyways.?
She fishes for it. She remembers throwing it away from her finger out of anger. Later on she crawled around looking for it, wore it after finding it, then flunked it away again when she began to cry remembering that he wasn’t coming back to her.
She found it again and tossed it into her bag. She was going to mail it to him with a stinker note and tell him what a horrible, disgusting and heartless person he was.
She searches the pocket of her bag, outside and within.
”Aha!!” she sees it exclaiming, she picks it up and looks at it. ”For all I know it might be a cheap ring bought off the counter, because he was able to discard it as he did me as easily he would dirt. ” she speaks to herself.
****
He, stands there looking at her, wondering what sort of crazy person she was. First she screams not interested as though … in fact what did she mean anyways? Now she is talking to herself?.
Yep!! Definitely crazy.
”Okay so… I would leave you to… Whatever!!!” He turns and begins to walk away.
”Hey you… wait!!!” She gets up quickly and rushes to him, bag placed under her arm , the ring between her fingers she pushes it to his face, he leans away wondering if she was about to poke his eyes with her fingers.
”What in the world!!” He exclaims
”Look… look, how much do you think this goes for hmm? A few thousand? A few hundreds? Less maybe?”
”Look lady I-”
”Look at it!!” She dumps it in his arm as she drags his hand, peels it open and places it in it. ”Look at it!”
He is speechless, he looks around and then back at her.
Where did they bring her out off? The zoo? The psych ward? Did she run away? Was her stray jacket tossed somewhere and she was trying to blend in like a normal person?
Should he call security or just ignore her. Maybe she would go away.
“Look at it dammit!!” she exclaims.
He frowns ”Okay crazy woman!!” he takes the ring closer to his eyes and then stares at it, frowning. ”Erm…I don’t know bu-”
”Be honest, I know it might be cheap and off the counter kind of ring and stuff but I need to know!!”
He sighs ”Look, whatever this is, I rather not be in the center, side or anywhere in it. Take your ring lady.” He places it in her hands ”If you want to know how much it costs, there is a jewel’s shop just across the streets, go there, tell them you want to sell it. They can tell you how much it is worth. So if you would excuse me, I don’t need this drama.” He moves away from her, stepping into the lounge he dissapears.
Anna looks away from the closed door and at the direction of the jewelry shop he mentioned. She crosses the road, walks into the shop and then walks up to the front desk personnel.
”Hello, good evening, I would like to sell this ring. I would like to know how much it costs.” she places it on the table.
*****
”Would you be ordering anything else Sir?” The waitress asks him with her pad open, ready to take his order.
”Just water Please. ”
”You ordered that already”
”Make it two crystal clear water then, and erm.. ice and lemon” He tells her. He had had one two many drinks when he walked in on his girlfriend..No! His ex-girlfriend with her girlfriend now. Anymore would cause a major hangover in the morning.
Water would be fine. That and the lemon would act like a detoxifier.
”Okay then Sir” The waitress walks away.
He is flipping through a magazine, wondering what he should do with the amount of time he has on his hands now.
No girlfriend, a messed up future. No desire to ever fall in love. Can’t bear to be around happy people or those intending to be happy .
Peace and quiet is all he needs. He had thought this day would have been one of the amazing days of his life. He was so spending it with her. Someone that he had already concluded was going to be his future.
But now, he sees nothing but an empty bed, no panties lying about and no soft body standing naked in front of mirror. No laughter to fill up his quiet days. No craziness too.
Just empty .
A lot of empty space.
He sighs flipping through the magazine.
Suddenly, a shadow looms overhead. He frowns looking up.
Dear Lord, not this crazy woman!!!
He raises an eyebrow staring at her.
Go away !
She doesn’t budge.
Go away crazy person .
She doesn’t budge. She is staring at him as he wills her mentally to go away.
Okay, mind games don’t work in reality. He sighs.
Maybe if he answers her she would leave him alone.
“Can I help you? “
She opens her palm showing him the ring. ” It’s so cheap it can’t even afford me an off the counter shoe ” she sniffs. “He got it off some… Some…” she bursts out crying placing her hand to her face. She didn’t just cry. She was wailing. Loudly.
He puts his finger into his left ear, and winces as her wails pierces his ear drum.
God!!!!!
His frown deepens. Then he looks around as everyone’s attention is turned to her.
Not them too.
He shifts in his chair. Maybe he should just get up and leave.
Before he would do so, some man wearing a suit and glasses perched on his nose walks up to him.
“Sir, please this is a public place and we have guests. Can you please calm your wife down or take her outside. She is disrupting the peace and serenity of the place and the guests are clearly uncomfortable as you can see’”
“Wife?” He was shocked. “Wife? ” he repeats. “I don’t know this crazy woman. I haven’t even met her before in my entire life. I just saw her outside, tried to help her but she shuus-ed me away and well, I leave. It isn’t my fault she is crying over someone’s stupid cheap ring and-“
Anna wails louder as she hears him mention the ring..
“Sir?” the man taps him as he looks at the guest. “Do something. She can’t be like this and… sir. Please control your wife “
“She isn’t my wife dammit!! “”
“You have to calm down Sir. Your shouting isn’t helping. “
“I am calm until you tie me to a crazy woman that is crying over that cheap ring and you think I shouldn’t be angry and-“
Annalise wails again.
Now everyone is muttering.
“Oh please will someone shut her up”
” Oh don’t be like that. She is clearly hurt. He got her a fake ring. Who does that. And yet he is standing there and watching her cry. So heartless. Poor woman heart broken on St. Valentine’s day” someone says
Annalise wails even louder.
“I didn’t.. She isn’t my… I didn’t break her heart and I didn’t give her that ring and I don’t even know her and-“
“look at him denying his woman. No wonder I stopped dating guys and went to date my girlfriend. Drama free two years running “
Lesbians!!
His Ex. Her new girlfriend. His house. His room. They naked making love on his bed.
His heart pulls. He snaps
“You have no right to say that to me. You don’t know how much I put in that relationship and now… “
“Hey relax man I wasn’t talking to you okay. Jeez. Freak!! ” the lady who had spoken cuts him turning away.
He runs a hand through his hair.
“I am sorry.. I.. It just brought back memories and.. I am sorry “
“whatever!! “”
“Sir, maybe if you talk to her and apologize to her she would he happier and stuff” the man touches his hand to get his attention .
“Look, you know what. I would just leave and you can deal with this crazy woman whoever she is okay. This isn’t my problem I have a problem too large causing a hole in my chest to be burdened by another so… What’s my bill?” he beckons to the waiter who rushes to him.
She is still crying.
“Please someone escort that lady out of the premises or we are leaving too. Can’t someone have a quiet meal here again instead of being troubled by another person’s problems. Jesus!!!” another Elder man exclaims.
He pays his bills. And begins to leave
“Sir please take her with you and… “
“I don’t know her okay.!! “
“Sir please”
“Jesus send her away if you want to just leave me alone. “
“I am calling the police.” Someone is dialing.
Darren shoots the person a look.
“What the hell for? What did I do? “
“Er… maybe domestic violence. Because we don’t understand how this woman who walks up to you and suddenly bursts out crying and now you are getting angry and yelling and stuff!! “
“I am yelling because you lot are making me angry trying to enforce this crazy woman on me. Dammit! “”
The person ignores him.
“I don’t know her I swear to God!””
“911? yes I want to report a case of domestic violence and some behavior the abuser is exhibiting that is bothersome. Yes please. We are at the Mac &Tees. Yes please. Well.. She is crying and she is covering her face so we don’t know if sh


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PART 3


“Sir, I would please ask you to step away from the lady and keep your hands where I can see them” the officer tells Darren as he makes his way towards him with the handcuffs in his hands.
Darren swallows again..
“Erm I think there must be a mistake… the thing is… actually I erm really..” Darren scratches his head.
“They were together in the Resort. We saw them together and she was crying painfully and I know for certain the b—–d must have done something to her. I don’t care what you say. Or maybe he is her stalker… maybe that is why she was crying… who knows, but I bet you he did something to her.” the mongrel who had called the police stated.
Darren spares him a glance.
That wasn’t helping . Why didn’t he just continue on his way home instead of coming back?
“Erm..officer I..erm”
“Step away from the lady Sir, she doesn’t know you and we would have to take you in just to make sure that you are not stalking her.”
“Stalking her because of? No.. Really I was just trying to help and… Hey.. Crazy person a little help here? You are getting me into this mess” he points to her as the officer nears him and takes his hands… “Oh come on.!! ” he exclaims.
“First off we get a call about domestic violence from a certain customer, now we hear about stalking and even the lady says she doesn’t know you and…well.. turn around Sir”
“Hey I didn’t do anything… in fact.. I-“
“Turn around” the officer turns him around, bending his arm behind him. Darren is reluctant to stay still.
“Hey officer I know my right and if you can’t actually charge me for something, you are overstepping officer! “
“We take stalking and domestic violence seriously Mr Bloom”
“We already ruled out the fact that there wasn’t one involved because I didn’t touch her and secondly, stalking? No way. Look… you can’t cuff me and take me away for something that makes no sense and..” he screams behind him “Hey crazy person! You are just standing there doing nothing.?” Darren tries to bend his head to look at her. It was no use. She looked dazed. He speaks to the man. “I know my right officer. I know the law and I will…hey.. Come on!!! “
Annalise frowns.. She was confused as to what was happening.
The officer had asked her if she knew the guy and she said No. She really didn’t know him. She just met him and he has directed her to the shop that broke her heart the more when she found out the ring didn’t cost anything useful. She had come back, entered the resort and when she saw him she walked to him. Why ?
She had no Idea. But she knew she wanted someone to talk to…to tell that even the most precious thing in her collection was bought off a counter.
They say it was the the little things that matter and unaware how little it was. It mattered to her. Until he upp-ed and left her to marry someone else. It was meant to be her. It was meant to be today.. On St. Valentine’s day. Her happiness was supposed to be forever starting today but.. All that is ruined.
She cried unable to stop the tears because it tore at her heart strings and pulled.
Pain they say is as strong as love. Maybe that is why she felt her world crumbling to the floor.
Sighing she shakes her head removing the thoughts when she realized the commotion in front of her had gotten heated.
Why were they about to arrest him?
“Officer? Officer?” She wipes her eyes and steps to them..
“Please Ma’am step away so we can secure the stalker.. -“
“Stalker? Him? No.. Please. Has he committed a crime? “
The second officer frowns. ” You were wailing like a banshee a while ago Ma’am and wouldn’t be calmed and they tell me some guy hurt you. He shows up and he checks out all right but… the impression we had from the person who called insinuated that you both knew each other or were together. Now he tells you to come let’s go home and you ask home? And you rightly just told me you didn’t know him so… that leaves one thing: He might just be what they said.
Because we haven’t yet understood the role he is playing here and prevention they say is better than cure Ma’am. One time we overlooked this and a girl winded up dead and five others missing. That was about three years ago. A friendly hangout like this and she was feeling sorry for the dude and tried to protect him. Her eyes were plucked out and her entire insides stuffed into a Billy Jean doll. ”
“Oh.. Dear lord!!” Annalise exclaims.
“Yes. So.. You don’t know this dude and..well..we would just keep him for the night or the next few hours, just to make sure all is well. Police procedure, just a precaution” he tells her.
“Christ! My day keeps getting better. A broken heart, a crazy person and now I get to spend some hours with the blues in an old cell?. Really God! Really pissing on my parade this night. Christ!!!”
*****
“Cupid!! I don’t see how this is helping the situation. All I hear is my name “
Cupid is cross-legged, he is eating a very large pie. He wipes his mouth as the cloud swims about him. He smiles.
“Eh don’t worry bro. Police procedure. Plus your name is the constant high people use this days.”
“Didn’t they read “Never Call the name of the God in vain”? And besides Pops told you to spread some love. All I see is confusion and a young man about to be tossed in cell. What formula did you use by the way?”
“I used “The formula”
There was rumble in the clouds.
“Are you mocking me bro? “
“No. Just laughing. Can I tell you a secret though? “
“Nope. I told you and Pops; I would do it my way. I made the formula and I sent love down. Don’t worry everything should be fine and those broken hearts will mend. “
“Right! You do know that I am Mr Love so if you need directions on how to go-“
“Nah! I got the formula. Shuuuuu bro. You are giving me a bad mojo. Need to distract that officer. “
The cloud rumbles again.
“Yeah laugh all you want. Piece of sh-“
“Do not swear in the house of the Lord Cupid.!!!! ” the voice was thunderious.
“I was going to say… Cake. Piece of cake. Relax bro. Sheeessh! Go talk to Pops or something and let me be okay? And oh ask Micheal to get me a drink”
“Go get it yourself and holy water is there. You need it. No more wine. I saw the bottle of vodka under the heaven sink”
Cupid chuckles “Got it off some earthling. You should have some brother. You would get high.. As high as these clouds here”
“I get a lot of highs Cupid. Being me and the son of Pops.. I don’t need nothing else. Good luck with your.. “Love” But don’t say I didn’t offer to help”
“Bla bla blahhh!! ” Cupid pulls a cloud to him making small tiny balls and blocks his ears.
He grabs another, rolls it in his palm…standing up he takes it to his eyes as though trying to peep through it.
” Find me a spot that disrupts his thoughts. Get the officer away from their turf. “
He lets the cloud ball drop down. It sinks into the clouds, below the firmaments and down to earth. It floats. And with a speed of light it sinks lower, finding it’s target and dancing, hovering over it’s head.
Once it reaches the officer’s hair and touches it’s surface. It evapourates.
Cupid lays back and then slaps his hands dusting them.
“Aha!! Back to it”
****
“So you see why I have to take him in and make sure he isn’t one of those?. ” The officer continued.
“You have got to be kidding me.!! ” Darren exclaims.
Annalise is shaking her head. “No no officer that won’t do. He.. He isn’t a stalker “
She really didn’t know him but he couldn’t possibly be one right? And besides she was the one who went to his table. She was the one who busted out crying close to him .
No. He isn’t a stalker.
‘You don’t know that Ma”am! And you just said you don’t know him remember? so… “
“Did I say that? Oh.. ” she laughs wiping her eyes again. ” I meant I.. Oh forget what I meant. I know him and we are going home.”
Darren is looking at her “Finally the crazy person comes to the rescue. ” he shakes his head.
“Really. What is his name and where is home? “
“Erm..name is Derrick and -“
“Darren! You see Ma’am you don’t -“
She screws up her face “I said Darren officer. You didnt hear me and.. Home is.. Home. We call home home”
“And what is he to you then?””
” He is..erm. look what he is to me isn’t any of your concern so.. Please uncuff him now please or I would have to call the police “
“We are the police Ma’am ” The other policeman frowns.
” I know that!. Look I was just having a bad day and was taking it out on him okay. Be a dear and un-cuff him so we can go home. Pretty please?!”
The officer looks at her and at Darren. He takes his hand and runs it through his hair. He frowns thinking about what to do with the guy.
Then his thoughts is replaced. He smiles happily.
“Sure. My apologies Ma’am”
He uncuffs Darren and steps away. His colleague is looking at him funny.
“Really? One minute you are hell bent on talking the guy in and spilling mumbo-jumbo about women stalkers and now you are happily letting him go?”
He shrugs “He didn’t do anything really. And besides. It’s Valentine’s today. Show a bit of love right? ” he turns to Darren “Sorry about that Sir. Ma’am. I don’t know what I was thinking. You both can go on home and have a beautiful celebration. In fact, we can escort you home if you don’t mind?”
Darren raises an eyebrow.
What the hell just happened? He wonders.
“Oh really? Never had Police escort before.” Annalise smiles.
Darren rubs his wrists. “No that is fine we can find our way home. Come Crazy person” He beckons to her.
The quicker he gets her out of here. The quicker he gets her away from him. To a home where they don’t mind taking care of crazy people.
She definitely have to be an escapee from such home. It would explain her attitude. Crying one minute and happy to be escorted by the police the next. For what exactly?
Or he just finds a place to dump her anywhere she desires and then he goes home and forget this night.
She breaks into his thoughts “No. They can escort us. In fact we can even ride in their car yes? With the sirens blaring and all. It would look as though we are criminals and.. Oh.. Yay. Come officers. I will ride

Annalise follows his eyes. “Sorry about that.”
“Which part really? Almost getting me arrested or.., making people think I was some stalker? “
“Hey it wasn’t my fault they assumed that. Sorry.” She breathes.
Darren shakes his head. “Whatever!! “
The receptionist walks up to him. “Good evening Mr Bloom. I recognised you as you came in and took the liberty of bringing your keys. Your reservation was cancelled .”
“Yes I cancelled the dinner”
“Sorry about that sir. But.. You do realize that we don’t cancel suites unless there is another payer. But up to right now no one else have paid for that suite and by the end of weekend it would be gone. But since you are here, are you changing your mind? We can have them-“
“Yes it is fine. Doesnt matter. I am not staying. “
“Oh!?” The waiter seemed disappointed. ” I would just cancel the suites then. Unfortunately we are sorry we cannot do a refund. “
“Doesn’t matter. It’s fine. The aim of the room has been defeated. “
Annalise looks at him and then the waiter “How much does a room cost here? “
“Over 7 thousand”
“A suite? “
“4 Times that. “
“Wow!! And he gets to forfeit it if he doesn’t stay in it and no refund? ” she points to Darren. He raises an eyebrow.
‘”Resort polices. I am afraid so. ” The receptionist is apologetic.
She whistles “Why don’t you want to stay in it. You paid for it.” she directs it to Darren.
“Was for a purpose. But it isn’t useful anymore. “
She nods. “What kind of purpose. Your girlfriend.? Manfriend.? “
He frowns. “None of your business.!”
She thinks for a second. Hell! She might as well. It wouldn’t hurt to ask even if he is a stranger. He didn’t want to stay there so..
”Fine. Well.. I don’t want to go home. I can use It if you don’t mind.? ” she says.
Live a little right? What where the odds of her ever lodging in an expensive place like this anyways. She had a good job and stuff but.. This was way out of her budget and beside. She is suffering from a broken heat. A little feel good wouldn’t hurt. A nice room. Good food service. Yep. Antedote to her broken heart.
Darren stares at her.
“No!! “”
“Why the hell not? You just said you aren’t staying there. “
“So.? “
“So instead of letting it go like that.. I can make use of it. Mission accomplished!! “
“Right”
“Come on.. It’s a lot of money to waste it like that because of.. I don’t know. “
He sighs. “Leave me alone crazy person. “
“Nope. Maybe I should just call one of those officers here and tell them I have amnesia and you really did beat me”
The receptionist raises an eyebrow.
Darren looks sideways to the officers.
Even if she was lying and he knew that and she knew that. He really didn’t want to have a make believe run in with the officers again. He never did like the blues.
“Tick tock! Tick tock says the clock-clock!”
He sighs deeply.
“Sure. Whatever! Knock yourself out.”
“Wow! Really? “
Darren shrugs.
It would go to waste anyways.
She takes the keys from the receptionist and then allows him lead her leaving Darren behind. .
Thirty minutes later, he stared to see that the police officers were still having a drink at the bar.
It was getting late. He wouldn’t be able to get a cab back home.
He looks at his watch again, sighing and cursing, he makes his way upstairs especially after the officers wave at him again. Just in case the officer changes his mind about arresting him and begin to ask him questions like why was he still at the lobby with them and not in my room. He decides to leave there, hoping that they leave soon so he can get to his life.
He gets to the suite. He knocks, no answer. He does so a few more times. Still no answer.
He touches the knob to realize that it was open. He walks in to find her on the bed.
Her shoulders heaving up and down, her voice muffled by the pillow she placed her face on.
He could feel the intensity of her silent wails from the door. His brows furrows together.
She was crying.
Dear Lord, not again!!

Annalise had come into the room and was blown away by its beauty. Then suddenly she had felt sad. Seeing the love shapes on the bed. The suites decorated to taste and everything screaming “I love you” hung on the walls. it’s meaning deep, the essence obvious and everything mushy filling the room suddenly causes an overwhelming sadness to fill her.
She suddenly remembers that she was supposed to be married today and in her honeymoon suite. Maybe in a suite just as beautiful as this.
But right now, a few cities away he was with her, smiling into her eyes, laughing and sharing his all with her and maybe they were already making love too. This very moment.
Making love to his wife the way he used to make love to her. It was supposed to be her, in his arms, loving him as he was loving her. Both of them against the world. But she was here… left alone. It hurts.
Her eyes pools. She sinks to the bed and busted out crying.
How can love hurt so much. How can it rip out your soul and squash it with its bare hands? How?
One minute she was the happiest girl. Even her best friend Lucy knew that this was it, that her relationship was going to lead to marriage and when he finally proposed she was ecstatic.
Lucy often teased her about her fiance and how he made her glow and how she couldn’t wait to be her chief bridesmaid even if they were going to go to Vegas to get married. Lucy had already planned to get a ticket all the way from out of state so she could go with them and be a witness on her beautiful day.
But all that was gone too. All the plans and happy moments. All the years spent… Albeit three. Everything tossed away.
She cries. He… married someone else.
Now Her love. Her life. Her all. Gone. All she felt was pain and more pain. She was trying to put up a brave face and even chatting with the officers and stuff. Trying not to think and hurt anymore but..
It hurts.
She cries painfully hugging the pillow and screaming into it. She didn’t hear the knocks on the door or see him come in.
When he spoke, she couldn’t even bring herself to stop.
“Are you going to tell me why you have been crying nonstop since we met? I mean. Doesn’t your eyes hurt?”
She shakes her head in her tears, her face still buried in the pillow. “Leave me alone. You all are the same. “
Darren sighs.
He told the receptionist to let him know whenever the officers leave. So he can go home. This drama he didn’t need it. Like at all.
In the meantime. He needed to close his eyes even if for a few minutes. His head was pounding nonstop.
But he comes to meet more drama.
He should let her be. As soon as he opened the door to realize what she was doing he should have just left.
But no.. He is as curious like a cat. He shakes his head.
She was trouble alright. Only one night.. She definitely was trouble and he didn’t need any of that. He had so much going on in his head and heart he doesn’t need a stray dog he had no business with spoiling his day further.
And yet, despite that, he also didn’t like that she was crying. Not that he cared though but..
He never liked to see girls cry.
Even if it wasn’t his business he needed to ask and maybe.. A problem. Shared is one solved.
He steps closer to her,
“Yes. So the saying goes. But… I should tell you that… you women are not any different. So… you gonna tell me why you keep crying? I know it must be over a guy but. what exactly is the problem. Is it about the ring? You know you could use your energy for something better” he is standing close to her now. If he reached out he could touch her.
She sniffs and cleans her eyes. She raises her head and seats up.
He noticed her eyes were red and swollen. He frowns.
“I am crying from a broken heart. It hurts! And it isn’t some ring. It was the ring. Supposed to be the ring. My engagement ring. A ring that is as useless as the person right now but.. It was mine and it meant something to me. He meant something wonderful to me but he broke my heart and it hurts. My heart is broken and.. I can’t stop the pain. That’s why I am crying. I am crying from a broken heart. ” She sniffs again.
“Story of my life”
“You are crying from a broken heart?” her big eyes searches his face.
“Metaphorically speaking.” He nods.
“Oh!” she wipes her eyes again. He dips his hands into his pocket and then hands her his handkerchief.
“You should stop crying. It makes your already big eyes look twice as big. “
“I can’t. Everything reminds me of him. Even this room. And the love and all those… Couples things. See… I see this and I want to cry.” she sniffs touching the love shapes and chocolates and bear. She pushes it away from her. Blowing her nose. He frowns looking at her and then looking at the room again.
“Erm well.. you wanted to stay in the room. “
“You didn’t tell me it was filled with love and mushy stuff! “
“Well, it was my suites and I wanted to make it look like this because it was supposed to be a special someone and.. Well I didn’t have to tell you anything and also, I didn’t know you would start crying again. “
“Well it did make me cry. A lot. How do I un-see this or stop feeling this pain?” she rubs her chest.
He shrugs saying nothing. He had a hole in his chest already. He had no idea how to stop the pain. He had had his own share of pain. Yes.. Matters of the heart was a b—h.
Her sniffs causes him to look at her. He frowns.
“I mean.. We had all this planned too. I made the arrangements and stuff and ermmmmmm” she begins to sniff again. Darren could fill another bout of tears coming as she continues to talk. “it was supposed to look like this and.. and now.. He is with her and.. He. And her.. My.. Oh God! ” she wails unable to finish talking.
Darren’s frown deepens.
Have the officers left yet? Maybe he should just go downstairs and leave her. He made to get up.
She raises her head. “Am I a horrible person? And I not pretty? Am I ugly? I mean. I have a good job and was happy. For three years. We loved each other. I loved him. But.. He goes off to marry someone else today. The day we planned. It was supposed to be a Valentine wedding. Our Valentine wedding like the movie “My Greek Wedding ” in Vegas. And now… right now only God knows what they are up to and.. Oh God” she cries again.
Okay. He understood it all.
He sighs. “So you boyfriend leaves you for another woman? “
“My fiance. And he didn’t break up with me until today. That ring.. That cheap ring is all I have to remember him by. “
“I am Sorry. Must have hurt to find out the way you did. Explains your state”
“I thought he loved. Because I loved him. I love him. “
“Sadly, I have come to realize that for some people. Love isn’t enough” He says more to himself than to her.
She is staring at him. Her tears soon begins again.
“It was enough for me. It was. I wanted nothing but him. Was that too much to ask? “
He shakes his head and sits down on the bed. Sympathetic towards her. Understanding her pain.
He stares at her.
“what if I told you that we are not so different?”
“How do you mean?”
Maybe.. If he told her how shitty his was, she would feel better and at least stop crying. He already did shed a few but he was a man. Big boys don’t cry. But hey, women were wired differently. While they wallow in tears and chocolate and other sweets, men drowned their sorrows by drinking. And worse.. Do something stupid. He already took the booze. That was enough. The ache he was having to his head was twice as worse with the one in his heart.
Maybe talking would help and like they say.. “Misery finds company.”
He looks at her. Her big eyes are still on him, questioning. He blows out hot air.
“Well my girlfriend broke up with me to today. Isn’t that ironic? The morning of love. The day of love. So let’s just say I do understand the pain you are going through “
“I am sorry. This room was for her. You both? “
He nods “Yes! I had it all planned out. The dinner and the cruise and all of that. but as she left me, I couldn’t bring myself to come stay here alone so that is why I was willing to forfeit the suite despite the money spent.”
“It is a beautiful room and a loving gesture.

“Yeah! But right now being in it, everything in the room reminds me of what I don’t want to be reminded off. Because I had it decorated with her favorite things and what she loves you know” he frowns at the declaration of love at every given opportunity in the room. Yes he went all out.
Annalise follows his eyes and then stares back at him “You know, the person he is marrying is a long time sweetheart. It would shock you to know as it did knock me off my hat that after three years I got told that I was the side chick and he didn’t love me and that he was just passing time with me. He even had the nerve to say I shouldn’t call him again. After three years? See how that is so shocking? I mean who does that? Break up with someone the day you are getting married to another? What happened to doing it before we start going deep and serious? Three years and me his side chick? No! I haven’t heard a news as breaking as mine. I cried all day”
“And night. You are still crying” Darren points out.
She wipes her eyes. “I told you it hurts. And I can’t actually stop the tears”
He nods “Well. Yours isn’t the most shocking though”
“How so? “
“What if I told you that the person she left me for was -“
“Your best friend? Boss? Brother? ” She is aghast.
He shakes his head. “A woman”
Annalise drops her mouth open. “A woman. Like literally? “
He nods. “Yes. Caught them in a steaming hot sex session. And in the same breath of calling me baby.. She breaks off with me. And can I shock you even more? She is going to get surgery done to become a transgendered. 6-inch long Male sex organ and all the good stuff. I have never felt so used and inferior in my life. I mean dumped for a girl? And still, she says she is a lesbian and have always loved it and loved her girlfriend and yet she is still going to be that thing she dumped. A man.
So she goes to become a woman-man. A transgendered, like I still could not get it and why. I mean transgendered? I mean I love her.. Insanely but.. I don’t know. I even told her let’s talk about it because she was my life. My everything but she choose her without blinking. I feel… worthless you know. She.. Was everything but like I said. Love isn’t enough” he turns away. He rubs his chest. The pain was resurfacing but he wouldn’t dare break in front of a woman. He sniffs and clears his throat. “So you see.. We aren’t so much different. The ones we loved didn’t love us back and let with another. We just have to breathe. Let the pain simmer but it would go. One day at a time. ” he tries to smile.
“You win. Yours is more shocking.” Annalise shakes her head.
He shrugs. She continues with a half-smile.
“I guess it is safe to say we are two broken-hearted girls?”
He smiles sadly.. “I guess so. It looks like I would have still had a girlfriend if I had boob’s and a vjayjay “
She laughs ” Yeah! Me too.. I mean a fiance If I were a drop dead gorgeous person with 4x what I earn with a large estate in my name. I would be getting married and in my honeymoon suite much like this and getting the most amazing rump of my life. . “
He laughs. This time it reaches his eyes. She smiles.
They are quiet for a brief moment.
“You know what we should do? “
“What?” he stares at her “What do you want to do crazy person? “
“Hey I am not crazy” she points at him.
“Are to. I swear you looked and sounded like it. Crying about some cheap ring and balling everyone’s ear out. And almost getting me arrested. Yep. Crazy. I had a thought of dumping you in a home for crazy people “
She laughs “Hey. That was my ring and two I was in pain and three.. You what? “
He laughs “Yes I did thinking that. Good thing I didn’t go through with it and it was because of those blue devils seated in the bar downstairs! “
“Good thing else I would have looked for you and haunted you”
They smile.
“So.. how about we forget them? Those who left us and just do whatever the hell we want? I mean I am tried of crying and hurting I feel wasted. You paid for the room so you should enjoy it. And me? I can eat up all the chocolates and drink the wine and we can trash the room some and tear those love shapes decorations. What say you partner in broken hearts?”
“Eh? Only crazy people think like that. Sure you didn’t escape from your cage? “
She laughs standing on the bed.. “I did. And guess what? This crazy person is going to have fun doing crazy. So we are going to show them that we are happy and cool without them.” she grabs the first love shaped decor and tore it. She grabs another decorated teddy-bear and pulls out its head. She looks around and grabs a box of chocolates. She pokes it and begins to eat from it. Then she grabs the bottle of wine, c—s it and the takes a long sip. She looks at him.. ” Are you going to wallow in self pity or join me? “
He shakes his head “You are a crazy person. The answer is no. Enjoy. Knock yourself out.”
“Come on, live a little. What is the world without a little crazy and besides, we are the only one missing them and they don’t care. So we are going to go out there and have fun. Do whatever we want. Enjoy St. Valentine’s like we don’t care too. And by tomorrow we won’t even remember they exist. What say you partner ? Game or Game? ” she pushes the bottle of wine to him and winks.
He shakes his head again.
“Don’t be a p—y. Only girls are allowed to have those. Grow some extra pairs son. Live a little. Forget the pain. So you said right.? So… Come drink with me and let’s scream our lungs out and join the party upstairs. I saw the program. It’s a live band going on. Game? “
He eyes it and the climbs the bed standing on it with her..
“I am going to regret this aren’t I? “
She smiles… “Maybe. Maybe not but Live a little.”
He takes the bottle to his lips and drinks a large amount of it.
“YASSS!” She smiles taking it from him and sips some more and hands him one of the play-stick she found close to the bed to hit the dangling baby unicorn dancing overhead that had a stick-on which read “Hit me Hard”
“Ready?” She points at it. He looks up, a sad smile on his face. His Ex loved hitting the unicorns with sweets and chocolates inside. That was why he made sure to get one.
He nods “Ready!”
Soon they have the room trashed. Empty cartoons of chocolate and four bottles down.
Leaving the suites they get access into the VIP club upstairs and enjoy a wild crazy band, dancing and screaming with the crowd.
Went cruising in a limo with two strange couples who were more interested in making out with strangers than themselves. When they realized why they were invited to tag along which was supposed to be a four some, they jumped out of the limo during traffic and laughed all the way till they got back to the Resort.
They ate dinner in the kitchen and talked with the waitress who kept eyeing Darren. Then Darren walked up to an elderly lady after being dared by Annalise and told her he wanted to fart in her cup. They ran away when her husband showed up with two hefty bodyguards after the woman tried to shoo him away to no avail.
They were drunk. It was obvious. But.. It was better to be drunk and happy than sober and sad.
By almost 3 am, back in the suites and more tipsy than ever they are laughing and laughing as they told silly jokes sprawled on the bed close to each other.
Their bodies a few spaces apart. She turns to her side after wiping the tears due to laughter from her eyes and then stares at him.
“You know, you are not so bad Darren. So how much fun we had making a mess.” She looks at the room. His eyes followed hers. He nods. She continues “She was wrong to have left you” She is back to staring at him.
He turns to face her “And you aren’t such a crazy person. And you are not ugly. It’s his loss not yours”
They smile at each other. Their eyes lingers.
The current in the room pulled. Chemistry sparks. Desires awaken.
You should go Darren. His tells himself.
You should sleep Annalisa. She tells herself.
But they don’t break their gaze away from each other, neither did they take their advise.
Without thinking he reaches out to brush the hair away from her eyes.
She stares at him.
He tucks the strand of hair behind her ear. But he doesn’t drop his hands down. Instead he touches her cheeks. She doesn’t pull away.
They are both staring intensely at each other now.
And when she notice him move, she still didn’t pull away nor did she take her eyes off him.
Darren leans in with his eyes closing and hers closing on their own accord, he kisses her lightly on her lips.
He pulls away and stares at her. Her eyes opens up slowly.
It lingers.
She bites her lips, he follows her eyes, he caresses her lips with his thump. She closes her eyes as she touches his thump over her lips. Then she opens her eyes and looks at him.
That only meant one thing.. ” Consent “
He leans in and kisses her again. This time she kisses him back.

LINK TO FULL STORY www.emperorblog.com.ng

******
“Sir, I would please ask you to step away from the lady and keep your hands where I can see them” the officer tells Darren as he makes his way towards him with the handcuffs in his hands.
Darren swallows again..
“Erm I think there must be a mistake… the thing is… actually I erm really..” Darren scratches his head.
“They were together in the Resort. We saw them together and she was crying painfully and I know for certain the b—–d must have done something to her. I don’t care what you say. Or maybe he is her stalker… maybe that is why she was crying… who knows, but I bet you he did something to her.” the mongrel who had called the police stated.
Darren spares him a glance.
That wasn’t helping . Why didn’t he just continue on his way home instead of coming back?
“Erm..officer I..erm”
“Step away from the lady Sir, she doesn’t know you and we would have to take you in just to make sure that you are not stalking her.”
“Stalking her because of? No.. Really I was just trying to help and… Hey.. Crazy person a little help here? You are getting me into this mess” he points to her as the officer nears him and takes his hands… “Oh come on.!! ” he exclaims.
“First off we get a call about domestic violence from a certain customer, now we hear about stalking and even the lady says she doesn’t know you and…well.. turn around Sir”
“Hey I didn’t do anything… in fact.. I-“
“Turn around” the officer turns him around, bending his arm behind him. Darren is reluctant to stay still.
“Hey officer I know my right and if you can’t actually charge me for something, you are overstepping officer! “
“We take stalking and domestic violence seriously Mr Bloom”
“We already ruled out the fact that there wasn’t one involved because I didn’t touch her and secondly, stalking? No way. Look… you can’t cuff me and take me away for something that makes no sense and..” he screams behind him “Hey crazy person! You are just standing there doing nothing.?” Darren tries to bend his head to look at her. It was no use. She looked dazed. He speaks to the man. “I know my right officer. I know the law and I will…hey.. Come on!!! “
Annalise frowns.. She was confused as to what was happening.
The officer had asked her if she knew the guy and she said No. She really didn’t know him. She just met him and he has directed her to the shop that broke her heart the more when she found out the ring didn’t cost anything useful. She had come back, entered the resort and when she saw him she walked to him. Why ?
She had no Idea. But she knew she wanted someone to talk to…to tell that even the most precious thing in her collection was bought off a counter.
They say it was the the little things that matter and unaware how little it was. It mattered to her. Until he upp-ed and left her to marry someone else. It was meant to be her. It was meant to be today.. On St. Valentine’s day. Her happiness was supposed to be forever starting today but.. All that is ruined.
She cried unable to stop the tears because it tore at her heart strings and pulled.
Pain they say is as strong as love. Maybe that is why she felt her world crumbling to the floor.
Sighing she shakes her head removing the thoughts when she realized the commotion in front of her had gotten heated.
Why were they about to arrest him?
“Officer? Officer?” She wipes her eyes and steps to them..
“Please Ma’am step away so we can secure the stalker.. -“
“Stalker? Him? No.. Please. Has he committed a crime? “
The second officer frowns. ” You were wailing like a banshee a while ago Ma’am and wouldn’t be calmed and they tell me some guy hurt you. He shows up and he checks out all right but… the impression we had from the person who called insinuated that you both knew each other or were together. Now he tells you to come let’s go home and you ask home? And you rightly just told me you didn’t know him so… that leaves one thing: He might just be what they said.
Because we haven’t yet understood the role he is playing here and prevention they say is better than cure Ma’am. One time we overlooked this and a girl winded up dead and five others missing. That was about three years ago. A friendly hangout like this and she was feeling sorry for the dude and tried to protect him. Her eyes were plucked out and her entire insides stuffed into a Billy Jean doll. ”
“Oh.. Dear lord!!” Annalise exclaims.
“Yes. So.. You don’t know this dude and..well..we would just keep him for the night or the next few hours, just to make sure all is well. Police procedure, just a precaution” he tells her.
“Christ! My day keeps getting better. A broken heart, a crazy person and now I get to spend some hours with the blues in an old cell?. Really God! Really pissing on my parade this night. Christ!!!”
*****
“Cupid!! I don’t see how this is helping the situation. All I hear is my name “
Cupid is cross-legged, he is eating a very large pie. He wipes his mouth as the cloud swims about him. He smiles.
“Eh don’t worry bro. Police procedure. Plus your name is the constant high people use this days.”
“Didn’t they read “Never Call the name of the God in vain”? And besides Pops told you to spread some love. All I see is confusion and a young man about to be tossed in cell. What formula did you use by the way?”
“I used “The formula”
There was rumble in the clouds.
“Are you mocking me bro? “
“No. Just laughing. Can I tell you a secret though? “
“Nope. I told you and Pops; I would do it my way. I made the formula and I sent love down. Don’t worry everything should be fine and those broken hearts will mend. “
“Right! You do know that I am Mr Love so if you need directions on how to go-“
“Nah! I got the formula. Shuuuuu bro. You are giving me a bad mojo. Need to distract that officer. “
The cloud rumbles again.
“Yeah laugh all you want. Piece of sh-“
“Do not swear in the house of the Lord Cupid.!!!! ” the voice was thunderious.
“I was going to say… Cake. Piece of cake. Relax bro. Sheeessh! Go talk to Pops or something and let me be okay? And oh ask Micheal to get me a drink”
“Go get it yourself and holy water is there. You need it. No more wine. I saw the bottle of vodka under the heaven sink”
Cupid chuckles “Got it off some earthling. You should have some brother. You would get high.. As high as these clouds here”
“I get a lot of highs Cupid. Being me and the son of Pops.. I don’t need nothing else. Good luck with your.. “Love” But don’t say I didn’t offer to help”
“Bla bla blahhh!! ” Cupid pulls a cloud to him making small tiny balls and blocks his ears.
He grabs another, rolls it in his palm…standing up he takes it to his eyes as though trying to peep through it.
” Find me a spot that disrupts his thoughts. Get the officer away from their turf. “
He lets the cloud ball drop down. It sinks into the clouds, below the firmaments and down to earth. It floats. And with a speed of light it sinks lower, finding it’s target and dancing, hovering over it’s head.
Once it reaches the officer’s hair and touches it’s surface. It evapourates.
Cupid lays back and then slaps his hands dusting them.
“Aha!! Back to it”
****
“So you see why I have to take him in and make sure he isn’t one of those?. ” The officer continued.
“You have got to be kidding me.!! ” Darren exclaims.
Annalise is shaking her head. “No no officer that won’t do. He.. He isn’t a stalker “
She really didn’t know him but he couldn’t possibly be one right? And besides she was the one who went to his table. She was the one who busted out crying close to him .
No. He isn’t a stalker.
‘You don’t know that Ma”am! And you just said you don’t know him remember? so… “
“Did I say that? Oh.. ” she laughs wiping her eyes again. ” I meant I.. Oh forget what I meant. I know him and we are going home.”
Darren is looking at her “Finally the crazy person comes to the rescue. ” he shakes his head.
“Really. What is his name and where is home? “
“Erm..name is Derrick and -“
“Darren! You see Ma’am you don’t -“
She screws up her face “I said Darren officer. You didnt hear me and.. Home is.. Home. We call home home”
“And what is he to you then?””
” He is..erm. look what he is to me isn’t any of your concern so.. Please uncuff him now please or I would have to call the police “
“We are the police Ma’am ” The other policeman frowns.
” I know that!. Look I was just having a bad day and was taking it out on him okay. Be a dear and un-cuff him so we can go home. Pretty please?!”
The officer looks at her and at Darren. He takes his hand and runs it through his hair. He frowns thinking about what to do with the guy.
Then his thoughts is replaced. He smiles happily.
“Sure. My apologies Ma’am”
He uncuffs Darren and steps away. His colleague is looking at him funny.
“Really? One minute you are hell bent on talking the guy in and spilling mumbo-jumbo about women stalkers and now you are happily letting him go?”
He shrugs “He didn’t do anything really. And besides. It’s Valentine’s today. Show a bit of love right? ” he turns to Darren “Sorry about that Sir. Ma’am. I don’t know what I was thinking. You both can go on home and have a beautiful celebration. In fact, we can escort you home if you don’t mind?”
Darren raises an eyebrow.
What the hell just happened? He wonders.
“Oh really? Never had Police escort before.” Annalise smiles.
Darren rubs his wrists. “No that is fine we can find our way home. Come Crazy person” He beckons to her.
The quicker he gets her out of here. The quicker he gets her away from him. To a home where they don’t mind taking care of crazy people.
She definitely have to be an escapee from such home. It would explain her attitude. Crying one minute and happy to be escorted by the police the next. For what exactly?
Or he just finds a place to dump her anywhere she desires and then he goes home and forget this night.
She breaks into his thoughts “No. They can escort us. In fact we can even ride in their car yes? With the sirens blaring and all. It would look as though we are criminals and.. Oh.. Yay. Come officers. I will ride with you. Come come!! ” Annalisa happily grabs the officers arm and begin to walk away with him. Leaving Darren and the other officer dumbfounded.
“what the hell just happened? ” The other officer turns to ask Darren.
“An answer is needed for you and me both. “
The mongrel and other customers have since dispered realising no one was getting arrested.
Sighing Darren follows the officer and joins Annalise in the car with them as he gave them the address to the resort he had earlier booked for his girlfiend now Ex with another woman and him.
He sighs all through the journey.
He hopes when they drop them off and leave, he can bunk her into a cab to anywhere she came from.
He looks sideways at her, smashed in the middle with another officer by her side, she chats with them as though it was the most normal thing in the world or they were friends since long before.
Darren shakes his head.
Just a while ago she was balling her eyes out and feeling shattered. Now.. She was having chatting sessions with the cops.
Yep!
Crazy person .
He turns away.
*****
“Yay! Todd, Nike and Sley. You boys are amazing. Thank you for the ride. It was..blaring in red and blue. I felt great. Bye now” she laughs alighting from the police van and waves at them. They wave back.
Darren is reluctant to go in. But the officers were still there, waiting for them to go in.
Argh!!
He grabs her hands turning away with a fixed smile and leads her into the resort, watches the door close behind them.
“Wow!! You live here though?” She looks around.
“Nope. Just rented a suite. “
“Oh! It must have cost a ton ‘”
“Perks of a good Job. “
He seats grabbing a magazine as they wait at the reception. Soon the officer enters. The one who cuffed him waves at them and then heads to the bar.
“Really?” Darren frowns. He turns to see the other two join him. “Great!
Annalise follows his eyes. “Sorry about that.”
“Which part really? Almost getting me arrested or.., making people think I was some stalker? “
“Hey it wasn’t my fault they assumed that. Sorry.” She breathes.
Darren shakes his head. “Whatever!! “
The receptionist walks up to him. “Good evening Mr Bloom. I recognised you as you came in and took the liberty of bringing your keys. Your reservation was cancelled .”
“Yes I cancelled the dinner”
“Sorry about that sir. But.. You do realize that we don’t cancel suites unless there is another payer. But up to right now no one else have paid for that suite and by the end of weekend it would be gone. But since you are here, are you changing your mind? We can have them-“
“Yes it is fine. Doesnt matter. I am not staying. “
“Oh!?” The waiter seemed disappointed. ” I would just cancel the suites then. Unfortunately we are sorry we cannot do a refund. “
“Doesn’t matter. It’s fine. The aim of the room has been defeated. “
Annalise looks at him and then the waiter “How much does a room cost here? “
“Over 7 thousand”
“A suite? “
“4 Times that. “
“Wow!! And he gets to forfeit it if he doesn’t stay in it and no refund? ” she points to Darren. He raises an eyebrow.
‘”Resort polices. I am afraid so. ” The receptionist is apologetic.
She whistles “Why don’t you want to stay in it. You paid for it.” she directs it to Darren.
“Was for a purpose. But it isn’t useful anymore. “
She nods. “What kind of purpose. Your girlfriend.? Manfriend.? “
He frowns. “None of your business.!”
She thinks for a second. Hell! She might as well. It wouldn’t hurt to ask even if he is a stranger. He didn’t want to stay there so..
”Fine. Well.. I don’t want to go home. I can use It if you don’t mind.? ” she says.
Live a little right? What where the odds of her ever lodging in an expensive place like this anyways. She had a good job and stuff but.. This was way out of her budget and beside. She is suffering from a broken heat. A little feel good wouldn’t hurt. A nice room. Good food service. Yep. Antedote to her broken heart.
Darren stares at her.
“No!! “”
“Why the hell not? You just said you aren’t staying there. “
“So.? “
“So instead of letting it go like that.. I can make use of it. Mission accomplished!! “
“Right”
“Come on.. It’s a lot of money to waste it like that because of.. I don’t know. “
He sighs. “Leave me alone crazy person. “
“Nope. Maybe I should just call one of those officers here and tell them I have amnesia and you really did beat me”
The receptionist raises an eyebrow.
Darren looks sideways to the officers.
Even if she was lying and he knew that and she knew that. He really didn’t want to have a make believe run in with the officers again. He never did like the blues.
“Tick tock! Tick tock says the clock-clock!”
He sighs deeply.
“Sure. Whatever! Knock yourself out.”
“Wow! Really? “
Darren shrugs.
It would go to waste anyways.
She takes the keys from the receptionist and then allows him lead her leaving Darren behind. .
Thirty minutes later, he stared to see that the police officers were still having a drink at the bar.
It was getting late. He wouldn’t be able to get a cab back home.
He looks at his watch again, sighing and cursing, he makes his way upstairs especially after the officers wave at him again. Just in case the officer changes his mind about arresting him and begin to ask him questions like why was he still at the lobby with them and not in my room. He decides to leave there, hoping that they leave soon so he can get to his life.
He gets to the suite. He knocks, no answer. He does so a few more times. Still no answer.
He touches the knob to realize that it was open. He walks in to find her on the bed.
Her shoulders heaving up and down, her voice muffled by the pillow she placed her face on.
He could feel the intensity of her silent wails from the door. His brows furrows together.
She was crying.
Dear Lord, not again!!
****


LINK TO FULL STORY: http://emperorblog.com.ng/valentine-blue

Annalise had come into the room and was blown away by its beauty. Then suddenly she had felt sad. Seeing the love shapes on the bed. The suites decorated to taste and everything screaming “I love you” hung on the walls. it’s meaning deep, the essence obvious and everything mushy filling the room suddenly causes an overwhelming sadness to fill her.
She suddenly remembers that she was supposed to be married today and in her honeymoon suite. Maybe in a suite just as beautiful as this.
But right now, a few cities away he was with her, smiling into her eyes, laughing and sharing his all with her and maybe they were already making love too. This very moment.
Making love to his wife the way he used to make love to her. It was supposed to be her, in his arms, loving him as he was loving her. Both of them against the world. But she was here… left alone. It hurts.
Her eyes pools. She sinks to the bed and busted out crying.
How can love hurt so much. How can it rip out your soul and squash it with its bare hands? How?
One minute she was the happiest girl. Even her best friend Lucy knew that this was it, that her relationship was going to lead to marriage and when he finally proposed she was ecstatic.
Lucy often teased her about her fiance and how he made her glow and how she couldn’t wait to be her chief bridesmaid even if they were going to go to Vegas to get married. Lucy had already planned to get a ticket all the way from out of state so she could go with them and be a witness on her beautiful day.
But all that was gone too. All the plans and happy moments. All the years spent… Albeit three. Everything tossed away.
She cries. He… married someone else.
Now Her love. Her life. Her all. Gone. All she felt was pain and more pain. She was trying to put up a brave face and even chatting with the officers and stuff. Trying not to think and hurt anymore but..
It hurts.
She cries painfully hugging the pillow and screaming into it. She didn’t hear the knocks on the door or see him come in.
When he spoke, she couldn’t even bring herself to stop.
“Are you going to tell me why you have been crying nonstop since we met? I mean. Doesn’t your eyes hurt?”
She shakes her head in her tears, her face still buried in the pillow. “Leave me alone. You all are the same. “
Darren sighs.
He told the receptionist to let him know whenever the officers leave. So he can go home. This drama he didn’t need it. Like at all.
In the meantime. He needed to close his eyes even if for a few minutes. His head was pounding nonstop.
But he comes to meet more drama.
He should let her be. As soon as he opened the door to realize what she was doing he should have just left.
But no.. He is as curious like a cat. He shakes his head.
She was trouble alright. Only one night.. She definitely was trouble and he didn’t need any of that. He had so much going on in his head and heart he doesn’t need a stray dog he had no business with spoiling his day further.
And yet, despite that, he also didn’t like that she was crying. Not that he cared though but..
He never liked to see girls cry.
Even if it wasn’t his business he needed to ask and maybe.. A problem. Shared is one solved.
He steps closer to her,
“Yes. So the saying goes. But… I should tell you that… you women are not any different. So… you gonna tell me why you keep crying? I know it must be over a guy but. what exactly is the problem. Is it about the ring? You know you could use your energy for something better” he is standing close to her now. If he reached out he could touch her.
She sniffs and cleans her eyes. She raises her head and seats up.
He noticed her eyes were red and swollen. He frowns.
“I am crying from a broken heart. It hurts! And it isn’t some ring. It was the ring. Supposed to be the ring. My engagement ring. A ring that is as useless as the person right now but.. It was mine and it meant something to me. He meant something wonderful to me but he broke my heart and it hurts. My heart is broken and.. I can’t stop the pain. That’s why I am crying. I am crying from a broken heart. ” She sniffs again.
“Story of my life”
“You are crying from a broken heart?” her big eyes searches his face.
“Metaphorically speaking.” He nods.
“Oh!” she wipes her eyes again. He dips his hands into his pocket and then hands her his handkerchief.
“You should stop crying. It makes your already big eyes look twice as big. “
“I can’t. Everything reminds me of him. Even this room. And the love and all those… Couples things. See… I see this and I want to cry.” she sniffs touching the love shapes and chocolates and bear. She pushes it away from her. Blowing her nose. He frowns looking at her and then looking at the room again.
“Erm well.. you wanted to stay in the room. “
“You didn’t tell me it was filled with love and mushy stuff! “
“Well, it was my suites and I wanted to make it look like this because it was supposed to be a special someone and.. Well I didn’t have to tell you anything and also, I didn’t know you would start crying again. “
“Well it did make me cry. A lot. How do I un-see this or stop feeling this pain?” she rubs her chest.
He shrugs saying nothing. He had a hole in his chest already. He had no idea how to stop the pain. He had had his own share of pain. Yes.. Matters of the heart was a b—h.
Her sniffs causes him to look at her. He frowns.
“I mean.. We had all this planned too. I made the arrangements and stuff and ermmmmmm” she begins to sniff again. Darren could fill another bout of tears coming as she continues to talk. “it was supposed to look like this and.. and now.. He is with her and.. He. And her.. My.. Oh God! ” she wails unable to finish talking.
Darren’s frown deepens.
Have the officers left yet? Maybe he should just go downstairs and leave her. He made to get up.
She raises her head. “Am I a horrible person? And I not pretty? Am I ugly? I mean. I have a good job and was happy. For three years. We loved each other. I loved him. But.. He goes off to marry someone else today. The day we planned. It was supposed to be a Valentine wedding. Our Valentine wedding like the movie “My Greek Wedding ” in Vegas. And now… right now only God knows what they are up to and.. Oh God” she cries again.
Okay. He understood it all.
He sighs. “So you boyfriend leaves you for another woman? “
“My fiance. And he didn’t break up with me until today. That ring.. That cheap ring is all I have to remember him by. “
“I am Sorry. Must have hurt to find out the way you did. Explains your state”
“I thought he loved. Because I loved him. I love him. “
“Sadly, I have come to realize that for some people. Love isn’t enough” He says more to himself than to her.
She is staring at him. Her tears soon begins again.
“It was enough for me. It was. I wanted nothing but him. Was that too much to ask? “
He shakes his head and sits down on the bed. Sympathetic towards her. Understanding her pain.
He stares at her.
“what if I told you that we are not so different?”
“How do you mean?”
Maybe.. If he told her how shitty his was, she would feel better and at least stop crying. He already did shed a few but he was a man. Big boys don’t cry. But hey, women were wired differently. While they wallow in tears and chocolate and other sweets, men drowned their sorrows by drinking. And worse.. Do something stupid. He already took the booze. That was enough. The ache he was having to his head was twice as worse with the one in his heart.
Maybe talking would help and like they say.. “Misery finds company.”
He looks at her. Her big eyes are still on him, questioning. He blows out hot air.
“Well my girlfriend broke up with me to today. Isn’t that ironic? The morning of love. The day of love. So let’s just say I do understand the pain you are going through “
“I am sorry. This room was for her. You both? “
He nods “Yes! I had it all planned out. The dinner and the cruise and all of that. but as she left me, I couldn’t bring myself to come stay here alone so that is why I was willing to forfeit the suite despite the money spent.”
“It is a beautiful room and a loving gesture. “
“Yeah! But right now being in it, everything in the room reminds me of what I don’t want to be reminded off. Because I had it decorated with her favorite things and what she loves you know” he frowns at the declaration of love at every given opportunity in the room. Yes he went all out.
Annalise follows his eyes and then stares back at him “You know, the person he is marrying is a long time sweetheart. It would shock you to know as it did knock me off my hat that after three years I got told that I was the side chick and he didn’t love me and that he was just passing time with me. He even had the nerve to say I shouldn’t call him again. After three years? See how that is so shocking? I mean who does that? Break up with someone the day you are getting married to another? What happened to doing it before we start going deep and serious? Three years and me his side chick? No! I haven’t heard a news as breaking as mine. I cried all day”
“And night. You are still crying” Darren points out.
She wipes her eyes. “I told you it hurts. And I can’t actually stop the tears”
He nods “Well. Yours isn’t the most shocking though”
“How so? “
“What if I told you that the person she left me for was -“
“Your best friend? Boss? Brother? ” She is aghast.
He shakes his head. “A woman”
Annalise drops her mouth open. “A woman. Like literally? “
He nods. “Yes. Caught them in a steaming hot sex session. And in the same breath of calling me baby.. She breaks off with me. And can I shock you even more? She is going to get surgery done to become a transgendered. 6-inch long Male sex organ and all the good stuff. I have never felt so used and inferior in my life. I mean dumped for a girl? And still, she says she is a lesbian and have always loved it and loved her girlfriend and yet she is still going to be that thing she dumped. A man.
So she goes to become a woman-man. A transgendered, like I still could not get it and why. I mean transgendered? I mean I love her.. Insanely but.. I don’t know. I even told her let’s talk about it because she was my life. My everything but she choose her without blinking. I feel… worthless you know. She.. Was everything but like I said. Love isn’t enough” he turns away. He rubs his chest. The pain was resurfacing but he wouldn’t dare break in front of a woman. He sniffs and clears his throat. “So you see.. We aren’t so much different. The ones we loved didn’t love us back and let with another. We just have to breathe. Let the pain simmer but it would go. One day at a time. ” he tries to smile.
“You win. Yours is more shocking.” Annalise shakes her head.
He shrugs. She continues with a half-smile.
“I guess it is safe to say we are two broken-hearted girls?”
He smiles sadly.. “I guess so. It looks like I would have still had a girlfriend if I had boob’s and a vjayjay “
She laughs ” Yeah! Me too.. I mean a fiance If I were a drop dead gorgeous person with 4x what I earn with a large estate in my name. I would be getting married and in my honeymoon suite much like this and getting the most amazing rump of my life. . “
He laughs. This time it reaches his eyes. She smiles.
They are quiet for a brief moment.
“You know what we should do? “
“What?” he stares at her “What do you want to do crazy person? “
“Hey I am not crazy” she points at him.
“Are to. I swear you looked and sounded like it. Crying about some cheap ring and balling everyone’s ear out. And almost getting me arrested. Yep. Crazy. I had a thought of dumping you in a home for crazy people “
She laughs “Hey. That was my ring and two I was in pain and three.. You what? “
He laughs “Yes I did thinking that. Good thing I didn’t go through with it and it was because of those blue devils seated in the bar downstairs! “
“Good thing else I would have looked for you and haunted you”
They smile.
“So.. how about we forget them? Those who left us and just do whatever the hell we want? I mean I am tried of crying and hurting I feel wasted. You paid for the room so you should enjoy it. And me? I can eat up all the chocolates and drink the wine and we can trash the room some and tear those love shapes decorations. What say you partner in broken hearts?”
“Eh? Only crazy people think like that. Sure you didn’t escape from your cage? “
She laughs standing on the bed.. “I did. And guess what? This crazy person is going to have fun doing crazy. So we are going to show them that we are happy and cool without them.” she grabs the first love shaped decor and tore it. She grabs another decorated teddy-bear and pulls out its head. She looks around and grabs a box of chocolates. She pokes it and begins to eat from it. Then she grabs the bottle of wine, c—s it and the takes a long sip. She looks at him.. ” Are you going to wallow in self pity or join me? “
He shakes his head “You are a crazy person. The answer is no. Enjoy. Knock yourself out.”
“Come on, live a little. What is the world without a little crazy and besides, we are the only one missing them and they don’t care. So we are going to go out there and have fun. Do whatever we want. Enjoy St. Valentine’s like we don’t care too. And by tomorrow we won’t even remember they exist. What say you partner ? Game or Game? ” she pushes the bottle of wine to him and winks.
He shakes his head again.
“Don’t be a p—y. Only girls are allowed to have those. Grow some extra pairs son. Live a little. Forget the pain. So you said right.? So… Come drink with me and let’s scream our lungs out and join the party upstairs. I saw the program. It’s a live band going on. Game? “
He eyes it and the climbs the bed standing on it with her..
“I am going to regret this aren’t I? “
She smiles… “Maybe. Maybe not but Live a little.”
He takes the bottle to his lips and drinks a large amount of it.
“YASSS!” She smiles taking it from him and sips some more and hands him one of the play-stick she found close to the bed to hit the dangling baby unicorn dancing overhead that had a stick-on which read “Hit me Hard”
“Ready?” She points at it. He looks up, a sad smile on his face. His Ex loved hitting the unicorns with sweets and chocolates inside. That was why he made sure to get one.
He nods “Ready!”
Soon they have the room trashed. Empty cartoons of chocolate and four bottles down.
Leaving the suites they get access into the VIP club upstairs and enjoy a wild crazy band, dancing and screaming with the crowd.
Went cruising in a limo with two strange couples who were more interested in making out with strangers than themselves. When they realized why they were invited to tag along which was supposed to be a four some, they jumped out of the limo during traffic and laughed all the way till they got back to the Resort.
They ate dinner in the kitchen and talked with the waitress who kept eyeing Darren. Then Darren walked up to an elderly lady after being dared by Annalise and told her he wanted to fart in her cup. They ran away when her husband showed up with two hefty bodyguards after the woman tried to shoo him away to no avail.
They were drunk. It was obvious. But.. It was better to be drunk and happy than sober and sad.
By almost 3 am, back in the suites and more tipsy than ever they are laughing and laughing as they told silly jokes sprawled on the bed close to each other.
Their bodies a few spaces apart. She turns to her side after wiping the tears due to laughter from her eyes and then stares at him.
“You know, you are not so bad Darren. So how much fun we had making a mess.” She looks at the room. His eyes followed hers. He nods. She continues “She was wrong to have left you” She is back to staring at him.
He turns to face her “And you aren’t such a crazy person. And you are not ugly. It’s his loss not yours”
They smile at each other. Their eyes lingers.
The current in the room pulled. Chemistry sparks. Desires awaken.
You should go Darren. His tells himself.
You should sleep Annalisa. She tells herself.
But they don’t break their gaze away from each other, neither did they take their advise.
Without thinking he reaches out to brush the hair away from her eyes.
She stares at him.
He tucks the strand of hair behind her ear. But he doesn’t drop his hands down. Instead he touches her cheeks. She doesn’t pull away.
They are both staring intensely at each other now.
And when she notice him move, she still didn’t pull away nor did she take her eyes off him.
Darren leans in with his eyes closing and hers closing on their own accord, he kisses her lightly on her lips.
He pulls away and stares at her. Her eyes opens up slowly.
It lingers.
She bites her lips, he follows her eyes, he caresses her lips with his thump. She closes her eyes as she touches his thump over her lips. Then she opens her eyes and looks at him.
That only meant one thing.. ” Consent “
He leans in and kisses her again. This time she kisses him back.
****
To Be Continued.


LINK TO FULL STORY: http://emperorblog.com.ng/valentine-blue-part-3/

Her lips were soft and sweet.
It must have been due to the sweet grape wine they drank, or the chocolates she couldn’t stop filling her mouth with? Or maybe it was the strawberry sweets she rubbed over her lips pretending it to be a lipstick as it made her nude lips turn pink.
Or maybe she was just generally sweet.
Too sweet maybe or was it the alcohol in his system?
He was drunk. Tipsy-over-the-top-drunk. Yes! And she was too. Going by the silly things they did tonight.
It was crazy. It was fun.
It made them forget about their pain and broken heart. Well… He forgot about the hole in his chest though. And he drank to his heart’s content and laughed up to that measure too.
At the end of the day. His day turned from an unbearable pain to this… crazy fun filled night all because of this… crazy person he had no pre-planned motive of meeting.
Yes! Annalise was crazy. Her laughter was contagious especially when she roars holding onto her tummy and pointing at the cause of it.
Or is it when she saw a cockroach flying overhead as they walked through an alley trying to get away from some funny looking thugs and she screamed jumping on his body not knowing if he was going to catch her or not. Well.. He almost didn’t. The laughter that ensured almost made his hands a jelly. He ran with her when they heard them coming looking for them and disappearing into the next bend and almost laughing out their hideout.
Or when she thought he wasn’t looking and she dipped her hand into his plate of cheerios and napped a few into her mouth. He smiled pushing the plate to her and tapping her to go ahead and eat it all. And she did without being shy. A twinkle in her eyes. He shook his head and pulled her cheeks.
He realized she was a sweet tooth person. Everything sweet… into her mouth it goes.
He should warn her about getting diabetics. His father wasn’t so lucky.
Or was it the time she nearly dozed off standing on the line to get ice-cream? That was when he realized she was stoned drunk. And yet she refused to budge when he pulled her with him almost making a scene until they had to let her through after citing that she was suffering from a sickness of God knows what… He guess pity won. Because in no time she had her way and got her ice-cream and danced like a little happy child as though she won a trophy.
Or was it when she wanted to go to the ladies? And there were like two people in there already. They had been in there a long time already.
She danced on her toes, crossed her legs while standing and had to run circles round him so she doesn’t get to stand at a place and the pee drops from her bladder.
It was a funny scene especially when he was trying to make her laugh by telling her a joke. She literally had to clam his mouth shut with both her hands and scream… “yadiyadiya… I can’t hear you. Stop it Darren I would pee in my pants. Argh! ”
He didn’t stop talking until she ran out of the building. He followed her and then she cuts round the corner, dancing and then she screams at him..”Turn around and watch the road. If I stay another second I would go on myself. “
“Are you going to pee between those cars Annalise? “
“Erm… there is a toilet and yet two girls have been in there for over thirty minutes. So you want me to tell you what I think they a re doing or you want to guess it?. Three may not be a crowd in their world but I like solid ea rth.. Firm hands.. and a harder rod between my legs not some… girly fingers, and right now I need to pee so you can either watch the road for me and tell me if anyone is coming or you go there and break down that door”
He turns around and folds his arms.
“You have a few seconds because some dude with a white mustache is heading your way” He had said picking the option of watching the road. He already walked in on his Ex with her girlfrirnd. He didn’t want to repeat that scene. He was a traditional man. Anything sexual should be between a man and a woman. Anything else was just wrong.
She is silent as he didn’t hear anything. Then suddenly..
“Aaaaah dear Lord. That felt so good. Whoof!”
He chuckles rubbing his temple.
“One minute away Annalise and I bet the dude coming would see your.. ” he trails off.
“Nah! He can’t see what gave birth to him” he is startled to find her beside him.
Next thing she is heading away, he runs to catch up with her looking behind her.
“You do realize you just peed on the middle of road right? “
“Blah. Bite me. Have you not read holding your pee could kill you and besides no one saw me. And it was not in the middle but side. “
“I did. I mean. I knew you were peeing. So I am aware.” he tells her.
“What are you, some-road-pee-keeping-tabs man? Darren.”
He laughs as they entered the club again.
“Gimme a second” She disappears and then comes back. Her hands wet.
“Mama says always wash your hands after using the toilet.” she smiles at him.
“Isn’t that ironic though. You didn’t actually use the toilet but the streets. I wander what your mama would say. “
“She would say…you talk a lot” Then she grabs ice from the ice bucket seated on the table and stuffs two into his mouth and made a run for it.
He chased her, catching her and flinging her over his shoulders. He twirled her round till she begged him to stop.
And after then the joke on the elderly lady and her husband who would have crushed him if they got to him on time and a whole lot of other crazy things.
Now back here.. In the suite
..the laughter had died down. The jokes. The fun..now this.
Yes! He was drunk alright.
But he wasn’t so drunk he didn’t know what he was doing right now. He was kissing her. Because he felt the urge to. The need to. Why? He had no idea but.. He knew he wanted to kiss her. And he went for it. That spur of the moment mood.
But does she know what she was doing. Does she want to be kissed.? He was never one to take advantage of a situation… especially in their present state of mind.
He would never want to be looked at like that… Like someone who takes advantage of another in their low.
He pulls away from her.
She opens her eyes and stares at him.
“I am sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.” he leans away and rests his head back on the bed facing the ceiling.
He should leave. He checks his time. There was no way he can get a cab home by this time. And he didn’t want to drive today that’s why he left his car home.
“Why are you apologizing?” she asks him.
“Because I wasn’t supposed to do that.. Not without asking though. “
She smiles. “Who asks before they kiss a girl? It kinda spoils the moment”
“Still. Besides.. You just got dumped. I just got dumped. We are drunk and it… It’s the alcohol acting. Well.. I am quite aware but are you? “
“You are asking if I know I am being kissed? I am not two years old Darren. And I know I am drunk. But I am not two. Plus. I didn’t pull away and I kissed you too. So.. ” she trails off.
He stares at her. He gets up from the bed. “Still. Anyhow.. I am sorry. This isn’t the moment for a rebound anyways. I would hate to do that to you. My emotions is all over the place. It was a spur of the moment kind of thing though”
“Maybe that is what we need” She sits up.
“That’s alcohol talking. How many fingers am I holding up? ” He shows her his full palm spread out.
“Five”
“How many now? ” He holds up his index finger.
“1”
“What’s your name? “
“Michelle Obama” she smiles. He laughs.
“Okay. It still doesn’t mean you aren’t drunk and by tomorrow you will slap me after remembering I kinda kissed you”
“Well… You would take it in good faith. You are a man. Take one for the team”
He laughs. Looking around. “I would sleep on the couch. You take the bed”
“Okay “
He nods. He makes his way to the bathroom and takes a quick shower. He comes out to find that she had managed to clean up the suite a bit.
“You work fast! “
“Hmm. I can use the bathroom right? “
“Sure. Knock yourself out. You should try the second shower. You would love it. “
“Hmm” she is pensive. ” I wonder would they have spare PJ’s for sale or something. Since being here was impromptu I don’t have a sleeping wear. Unlike you guys you can sleep in your boxers. ” She points at him.
“Perks of being a man. Erm… Place a call to them then. “
She does so. “Okay thanks ” she turns to him. “They just sent the last one up to a customer.”
He goes to the wardrobe and opens it. He grabs the white robe and then gives it to her. “If you don’t wanna sleep in your cloths you can use this. There are clean towels in the bathroom. And you can wash your cloths, it would dry up in a few hours. The washing machine is wash spin and dry so.. “
She takes it ” Thanks “
She disappears into the bathroom and then comes back in twenty minutes to find him asleep.
Well he looked like he was asleep with his eyes closed. Or she just figured his eyes were closed because of his hand dropped over his face.
Pulling the covers away from the bed she sinks in, covers herself and tries to go to sleep.
*****
“You keep doing that for the past twenty minutes. It’s distracting” His voice breaks into her thoughts. She was grinding her teeth loudly.
“Sorry! Can’t sleep” She replies. Now that it is quiet. Her mind is going back to her pain. She needs a distraction. A movie. Music. Anything.
“Me neither. Thinking about the significant other? “
“Yeah. You? “
‘”Yeah! Wanna not think about them?”
“Yes! “
“Move over” He says getting up and coming to the bed. She sits up moving to the other side.
“I have a boring documentary about cats and dogs on my phone. Wanna watch? It might bore us to sleep”
She chuckles “Okay”.
He lays on his back and she lays on hers. He turns on his phone, finds the video and presses play.
Ten minutes into it she grabs the video and turns it off.
“Not working ” She exclaims.
“Yeah. Figured as much. what do we do? “
“Force sleep? Just close our eyes and will it to come.”
He smiles. “Aye captain”
Their backs are on the bed, hands on their tummy clasped together.
“Not working! ” She repeats.
“I know right.” He replies with his eyes closed. “Oh well. ” he made to get up. She pulls him back.
“What? “
“Maybe we can cuddle?” she bites her lips. “He always cuddles me to sleep when I can’t sleep.”
“You can’t keep dwelling on someone who left Annalise. How would you want to move on with your life and let go of the pain?”
“I know. But… I am tired and I want to sleep but I can’t. Just hold me and I would go to sleep “
He is staring at her.
“Please and maybe you would sleep too.”
He sinks back into the bed and then lays on his back.
This is a bad idea Daren. Very bad idea .
He opens his arms and she she lays on his chest. He places his hands round her and then tries to relax, closing his eyes.
A few minutes pass and soon he felt her relax and could feel her drifting into sleep.
He closes his eyes and suddenly sleeps.
*****
It was when she moved he woke up. She was leaving the bed to the bathroom. He wipes his eyes yawning. He closes his eyes to feel her climb out of the bed back to him again, raising his hands she slips back to lay on his chest. He hugs her to him. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. Like something they have been for years… being together like this. Felt nice.
Her hair smelt nice. And the way she felt close to his body was.. nice.. She still had the robe on but as his hands laid on her shoulders. It felt bare.
Unconsciously, force of habit to what he used to do with his ex. He trails a line up and down her arm absentmindedly. She loved his movements on her body. It always tends to cause her to squirm. He smiles.
“I can feel you smiling. “
He frowns. His hands stops immediatly. “Sorry.. Having a wrong thought about someone I shouldn’t be thin king off.”
She nods understanding “Why did you stop? “
“What? “
“Trailing your finger over my shoulders. I kinda liked it”
“Force of habit. I should continue? “
“Yes. “
“Okay”
He continues. They laid there quietly.
He trails his fingers, making circles over her shoulder blades. Then he runs his hand up and down her arm.
Suddenly he felt her doing the same to his arm.. And then she moves it to his bare chest.
He smiles. “What are you doing?
“Same thing you are doing. Does it bother you? “
He shakes his head smiling as he felt a tickle. “It tickles. “
She smiles. “Nice. “
She finger-trots to his chest and then made circles over his hard chest.. With no specific direction she trails her fingers over his chest until they are making their way back to his chest and then to his n—-e.
She brushes a finger over it absentmindedly.
He quickly reaches for her hand and then holds it tight.
“Don’t.. Do that! ” He says.
She frowns looking at him but seeing his jaw instead as she laid on his chest.
“Just.. Don’t. “
“What? Is that one of your turn-ons”? She sounded mischievous.
“Nope!”
“Liar!” She laughs “Shy are we? “
“No we aren’t. No Anna. I am not shy”
She laughs again. She uses her spare hand and grabs his other n—-e.
Now he seats up pushing her gently away and grabbing her hands.
“Don’t.!”
“Or else what?” a mischievous glint to her eyes.
He is saying to her. “Or else this”
He pulls her to him and flicks her nose. She laughs.
“I thought you were going punish me. “
“No. Those are meant for naughty girls. “
He laughs back down and pulls her to him. “Sleep Annalisa. “
“Aye Captain “
They lay on each other and wait for sleep come.
*****
“Darren. Are you asleep? “
“Yes.!”
She laughs.
“I really can’t sleep.” She continues.
He sighs pulling her closer. “I can squash you to death. That can work “
She hits him away. “You wish!. “
Silence.
“Kiss me.” She blurts out.
Silence .
“Darren? “
“Yes.! “
“Did you hear me?”
“Yes”
“So kiss me. “
“I did already.”
She chuckles. “That was on you. This is on me”
“You know that would technically cause an awakening.?”
She shrugs. “It releases some sort of chemical that causes one to relax. I am not relaxed. I want to be.”
“Okay”
Five minutes pass .
“Darrennnnn! “
He chuckles.. “Annalise!!! “
“Kiss me”
“I am actually avoiding to do so”
“Why?”
“Because we may end up doing what we shouldn’t”
“No we wouldn’t. Just a kiss. “
“Nope. “
“please “
“Hell to the No”

LINK TO FULL STORY: http://emperorblog.com.ng/valentine-blue

She smiles. “Fine I would just take it myself. “
“Wait.. What.. Annalise what in the devil’s name are you doing Hahaahha” he laughs.
She rises up and climbs over him.
Grabbing his face she leans in and is trying to kiss him.
Yes, she was definitely drunk. She wouldn’t be doing this in her right senses.
”You are drunk Annalise!!!”
”No Darren. I am not. I..want to sleep and..I need distractions.”
He is laughing still as he held both of her hands away
“I swear! you are one crazy girl. “
She is leaning towards him and pouting her mouth for a kiss.
“kiss kiss kiss.!” She chants.
“Would you sleep if I do that? “
“Yes.”
“promise? “
“Yes!! I think. ” she nods.
“Annalise? “
“I promise!!”she exclaims.
“Okay.” he let’s go of her hand and seats up with her still over him to a sitting position.
“Just one kiss” he repeats.
She nods her head.
Holding her in a sitting position! He places his finger below her jaw and pulls her face to his.
He kisses her briefly.
Yes. Her lips was sweet. Those kind of lips too don’t want to stop kissing. Even if you wanted to.
He pulls away.
“One kiss’” he repeats.
She nods. But what he sees next in her eyes were desire. Undiluted and raw desire. .
Much like he has in his own right now. They are staring at each other more now. she licks her lips, his eyes follows the moment.
She wraps her hands around his neck and this time she leans in to kiss him.
They kiss for a long time. Savoring each other’s lips until they come up for air breathing hard.
He turns with her and places her on the bed.
“We should stop.” he whispers staring down at her.
“Yes we should. ” she nods. She raises her hand and touches his face. His neck. Trailing her hands to his hard chest. She touches his n—-e with one hand and then the other she grabs the second one.
She is saying into his eyes.
What are you doing Anna? She asked herself.
Don’t think! Just let it flow Anna.
She caresses his n—-e again with her thumb, he moans touching his hand to her hand… He moans again and closes the distance as she pulls him down towards her.
They continue to kiss passionately and soon they are all over each other.
A kiss there. A caress there.
By the time her robe drops to the floor and his brief lying beside it, her legs were wrapped around him while he sinks into her core, taking her slowly up to ecstasy.
Her nails digs into his back as they drink from each others lips. Putting her hands over her head he touches her body lovingly with his free hands, caressing and massaging her b—m. Watching her burn in desire. Meeting her halfway as he rolled his waist in and out. Causing her to quake in helpless wants and desire.
Feeling her walls tighten around his member. He goes at a steady rhythm as he felt her hold on to him tight. Listening to the way she sounds in his ears. Knowing just when she is nearing her point to push her over the clip and waiting to catch her before she falls.
Just before he takes her overboard he goes deeper, causing her to bite her lower lips and cry out in pleasure. He kisses her lips, drinking and filling her up with all of him.
She holds on tighter to him, pushing him into her until she felt her legs quaking.
Together they go to the top and come crashing down.
Breathing hard as their breathing suddenly fall back to nomalcy.
They laid there. Quiet. Satiated.
He rolled off her and pulls her to him. Kissing her gently.
She lays on his chest. She smiles. “And that is how just a kiss turns into this… Amazing thing. “
He chuckled. “Never turn a man on”
“I wasn’t complaining”
He smiles. He kisses her again and again.
Soon he hears her snoozing peacefully on his chest.
Before long, he joins her.
*****
Annalise woke up the next morning with a smile on her face. She had the most amazing night.
She turns to stare at the man on the bed with her. Her husband.
Then her smile disappears. She looks down at herself and realized that she is naked beside an equally naked man. Who isn’t her husband.
Okay, wait! She didn’t get married yesterday to her fiance. He broke up with her. She met this guy.. Darren and they went crazy spree and it was fun and..they slept off and..woke up and she..asked for a kissed after he kissed her first and…
She jumps up.
“Holy S–t!! S–t s–t s–t s–t!” she runs into the toilet as he stirs awake.
She comes back out. Grabs her bag and dashes into the toilet cursing a thousand times more banging the door shut.
Darren opens his eyes. His head hurts. He shouldn’t have taken so much alcohol.
Why did he take that much though?
He yawns.
Trying to remember.
Yesterday was Valentine. Okay. Crap. His girlfiend broke up with him. He goes out. He met this crazy woman who..
Then he made love and.. Oh dammit!!
Annalise?
He seats up opening his eyes and looks around the room and then back at himself.
“ Christ!! He really did sleep with her. Dammit dammit damnit!!”
It started as a spur of the moment kind of thing and..then it turned into the actually thing that was.. amazing and.. Whoa!!
What now? Does he go. Does he pay her. Or… What what? He had never had a one night stand before. What is he supposed to do or say to her.? What happens now?.
He could hear her inside the bathroom.
He grabs his brief and wears it quickly. Then he begins to pace the lenght of the room.
He should just talk with her right?
“Annalise? “
No answer.
He goes closer to the toilet “Erm… Are you okay Annalise? “
“Yes?”
“What are you doing? “
“Erm..using the lu” she lied. She dails the number again. After so many tries someone picks.
“Hi Lucy.” she whispers.
“Where have you been? I gave you like a hundred missed calls. “
” I know I am sorry my phone was on vibration” she whispers.
“why are you whispering?
“Because I am in the bathroom of a resort suites and I think I had sex with a total stranger on Valentine’s day”
“What! You think or you did? “
“Did. “
“Consent or… Spur of the moment. Or rape?
“First two. I mean it went from just a kiss to.. a mind blowing sex and now the morning after. What do I do? “
“Erm..wow! You sure moved on quickly. “
“Did not! It just…come on he is out there waiting on me… what do I do?”
Lucy laughs “You s–t. Go out there and act like it is the most natural thing in the world and it was one of those moments. “
“Really? “
“Yes. And then come by. I need all the juicy details of this person that got you forgetting your fiance for a few hours”
“Ex fiance! “
“Same thing darlyne”
“Okay. Straight face. Act good and cool. Just sex right? “
“That’s the spirit. See you soon.?”
“okay”?”
*****
Darren was about to knock again when the door opens up.
“Look about last night -“She began
“About last night.. ” he began.
*****
FULLSTORY HERE: http://emperorblog.com.ng/valentine-blue