Hopeless Romance

It was a mutual break-up done with heavy hearts. 

Cammie wanted to chase down her dream of being a sous chef.  So she packed her bags and moved to Paris to study gourmet cooking with the finest. 

Mark was on the fast-track to an executive position with an up and coming computer business.  He also thought Cammie’s dream just a frivolous quest, but her mind was made up and Mark appreciated her determination.  Of course, there were tears, they wished each other success, and life went on.

Two years later, Mark met Holly at a cocktail party.  Maybe it was all the wine they drank, but they clicked and dove into a whirlwind romance. Shortly before Valentines’ Day, Mark got a promotion and bought a diamond ring.  He put plans in motion to propose to Holly.  He arranged a suite at the upscale Cosmopolitan hotel.  It would be elegant with just the right amount of wrong.

And so it happened.  On Valentines’ Day Holly, looking gorgeous in her new red dress, and Mark suited up, he knew she was his forever woman.  Arm in arm they were seated at a reserved table for two in a dimmed corner at the elite Camilla’s Restaurant.  The table, adorned with white tablecloth, flickering candles, and a single red rose.

After a delicious dinner, and a bottle of the restaurants finest wine, Mark got on bended knee.

“I love you, Holly, and want to spend the rest of my life making you happy.  Will you marry me?”

Holly squealed with joy and answered with a resounding, “yes!”

But then Mark’s face got that pinched look, and then a sparkle lit up in his eyes.

“Excuse me for just a moment.”  Mark jumped out of his seat as if an emergency just happened.

“Are you okay?”

“Sure.  I thought I saw an old friend. I’m probably wrong.  I’ll be back in a sec.”  He couldn’t leave fast enough.

Holly noticed the beads of sweat on his brow.  She feared he might be ill and watched him hurry away.  By the time she finished her wine, Mark still hadn’t returned.  The minutes ticked away and the waiter refilled her glass.

Thoroughly worried, Holly followed the path Mark had taken.  She pushed through the doors he exited and came to a screeching halt.

Holly beheld the sight of a couple in a long passionate kiss.  Moans and groans, plus lip smacking rang in her ears.

Holly loudly cleared her throat.

The couple jumped apart.  Mark went pale. The woman flushed with embarrassment, or was it lust?

There was a moment of silence and then Mark announced, “This is the chef.  Her name is Cammie.”



Word Count: 469