Dandelion Lover

I thought it was going to be easy, but apparently, that would have been too much to ask for.

It had already been a month since Kate resigned. Although I knew where she lived and she knew my home address, we had not been in direct contact. She became good friends with Vivian, which I'm not surprised, so I heard news about her from time to time through Viv.

It was on the day that I went with Melanie to the court to sign the divorce papers, after which we had to wait another 6 months for the divorce to be completely finalized. If I knew I would have not wasted so much time on those "who gets what and why" discussions with her.

Don't get me wrong, I care for her, but as someone once said, hell hath no fury as a woman scorned… Although she was the one who proposed the divorce first, it seems it was insensible of me, to be frank, and tell her about my feelings for Kate. She suddenly decided that she was taken for a fool, but I couldn't say anything because I knew that I did not have a right. She wanted to get half of the company but I was not willing to. She had her own job which kept her busy and she will get half of the house once it is sold, but the company is not to be touched.

Nevertheless, despite it all, the truth is that I cheated, even if not to an extreme level as other men, I still broke her trust and then like an inexperienced kid, I hurt her by telling her that I liked someone else. I wished I would have had the excuse that I was drunk, but I was definitely sober.

I'm becoming grumpier as they days pass, the empty house is depressing and I want to run over to Kate's side and to forget all these a.d.u.l.t problems, but life is never that easy. My responsibilities dragged me back to reality in no time and there I was walking side by side with Melanie, maybe for the last time.

"You must be happy you'll finally be free," Melanie whispered while we were waiting for our lawyers.

I felt I should say no, that I should have seemed more devastated that I felt, but I didn't want to lie.

"You're looking pretty laid back as well," I replied while counting in my head all the money I lost just to get the divorce signed faster.

"Might as well, after all, I do not wish to hang on just for the sake of convenience. There is so much more out there."

I had to admire her. She was strong, stronger than I gave her credit for. Others would probably be a lot more clingy. Despite the requests she made after I confessed about Kate, she still backed down pretty easily. If she really wanted she could have simply sued me and be left with everything I own. Luckily she was more down to earth than other women.

"I'm sorry." I had to say it. No matter what, I did do something unethical.

"I'm sorry as well." Her reply left me stunned. Was she apologizing for the same thing I was or was I reading too much into it? Before I could ask her I heard Mike calling:

"Hey there, nice day today isn't it?"

Melanie turned her head away from him seemingly annoyed and I simply snorted in my mind. Leave it to Mike to make such thoughtless comments. I just don't understand how he can be so successful with the women when he says things like this on a regular basis.

"So are you guys ready?" He asked ignoring our glares.

I looked over a Melanie just as she was looking at me

"As ready as I'll ever be." She answered and started walking towards the room where the doc.u.ments would be signed.

I quietly followed.

In no time at all, our lawyers had discussed every legal aspect they could have and the doc.u.ments were signed. It somehow felt like it lasted a long time but at the same time, it felt like it was only a couple of minutes.

With the doc.u.ments in my hands, I would now only need to wait.

"Congratulations!"

"Not sure if this is what should be said when people are divorcing." I returned.

"Might as well be." Melanie chipped in. "Far better than walking on eggshells and beating around the bush."

"True." I had to agree with her. Hopefully, this will allow me and Melanie to each get on with a new part of our life.

"So what are your plans now?" Mike asked us.

"Nothing much." I threw back. I was not in the mood to discuss my arrangement with Kate with him.

"I was offered a managerial position in Paris. So I'm gonna be going there in a couple of weeks."

I was stunned.

"Since when? Why did I not know about it?"

"No point in telling you with the way we were right?"

It then hit me once again, I didn't recognize the present Melanie. I only knew the young her, naive and dependent on me. I realized I've been living with almost a stranger these last few years. This discovery dispersed my previous worry. She was right, we were no more the us from before.

"You're right, I wish you all the luck and to accomplish your goals." Melanie stared at me surprised before a warm smile bloomed on her.

"Thank you." She looked just like the young her, but now I knew better. I sincerely hoped that she could flourish more and become who she really wanted to be, unburdened by anything or anyone. She deserved it.

"Good luck to you as well. I wish this time you would take the time to make use of, and appreciate the opportunities that arise."

I felt a bit saddened because of her reminder, but she was right. Our relationship ended because we did not know to appreciate what we had and took it for granted.

"I will." And at that moment, I understood that I did not just say it. I meant it.

I watched her turn and get in her car. My eyes were stuck in the direction she disappeared to, but I was thinking of Kate. I wanted to see her. Although it was not the best moment for us to meet, I felt the need to have her look at me with her lively eyes. I got in my own car and left Mike to ramble on his own. Soon enough I was at her apartment looking for my phone so I could call her.

I often looked at my phone but I never used the number which was saved in my favorites. This time I pressed the call button and her number came up with the ringing tone.

It rang once, twice, three times, still no answer.

Is she busy? Maybe she's not at home. Maybe I should go up and knock at her door. I kept waiting for the call to be picked up but to no avail. I stared at the closed windows of her apartment but there was no movement. I felt that if I didn't see her know I would regret it later. In a last-ditch effort, I formed Vivian's number.

"Hello?"

"Hey Viv, are you by any chance with Kate?"

"Actually I am, we are at the county hospital." My heart stopped beating for a full second and my mind was in a frenzy at her words.

"The hospital? Why?"

"I came with Kate… Sorry, the doctor just came out, I'll call you later." And the dead tone of the phone reverberated in my soul. The next thing I knew I was rushing at the hospital going way over the speed limit.

This girl always made me fl.u.s.tered, rushing to her in a heartbeat, unable to keep my cool...

I entered the huge, white building while dialing Vivian's number once again for the umpteenth time.

Finally, she answered.

"Where are you?" My question came out as a shout. I could hear sobbing at the other end of the line.

"In the intensive care unit."

"I'm coming." I turned to the stairs and reached the intensive care area. There they were, Kate was crying in Vivian's arms and she was whispering something while patting her back like coaxing a child.

Without caring for anyone else, I rushed to them and took Kate into my arms shocking her so much that she stopped crying...