When he came into the library, I panicked. I was afraid that if he saw me, he would come over and say hi and I was petrified that I wouldn’t be able to hide my feelings from him. He was the most popular guy on campus and I was—well, the girl least likely to attract someone like him.
“Hi.”
“Hi,”
“May I join you?”
“Yes.”
He sat down and stared at me so hard that I wanted to cover my face. “Are you busy Saturday night?”
“No.”
“How about dinner and a movie?”
Stunned, I nodded.
He grinned.
99 Words
This was written for the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields For more details, visit Here. To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit Here.
He had set the lofty goal of becoming one of the top five wealthiest men in the world and reached it at the age of thirty-five. He bought a castle that once belonged to a Lord. He had a large staff which took care of everything. He had his privacy. He had his own beach and could take long walks along its shore anytime. The only thing missing was someone to share his life with.
He was tired of going on dates with women he had no interest in. Most of them were only interested in his wealth. He was lonely and longed for companionship. Then, he had the idea of hiring a companion. He was willing to pay for them. He preferred that the woman be between the age of thirty and fifty. She had to be attractive, well read and employed. He had his secretary place the ad in the local newspaper and screen the calls and do the interviews. Out of hundreds of applicants, only a handful were chosen for him to interview himself.
The woman he chose was a French university Art professor who moved to Brussels five years ago. She was very attractive, engaging, shared the same interest in books and a love for the Arts. She was forty but looked younger. They got along very well. She had made it very clear that she wasn’t doing this for money. Most of her friends were married and her family was in France and like him, she yearned for companionship. She told him that when she saw the ad, at first she was hesitant to apply but after thinking about it, she decided to do it and was happy she did.
They spent every waking moment together, learning about each other and sharing parts of themselves they had never shared with another living soul. They swam in the ocean, went for walks, drives, went to the opera, enjoyed classical musics in his private movie theatre and enjoyed intimate dinners in the large dining-room or on the terrace facing the sea.
Then one terrible day, he got a call from her. She sounded upset. She informed him that she couldn’t continue seeing him. Alarmed, he asked her why. After being evasive, she finally informed that she had been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. She didn’t want to burden him with her illness. “It wouldn’t be fair to you,” she said. “I’ll be in and out of hospital.” However, he insisted that he wanted to be there for her and after they ended the call, he went over to her place.
He was there for her during the daily dialysis and several hospital stays. He took her food and helped her to get dressed. He spoke to the doctors, anxious to find out everything he could.
When he found out that she needed a transplant and after learning that her relatives couldn’t be donors, he asked to be tested. Despite her protests, he was tested and it turned out that he was a match. Both of them were tearful when they got the news. They underwent the kidney transplant and on her forty-first birthday which was a couple of weeks later, he proposed to her. She happily accepted, knowing in her heart that not only had she met the man who selflessly gave his kidney so that he could save her life but she had met the man of her dreams. As they sat on the terrace gazing out at the sea one afternoon, she said to him, “I have your kidney and you have my heart.”
He smiled and reached for her hand. “You have all of me.”
This story was inspired by one I read today of a man who donated his kidney to save his girlfriend’s life. If you would like to read their story, click Here.
This was written for the Ragtag Daily Prompt for today’s prompt, Lofty. If you’re interested in participating, click HERE for more information.
How do people react when they learn that she’s Senegal’s first female graffiti artist? Do they grimace because they believe that women shouldn’t paint or do they applaud her for following her passion?
33 Words
This is based on Dieynaba Sidibe, Senegal’s first female graffiti artist. Through her artistic expression, Dieynaba wanted to show solidarity for women, because “all women, everywhere, whether they are fishmongers, graffiti artists or office workers, we are all fighters. Women are fighting to be free to do what they want, to do work that pleases them, to be paid equally to men, and to follow their passion.”
Unlike her friends and almost everyone she knew, she wasn’t plugged into Social Media and had no interest whatsoever of joining her friends and family on Facebook. Befriending people the old fashioned way suited her better. And it was safer to connect to people she could actually see. She didn’t trust anything online—too intrusive and dangerous.
She couldn’t believe how people indiscriminately shared their information with people they didn’t really know and how eager they were to get those “likes”. She had seen the toll Social Media had on youth. Online bullying had led to her younger sister’s suicide.
100 Words
This was written for the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields For more details, visit Here. To read other stories based on this week’s prompt, visit Here.
“What do you see in her, man?” Brad asked his friend, Sebastian “Granted, she had a great body but her face…
Sebastian glanced at him. “What’s wrong with her face?”
Brad stared at him. “Are you kidding me? I’m sorry, man, but she’s ugly.”
Color suffused Sebastian’s cheeks and his eyes darkened in anger. “That’s a terrible thing to say, Brad,” he retorted.
“Well, it’s the truth. And I’m not the only one who thinks you’ve lost your mind. There are so many hot girls on campus you could go out with and you settle for an unattractive one.”
“It’s obvious that your idea of beauty is different from mine.”
“Beauty? You would use the word beauty to describe her? Seriously, you need your eyes checked.”
“She has a name and yes, I think she’s beautiful. Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”
“Well, you’re the only one who can see hers.”
“She has lovely dark smooth and flawless skin. Her eyes are an unusual shade of brown and they sparkle when she talks about the things she likes. She’s smart, thoughtful and unpretentious. You’re right, everywhere I turn, I see the faces of beautiful girls but hers is the one I look for.”
Brad studied him. “You’re really hung up on her, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Well, why don’t you ask her out then?”
“I plan to.”
“Well, here’s your chance,” he said as he looked past his shoulder.
Sebastian turned and his heart skipped a beat when he saw her.
Brad smiled and patted him on the shoulder. “Good luck, Man. I mean that.”
Sebastian nodded. “Thanks.”
Brad walked away.
Sebastian leaned against the wall and watched nervously as Dominique approached him. She looked great in the red top and the denim skirt which reached just above her knees. His eyes lingered on her bare calves before returning to her face. He didn’t care what anyone said, to him, she was stunning and she had the most incredible smile.
“Hi,” she said when she reached him. She stood looking up at him, her head cocked to one side. “You look very nice.”
He blushed. “Thank you. So do you.”
She smiled. “Thank you. So, how have you been?”
“Busy helping my sister to move. She moved out of our parents’ house last week Wednesday.”
“It must be nice having your own place. After I graduate this year and get a job, I’m moving out.”
“Don’t you like living with your parents?”
“They’re great but I like the idea of being on my own. You live on your own, don’t you?”
“Yes, but I have financial assistance from my employer as well as a family allowance which helps with my expenses and tuition.”
“Is it hard working and attending university at the same time?”
“It is but I manage.”
“Do you have time to socialize?”
“Yes.”
“What about a girlfriend?”
“I don’t have one,” he replied quietly, his expression guarded as he met her steady gaze. His heart was pounding. “What about you? Do you have a boyfriend?” He held his breath as he waited for her to answer.
She shook her head. “No.
He exhaled in relief. “Dominique, there is something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
“Yes?”
“Will you go out with me?”
For a moment she didn’t answer. It was as if she was trying to make sense of what just transpired. Finally, she said, “I never thought you would ask me out.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“Well, I’m not like the other girls on campus whom I’ve seen you and your friends hanging out with. They’re pretty and popular.”
“I’m not interested in any of them, Dominique but I’m interested in you. I’ve wanted to ask you out for a long time but today I finally had the courage to do so. You haven’t told me if you will go out with me.”
“Yes,” she replied, smiling. “I will go out with you. I can’t imagine what the other girls or your friends will say.”
“It doesn’t matter what they think. All that matters is how you and I feel about each other. I like you, Dominique.”
“And I like you, Sebastian.”
He reached for her hand. It felt soft and small in his. And he felt the heat flow through his body and settle in the pit of his stomach. His eyes darkened on her upturned face. He wanted to kiss her but decided that it would be nicer to have their first kiss in a more romantic setting. “Come,” he murmured. “I’ll walk you to class.”
She was beautiful, but not like those girls in the magazines. She was beautiful, for the way she thought. She was beautiful, for the sparkle in her eyes when she talked about something she loved. She was beautiful, for her ability to make other people smile, even if she was sad. No, she wasn’t beautiful for something as temporary as her looks. She was beautiful, deep down to her soul. She is beautiful – F. Scott Fitzgerald, Wisdom Quotes
This was written for the Ragtag Daily Prompt for today’s prompt, Flow. If you’re interested in participating, click HERE for more information.
He is like a serpent. He can both enthral and repel with his unusual, piercing eyes. They seem penetrate deep into a person’s heart with its hidden secrets. I can’t stand him yet I’m attracted to him. I’ve tried so hard to resist him but I can’t. Sometimes, I wish I’d never met him.
54 Words
This was written for the Weekend Writing Prompt by Sammi Cox. For instructions, click Here.
Although my gaze was fixed upon the water as it rushed forth as if it were late for an appointment, my heart was otherwise engaged in a very distressing matter–a matter which has placed my very constitution for happiness in grave danger.
The whispers of the impending nuptials between George Allerton, my employer and the beautiful Lydia Bridewell have been growing louder. Yesterday, I overheard Alice, the maid telling Beatrice, the cook that the wedding could be as early as a fortnight. I wanted to inquire of Mrs. Moore, the housekeeper, if this were true but thought it best not to touch on the subject for fear of betraying my feelings if she did confirm it. So, I held my tongue and suffered in silence.
For his part, Mr. Allerton has said nothing to me which I find to be very strange as it would be imperative for me to find employment elsewhere. The thought of leaving Riverdale Manor, little Amy and Mr. Allerton fills me with torment. Over a span of four years, I have grown to love my life here. I cannot imagine finding the same happiness elsewhere.
Necessity bids me now to bring the matter of my leaving before Mr. Allerton as soon as possible. I have made up my mind to broach the subject this evening after dinner and when we are alone in the drawing-room where he and I have spent many evenings together engaged in stimulating conversations. It is obvious to me that he enjoys my company as much as I enjoy his and it warms my heart that he treats me not as a servant but as an equal.
My gaze swept over the beautiful landscape with the lush green grass and trees which swayed gently in the breeze. I shall miss this place which has brought me such joy and peace. I shall miss the solitude and the walks I have enjoyed with Mr. Allerton. I shall miss seeing little Amy chasing after butterflies while I read or sketched. And I shall miss Mrs. Moore who has been so kind and good to me.
Tears pricked my eyes and I turn to head back to the manor when I espied Mr. Allerton striding towards me. I stood there, my heart racing. Perhaps, he was coming to address the very matter I wanted to bring to his attention this evening. He had been in town on business. The manor was never the same when he wasn’t there. When he went away for days and weeks at a time, it was torture for me. I missed him dreadfully.
He was standing before me now, his hair as black as the night was tousled from his habit of running his fingers through the thick tresses and his face was slightly flushed from the exercise. His eyes raked my face making me feel as little self-conscious. I touched my face which felt hot.
“Miss Foster,” he said as he towered over me. “I was told that I might find you here. How have you been?”
I wanted to say that I have been miserable because he had been away and because of the news of Miss Bridewell and him. Instead, I stepped back a little, attempted a smile and replied, “I have been well, Sir.”
He studied me with those penetrating dark brown eyes of his. “You don’t look well,” he said, looking concerned. “In fact, you look very pale. Are you unwell?”
“No, Sir. I’m fine.”
He didn’t look convinced but he didn’t press the matter. “Let us stand over there in the shade,” he suggested. I followed him over to a group of trees and we stood under their shade.
Perhaps now was the time for me to bring the matter of my leaving to his attention. Taking a deep breath, my hands tightly clasped in front of me, I said, “Sir, it has come to my attention that I need to find myself another situation. I will advertise and hopefully find a suitable position very soon.”
He stared at me. “What the deuce are you talking about?” he demanded. “What new situation and why should you advertise? I think you may have been out in the sun too long, Miss Foster.”
“Sir, it would not do for me to remain in your employ after you are married.”
“Married? Now, I know you have taken leave of your senses. Where the devil did you get the idea that I’m getting married?”
“There has been talk of your upcoming nuptials to Miss Bridewell and—”
“Miss Bridewell and I?” he exclaimed.
“Yes, it is believed that in a fortnight you two shall wed.”
He laughed. “It is true that in a fortnight, Miss Bridewell shall wed but it shall not be to me.”
I looked at him, confused. “But, Sir, everyone said that she was to wed Mr. Allerton.”
“Yes, she is to wed James Allerton, my cousin.”
I was so overwhelmed with relief that I had to lean against the tree lest my legs give way beneath me. When I heard the name Mr. Allerton in relation to Miss Bridewell, I just assumed that it was him to whom they referred. I had forgotten all about his cousin, James whom I recalled had been particularly attentive towards Miss Bridewell whenever they were in each other’s company.
“There is color in your cheeks again, Miss Foster,” Mr. Allerton remarked now, watching me closely. “I suspect that it has to do with my clearing up a little misunderstanding.”
“Yes, Sir. It means that it is no longer necessary for me to quit your employ. I can stay at Riverdale for as long as I am needed here.”
His expression became very serious and he moved closer to me. “What if I needed you to stay permanently at Riverdale?”
My eyes widened. “Permanently?” I repeated. “What about when Amy no longer needs a governess or you decide to marry?”
He reached for my hand. The feel of his warm fingers against mine made my heart flutter and my breath quicken. His eyes met mine in a steady gaze. “Miss Foster—Emma, Amy is no longer in need of a governess,” he said quietly. “She’s in need of a mother and I am in need of a wife.”
I gawked at him. “You mean…?”
“Yes, my dear Emma, I am asking you to marry me.”
I felt as if I were in a dream, one from which I hoped never to wake. This was all so incredible. My heart was pounding wildly against my ribs and my face was on fire. “But what will everyone think of you marrying someone beneath your station?”
“When it comes to my heart and what constitutes my happiness, I care not about what others think. And I have always treated you as my equal and not as someone beneath my station.”
I smiled. “That is true, Sir.”
He smiled. “Since I am soon to be your husband, don’t you think it’s time you called me George?”
“Yes, George.”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he held my face between his hands and kissed me. My heart was bursting with happiness.
“What do you see in her, man?” Brad asked his friend, Sebastian “Granted, she had a great body but her face…
