by Kori Hart
“You’re going tonight?”
I glanced up to see my boss standing near my desk. I had been daydreaming about Raoul even though I should have been focusing on the brochure that needed to be designed.
Nodding my head, I brushed some hair from my face. “I am. Is anyone else going to be there?”
“Right now, it’s you but I have a few others that will also be in attendance. We all want to see how this goes plus it looks better to have our company represented. It also increases the attendance numbers. Make sure you arrive early enough to make sure all the banners are set up correctly and answer any questions they might have.” He didn’t wait for me to answer before he walked away.
I took a deep breath and looked back at my screen. I had a few more hours left at the office before I went home to get ready. It was going to be a long day.
Later that day
I looked up at the modern building and smiled. The colored lights illuminating it gives a nice touch and I could see our new banners hanging on the outside. They stretched from the roof and almost touched the group. They covered two stories and could be seen for miles if there weren’t skyscrapers in the way.
I went to the will call office and picked up my ticket and my pass. It allowed me to go anywhere I wanted in the building. I’m not sure why I was given that luxury, and I doubted I would use it but the gesture was nice.
“Welcome to the Seaview Art Museum,” the man in a tux said at the front door. He took my ticket and then handed me a small booklet.
“Thank you,” I said as I walked further into the building, noticing how many people were already there. I knew the boss would be happy as well as the museum director.
I looked down at the booklet and flipped through the pages. I wondered who had designed it for them as it certainly wasn’t us. It was nicely done, lots of colorful images complimented the text. I put it in my purse and went to the refreshment cart near the wall.
After getting a sparking water, I decided to look around at the different pieces. Even though I’m in marketing, art was never really my thing. I like relaying a message through words and properly placed items. Give me a paintbrush and you’d get a canvas back with nothing but splatter.
These pieces were beautiful, and I had no idea how someone could take globs of color to make something so breathtaking.
The museum went around in a kind of circular fashion, guiding the viewers through different exhibits. All of it was art of some kind but after the painting, I saw woodworking, metal sculptures, pencil drawings, clay, and recycled materials. They displayed any kind of medium a person could think of to make art.
I looked to a few couples as they admired a piece and smiled. They seemed very much in love and happy to be there together. My attention went to the next display and what I assumed was the last one.
There were a lot of photographs hanging from the rafters and my heart felt like it was shoved into a vice. I immediately thought of Raoul.
I looked at the pictures and realized that every single one of them told a different story. Each was so emotional. When I saw one where an older woman had tears in her eyes, I felt myself getting choked up.
As I neared the end of the display, I noticed the sign that thanked me for checking out the local artists exhibit. When I saw Raoul’s name underneath, I nearly dropped the glass I was holding.
I looked around, wondering if anyone noticed my abrupt stop.
Thankfully, nobody was paying attention to me. I finished off my sparking water and put it on a nearby table. I knew someone would be along in a minute or two to pick it up, but that wasn’t my concern right then.
My heart was racing in my chest and I looked around again. Everyone was carrying on with their evening and for some reason, I felt like the walls were closing in around me. My palms were sweaty, and I was sure I was going to look like a hot mess any second.
There mere thought of Raoul was sending into a tailspin and I didn’t know why. We spent one night together. One incredible, passionate night.
I leaned against the wall to calm my nerves. I leaned forward a little, about to bend over to calm myself further when I caught sight of him across the room.
He was talking with a small group of people, wearing a suit and tie. He looked so handsome and so happy with the big smile on his face.
This was a big night for him. I felt a little sad he didn’t tell me, but I had to remind myself that I was just his neighbor.
The more I stared at him, the more calm I felt. My heart went back to fluttering, aching to be close to him. My sweating stopped almost instantly, and I didn’t feel like I would pass out.
He turned his head as he spoke and then our eyes connected. His lips stopped moving. They slowly formed into a smile.
I couldn’t move. I felt like a deer caught in front of an approaching car.
Raoul made a gesture and seemed to have excused himself. He took a step in my direction and I was never more thankful for the group of people between us. I turned and pushed through the nearest door.
The night air hit my lungs, and I gasped. I had to get away. Raoul would most likely look for me and I couldn’t speak to him. Not like this.
I made my way around the building, texting my boss that I had come down with something and had to leave early.
By the time, I made it to my car; I felt like I had run ten miles.
What did Raoul do to me?
Chapter 6
A few months later
Hannah
Things got extremely busy for me after the night at the art museum. They wanted to go full speed again with the other campaigns. A few other companies had seen what we did for the museum and they wanted similar results. While we couldn’t promise them, we did our very best. It meant for long hours, sleepless nights and lots of take out.
I saw Raoul in passing and it felt like every time I saw him was for the first time. I thought about him at odd hours, especially when I couldn’t sleep. It was hard to forget how it felt to fall asleep in his arms. I reminded myself that it was done and over with. A fleeting romance, if I could even call it that. I know it was a one-night stand but the romantic in me wanted to believe that there was something more to it.
“You’re the one who ran I away,” I said, looking at myself in the mirror.
It was rare for me to have a day off during the week, but the boss figured that I needed some time to do laundry and veg out on the couch. I’d been working ten hours, sometimes fourteen-hour days, none stop for months. They got away with it because I volunteered, but in reality, it was kind of implied this was required of the job. It was a bit shitty, but I didn’t mind. I was hoping to nap the promotion coming up.
As I put the last clean towel on the shelf, I noticed a lot of noise coming from outside. I glanced out the window and noticed a moving truck backed into Raoul’s driveway. A moment of panic hit me.
I feared Raoul was leaving. Somewhere in the fantasy part of my brain, I thought we’d finally talk and I can confess the reason I bolted. I had to tell him why I avoided him and then he would say he loved me. We’d be together. None of that could happen if he moved, and I had no idea where he was. I didn’t have his phone number. I didn’t know what shop he worked at.
Without thinking, I left the rest of the clean laundry in the basket and rushed to the front door. I didn’t stop until I got to Raoul’s place. Two men carrying a love seat came through the door and I stepped out of the way. I watched as they went up the ramp into the truck before I looked inside the house.
“Raoul?” I called out after I entered.
“Upstairs.”
Hearing his voice made me feel better. If he wasn’t there, I’m not sure what my next move was. I had no idea what I was doing, but I had to see him.
I went upstairs, taking a deep breath at the top. Assuming he was in his bedroom, I turned down the hall and stopped in the doorway.
He was bent over, throwing his shoes into a bag. It was something I did whenever I m
oved in college and it made me smile.
Glancing over his shoulder, he realized I was standing there. He stood up instantly and gave me a curious look.
“Hannah,” he said softly.
I gave him a weak smile and felt at a loss for words.
Raoul
She looked terrified standing there. The most beautiful woman in the world, she should never look like that.
I dropped my bag and slowly made my way towards her. I wanted to reach out to take her hands, but I knew it wasn’t a good idea. The woman had been avoiding me and making how she felt very clear. I’m sure the last thing she wanted was for me to put my hands on her.
“What’s wrong?” I finally asked.
“You’re leaving?!”
I wasn’t sure if she was asking a question or simply making a statement. I nodded my head and ran my hand over the back of my head.
“I am, yeah. I found a place that is closer to the shop and has a perfect spot for my studio.” I’m not sure why I went into detail.
Hannah swallowed and glanced around my room before looking back at me. I could tell that she wanted to say something. I wish she would just spit it out. For months, she had been ignoring me and it was painful to look at her, knowing how I felt and having to remember she’d never feel the same.
“I don’t want you to go,” she confessed in a whisper.
“I’ve already signed…” I started to say, but she cut me off.
“I mean, I don’t want you to walk out of my life. I don’t want you to go and disappear. I’m really happy you found a place that works better for you. I really am, but I’m scared that if you move, I won’t see you again,” she explained.
I was so confused.
“Why do you care if I walk out of your life? You’ve ignored me for months.” I wasn’t trying to sound bitter, but I was sure it was clear in my tone. I was never very good about hiding my emotions. When I was angry, people knew it. If I was upset, it was written across my face. The times I felt happiness, it radiated off of me.
Hannah shifted her weight and bit her lower lip. Her eyes went down to her feet, and I feared she wasn’t going to answer me.
“Whatever it is,” I said. “Just tell me.”
She still said nothing, so I took a step towards her and lifted her chin so she would look at me. I tried to think of all the things that could make her this distraught and something hit me. “Are you pregnant?” I asked.
“What?” Hannah asked. She looked shocked at my suggestion. “No, I’m not pregnant.”
I dropped my hand and threw both of them out. “I give up then. I don’t know what the fuck is going on and you won’t talk to me,” I stated with irritation oozing out of every pour of my body.
Hannah looked at me but didn’t seem put off my frustration. If she was, she didn’t let it show.
“I fell in love with you,” she finally announced and it felt like someone knocked me off my feet.
“There’s no way,” I said immediately, shaking my head. I wasn’t going to fall for it. It had to be a trick.
“It’s true,” she insisted. She looked at me with a pained expression and I studied her for a moment.
“You’ve ignored me for months. You ditched me the first night we were together. How can you stand there and tell me you’re in love with me?”
“I…” Hannah said, but she paused.
I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for her to give me her excuse.
Hannah
I felt like I was going to burst into tears but somehow; I held it together. What Raoul said, it was all true. If I loved him, I shouldn’t have done any of those things.
“I did those things and I shouldn’t have. I’m sorry,” I said, looking at Raoul’s eyes. “I was scared. That’s the only explanation. At first, I thought it was just a one-night thing but I couldn’t figure out why I felt the way I did. The more I saw you, the more I avoided you because I was so scared that you would realize I was crazy about you.”
“Would it have been so terrible if I found out?” he asked.
“No, but at the time, it felt like a big deal. I know I’m too old for crushes and high school games, but I didn’t know what else to do.” I was desperately trying to explain but I know I was digging a hole for myself. The words that came out, it was one excuse after another. None of them really made sense.
“You could have talked to me,” he reminded.
“I know.” I sighed. My shoulders slumped, and I felt like my presence wasn’t wanted. I took a step back backwards, forcing myself into the hallway.
“Where are you going?” Raoul asked.
“I’m going to leave.”
“Why?”
“Because…” I looked back at him, meeting his gaze. “You have packing to do and I’m just making a mess of things.”
“Don’t you want to know what I think?” he questioned.
“I thought you were mad at me.”
Raoul took a step towards me, closing the gap between us. “I’m not thrilled with being ignored, especially when things could have been remedied with a simple conversation. Ignoring all of that, I’m happy that you’re here and I’m happy you told me how you felt.”
I kept my focus on him, waiting for a shoe to drop. He reached over and took my hands. After he gave them a squeeze, he leaned forward and kissed my lips sweetly.
“I’m happy to finally say that I love you,” he whispered. His lips brushed against mine as we looked into each other’s eyes. I could see so much emotion in his eyes that it nearly made me cry.
Letting go of his hands, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. My lips found his. The kiss started off sweet but the love that we were both feeling ramped up the passion and I held onto him a bit tighter.
I had no intentions of letting him go. Not now, not ever.
Epilogue
Six Months Later
Hannah
“What do you think about this one being right here?” I asked, holding up a framed picture against the wall. I looked to Raoul as I waited for his answer.
“I don’t know why you think we need to hang all my pictures up,” he said with a chuckle.
“Because they are amazing and I’m so proud of you. I think everyone deserves to see them,” I said, walking over to where he was to give him a kiss.
“The guys at the shop still give me shit about it,” he said with a smile. His arms went around my waist and I put the picture down on the nearby counter.
“They’re just jealous that you’ve become a local celebrity and people are paying you good money for your photographs. They pay even more for you to take them,” I reminded him, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“You talk like I’m something special,” Raoul teased.
“You’re something very special.”
We both laughed before sharing a sweet kiss. I held him a little tighter, not wanting to move away from him. I pressed my forehead against his and we stared into each other’s eyes. I could see so much happiness in Raoul’s that it made my heart swell with so much love.
We bought our new house a few weeks ago and were slowly getting settled in. I sold my small home. It was bittersweet since it was my first big purchase. My first house. But I knew I wanted to be wherever Raoul was.
Our search took us all over town. We had a vision in mind and we weren’t going to settle. There had to be a basement or a workshop, something that could be turned into Raoul’s studio. He also loved doing more with actual film so I suggested we find a house that has something he could use to turn into a dark room. I can still picture the look on his face, the way his eyes lit up with excitement.
“We’ll have to think of when to have our housewarming party,” I suggested as we continued to hold each other.
“And when to get a dog,” Raoul added.
I laughed. “I didn’t know that was part of the deal.”
“I just added it.”
I leaned in and kissed him ag
ain. I loved this man so much and I couldn’t imagine my life without him.
“We should probably unpack some more,” Raoul suggested between kisses.
“Later,” I mumbled before jumping into his arms.
Our kiss grew more heated, the passion between us never dying. Raoul walked towards our bedroom, pausing only when our kiss became too much and the emotions consumed us.
“I love you,” he mumbled before he kissed down to my neck.
“I love you,” I sighed, tipping my head to the side. My hands ran over his back as he carried me into the master bedroom.
He put me down gently, crawling over to lie beside me as he continued to kiss my neck.
“I’m going to marry you someday,” he said before capturing my lips.
I moaned against him softly and shifted my body so I could wrap my legs around him, needing him closer.
“You promise?” I managed to say before our lips met once more.
Raoul did more than make a promise to me. As we made love all afternoon, I knew there wouldn’t be anything to break us apart. He was my love, and I was his.
He will forever be my valentine.
♦♦♦
I looove enemies to lovers. I guess Raoul and Hannah aren’t really enemies but she’s more annoyed with him and making assumptions that almost got her in trouble. I can’t stop talking about them to my friends! I hope you enjoyed their story.
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About the Author
Kori Hart loooves OTT/insta-love romance! Her stories feature sexy Alpha males who meet the women destined to be their Queens. Happily Ever Afters are a must!
You can read her other stories on Amazon.
