Chance Encounters (4 page)

Matt spent so much time at the girl’s apartment that
Renee began to refer to them as her “roommates.” They attended all of Renee’s
functions, and Matt played nice with all of Renee’s boy toys. He didn’t mind as
long as Emma was on his arm.

Over the next year, Emma was promoted to having her own
column and she quickly became a household name in the newspaper community.
Matt’s career began to skyrocket as he became a plastic surgeon for the stars
at a top medical facility. He wooed her with flowers regularly, and they
escaped for romantic weekends together. Emma planned to spend the rest of her
life with him. Their first year together flew by and it felt like a honeymoon,
every day. They spent every waking moment together, wrapped in each other’s arms.

Matt surprised Emma one night by picking her up from work
in a big stretch limo. She thought to herself,
Oh my God this is it. He’s
finally going to pop the question
. He took her to an elite French restaurant
that required reservations months in advance. He smiled seductively at her all
throughout dinner. Emma could hardly eat she was frantic with anticipation.
Finally, she saw him reach for his inside breast pocket. She felt herself
getting excited; her heart was rapidly thumping in her chest. But, what she saw
him pull out of his pocket definitely was not what she was expecting. It was a
letter sized envelope, not a ring shaped box.

Matt meticulously laid out a cluster of documents in
front of her. She remembered thinking that maybe it was a pre-nup. He smiled
excitedly to her as he slid the documents across the table. “I have been
working with a realtor to find us the perfect place to live. I think I found
it. It’s in Malibu, right on the beach, and it’s perfect for us.” Speechless,
Emma looked over at the paperwork.

“Are you asking me to buy a house with you, Matt?” She
knew her tone probably came off as a little bitchy, but this really was not
what she had been expecting.

His face went from lit up, to disappointed. “Yes! What
else would this be about?”

Emma realized in that moment that he really was clueless
about what she had thought was going to happen. She grabbed the paper and
tucked it into her pocketbook without so much as reading it all the way
through. “I’d like to take a look at the place before I sign off on anything.”

He had a look of disenchantment on his face, but agreed
with her as he told her that he’d call the realtor to make arrangements to see
the place the following day.

THE NEXT DAY, Matt escorted her
through the huge open space of the massive house. It really was too large for
just the two of them, but she watched as he spun around with his arms wide open
in the grand room. “Can’t you picture it, Em? A bar over here, and the room
filled with all the people who will envy us and wish that they were us.”

Emma couldn’t help cracking up laughing as she wrapped
her arms around him. They stood together in the grand room and she looked
around. “It is perfect, Matthew. It’s so spacious, though. What will we do with
it all?” she asked him.

He pulled her closer to him and whispered in her ear,
“You can go shop and buy whatever you want to fill it. Decorate it anyway you
want, as long as it makes you happy.”

Emma remembered thinking that maybe just maybe it really
would be perfect. He showed her the rest of the house. It had five really large
bedrooms. It gave her hope that someday they would have children to fill the
rooms. He showed her the closet space, and Emma laughed as she realized that he
was more excited about the closets than she was. The final selling point was
the backyard. It had a koi pond with a cascading waterfall. There was a large
heated pool with a separate pool house that overlooked the ocean. It was
heavenly. It was more than she could have ever dreamt of.

Papers were signed the following day. That night, he
carried her over the threshold as if she were a new bride, and upstairs to
where their new bedroom would be. She spotted a bottle of champagne chilling on
ice, and blankets strewn about the floor.

“I just want you to be happy, Emma. I’d do anything for
you.”

He leaned over and kissed her with such passion she
wondered how she had ever lived without him in her life. That was how they
spent their first night in their new home.

By the next year they were completely settled in, so they
decided to throw their first huge holiday party to celebrate the occasion. They
spared no expense. They hired a party planner to come in and set up Christmas
bouquets and strings of lights. There were ice sculptures, and back drop lights
to enhance the mood. A DJ was hired, as were caterers. They even had a very
exclusive bakery make a special cake for the occasion. Everything was perfect.

Emma and Renee had spent the day getting their nails done
and then they made their way over to get their hair styled. Emma had a local
designer create a dress just for the occasion. Renee popped open a bottle of
champagne and handed her a glass. “So, bestie, who would have thought that in
two short years, you’d have gone from that mousy little waitress at my doorstep,
to Malibu’s most influential couple?”

She held up a local celebrity magazine. There, on the
first page, was a picture and matching article about her and Matthew. They had
actually managed to get a top story over Brad and Angelina. Emma grabbed the
magazine from Renee and read it. “Wow, Renee. It’s everything I have ever
wanted. Finally, after everything I’ve been through in my life. I think my
parents would have been happy.”

Renee hugged her best friend. “Your parents would be
proud of how far you have come. I am sure that they are looking out for you
still, honey.”

The party was a success. Emma was charming, and was the
perfect hostess while Matthew was the handsome host. The couple mingled all
night with their guests, and when they had the chance they would sneak tender
moments with each other just holding hands, or stealing a kiss. Emma didn’t
think life could get any better.

When the evening finally wound down, they stood in the
doorway waving goodnight to the last of their guests. Matt quickly closed the
door and locked it behind him. “Phew.” He turned back toward her and reached
out for her hands. “Is it really over? Because I don’t know about you, but I am
exhausted. Who would have thought that a holiday party could be so much work?”

Emma giggled back at him. “It’s all part of it I guess.”
He led her across the room and turned on the stereo. Pulling Emma into his
arms, he began to sway with her across the now empty floor.

“I don’t think I got a chance to tell you just how
beautiful you look tonight. You take my breath away, Em.” Emma melted into his
arms. She wanted to stay that way forever.

EMMA WOKE UP the next morning in her
hotel room, feeling alone. She reached out her hand to the side of the bed that
Matt usually slept on and cried. She longed to call him, but thought better of
it. She knew nothing good could come of it. So, she quickly showered and
dressed, eager to continue her drive. After grabbing a complimentary muffin and
coffee from the office, she hit the road just before eight in the morning. She
passed her way through New Mexico and into Texas. She decided to stop in
Shamrock, Texas at a place called Big Sly’s Steakhouse. It had great reviews on
Yelp.

She parked her car and walked inside the air-conditioned
building. As she walked in she happened to hear a familiar laugh. She stood at
the hostess stand and spotted the same tall man with wavy black hair that she
came across in Santa Rosa. He was walking toward the exit with his truck
driving companion. He stopped dead in his tracks when he noticed Emma and bowed
his head. “Well now, fancy meeting you here, ducky. Perhaps it is fate that has
allowed us to keep running into one another.”

Emma blushed a second time. She didn’t know how to respond
to this man, so she let out a giggle like a teenage girl. The truck driver
rolled his eyes, and with his deep rough voice he called out, “Okay, Romeo. We
don’t have time for romance now; we have a schedule to keep.”

The tall man took Emma’s hand in his and kissed it. “Well
then … until the next time we meet.”

As he was about to walk through the door, he turned back
toward her. “Oh by the way, try the filet mignon. It’s to die for.”

Just like that he was gone, back in the truck and off into
the world.

The waitress shook her head as she grabbed a menu, and gave
a cough to get Emma’s attention. “This way please.”

Emma followed the woman down the aisle. As she walked past
the table where her mysterious stranger had dined, she noticed something
sitting on the seat. It was a small, black, leather-bound journal. She quickly
reached over, picked it up, and tucked it under her arm.

The waitress led her to her table and gave her a minute to
look over the menu. Emma spotted an elderly couple sitting at the next table
over from her, holding hands and sharing food off of the same plate. She felt a
pang of jealousy run through her; she could only hope to be in love with
someone the way that they were when she was their age. The elderly woman
noticed Emma and she smiled kindly at her. “We have been happily married for
fifty-five years today,” the woman told her.

Emma smiled gently at the elderly couple. “That’s wonderful!
Congratulations to both of you,” Emma happily responded to her.

The woman looked around the restaurant and then back at her.
“Where is your husband, dear? Please tell me you are not travelling alone?”

Emma’s heart sank. “I am moving cross county to New York,
and I am not married. I have not been as fortunate as the both of you. Perhaps
someday, just not now.”

The couple reached over and kissed one another and returned
to eating their meal. Emma ordered the filet mignon and a glass of ginger ale.

While she waited for her food to arrive, she pulled out the
black book and began flipping through it. The first thing she noticed was that
the book belonged to Jacob Andrews. She thought about his name for a moment; it
suited him. She could see him as a Jacob. She continued to flip through the
book and noticed beautiful sketches that he had drawn along the way in his
travels. There was the Eifel Tower. Jacob had every last detail in this sketch
right down to the design on a passerby’s shirt. Emma was in awe of his talent.
She continued to flip through and catch a glimpse of the details of his story.
She had read a paragraph and quickly closed the book when she realized he was
describing himself as he made love to a woman in a vineyard in Italy. Emma
could feel herself blush. She was reading his most intimate moments and she
felt guilty for it. She hurriedly skimmed through the book until she came to
the last entry. She suddenly stopped and her breath caught in her throat. It
was a penciled sketch of her. Jacob managed to catch the same sadness on her
face that she was feeling in her heart. The caption underneath read, “Take this
sorrow to thy heart, and make it part of thee, and it shall nourish thee till
thou art strong again.”

Emma exhaled; she knew this quote well. It was from Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow's novel Hyperion. She was at a loss of words. She stared
at the drawing, unable to get past how real it looked. She ran her hands along
the sketch, amazed at the quality and how much it looked like a photo.

Emma didn’t hear the waitress approach. “Wow! That’s you, it
looks just like you. Whoever drew this really captured you, but you look so
sad.”

Emma quickly tucked the book into her bag. Perhaps she would
try to find a way to track him down and give it back. It would be a shame for
him to lose it, since it seemed to be his life’s story.

Emma enjoyed her lunch. She savored every bite of the
tender, juicy filet. Jacob had good taste. When she was through with her meal,
she paid the bill and got back into her car. After checking her phone, she
noticed she had two missed calls. She hesitated and then hit voicemail. The
first message was from Renee. She wanted to know where Emma was, and make sure
everything was okay. She also mentioned that Matt was driving everyone crazy
trying to track Emma down. “You know, Emma, maybe now that you are at a safe
distance you should call him. He’s just going to keep calling you until you
deal with it like a grown up. I’m just saying, the man is a mess, and maybe if
you both talk it out … well, who knows. I just want you happy. Call me when you
stop for the evening so that I know you are alive. Kisses.”

The message ended and Emma hit delete. The next message
began playing: “Emma, will you please call me back. I heard you left the state.
Where are you going? Don’t you think this is a little extreme? Baby, please
call me. I am such an ass, I know I am, but I want to make it right with us.
I’ll do anything for you, even if it means moving and starting over, I will.
Please just call me and talk to me …”

There was a long pause. Emma could hear what sounded like
Matt crying. Finally, he continued, “I love you, Em. It’s you and only you,
forever.” The message ended.

Emma rested her head on the headrest. “Ugh!” she cried out,
fighting back her own tears. How badly did she want to hear his voice? How
badly did she just want to pretend that none of it ever happened? However, it
did happen, and she didn’t know how often it had. She put the car in reverse
and set back out onto I-40.

The next eight hours dragged on for what felt like forever.
She only stopped for fuel and to use the restroom. She was determined to make
it to New York with plenty of time to spare before beginning her new job. Emma
looked around her as she drove. The scenery was nothing except open road, and
farmland after farmland. She turned on the radio and let her mind wonder about
the life she was leaving behind.

By the time they had been living together for five years,
Emma was at the point that she was going to be the one to ask him to marry her,
since he hadn’t asked her yet. They seemed to fall into a very comfortable
routine. He worked very long hours at his office, while Emma was busy with the
newspaper. They would have coffee together at the kitchen island every morning.
They would stand at their “his and hers” sinks while brushing their teeth.
She’d help him tie his ties, and he would kiss her on her forehead on the way
out the door. She had her girl’s night out once a week with Renee and their
friends, while Matt did the same with the guys. They also had their own date
night with each other at least once a week. They both became caught up in their
own routines and their work schedules, so they agreed that no matter how busy
their schedules would get, they would always make time for date night.

Date night usually consisted of Matt wining and dining
her with the finest that money could buy. On one of their dates, he surprised
her with a candle lit dinner on a private beach where they made love under the
stars. She couldn’t have asked for anything more.

Her career was beginning to take off; her articles
gaining notice nationwide. She was approached about numerous book deals, but
she held off by telling the publishers that someday she’d like to be able to
write a book, but not until she was settled down with her family. For the time
being, she just wanted to concentrate on the life she had with Matt.

When Matt became partner of his plastic surgery firm,
they celebrated. She felt untouchable. For the little country bumpkin that Emma
had started out as, this was truly a dream come true. But, something just
didn’t feel quite right. When she had mentioned her apprehension to Renee,
Renee thought she was crazy. “Oh, sweetness, do you have any idea how lucky you
are to have the life you do? Any girl would love to be in your position. Who
cares if he hasn’t popped the question yet? What does it really mean, anyway?
He’s yours, and you are his.”

Emma wasn’t satisfied with her friend’s response. Sure,
Matt was everything she could have ever asked for, but what was it all for if
they didn’t take the next step? They couldn’t stay like this forever; she
wanted a family, kids. Maybe she was old-fashioned, but she had always had an
image in her mind of how her life would turn out. She never imagined that
marriage would have to be one of those things she’d have to forfeit for the
life she thought she wanted.

EMMA’S GPS SIGNALED for her to pull
off of I-40. She followed the GPS to another La Vista Inn not too far off the
interstate in Little Rock, Arkansas. She got out and stretched her legs. “Ahhh,
it feels good to stand up,” she said to herself as she took in the sights
around her. It had been a really long day out on the road and she was tired,
both physically and emotionally. She walked into the lobby and was met by a
young, very pregnant woman. The woman smiled when she spotted Emma walking up
to the counter.

“Well hello there!” the girl happily greeted her. “Are you
traveling alone, or is your hubby in the car?”

Emma took a deep breath. She was beginning to feel like she
owed the whole world an explanation as to why a thirty-year-old woman was
traveling alone. “No, I am alone. I will just be staying the one night please.”
The girl looked sympathetically at Emma as if she were a lost soul.

“Sure, honey, not a problem.” The girl took down all of
Emma’s information and handed her a room key, and just like that the girl
turned back to the Lifetime movie she was watching on the TV.

Emma turned the key in the lock and entered her room. She
couldn’t help but notice it was exactly like the last one she stayed in. It
gave her a little comfort; at least it didn’t feel like a completely strange
place. Dropping her bag on the bed, she made her way into the bathroom to take
a long, hot shower and change into her pajamas.