Their Double Blessing

“You already did and I approved it. Any tweaks needed were done by me and your top notch team. There’s nothing else you can do or change without messing with your business. If she can’t handle it then the relationship isn’t meant to be. I believe it is but that’s life,” Cynthia sighed.

“I’m not sure that I can accept that. After turning away from that arranged thing how can I lose out now?” George looked Cynthia in the eye. She was the woman with all the answers. But this seemed impossible to know.

Cynthia reached across and took his hand. “We will cross that bridge if that happens.”

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Patricia sat in the middle of her bedroom. The first thing she did upon returning was take a nap. Being on cloud nine and disappointed at the same time was complicated. It seemed ungracious to be mad that her billionaire boyfriend had to travel for business. She knew he would have to go away at some point. Working with multiple businesses across the globe meant flying out of the country for all kinds of functions and meetings. Yet she’d gotten used to having access to him. Sure they were apart for a bit but two months so early in their relationship was a lot. He would call of course but that wasn’t the same as face to face.

Their night together had been magical. After staying away from men for years she never thought such a thing was going to happen. But George changed her mind. No matter what was next, she knew he would do his best to keep her happy. A man who didn’t put himself before everyone else was the perfect person to enter her life. That night at the penthouse was seared into memory in the best way. He was right to pick that as their date spot.

Now she was alone, having risen from her nap to start cleaning the apartment. Determined to make it perfect for when he returned. Good thing Mary wasn’t there to ask if she’d lost her mind. Working hard to turn this small space into something new, the kitchen was first made spotless, then the living room along with the sofa bed. She entered her own room and started re-organizing everything in sight. Saving the bathroom for last.

But halfway through something stopped her. The realization that this wasn’t about George. She was doing this because there was nothing that could be done. He was gone for two months and she couldn’t make him stay. Their love had blossomed to the point she wanted to be around him all the time. Which was why he could take a big step in inviting her to his penthouse. Where they started with that crazy dinner. Learning he ate veal and swan were the biggest shockers. But men in her past had done way worse than have weird eating habits.

George had become a new constant in her life. Sure, he was a billionaire with businesses to run, but she was special to him from the get go. The soulmate he never thought existed. She needed convincing and the memory of almost rejecting him made her heart ache. Imagine throwing all of this away because of a hard past? Romance had re-entered her life, turning everything into something new. After years of protecting her heart from those who would break it again she was now with a man who only wanted to bring her joy and happiness.

For her that was huge. Men had become dangerous creatures to keep at arm’s length. Sure there were those trusted enough to be friends but dating and romance had been off the table. Both to avoid drama and heartache. Why put yourself through predictable strife? The idea of yet another person using romance as a poison to hurt her was too much. There was so much out there other than another bad relationship. Focusing on activism and friendship helped rebuild her self esteem and worth. It was not easy putting yourself back together. Especially when those around you didn’t understand anything was wrong. Like her sister.

Mary had been both right and wrong in the end. Correct about love still being out there for her. George was the man who would take care of her forever. As long as nothing came between them. Though it seemed short of a plane crash, he was determined to be there. Wrong in that Patricia had to keep dating around and digging through trash for a good man. He came anyway without her having to break herself into pieces just for a second chance. That was something the hardened woman refused to do and it was the right choice in the end.

Now she had to accept that life had changed. Yes it was obvious but a part of her was still operating in the past. Like trying to keep things perfect and using work to cover up pain. She missed George but instead of accepting that was trying to wash it all away. If the apartment was spotless her mind somehow put that with him being closer to returning. But that wasn’t reality. He was going to be away for two months on business. One day it might be three or six months. What would she do then? This was a wakeup call to the life she was entering.

Patricia started to cry. She was trying to keep both this new life and her old one. Refusing to budge on the reality that something had to give. George was moving heaven and earth to keep her happy, what had she given up to do the same? Taking a chance on him was no longer enough. Now it was her turn to consider what needed to be sacrificed in order for them to be with each other. She loved her community, friends and this tiny home. But George wasn’t going to give up his entire life to move in with her. That would be ludicrous.

The truth was staring her in the face. If she loved him then the next step was pulling away from this life. When their relationship became public she would also need bodyguards eventually as the paparazzi and those who targeted George turned their sights on Patricia. Staying in this city was going to be impossible. Being with him meant giving up the life she’d come to love. But if he was the man of her dreams. What other choice was there?

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Mary walked in with Ronald as if it were vogue. Not giving the other woman time to shout before sitting him on the sofa. Both looked flushed and excited. Dressed in what anyone could tell were expensive threads. “Now don’t get mad. I had to bring him over. At least he’s here in front of you instead of me going behind your back. Patricia ,I wanted to tell you face to face. I have the best news in the world and I need you to be my sister who is happy for me.”