The Story of Blood and Roses

He was easily spotted, being as tall as he was. Indeed, he was not wearing his regular suit, but a nice pair of jeans and a flannel shirt. When he saw me approaching, he gave me the best smile that he could manage.

"How has work been?" I asked him slyly, remembering that the question seemed to be a protocol for dates.

"All fine," he grumbled, sipping at the glass of water, disdainfully. It was clear that he didn't like the no-alcohol clause of this meeting.

"So, should we order first and see where it goes after that?" I suggested. He played along.

There was no anger or pride from either of our sides when the waiter seemed to check us both out. I would say it was a sign that we were doing the right thing. We were better off as friends.

"You're planning on relocating?" he asked as he shoved a forkful of noodles into his face. I nodded, cutting the piece of chicken. Finally giving it up I just stuck the fork into it and bit down on it instead.

"Have you decided where you'll go or what you want to do?"

"I have some plans, but I don't want to say it out loud, yet. I want it to be kept under the wraps." He sighed.

"You trust me, right?" his voice was filled with insecurity.

"I do, but it's more of a luck thing than you giving me away. I just don't want anyone overhearing," I assured him.

"I hope you will contact me when you feel secure." There was no hope in his voice, though. I almost felt sad. I also considered lying, but that wouldn't solve any problems either.

"Don't expect me to, that's all I am going to say."

"I know that it is difficult to go through so many changes in such a short time, Bells, but I just wanted you to know that I'll be here if you need me. I don't need to put a ring on your finger to protect you from other people. I was selfish when I did it, and I know it had a huge impact... but... it was selfish on my part to even propose when you were in such a vulnerable position."

"We are all human. You were looking out for yourself, too. I understand, Jake. It's fine." I wanted to make it sound trivial, but we needed to fight through this—clear the air. "The ring brought me some sort of protection and it got you the position and respect that you needed. We all won in the end." I shrugged.

"How can you say those words so nonchalantly?" The fork fell on the plate and I saw his hands fist around the table cloth.

"There is no use crying a river over something that can't be changed. Beating around the bush and pretending that we were actually in love is moot." I stopped, waiting for the flinch, but it never came. "Jake, I know you wanted more, but why did you..."

"It was a fantasy. I just needed to fulfil it, I think. I've always wanted to marry you... since we were children actually." He chuckled as he picked his fork up again. "When you said yes, I was so happy!" and then he shook his head. "I soon realized that you would never marry me if you had the choice. And I let you have it."

"I wondered about that. I still don't know why you would never push me to marry you."

"I thought about doing it sometimes, but it never felt right. I love you, I really do, but in a real-world where you didn't love me back, it was impossible for me to force you into a marriage."

"So you were happy letting me be your fiancé?"

"I was." I smiled back at him.

"You could have asked to have the ring back, you know?" he shook his head.

"It belongs to you," he whispered. "That ring was meant for you, and for no one else."

"Thank you, Jacob," I whispered. We ate our food in silence after that.

"So, this is it," he said. I nodded. "This is the last time we meet." The words were for him more than they were for me.

"I hope you will remember me," I joked.

"No one can forget you. It's impossible." And I knew that he truly believed in what he was saying.

His phone—the one that never seemed to stop ringing, started vibrating again. He tried his best to ignore it, but it just went on and on.

"Why don't you pick that up," I suggested. "I should be leaving, now. I've been out for a few hours, and I'm trying to lay low."

"Just a bit longer," he whined. I giggled, shaking my head.

"I really need to get planning. I'm supposed to leave within a few days."

"Okay," he muttered, resigned. We shared the bill. And then we walked out of the restaurant together. We turned and stared at each other for a moment.

"Last meeting, huh?"

"Yeah."

"You look beautiful today," he commented.

"Goodbye, Jake..." I took the opportunity to sprint across the street and get into the car. I watched him in the rear-view mirror as I drove away.

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