The Story of Blood and Roses

"Mr. Gray attended both days of the conference. He left midway today, though."

I gulped.

"Thank you," I whispered before turning away.

"Are you okay?" David asked.

"Yes!" I replied a bit too quickly. "I just thought that the name sounded familiar." I shook my head, chuckling, trying to make light of the situation.

He shrugged it off. We entered a mall close by and tried to figure out where the restaurants were. It was pretty easy when we realized it was on the top floor. We took the escalator. I leaned against a side and started chatting with David.

"Is this your first time in Glasgow?" I asked him. He said that it was. "I came here for a conference on gender studies a while ago and it was wond-"

My head whipped around.

"Mia?" I heard him say, but my eyes were fixated on the person on the other escalator. My hand throbbed with the contact. The faint brush of warmth against my fingers seemed to burn. It had been years since I had felt his touch.

Anthony...

"Mia?"

"Yes?" I turned back to David.

"Is there something wrong? Where did you go just now?" He seemed uncomfortable, suddenly.

"I am sorry I am acting so weird. I am a bit spooked from earlier. Don't mind me. I'm usually not such a bother." He smiled reassuringly as we got off the escalator. He guided me towards a restaurant and found us a seat.

It was easy to get my mind off Anthony from then on. We spoke about our interests and what had inspired us to write our papers. He asked about what had me speaking so passionately, and I told him about the villages I had stayed in, the NGOs I had worked with. He was impressed.

Food was ordered and we laughed at our choice. He had ordered a pasta while I went with the noodles. Just like old times. My days of eating instant food had stopped once I had more time on my hand to learn how to cook. That day was full of nostalgia.

I glanced up to thank the waitress when she arrived with the food. The strangled thank you didn't seem to register with either of the two people in front of me. I was not even looking at them.

I was staring at Anthony.

He was sitting across the room, facing me, his eyes fixed on me. I could tell that he had something on his mind. The small smile on his lips intrigued me. He raised his fork in acknowledgement. I looked down and laughed when I saw that he had ordered the same as I had.

"What is it?" David asked.

"Nothing," I said, shaking my head. I twirled my fork and picked up a chunk of my noodles. I took the opportunity to risk a sly glance at Anthony as I put the fork in my mouth. "So, tell me more about your area of expertise."

As he spoke, I found myself thoroughly distracted. I heard him, I understood him, but I just couldn't take my mind off the man across the room, now that he had acknowledged my existence.

The butterflies in my stomach didn't help matters in the least.

"Hey, David?" I spoke up. I could see that he was about to say something. "I am sorry to interrupt, but would you mind if I go over and speak to an acquaintance of mine?" He seemed surprised.

"Sure, go ahead. I would love to meet her!" I slid off my seat and headed towards him.

Anthony's eyes widened as I closed in on him.

He wouldn't be able to run this time.

I stopped right beside his chair. I stared at his eyes. They seemed soft but panicked.

"Hi," I whispered. He nodded, not knowing what to do.

"Your friend is rather curious and unsure as to why you are so shyly speaking to such an elderly man," he commented, trying to sound as disinterested as he could. Either his acting skills had deteriorated, or I was a little bit better at reading him. Maybe it was a little of both.

"Did you like my paper?" It was very important to me. I knew he was there, dammit, and I needed to know what he thought of it.

"It was wonderful. I could see how hard you had worked. You were so patient while answering all the silly questions, too. I am so proud of you." I sucked in a breath.

[Your comments are most welcome. Actually, I crave your comments. I hope all of you are doing well and can make me feel a whole lot better about ending the story. It's been a while since I have ended posting a story and become unbelievably sad about it. Like, comment, and spread the word about my story. Let's do this!]

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