Vince hated Valentine’s Day. It was actually his most hated day of the year. He never had a girlfriend, just broke up with one, or got in a fight with one. He never liked having to buy something for anyone unless it was himself. He really didn’t care much for anyone. He just liked being alone. At least that is what he told himself everyday. In reality deep inside he didn’t like being alone. He put on a strong face and demeanor, but he truly really wanted to know what it was like to be loved.
Sylvia hated Valentine’s Day. She remembers the times she would get forgotten and the times she was alone. It always seemed that every Valentines day she was alone. She hated it, her co-workers and family members always get flowers or candies around this time. They would always look at her and wonder where hers were. She never said anything; just let them believed what they wanted. She could have told them that she had someone waiting for her at home waiting to surprise her, but she did not like to lie. So she just said nothing. She really would like to have someone in her life, but unfortunately it just isn’t happening.
Today Vince was walking down the street trying to avoid the couples. This is what he hated the most about Valentine’s Day, watching the crazy in love folks walk down the street. He wanted to puke and yell at them all to get a room, but instead he held his head high. He was a happy bachelor and wanted everyone to know it, at least on the outside.
He passed by the flower shop and looked in, he could see tons of people inside, and the flowers were almost gone. He felt compelled to go inside he didn’t know why, but he just walked right in.
Sylvia decided this year she was going to get something to put on her desk, even if it was the last minute. She ran around looking for a flower shop. She dodged all of the hand holding couples that made her sick. She pushed her glasses up on her nose while she walked. She was a woman on a mission to make sure everyone thought that she had a boyfriend or at least a date tonight. She really hated being alone, but she knew it was how it was going to be for now at least. She stopped in front of the busiest store. She walked in and looked around. Most of the bouquets were gone. The ones that were the prettiest were gone. She knew she should have gone earlier, but oh well. Good thing she had the day off today. She moved quickly in one direct and ran right into someone.
Vince was looking about when he felt someone run right into his chest. He looked down to see a mess of blonde hair. “Hey watch where ya going buddy,” he said.
Sylvia backed off of the person she just ran into and looked up. “Who ya calling buddy?” she retorted. She adjusted her glasses as she stared in the blue eyes of a brown haired man.
“Crap you’re a girl.” Vince stared down at the mousy woman as she looked up at him. “Sorry about that.”
“If you weren’t so tall you wouldn’t have run into me.”
“I didn’t run into you, you ran into me.” Vince couldn’t believe what he heard from this little woman.
“Whatever.” Sylvia started moving in the direct of the bouquet she was eying.
“Excuse me aren’t you going to say I’m sorry?”
“No. Why should I? Now if you would excuse me I have my eye set on something.”
“Hey there,” Vince grabbed Sylvia by the arm.
“Let me go.” Sylvia pulled her arm away. “What is wrong with you?” She swatted at him.
“Nothing, you owe me an apology.”
“Don’t worry about it; I won’t take offense, now if you would excuse me.” Sylvia stared in the direction of the bouquet and realized it was gone. “Now look what you did! You made me miss my bouquet.” She stared feeling water well up in her eyes.
Vince looked down at this feisty girl watching her eyes start to fill with water. “No don’t cry…I hate when women cry.” He tried to calm her down. “Look I’ll take you out to lunch right now if you promise not to cry.”
Sylvia was getting ready cry when she heard him say take her to dinner. She looked up at him thinking that his idea was better than any idea she had come up for herself. She frowned and let the tears roll down her face.
“Look ok it was my fault, just don’t cry.” He didn’t want to cause a scene. Good thing everyone was busy running around and ignoring this scene. “Look come on now.”
“You’d really take me to lunch?” she sniffed. She looked up at him with her eyes filled with tears.
“Yes, just please don’t cry.”
“Ok,” she sniffed. “My name is Sylvia by the way.” She reached out her hand and took his.
“Nice to meet you Sylvia my name is Vince. I know a great place for us to go, do you like Italian?”
Sylvia thought about this she really wanted to show everyone at work that she wasn’t alone on Valentine’s Day. She knew exactly where she wanted to go because all of the women from work were going to be this afternoon. “How about Chinese there is this restaurant around the corner that’s just perfect.
“Sure.” Vince had decided he was going to do everything possible so she wouldn’t cry. Plus he felt like he needed the company for today. He was feeling a bit alone and even though she wasn’t the type of company he liked, he was willing to spend time with her.
Sylvia smiled and then looked to see if there was a bathroom or something to freshen up. “I’ll be right back.” She went into the rest room and took her hair down. She pulled out the makeup out of her bag and put it on. She added eye shadow and lipstick. She looked like a totally different person when she left the bathroom. She walked to where Vince was standing. His back was facing her. “I’m back.”
He turned around looking and saw a completely different person in front of him. “Sylvia?” She looked so different, but then he noticed the way she did her nose.
“Yep, I can sure clean up, can’t I?” She smiled. He wasn’t her type. She was going to enjoy this for now.
“Yes you can.” He smiled and looked at her. “Let’s go.”
“I’m ready.”
They took the short stroll the restaurant and were able to find a table. Sylvia looked around and noticed her co-workers she smiled as she sat down. They had seen her this way before and would recognize her in a heart beat. She saw as Nosy Rosie saw her first and then she turned her attention to Vince.
Vince was enthralled by Sylvia. She looked great. He asked her, “What do you do for a living?”
“I’m an analyst. What do you do for a living?” Sylvia looked at him. He was handsome and she hoped he was smart.
“I’m an architect.”
“That’s nice.” Sylvia smiled and looked down at the menu to decide what she wanted for lunch. “So what kind of designs do you do?”
“I enjoy designing archways for buildings. I really love using unique shapes with the buildings.” Vince smiled as he talked about his designs.
Sylvia watched him and listened. She had forgotten about her co-workers. He really enjoyed making unique things. He was really brilliant and passionate about what he does.
The two talked throughout their lunch together. Vince paid the ticket walked with Sylvia outside.
Sylvia smiled up at Vince as they talked. “I really had a good time. Thanks so much for your special treat.”
Vince smiled back at Sylvia. “Me too and it’d be nice to do again.”
“Yes it would.”
“Here,” Vince handed Sylvia his card. “This is my number.”
Sylvia reached into her purse and pulled out her card. “Here is mine.” She smiled. “See you later.” She blushed as she stood there; she thought he was a great guy.
“Yes most definitely.” Vince smiled at her. He wanted to hug her, but he just stood there. He smiled. “By the way, have a Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Thanks you too.” Sylvia smiled and walked in the direction of her apartment. Today was a good Valentine’s Day.