Sweeter Than Chocolate: Valentine's Day Anthology

by Gina Kincade

  Stepping back a little, I watch as Jillian goes to David, the love in her eyes as she looks at him is apparent. “David,” I say a little gruffly. He stands, still holding her hand. “If I ever hear of her being unhappy, any small chance that she could be even remotely sad, I will fucking beat the shit out of you.”

  He nods quickly and shakes slightly. “Yesssss, sir.” Suddenly, he looks at her and stops shaking instantly. The look on his face changes from fear to admiration and love. When he looks at me, my eyes widen as my brows raise. “There’s no need to worry, Nolan. I would never ever do anything to cause Jillian or our child any amount of unhappiness.” He looks back at her and smiles. “I love them too much to ever let anything bad happen to them.”

  We talk for a while. After scaring the shit out of David, I saw his backbone kick in and have to admit, after much discussion with them, he’s a good man for my sister. I was informed that Mother still won’t have anything to do with Jillian. Unbelievable, but not surprising.

  ***

  An excruciating month has passed. Diana won’t return my texts or calls. After the last night we spent together, it’s as if something changed. I’ll be damned if I can figure out what. I feel lost. Alone. Devastatingly depressed. I haven’t slept well, have not eaten much, and have lost weight I didn’t need to lose.

  “Nolan?” I look over from the computer screen at David as he walks into my office. “Lancaster is ready to sell.” I sit back in my chair, the one thing I’ve been waiting for—for years—and I’m not sure I care anymore. “Did you hear me? It’s time. He’s ready to relinquish his company to you.”

  Rubbing my eyes, I look at him. “Set it up.”

  He smiles. “I already have. Tomorrow. Ten o’clock sharp in the conference room.” Tilting his head, he gives me a concerned look. “No offense. You look like shit.” I feel worse than shit. I feel as though I’ve lost the best thing to ever happen to me. “C’mon. This is going to be the day you’ve been waiting for.” I shrug. “And you need to eat!” He stands, and I watch him walk to the door. “I’m going to go get your favorite lunch from the Chinese place. Be right back.”

  Sitting up, I lean my elbows on my desk, raising my arms and resting my forehead against my hands. The most important day in my life and I can’t share it with Diana. I’d seen it all in my mind. The house surrounded by a white picket fence. A swing set in the back yard. The vision of her swollen stomach carrying our child. “Fuck, I’m a fool,” I whisper.

  The next morning, I’m full of energy. Anger fueling it. Last night, I drank until I couldn’t feel anymore. Then I got angry. Really angry. I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t hurt her or offend her in any way. This isn’t on me. I. Did. Nothing. Wrong. Then why am I so miserable without her? I want to know what changed. How she could act like maybe she was falling in love with me too only to leave and never speak to me again. And dammit, one way or another, I’m going to find out. First, I’m going to buy the next largest corporation.

  “He’s late,” I say through gritted teeth.

  My staff and I have been sitting in the conference room for nearly twenty minutes now waiting for Lancaster. Maybe he’s changed his mind. The coward.

  The door opens, and a man walks in. “We sincerely apologize for being late.” My staff and I stand. My foot taps as I wait for his entrance, wanting to get this over with. The man steps aside beside the door and my mouth drops open when others enter the room.

  “What’s the meaning of this?” Anger turns into confusion and back into anger.

  “Again, I apologize,” the man says. He’s really starting to piss me off. “There’s a change in attendance this morning. May I introduce Ms. Diana Lancaster, the late Spencer Lancaster’s daughter.”

  “What do you mean, the late Spencer Lancaster?” David asks the question in my mind, but I can’t remove my eyes from Diana. She’s a vision, standing there full of pride. Her ballroom attire replaced with a gray pencil skirt and a white blouse underneath a blazer the same color gray.

  “My father passed away a month ago,” she speaks clearly, her stance of strength. “It was his wish to sell his corporation to Aldridge Enterprises, so I am here to make that happen.” She pulls up the strap of her purse over her shoulder.

  I can’t move, can’t speak. This is all so unreal, like a dream. More like a nightmare. She’s Lancaster’s daughter? Why didn’t she tell me? Why hide it? Was she out to learn my company’s secrets? Was she just there to use me? I can’t wrap my head around anything.

  “If everyone would please take a seat,” David speaks and mechanically, I sit, staring across the table into the eyes of my enemy. The Ball. The fucking. I’d been dancing with the enemy. David and the man who accompanied Diana began talking about conditions, but I can’t stop staring at her.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” I ask in a low voice.

  “I didn’t know who you were until the last night we were together,” she answers, her voice soft and sweet. Just how I remember.

  “How did you learn that then? I didn’t tell you?” We never said our last names or the work we did, even though I did try to find out from her.

  “The letters,” she whispers. The letters? Then it hits me. The letters the people who had written Nicole’s family about her donating her organs.

  I shake my head, confused. “Then you left? Making up another excuse for running away from me.” My brows lower. “Maybe you’re good at that. Running away.”

  I watch her throat constrict as she swallows. “One million dollars,” she says loudly. Everyone in the room stops talking and stares at her. Is she crazy? That’s highway robbery in this business.

  “Why would you sell for a million? It’s worth at least five,” I ask. What game is she playing now?

  She sits up straighter. “My father’s dying wish was to sell his corporation to you. That is what I’m doing. I don’t need your money. I’m carrying out his wish.” There has to be a catch. No one in their right mind would sell that large of a corporation for a measly million. Is she out to make me a fool? “Nolan. This is no joke, no game, nothing more than fulfilling my father’s last wish.” I watch as her eyes well up with tears. “Please. Take it,” she whispers.

  “Sold!” My voice gruff, my heart broken.

  We all stand, and the man begins to escort Diana from the room. “Draw up the papers,” he says opening the door. “Send them over and Ms. Lancaster will sign, and I’ll return them immediately. Good day.”

  I sit here in a stupor. Everyone is leaving, but I can’t seem to move. I want to run after her, grab her arms and shake her, beg her to stay. I want to yell at her, ask her if she’s insane then kiss the hell out of her. I want to tell her I love her then ask her why she hurt me so badly. Suddenly, I stand, run around the long table and out the door. Looking down the hall, I watch the elevator doors open and start running. Just as Diana walks into the elevator, I push the rest of her group aside and step inside, blocking them from entering until the doors close.

  “Diana,” I whisper.

  She looks down, clutching her purse tightly. “Please. Let me go, Nolan.” Reaching around me, she pushes a button then stands against the wall.

  Placing my hand underneath her chin, I push it up until her eyes look into mine. “You left me. Didn’t return my texts. My phone calls. Did I do something to cause you to run away?” She shakes her head ever so slightly, tears forming in her beautiful eyes. “Then why? What changed, Diana?”

  Her chin quivers in my hand. “It’s nothing you did, Nolan. I just…I can’t explain.” She purses her lips. “It’s better this way.”

  “For who?” She isn’t making any sense. “I found something I never thought I’d ever have. Happiness. Forgiveness. Love.” Her eyes widen as a tear drops from her eye. “Yes. Love, Diana. I love you.” I shake my head not believing it myself. “I want you. I need you. Not because I can’t forgive myself or being with you takes my mind off my troubles. No. I’ve forgiven myself. You helped
me see that I could. I love you for you.” Releasing her chin, I reach up and cup the side of her face, my fingers moving into her soft hair. I stare into her eyes, the most beautiful blue eyes. “Your heart. Your soul.”

  A ding sounds and the doors open. She escapes my grasp and starts walking off the elevator and into the parking garage. I grab her arm, her purse sliding down. “Diana. Please. Let’s talk.”

  She looks over her shoulder, struggling to get free. “Don’t you see,” she cries. “You’ll end up hating me.”

  Pulling hard, she breaks free, her purse falling off her arm and onto the ground. Quickly, she leans down, picks it up, and begins running.

  “Diana!”

  Taking a step into the garage, I hear a sound and look down. Tires screeching causes me to look up and around. She’s gone. Confusion and overwhelming sadness fill me. So many unanswered questions. My heart breaks for the second and last time. If I can’t have her, I don’t want anyone else. Turning to get back on the elevator, my foot slips from something underneath. Looking down, I see a piece of paper and pick it up. Not paper. An envelope. A pink envelope with the same return address as the envelopes sitting on my coffee table at home. What in the hell is going on?

  Chapter Eleven

  Confusion and hurt takes me to my office, slamming the door as I enter. Sitting down, I remove the letter from the envelope, wondering why in the hell she had it.

  To whom it may concern,

  I was twenty-two years old when my family took a vacation. Little did we know what tragedy would befall us. A car hit us head on. My father tried to swerve out of its way, but it hit us hard. That day we lost my mother and my little brother, who was thirteen. My father and I were in the hospital for days. I was in critical condition. Broken bones, shattered knee, and my eyes were damaged from the impact. When I awoke, I thought my eyes were just blurry from being asleep for so long. I had cornea damage. I was nearly blind. My life changed. I went to a special school to finish college, my friends forgotten. I would never be the same again. Over time, I learned to adapt, but my memories of colors, shapes, scenery, and my own face started deteriorating along with my self-esteem. I was twenty-five when we found out that if a cornea donor could be found I might have a chance to fully see again.

  One day, we got the call. My nervousness for the two surgeries I would have to endure was overpowered by the hardship and grief people were going through from the loved one they had lost that was gracious enough to donate their organs. As I went through the surgeries, I prayed for the person who had donated their corneas, and the gratitude I had for them. I could never repay them or those they loved, but I would find a way to do something.

  I don’t know your name, what you were like, or what took you away from this life, but thank you. Thank you so much for your selflessness for donating your corneas. Where I thought I’d live my life without being able to fully see again, I found I can see clearly now for the first time. I will always remember and pray for you.

  God bless you,

  My eyes widen as tears flow down my cheeks.

  Diana

  It couldn’t be. Diana has Nicole’s corneas? It must be true. Why else would she have taken the letter? I knew there was one more. I didn’t miscount. Why didn’t she want me to know? Selfless. “You’ll end up hating me.” Does she think if I knew I’d end up hating her because she has a small piece of Nicole inside her? That’s ridiculous. Isn’t it? “Of course it is.”

  Placing the letter back into the envelope, I fold it and stick it into my pocket. I’m nearly to the door when it opens, stopping me. “Was that Diana Lancaster in the parking garage?” Jillian points behind her.

  I grab her arms, searching her eyes. “Jillian. Do you know Diana Lancaster?” She nods shakily.

  “Well, I used to. We were friends in school, but then she got into an accident, and I never saw her again.” She gives me a confused look. “Why?”

  “Jillian. Listen carefully. Do you know where she lives?” If I could just find her, tell her I love her and nothing else matters.

  She looks up, biting her fingernail. “Well, I mean…I used to sleep over at her house, but Nolan, that was like ten or more years ago. Doesn’t mean she still lives there.”

  Turning, I run over to my desk and write down the address Jillian gives me. Pushing a button on my phone, I yell, “David! Go to this address. Find out if Diana Lancaster lives there. If she does, pretend you have a delivery of some kind. If she doesn’t—find her!”

  “Yes, sir!” he yells back.

  Grabbing Jillian’s arms again, I’m panting from my exertion. “Fill in David with what I’m telling you. I have to find her. She’s the woman I’ve been seeing.” Her eyes widen as she smiles. “She thinks something happened that I won’t be able to deal with. That’s the furthest from the truth. Help David find her. If you do and see her, don’t approach her. Okay?” She nods excitedly. “Just let me know immediately.”

  I start to walk to the door when Jillian grabs my arm. “I’m so happy for you, Nolan. I’ll do everything I can to help.”

  I feel as if I’ve been given a second chance. I know Nicole’s corneas in Diana’s eyes doesn’t mean Nicole is part of her. Diana is her own person, but I think she has this weird idea that I wouldn’t take it well and would push her away. She didn’t want to hurt me, make me feel like somehow I wouldn’t want her anymore. God, you silly, wonderful, selfless woman. Putting me before yourself. Dammit! I wish she was here so I could tell her that. Kiss her senseless and show her just how much I love her.

  ***

  Two weeks have passed, and we still haven’t located where Diana lives.

  “You’re gonna love me,” David says walking into my office and sitting in his usual chair.

  “What?” I ask signing some papers.

  “I found out where Diana lives.” I look up and see him holding up a piece of paper. “You love me, right?” Standing, I reach across the desk to get the paper when he moves it away. “You love me.”

  “Yes, dammit!” I yell trying to snatch the paper. Smiling, he lets me take it, and I sit down. Glancing at it, my heart begins to beat at full speed. Looking at David, I smile. “I need one more favor from you and Jillian.” He nods sitting up and leaning on my desk. “It may be a little devious. You up for it?” He nods eagerly. “Good. Now, it’s almost Valentine’s Day.”

  Valentine’s Day. The first time we’d met. Valentine’s Day will be the moment I get her back. Now, I need to think of a way to see her, make her understand that it’s her that I love. Nothing will change that. She made me realize that I can’t go back and change things with Nicole. But I’ll be damned if I can’t find happiness in my future and Diana’s.

  ***

  “And you’re sure she will be there?” I ask Jillian as she helps me with my tie.

  She smiles. “Yes, I’m sure.” Fixing my tie, she steps back. “You look so handsome.”

  I look in the mirror then turn to her. “Thanks. I’m nervous. What if this doesn’t work? What if she doesn’t show?” Worse yet, what if she refuses to listen?

  After I asked David if he and Jillian would help me set this up, I spent that evening telling them everything that has happened. Jillian gasped then her eyes filled with tears as I read Diana’s letter. Jillian then knew what had happened to her friend, why she disappeared, and sympathized why Diana felt what she did about me. “After what you told her about your relationship, I can see why she feels that by having even a small piece of Nicole, you would grow to hate her for it.” After that, I understood Diana was afraid to make me uncomfortable even though I could never feel that away with her. I’ve thought about it long and hard and know without a shadow of a doubt that I love Diana. Only Diana. We are meant to be together. Forever.

  “Nolan. David and I have everything set up and there’s no way she won’t show.” She starts biting her fingernail.

  “Jillian? What did you do?” Why does this make me even more nervous?

>   She looks up and around then back at me. “Well, we kind of told a small lie.” She puts two fingers together, leaving a very small space between them.

  I fold my arms over my chest, not liking where this is going. “Just how small?”

  Walking over, she smiles as she pulls on my arm. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. Now, put on your mask and go. You’re going to be late.” She hands me the mask, and I purse my lips.

  “It’s so…red,” I grumble.

  She pushes my back, nudging me to my front door. “It’s the theme, silly! You know, Valentine’s Day?” I wish it could be more masculine.

  Nervousness subsides as the cab pulls up to the curb. Determination replaces fear as I get out of the cab and go inside. The room is decorated beautifully. Reds and pinks everywhere. The centerpieces on the tables. The tablecloths. Decorations of hearts hanging from the ceiling sporadically throughout the room. People are mingling, adorned in gorgeous gowns of various reds and pinks, the gentlemen with a red boutonniere tucked in their tux coats. I have to hand it to David and Jillian. They did an amazing job.

  Walking over to the bar, I order a drink and turn to face the room. My palms are sweaty, anxiety on high, but I’m determined to make her see reason. After my second drink, I decide not to have any more. I need to keep my wits about me. Just as I order a glass of water, I turn just in time to see a woman walk into the room. Long blonde hair flowing down her back with strands of curls laying over her shoulders. The sides are pulled up with small ringlets on each side of her beautiful face. The red in her mask is the same as her long dress, both with darker red sequins covering them. Her shoulders are bare, and I can’t stop looking at how deep the front of her dress is cut, exposing her cleavage. She’s wearing long white gloves that stop at her elbows. She looks like one of those princesses you see in movies, only she’s so much more beautiful.