(2)

THREE YEARS LATER

HOTEL EDELWEISS

It was a very pleasant evening with snow drifting down the entire courtyard, a million stars shimmering in the night sky. The walls glimmered with the light from the ancient fireplace.

The tantalising aroma from the kitchen beckoned all from far and near.

Herr Kaufman always said that the hotel had been in his family for years and that every tile, every brick was imported from his hometown in germany.

His wife and daughters were in charge of the kitchen in order to keep the recipes in the family.

It was at this very place that the Brennholtz Institute chose to host the graduation party of their trainees.

Nathaniel and Henriette have had memorable encounters during the course of their training over the years, some more memorable than others.

Tonight,he planned on telling her his true feelings for her and he was scared out of his mind.

He intends to ask her out to dinner every night for the rest of her life. Now that they had both being selected as part of the team for the job offer at Brennholtz Group,he planned on spending the rest of his life with her in the picturesque little town in the Swiss mountain she called home.

They had decided they would attend the graduation party together but she called at the last hour to inform him that she would meet him there instead.

At about seven pm, the doors of the hall opened and Henri walked in, looking like the cover girl of the most expensive magazine.

She was wearing a little black dress and a silver high heeled sandals. Her black hair fell way past her shoulders.

She was absolutely gorgeous. She scanned the room looking for him and when she saw him,she waved at him with a smile but he could sense she was tensed and her eyes didn't light up the way it did when she was genuinely happy.

Nate: You are amazing.. you look really amazing. I mean, you look very lovely.

Henri: Thank you Nathaniel. You look very handsome.

Nate: Thanks.....

Henri: Do you want to get out of here?

Nate: Of course. What did you have in mind?

They walked out the side door and ended up in a empty room just down the hall across from the party venue.

Henri: Dance with me Nathaniel.

Nate: How can we dance without music.

Henri: Oh Nathaniel! There's music everywhere. You just have to open your heart and you'll hear it. Please, dance with me.

Sensing that she really needed this,he began to dance with her laughing loudly for a while until they had to stop to catch their breaths.

Henri: I'm moving back to Paris. I know it's sudden but...

Nate: Paris? Why? Did something happen?

Henri: My Dad called. He wants me to come back home to help with the business.

Nate: I see. When... when are you leaving? Is it urgent? Have you talked to the board? I mean... this? Working with the Brennholtz Group? You said it's been your dream for as long as you can remember.

Henri: It's not urgent but the board is aware. Herr Brennholtz and I have an understanding. My moving back home won't change anything. I can still do my job.. just not here.

Nate: Okay.. That's good I guess. When do you leave? I can still plan a farewell party..

Henri: Nathaniel..I'm leaving today. My flight leaves in two hours. I just..I couldn't leave without saying goodbye.

Nate: What? Maria, that's not... You can't just decide to leave....

Henri: I know. I'm so sorry. I should have told you before...I'm really going to miss you Nate.

He ran after her and caught up with her outside the main doors holding her tightly by the arm.

Nate: Maria..I..I mean.... I just...

Henri: Please don't say it. I won't be able to leave if you say it.

Nate: Then, don't leave. Please, don't leave me.

Henri: It's not that simple Nate. I wish I can explain

Nate: Then..let me explain. I'm so mad at you and I hate being mad at you because I think about you all the time.

Henri: I think about you too. I can't stop thinking about you.

Nate: I can tell...no, I'm certain something's going on that you can't talk about and I can see it's hurting you to leave me.

Henri: I want to stay... with you. More than anything. But I made a promise and I can't be the girl who breaks her promises.

Why do you think I never wanted to talk about the future, to promise anything beyond our training...I never wanted to hurt you.

Nate: Maria...I love you. I mean,I can't help it. How can anyone not love you?

Henri: I love you. I love you so much. I want to be with you...but I can't. We can't. I... I made a promise and I can't...

Nate: Who is this person that's so important to you ,that you don't want to hurt.What is this promise you keep talking about.

Henri: I don't want to hurt you..

Just then a voice called out to her and they both turned toward the sound of the voice and saw a young man waiting.

Man: Cherie, we have to go. Traffic's getting worse by the second.

Nate: Maria? Who is he? Why is he waiting for you? Do...do you know him?

Henri: Yes..yes I do. I have known him my entire life. His name is Auguste Theodore Moreau. He's my best friend and my betrothed.

Nate: Betrothed? As in your fiance?

Henri: Yes. He's the one Nate. The one that I can't bring myself to hurt...the promise I can't break. He's my past, present and future Nathaniel. I am so so sorry. I wanted to tell you. I just didn't know how. I'm so sorry.

He walked out on her in anger and she fell to the ground crying... hitting her chest, willing her heart to stop beating.. just so the pain can end.

Silently repeating one word over and over again

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry" as Auguste sat beside her on the ground..a witness to the crumbling of her entire world but she's not ashamed to let him see...she trusts him with her life, knows he will never tell a soul. He's her very soul after all.