Chapter 13 A Story From the Past

Gisele arrived promptly at nine. Wearing a long tan pencil skirt a surprisingly loose fitting white blouse and a couple rings on her left hand on the pinky and middle fingers. Her hair was left laying neatly on her neck and shoulders. She looked elegant and considerably plainer than usual. I still found her attractive but I was more enamored by the obvious effort she was putting into toning down that sexuality. That was the moment it struck me how concerned she was that this relationship would end up being rooted in sexual desire. It made sense though, it was impossible for her beauty to not be the first thing you noticed about her. Her number of lovers proved I wasn't just blinded by love. So I wondered if anyone had ever made her feel loved. Then I thought about what she said last night she had only told her grandmother she loved her. Was there no one else or was her relationship with everyone else just that bad. Either way now I both loved this woman and fiercely wanted to protect and support her. I had thrown on my typical Sunday attire but when I seen my elegantly dressed girlfriend I decided to invite her In and played it off like I was still getting dressed. I may not feel like we're on the same level, but I could at least match her effort. I changed into one of my typical work outfits and added a thin pink silk jacket and matching headband. Hoping for a respectable but playful look. As I reentered the room Giselle's eyes glittered with her approval and I leaned in and stole a kiss. My lips landed forcefully directly on her lips. I let them linger for only the briefest of moments before fighting back the urge to violate her with my tongue and I withdrew.

I took her hand and said, "let's go," I smiled brightly and tugged her out the door. The ride passed quickly in simple chit chat, just like we were back on the bus. Only now there was a gaping gorge between me and Gisele. As I set on the left side and she sat casually leaning against the right hand door.

"So it is my attention every day to reveal more of who I am to you so we may become a couple. If I'm honest I'm glad you only gave me a week otherwise it may off taken me forever to gather my courage and tell you everything, and if you found out yourself and felt betrayed, well I could never live with myself. So do you want to have a serious chat before we go in or do you want to have a lovely brunch first?" The serious tone inserted in the middle of our casual conversation caught me off guard. However I was getting used to my girlfriends tactics and I effortlessly gave her what I knew she wanted, an unfiltered instinctual response.

"Honestly if you told me you were a serial killer. I still couldn't walk away, so my love whatever you have to tell me let it out so it's not weighing on you while we enjoy our brunch," I meant to console her with the fact that I would love her regardless, but even as I was saying it I realized it was a horrible thing to say. It sounded like just blind infatuation and I knew that wasn't what she was looking for and I knew that wasn't what this was, but even so that is what I had said, and now I was more worried about her reaction to that than I was about what she planned to reveal to me.

"Julia, I know you only want to put my mind at ease, but let's leave the boundless nature of your love until after you hear the weight of my crimes."

Wait crimes, I thought we were just talking about getting to know each other. I didn't know there were real crimes. My panic must of shown on my face, because she reached over and lightly patted my hand letting me process. I breathed and thought this time before speaking, "Well even so. It's as good as said at this point. I surely couldn't put it out of my mind long enough to enjoy brunch."

"Very well. I had assumed that is what you would want, but I would never take away your choices," She forced a smile and her body visibly tensed, "I told you about when we met, but that is just the beginning of that story. 

I had just met the most alluring and patient woman I had ever seen. However after leaving the venue I realized I knew nothing about her. I figured it didn't really matter there was a trillion people on this planet and at any given time I was confident I could enjoy at least ten percent of their company if I just asked," She looked down at the floor, somehow both self deprecating and apologetic, "I was such a fool back then. Anyways a few days passed by in a daze I realized I was still thinking of this enchanting beauty lost in the city. I asked around and found out who she was. Julia, you were actually quite well respected by people in certain social circles for your ability to resolve conflicts and close deals. Billed out as a secretary, you were heralded as more of an office manager who takes care of secretarial work for yourself. Did you know that's how others see you? You don't need to answer dear I already know you undervalue yourself.

I looked into your relationship status next, I couldn't help myself I wanted to be with you, but this was different somehow. I didn't just want you, but I wanted you to be happy. If you were then I would leave you alone. If I couldn't make you happy then likewise I would leave you alone. This is the first vow I made to you," my eyes grew large at this revelation. The level of commitment this woman showed before we ever even met overwhelmed me. She must've misinterpreted my shock because she looked rejected and resigned to her fate. Most importantly she made no sign she had concluded her story, but she made no effort to continue it.

"Sorry, sweetie I was shocked you were so devoted before we even met. I'm quite touched please continue."

"Ar, are you sure?" All I could muster was a firm nod. I waited with baited breath for her to continue, "As I'm sure you're aware back then you were dating no one. However all your dating history that was dug up on you agreed you had only ever taken male partners. I had it checked multiple times and there was no evidence of attraction to women. Not even any evidence of goofy around in high school or experimenting in college. So I was prepared to give up and walk away. When a good friend of mine said to me, 'You can make a celibate man a nympho and a married man a shameful dog. You've already made many a gay men declare their undying love and longing for you. Surly a straight woman can't be much different in view of your presence. Hell I've been married for fifteen years and have three kids, but I'd climb into your bed even now,'" She blushed and paused at that last part. I think she regretted being that honest, "Any ways, all that to say, with a friends encouragement I made my second vow to you, we will meet and I will honor whatever is in your heart. We lived into different worlds and in another life I would never even known you existed. So how would we meet let alone in a way that would let us get to know each other. I considered a dinner party or another charity event and even just bursting through the front door of your building and laying out all the facts. In the end I could think of nothing, but then fate intervened. Your car broke down. Now you were taking the bus. So I had someone watch you at the end of the day and when you got on the bus they would let me know and I would get on a couple stops later. The very first time I had ever been on a bus. I was disgusted by how rude people were pushing past me while I was trying to get on to see the girl I loved. It took a moment to push in but I would not be denied. Finally I saw you again and my heart sighed in relief. Then I saw something familiar in your eyes. Desire, and I made a vow to you, the last one I would make in silence. If I ever earn your heart I'll tell you everything before I let her into my world. 

So! Do you still want to get brunch. They held the table for us."

I nodded and we headed in.