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Writer
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 38
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Lost and Found - Short Story - Romance
The day was warm, the sun beating down, clearing the last of the pre-dawn haze. The streets of the city were becoming steadily more crowded as men and women rushed to their places of work. A man, dressed in a full suit, stepped off one of the buses. he was disarmingly handsome, with medium length brown hair and hazel colored eyes. A small smile played on his lips, and was exuded an air of quiet strength and confidence.
The man began to walk towards one of the nearby office buildings, moving with a slow grace. He was at most 24 years of age, yet possessed the sophistication of an elder man.
As the man reached the door, he paused and politely held it open for an elderly lady. Afterwards he walked on into the building to his tasks. A young secretary watched him as he walked by, then turned to her friend. "He's perfect, isn't he? A gorgeous smile, beautiful eyes, great body...I bet he has women all over him."
"Yeah, um...right..." her friend replied, seemingly distracted, watching the man as he walked away.
The man stepped onto an elevator, punched the button for the twenty-third floor, and stood quietly. As the door opened, the man blinked, his eyes adjusting to the flood of sunlight. he entered one of the rooms and sat down behind a desk. A young girl was sitting beside the window, slowly sipping a cup of coffee. She turned around and saw him sitting at the desk, oblivious to anything other than his work. The girl jumped, startled by his presence. He glanced towards her and laughed.
"I didn't hear you come in! Aiden, you scared me!"
Aiden laughed softly, then stopped. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
The girl sighed, "You know, when you say things like that, with that smile of yours, no one can stay mad at you."
Aiden Lanbaster. Twenty-four years old. An enterprising young industrialist with a rising career in business. And a young man with more than his share of feminine attention.
Aiden laughed again. "That wasn't my intention, either." The girl smiled, "You know, you really should try to find someone. It wouldn't be a problem for you." Aiden started to respond, but his phone went off. The girl sat quietly while he read the message. He stood and nodded to her, "I'm sorry, but I have to go. Business calls. I will be back later today." Aiden turned and strode out of the room.
As he retraced his steps back to the bus stop, thoughts swirled within his head. The comments his secretary said to him, the comments of others, constant suggestions to pursue something that didn't suit him. Memories of a time long past that he didn't want to remember.
A hiss and a screech snapped him out of his reverie. Aiden glanced up and stepped onto the bus, his head still in the clouds.
Hours later, as the daylight was dying, Aiden stepped back into his office, and sat down heavily in his chair, tired from the day's work. The sunlight shone brightly through his windows, casting a red and orange tint to the room. He looked around, but didn't see his secretary anywhere. Aiden leaned his head back, and closed his eyes for a few minutes.
He woke up three hours later. Shooting a quick glance at the clock, he shot up out of his chair. "Ten? I'm late...I must've fallen asleep." Aiden looked down and saw a blanket lying on the floor. As he leaned to pick it up, a note fluttered to the floor beside him.
Aiden, I was going to wake you up, but you seemed so tired I let you sleep. Head home when you wake up, and be careful, okay?
Lilia
Aiden smiled. "She's thoughtful..."
He gathered his things and left the office. No buses were running at the time, so he had to walk the 15 blocks to his house. Aiden looked up at the night sky. The air was crisp and cool, the sky clear, and the stars shining brightly, even through the city lights. The walk wouldn't be so bad.
The next day, Aiden walked into his office, and looked towards Lilia. "Good morning." She looked up at him, shocked. "You didn't go straight to your work today without a word?"
"Well, I didn't want to startle you again."
Lilia began to laugh. "You are a strange one."
Aiden just nodded, "So it would seem. Would you like to go out for lunch today? My treat."
She stopped and her eyes widened. "Um...sure! But what for? This is unexpected."
"I have to thank you for last night. It was a good nap, by the way."
At this, Lilia began to giggle unstoppably.
Several hours later, Aiden paused in his work and began to stretch. As he did so, his stomach began to rumble. Aiden looked at the clock, eager for lunch. It was only 11:30.
"Oh well, I can get by a few times with this..."
Lilia glanced up at him, "Hm?"
"It's 11:30. I'm hungry. Let's leave early."
"Are you sure? Won't you get in trouble?"
"No, it will be fine. I have a few excuses left."
"Good enough to get your secretary out, as well?"
"Well, a few excuses...minus two." Lilia began laughing. She was beginning to see why every female in the company was attracted to this man. Aiden stood, beckoned for her to come, and strode out of the room.
A half hour later, the bus pulled up to a fancy, high class restaurant. Lilia tried to speak, but only succeeded in sputtering out a few words. "What?" was the only articulate thing Aiden could make out.
He started laughing, "Yes, here. It's quite good."
"But...it's so expensive!"
Aiden looked at her quizzically, "Expensive? Oh, you didn't know? Our boss owns this place. Free employee meals."
He was afraid Lilia was going to stop breathing from the way she was laughing. "So this is how you stay so well fed..."
Aiden smiled and walked in, spoke to the waiter, and followed the man to their seat.
Over the course of the meal, the pair's conversations shifted from many things, whether it be business, sports, or entertainment. Finally Lilia asked him, "Are you seeing anyone right now?"
Aiden cocked his head to one side. "Seeing anyone? Oh, no. I'm single."
"Why, though? Wouldn't it be more fun to date someone?"
"Fun, maybe. I simply do not have the time. Business takes up most of it, and what time I'm not working, I am tending to other things."
"And you're happy like that?"
"Quite happy...I'm sure I'm one of the happiest people there is."
The look in Lilia's eyes caught him off guard. "Happiest people? Then why do you seem so sad?"
Aiden could only stare at her, shocked. His eyes fell to his plate, and he said nothing.
"So lonely? You say you are content, but your eyes, your smile...they're so empty."
He set his fork down, and looked at her. "I'm not. I'm none of those things."
Lilia gazed at him, her eyes saddened and hurt. "You don't let anyone in, do you? You never go to anyone for help. You take the weight of the whole world on your shoulders, and you don't flinch."
Aiden's expression had grown serious at this point. "No, I do not let anyone in. I don't need help from other people. I can handle things on my own. There is no need for anyone else to get involved."
The waiter brought them their checks.
"Let's go. It's almost time to get back."
The trip back to the office was an awkward, quiet one. A painful quiet persisted throughout the rest of the work day, and the tension could be felt within the office. Even other employees noticed. Lilia would occasionally look at Aiden with eyes full of pity and sympathy, while he in turn focused solely on his work. As the sun set and the workers set off toward their homes, Aiden stood and left. For the first time in her memory, his desk was not perfectly organized, papers lay scattered, and even his mail lay unopened and unchecked under a pile of paperwork. Lilia paused and looked at it all. How could someone who had been working all day leave so much undone? She shook her head, picked up her purse, and walked to the bus stop. She nodded towards him, and as she passed he asked her, "Where is your friend? That guy that usually gets on at the same time with you?"
"Hm? Aiden? He didn't get on?"
"No, I haven't seen him this evening. I thought it was strange."
"Well, I don't know, then..." Lilia went to her seat and sat down, wondering where he was.
By this time, Aiden was walking down the street as the last rays of the sun fell over the city. He glanced down at his watch, and barely stopped himself from walking into the street. Aiden paused and shook his head; he needed to focus. Too much on his mind.
"It's 7:23...it'll be dark soon. I need to go somewhere..."
Looking around, Aiden noticed he was close to a nearby park. So he decided to go there.
Aiden walked through the park, and sat down on the edge of the fountain. The soft noise of the bubbling water relaxed him, and he leaned back and let the tension slide off of him. He let his eyes fall onto the water, his reflection shining back at him. The light of thousands of stars and the moon returned his gaze.
His thoughts started to wander back to that afternoon.
"I shouldn't have snapped at her like that...I was so surprised at her comments, I didn't think. I'll have to apologize tomorrow...but still..."
Aiden sighed. He closed his eyes, and listened. The cool night air was blowing softly past him, ruffling his hair. The water sang a nearly silent lullaby, whispering to any who would listen. It was a peaceful night.
Suddenly, Aiden heard a voice behind him. A voice from the past.
"Aiden? Is that you?"
Aiden's eyes widened, and he spun around. It couldn't be...
"It IS you! This is crazy! How long has it been?"
He looked her up and down. "Sophia?"
"Yes! It's me." Sophia laughed, "You're slow!"
Aiden's face darkened, but then he chuckled, quickly hiding it. "What can I say? I haven't seen you for years. This is certainly a surprise."
Sophia swung herself around and sat lightly down on the fountain's edge. "It is! I didn't expect to see you here."
"I didn't expect to be here. It's pretty late. Why are you out here?"
"I always come here! I come out here to think and relax. It's so peaceful...no one is ever here." She looked him over. "You're looking nice...how are things going these days?"
Aiden laughed. "Thanks. Things are pretty good. I'm working for a company in the city...engineering, business management, that sort of thing. You said you come out here often? I thought you had moved?"
"Oh, I did. I'm just back here visiting the family for a couple of weeks."
"Ah, that's nice. I'm sure it's nice to see the family again. Come to think of it, I haven't seen any of your family in a very long time, either. Not since high school."
Sophia laughed. "It is nice. I don't often get to. I've come out here every night since I've been here, though...it's my secret place."
"Your...secret place?"
"Yeah. I used to come here in high school all the time! It was my retreat from the stress of everyday life. Those were good times."
Aiden laughed. "The joys of high school...sometimes I miss it. Most of the time, though, this life suits me." The moonlight hit her hand, and he caught a glint of metal on her left hand. He looked at it for a moment, and then looked away. "So how are things going these days?"
Sophia noticed his glance, and smiled. "Things are good! I've got a great job back home...well, home now. And I'm pretty well off. I'd ask, but from the looks of you, in that suit and such, I'd say you are doing very well for yourself."
Aiden put on a rather sardonic look, "You could say that..." he muttered to himself, "Haha. I'm doing pretty well, Sophia. My job pays well, the secretary I've been assigned is helpful, dinner is good. The family stays in touch. I've got a good house. There's a lot to do in the city."
Sophia mock-pouted. "I'm jealous." She laughed. "So, all those things going...I can imagine you get quite a bit of attention. I'm surprised you aren't already married."
Aiden looked shocked. "Married? Me? Hardly. I don't even have a girlfriend."
"Not even a girlfriend? Wow. You must've grown tired of it."
"Not so much that...I just haven't had one. Not since high school. I noticed your ring, though. Who's the lucky guy?"
Sophia started to laugh. "This ring? It's a commitment ring. To myself, and to my vows. I'm not married. I'm waiting for a guy...the kind that will always be there for me, will chase after me if we have a fight, and will never let me go. I know he's out there; I've just gotta wait."
Aiden nodded, "That's true. I don't guess I'm waiting for anyone in particular...I'm just cruising through life."
"Taking it easy, huh? You were always like that; all the same, you were just as relaxed and collected as well. That might be why you hold so much charm for the ladies."
Aiden laughed again, "Some other poor guy can have it."
They both started laughing. The moon rose higher in the sky, and the pair continued talking for several more hours. Aiden finally glanced at his watch, and was shocked to realize that it was three o'clock in the morning.
"Hey, Sophia." Aiden started, "It's late. I need to head back...gotta be at work early tomorrow. We can talk some more later, though. When are you going back?"
Sophia started to speak, but was interrupted by a yawn. She laughed. "I'll be here! I'm heading back in three days. I'll be out here every night until then!" She yawned again. "Okay, see you tomorrow!"
Aiden turned and left.
The next day, as soon as Aiden arrived at his office, everything was different. All the employees could tell he was feeling much better, and Lilia even noticed the change. He was much livelier, struck up conversation more easily, and seemed more relaxed than she had seen him in a long time. At the same time, though, Lilia also noticed a subtle, almost indistinguishable sorrow, an anxiety she couldn't place. Aiden pretended it wasn't there. She smiled, even though she saw it; she was glad to see her friend happier.
"Aiden, you seem like you're in a good mood today, but you also seem kind of tired...what'd you do last night?"
Aiden glanced up, almost surprised. "I didn't take the bus; I decided to walk. On the way home, I stopped at a park to just sit for a while. Well, when I was there, I ran across an old friend. The two of us talked until...three or so in the morning. It was a fun night." He started laughing, "It's not often I get to reminisce like that. Not often I see people from back then." Aiden laughed again, and then his smile settled into one of someone remembering dear to them.
"That's nice. Who was this friend?"
"Oh, her name is Sophia."
Lilia grinned. "Sophia, huh?"
Aiden stared at her shocked, "Now, wait a minute...it's not like tha-"
"So you say."
"It's not! We're just old class-"
"That's what they all say."
"That was a long time ago!"
Aiden stopped, suddenly realizing what he had just admitted. Lilia grinned, and raised one eyebrow. "Oh ho, a long time ago?"
Aiden looked up at her, blushing, his face bright red, "You're exhausting, you know that?"
He turned to his work and ignored her. Lilia started laughing.
Later, when the day ended, Aiden stood, hastily put his things together, and rushed down the steps. Lilia sighed, and chased after him. "Aiden, wait!"
He slowed, and turned to face her, but kept going. Lilia had never seen him this energetic. Or this openly excited about anything.
"Where are you going?"
"Oh, I'm going to meet up with Sophie...Sophia, again tonight. She's returning home in a few days. We're catching up on old times."
"Okay, then. That sounds nice. Are you riding the bus?"
"No, I'll walk. You'll have to go without me. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow!" With that, Aiden dashed off. Lilia shook her head, and breathed a sigh of amusement. It was the first time she'd seen him act so like a child.
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