*tiiit-tiiit-tiiit*
Tess’ cellphone signaled an incoming text message, “Happy Birthday Tess! I hope you have no plans for your birthday, can I invite you for dinner?” the message read.
It was Arnold. It’s been a long time since she talked to him, nor replied to his text messages. She didn’t understand why she replied now, “Thank you Arnold. But I don’t celebrate my birthday and you know why.”
Arnold’s reply to her didn’t take long, “I know Tess, that’s why I am asking you out. We should remove the sad memories attached to your birthday. Please Tess, just this once?”
Irritated, but a smile managed to escape from Tess’ lips. Still the same old persistent Arnold, she thought. But she knows he’s right, she should be happy on her birthday.
“I guess you’re right. Okay, pick me up at 7 tonight,” she texted to him.
“Thank you very much Tess. See you tonight” was Arnold’s reply.
Thirty minutes before the appointed time, Arnold was already ringing the doorbell of Tess’ house. After seeing her mother, and asking permission to take Tess out for dinner, the two went on their way.
“So, where are you going to take me for dinner?” Tess asked.
“You’ll see,” was Arnold’s brief reply.
As Arnold was driving, Tess noticed the place where they were going. “I don’t know of any restaurants here,” she said.
“Because we’re not going to any restaurants!” said Arnold.
“So, where are we going?” asked Tess again.
“Here,” said Arnold as he stopped the car and quickly got off, and went around to open Tess’ door to help her alight from the car.
“Where’s this?” as she handed her hands to Arnold and got off the car.
“Welcome to my place,” he said.
“Your place? You live here? Alone?” came Tess’ series of questions.
“Yes, I live here, and yes, I am alone. Come inside. Make yourself comfortable,” as he guided her inside the house.
“So, you’re alone… and I am here with you, alone…” Tess said, while still standing near the doorway.
“Why? Is there a problem with that?” asked a puzzled Arnold.
“Hello! Just in case you didn’t notice, I’m a woman, and I am here with you alone!” exclaimed Tess.
“Haha!” Arnold laugh, “Have you forgotten who I am? You know you’re safe with me, Tess. We’re here to celebrate your birthday, remember?” he continued, “now, why don’t you be a good girl and sit on the sofa while I go prepare our dinner,” winks Arnold, and disappeared in the kitchen.
A relieved Tess went in and sat on the sofa. She knows she is safe with Arnold. He never tried anything… which she felt makes him kind of boring sometimes, actually. “Oh well, at least I’m safe,” she murmured to herself.
Then, suddenly it became dark.
“Arnold, why did you turn off the lights?” Tess asked, although she cannot see where Arnold was.
“I didn’t turn off the lights, Tess. I dimmed them,” he replied, and lighted the candles on the table.
Arnold emerges from the dining room, bringing a bouquet of flowers, and approached where Tess was seated.
“Happy birthday Tess,” and hands her the flowers as he kissed her on the cheek.
“Thank you Arnold,” replied a smiling Tess.
“Come on,” Arnold gestured to Tess, and offered his hands again to assist her. “I hope you like what I prepared for you.”
Tess gave her hand to Arnold and followed him to the dining table, where he prepared a simple table setting for two, complete with candlelight.
“Hmm… Dinner by candlelight. How romantic!” exclaimed Tess.
Arnold assisted Tess to her chair and he sat opposite her. As if on cue, a sweet, soft music played on the background, while Arnold poured red wine on Tess’ glass.
“Red wine, just what the doctor ordered!” said Arnold.
Tess was smiling as she looked at Arnold and asked, “Arnold, are you trying to seduce me?”
“Seduce you?! No Tess. Seduction is hardly my game. That’s too childish and short lived. The only thing that I want to do right now Tess, is to make you feel special… because, you are special,” as he raised his glass and said, “Happy birthday to a very special lady.”
All she can reply was a smile.
She noticed Arnold to be different today. More composed and relaxed. He seems to be more confident and secure. A far cry from the intense and excited Arnold he knew just a few weeks back.
“And thanks to you, Tess” her thought was interrupted by Arnold’s voice, “I now know that not all pasta are called spaghetti.”
Soft laughter filled the air.
“I don’t suppose you were the one who cooked this fettuccine, right?” Tess asked Arnold.
“Tess,” Arnold replied, “I did say I want this to be special, right? What would make it more special than everything here being prepared personally by yours truly? Just don’t expect five-star standard please, I’m not a chef.”
“Not bad, really” said Tess, as she took a sample of Arnold’s cooking. “You really surprised me, Arnold… all these efforts, I am really elated. Thank you.”
“Anything to make this day special for you, Tess.”
“You’re my peace of mind, in this crazy world…”
Arnold looked at Tess, as the song Beautiful in My Eyes started to play… and he saw the sweetest smile and the most angelic face he has seen in his entire life.
A wordsmith just a few minutes ago, Arnold was suddenly lost for words. He didn’t know what to say, as he gazed at the beauty in front of him.
His hesitation however, was just brief. Arnold stood up and approached Tess, and once again offered his hands and said, “May I have this dance?”
Tess smiled, held Arnold’s hand as she stood up… and they dance to the beautiful song…
“You’re my Monalisa,
you’re my rainbow skies,
and my only prayer is that you realize… “
“Happy birthday Tess,” said Arnold who’s now facing her so close as they dance. “Thank you for giving me this opportunity.”
“Thank you very much, Arnold… thank you for everything,” replied Tess, as she looked Arnold in the eyes…
“You will always be, beautiful in my eyes,
and the passing years will show
that you will always grow
ever more beautiful… in my eyes”
Barely two years after her separation from a failed marriage, the scars are still fresh and the doubts in her heart yet undiminished. But that night, Tess feels calmer… relaxed. In the arms of Arnold, she felt safe… she felt special… she felt loved.
Arnold was just happy, holding in his arms… and so close, the woman of his dream. He knows there are no guarantees… she’s not yet ready. Tomorrow may be a different story. But it really does not matter to him now.
What matters is at that very moment, he is holding her so close to him while they dance.
All he wants is for Tess to be happy, to make her feel that she is special… and with Tess resting her head on his shoulder while they danced, he knew he was able to make her feel that… even just for that very special moment…
…and it’s all that matters to him.
“and the passing years will show
that you will always grow
ever more beautiful… in my eyes…”
Tags: beautiful in my romance, birthday, love song, love story, Romance, special lady, Tess
Yes, exactly. This is a love story, not a whirlwind romance. This is what grows and lasts.
Very good story, Roy.
.-= Holly Jahangiri´s last blog ..Wordy Wednesday =-.
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Roy Reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Thanks Holly!
Did you know that the working title of this story was, “Could’ve been… would’ve been… should’ve been…”
But I decided to reserve that for a comedy romance I might write later
oh! this is the story that was tagged “I write like Ian Fleming” did you see any detective twist in this one?
.-= Roy´s last blog ..Be Happy- Original Composition =-.
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Lieann Reply:
October 8th, 2010 at 5:15 am
this story was great.. wow.. can i borrow this story.. i will just pass it to my teacher.. please?
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Lieann Reply:
October 8th, 2010 at 5:47 am
just kidding! i know its wrong..
That was a very nice story. I remembered that song, and always thought in the right place and time it would work great, kind of like at a wedding.
.-= Mitch´s last blog ..SMM Countdown – Audio And Visual Options =-.
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Roy Reply:
July 21st, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Thank you very much Mitch!
This song, I believe, is usually sung at the weddings here in the Philippines
.-= Roy´s last blog ..Dead Poets Society- Carpe Diem! =-.
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Roy, Roy. Roy said: RT @houseofpuroy Beautiful in my eyes… | Short Stories Blog http://bit.ly/dCGUNX a love story… [...]
hey Nice story.
I totally liked it.
Keep writing
.-= md muddassir shah´s last blog ..After The Funeral =-.
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hey Nice story.
Wonderfully written, I read your other posts too.
I think I ll be a regular to your blog going forward
Cheers!!
.-= md muddassir shah´s last blog ..After The Funeral =-.
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Rowan Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 9:29 am
Good story – like your style, keep up the good work. Maybe you could leave some tips for my readers. Rowan Visser http://rowan-fixion.blogspot.com/
.-= Rowan´s last blog ..Short Story Blog Site =-.
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love your story!! Wonderful. Our authors also write romance stories, look for it under entertainment, english story.
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W-O-W! that was G-R-E-A-T!!! ahmm.. where is the conflict there? just asking..
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oh wow, that was beautiful..
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Interesting concoction of romance and mystery. I liked how you built some suspense via character development rather than with the typical suspense go-to builder of plot.
Also, your inclusion of music is similar to what I do with the short stories on my blog. I’m a fan of mixing mediums.
.-= And And And And Blog´s last blog ..Ms Dolores =-.
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I really liked this story. I like they idea of someone who is struggling but they have someone who is willing to pick them back up or at least give their best efforts to do so. Nice.
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Nice. Sweet. Such a great story. But I have a few remarks. I’m not a native speaker of English, but I’d like to do for you what I wish people would do for me with my own stories and give you a list of the errors I noticed while reading, so you can filter them out. I only wrote down what I’m sure is a mistake, so I hope you appreciate the effort. I really do like your story, I just want to help make it even better.
- “You know why (DOT/question mark)”
- “Because where (WE’RE) not going to any restaurants.”
- “as he stopped the car and quickly got off… got off the car (I think this should be get OUT OF, not off, unless you’re on top of something)”
- “I didn’t turn off the light (SINGULAR), Tess. I dimmed them (PLURAL. It should either be the light… it or the lights… them)”
- “while Arnold poured red wine on (I think this should be in our into or poured wine for Tess) Tess’ (Tess’s) glass.”
- “Tess was smiling as he (SHE)looked at Arnold and asked”
- “and they dance in (TO) the beautiful song”
Hope I could be of service and that this, dreadfully long, comment was helpful to you.
Keep up the good work!
.-= Stories Inc.´s last blog ..His No More =-.
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Roy Reply:
October 24th, 2010 at 10:56 am
noted. thanks!
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nice story.i liked it.i am astonished how you write in such way.wonderful.
.-= saiful´s last blog ..চাকা =-.
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Absolutely brilliant and charming…I was moved…its a wonderful story beautifully told…
.-= Looking Within´s last blog ..Tale of the Titles =-.
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holy macarroni…. this is so beautiful!!! x) hi I’m kamila.. from U-blog..remember..the ones asking for blogs to read.. well.. this is a nice one.. I’ll be reading moreeee!! x)
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Roy Reply:
January 8th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
Hi Kamila!
Thank you very much for your visit! I appreciate it very much
I’m glad you like my stories.
.-= Roy´s last blog ..Nagpapa-anod na lang =-.
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A beautiful, simple moment in time. Sincere and intimate. Really enjoyed it. I’ll be reading more!
.-= Tanner´s last blog ..New Message =-.
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Hi
I am a dutch writer, only recently started writing in english. And now waiting for my first english book to be printed. Will promote it in the states.
Meanwhile, I thought of entertaining some friends with some short stories, pondering around some themes for my new book.
I only write about (love) relationships, I just love the topic on how just 2 people make life wonderful / horrible together / for each other.
I was wondering if you could give me some tips on how you set up this blog. I am not really an internet person.
Tnx. Sylvain
http://www.writinginbologna.com (currently expat in Italy as well)
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Dear Roy,
I am seven-teen years old and I would have like to have sent you a personal message, but I don’t where to contact you from. Continuing to what I was saying, I am a Freshman in college and I love writing and I love reading your stories, which is rare because when it comes to fiction I am very picky. I try my best to get as much practice of my writing done. I think, in my own personal opinon, that I have done a good job. I started my own writing blog just as you have. (That is how I found your blog initially) I just enjoy writing, I enjoy reading your work, and I enjoy the fact that their is another person in the world that has a passion for writing as I do.
P.S. This is bugging me, but I know how to spell “opinion” it is just this comment box won’t let me go back to correct it. And it keeps telling me to tell you that your “CommentLuv plugin needs updating!” So I would assume you should get to that.
Sincerely,
antonio r
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Woow, what a great short story.
I really love it..
I wish I get a boy like him haha =D
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Awesome story!!! Loved it… Thanks for sharing this wonderful story….. Keep writing Roy
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it is nice story
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Sweet story, good dialog, both direct and indirect. Shows anticipation is often better than a surprise.
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He’s ways more romantic than me…that’s for sure. * haha* I thought he would of tried to pull a move or two. But he was a straight gentlemen. How sweet. The story flowed pretty well and I enjoyed the dialogue more and more.
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