- Are You Finally Going to Give Her a Chance?
Dylan
Knock at the door
“Come in.”
After authorizing entry, I see dark hair peeking through the slightly open door.
“Are you very busy, boss man?”
I give a sideways smile, recognizing the voice. It’s her, my fairy godmother.
“A bit, but I have a few minutes.”
She rushed in, glancing furtively back, as if fearing someone had followed her.
“How did it go? Was I too obvious?”
Her eyes widen with a mischievous glint, like someone who has pulled off a small prank without getting caught.
“It went… well. How is Michelle?”
She settles into the chair in front of me and starts telling me everything that happened after they left the meeting room.
Her enthusiasm is contagious, and when she finally talks about the project she’s going to lead, her expression changes.
Her gaze, confident and determined, makes it clear she knows exactly what she wants… and what she wants is this
project.
I’m suddenly reminded of another recent encounter.
It was Friday afternoon. There were only a few people left in the company, and I was getting ready to leave when, just like
today, I heard some knocks on the door. When I opened it, I saw her standing there, with a different expression, more
serious, more calculating.
“Vero? Is there something I can help you with?”
She nodded silently and, without saying anything else, entered and closed the door behind her.
I’m here to propose a deal. I think we can both benefit.”
frowned slightly, intrigued.
“What’s it about?”
“The convention in Toronto.” Her smile widened, mysteriously. “So, would you like Michelle to come with you?”
Hearing the name of the woman I’m interested in, my heart races.
“I’m not sure I understand.
She lets out a low laugh and leans slightly forward before making her proposal
“I have the solution for the best travel companion to go with you. What do you think? Deal?”
Vero extends her hand confidently, and after a brief hesitation, I decide to take the risk. She stands up triumphantly and
walks towards the door.
“Get a good itinerary ready. She needs to have some fun and start experiencing everything she’s missed out on.”
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28 Are Your Finally Going to Give Her a Chance?
She winks at me and, just before leaving, leaves me with her final words, which echo in my head long after she’s gone.
“It’s time for both of you to get a fresh start. I trust you.”
I snap back to the present, noticing that she’s waiting for a response.
“I think you’ll do great. I’ll talk to your boss so he’s in the loop and doesn’t feel left out. Vero… thank you… for everything.”
She stands up to leave, but stops at the door. Her voice is firm but full of emotion.
“She is a wonderful woman who deserves to know all the beauty that life has deprived her of until now. She’s only had the heartbreak of a husband, the lukewarm love of a daughter, and a life of sacrifice. No one asked her to give herself that way, but no one had the decency to refuse to accept it either.”
“She offered them everything she had, putting aside dreams and hopes, and only got scraps of love. It’s time for her to receive it wholeheartedly.”
I nod, because her words are as true as they are painful. They were never willing to reciprocate her affection or her attentions. Her care and unconditional love were taken advantage of without a hint of gratitude. They were selfish people with a lot of luck. But it’s time for her to experience something different… and if she would only give me the chance, I’d do my best to make her happy.
That day, I decided to visit them at Susy’s practice. When I arrived, I saw her on the rink with my daughter, teaching her a spin I’d never seen her do before. I stop to watch them, mesmerized by the image of the two of them, laughing together as if they were one. It’s like a dream come true.
“Hey, brother.” Abdiel’s affectionate voice pulls me out of my thoughts. He gives me a teasing smile before adding: “If your don’t stop ogling the coach, she might feel uncomfortable
I turn to look at him and now he’s right. The more obvious my interest is, the easier it will be for her to find reasons to
distance herself from me.
Susy sees me and immediately skates over to me with enthusiasm
“Daddy! You came! Look, Michelle, it’s Dad” Michelle smiles and approaches with a calm stride.
“Hey, boss.” Her informal greeting catches me off guard. It’s a small reminder that she’s still putting a barrier between us.
“Hi, Michelle. I came to invite you all to lunch. What do you say?” I see her hesitate, but I give Abdiel a look, silently asking
for help.
“Come on, let’s go. It’s just a meal.” His casual tone seems to convince her.
“Alright. I’ll just get changed and we’ll go. Susy, let’s go to the locker room.” I watch them walk away and feel my brother’s inquisitive gaze.
“She’s going through a tough time. Don’t try to pressure her.” I nod, because I agree.
They don’t take long to return. Both come back holding hands, a sight that fills me with unexpected warmth.
“We’re ready.”
We headed to a restaurant with games for Susy to enjoy. Michelle orders something light, Abdiel just a dessert, and I a salad. Everything goes smoothly until my brother decides to jump in with his usual boldness.
“So… are you going on a trip together?” Michelle blushes, and we both nod at the same time.
“Remember, Michelle, when we went to Toronto for those competitions and came in third?”
She smiles broadly and they start sharing memories. I see her gradually relax, and I know that was exactly Abdiel’s intention. With each anecdote, the tension in her shoulders dissipates.
€28 Are You Finally Going to Give Her a Chance?
“I think you should visit those places again. Dylan has been there a few times, but I’m sure he’s only been to the airport, the hotel, and the convention site.”
“Well, time is precious,” I reply with a smile. “But I think I can take a moment to explore those places… only if Michelle
wants to.”
She looks up at me, surprised. There’s a spark of doubt in her eyes, but also something else….. something that makes me
think that maybe, just maybe, she’ll give me that chance.
Michelle
I got home after lunch with the Morrisons. I still don’t understand how fate played that trick on me, making me the one who won that trip. If I didn’t know there was no reason to doubt it, I’d think it was all a trap by Vero.
As I put my things on the table, my phone rings. It’s a message from my daughter.
“Mommy, I don’t understand a homework assignment. Can you help me?”
I smiled as I read it and, without a second thought, I sent her a video call invitation. As soon as she accepts, her bright little face appears on the screen.
“Hi, Mom!” she exclaims with her contagious joy.
“Hi, sweetheart! Have you eaten? Did you brush your teeth afterward?”
I hear her laugh before she responds.
“Yes, Mom. I did everything you showed me. But I have questions about the homework and… Dad isn’t good at Spanish. Right, Dad?”
The image expands and Ryan, my soon-to-be ex-husband, appears I’m surprised to see him, but he just smiles with that
mix of discomfort and resignation.
“Hi, Michelle. It’s never been my strong suit,” he admits with an embarrassed gesture.
We all laugh, just like in old times. For a moment, nostalgia hits me, but I push it aside immediately.
“Alright, let’s see what you’ve got for homework” I say, focusing on her work.
Just as I start to explain, the doorbell interrupts the conversation.
“Hang on, let me see who it is,” I tell them, without ending the video call.
I walked to the door and looked through the peephole. It’s Dylan. My heart skips a beat in surprise.
I open the door, and he greets me with a friendly smile.
“Michelle, you left this at the restaurant,” he says, handing me a small object I hadn’t even noticed was missing. “Since we were passing by, I decided to bring it to you.”
“Oh… you didn’t have to. You could have given it to me tomorrow,” I replied with a shy smile.
“It’s no bother. Now I’ll let you rest. See you tomorrow.”
He leans slightly and leaves a kiss on my cheek before turning and leaving. I stood at the door for a moment, watching him leave, before returning to the video call.
“You guys still there?” I ask as I settle back in front of the screen.
But the only image that appears is Ryan, looking at me intently with an expression I can’t quite decipher.
(28 Are You Finally Going to Give Her a Chance?
“Was that the jerk?” he asks abruptly, his tone more brusque than usual.
I blink, confused.
“Who?”
“Are you dating him, Michelle?” his voice sounds more tense now. “Are you finally going to give him a shot?”
Finally?
His words took me by surprise. What does he mean by that?
