Searching For the Real Prince Charming

After dating for three years, Sophia was more than ready for the next step. A short engagement and marriage was on her mind as she made her way into the restaurant. Making her way to the table where he was sitting, she spotted another woman beside him. A slight frown marred her face. A wave of jealousy washed over at the sight of her former high school rival. Her dark hair and brown eyes had captured the hearts of all the boys in school. Her specialty was in fact stealing boyfriends and then throwing them away. Among the list of stolen boyfriends had been hers. They had been dating for two years when Kay began putting on the moves which worked all too well. After a few missed dates and some rumors, the inevitable happened. She caught the two of them kissing in the gym. With no attempt to hid it, the entire school knew with ten minutes. Sophia had left in humiliation as her ex-boyfriend sided with Kay instead of her. With a broken heart, she moved onto college. It was when nearing her last year of college when she finally met the man who turned her dating life around. He was everything she wanted and more. They met when a teacher paired them in a group project that was supposed to be with four others. When the group meetings devolved into one on ones and then actual dates, she was hooked. They took a break after graduation to start their careers. He headed to New York for an internship. Sophia stuck closer to home. A few months later, they met again at a Conference and she found a golden opportunity to move to the city he was so in love with. She fell in love with it as well. For awhile, they acted as tourists seeing the sights and finding every opportunity to be together. Time passed without her noticing but then things changed. Sophia wanted much more from him. For some reason, she felt time was running out. A pit of despair settled in her stomach as the sight of Kay and Steve. So far, neither one of them had made a move that would signal betrayal. But her instincts were screaming otherwise. She sat down warily eyeing Kay as she sat. When and how Kay arrived she didn’t know, the high school scene came back to her. Would Steve pick Kay as well? A waiter walked over making the usual offerings of wine and specials. While Steve and Kay went for the wine, Sophia chose water for the purpose of keeping a cool head and bracing herself for a possible break-up. They waited until the waiter left. Kay took the lead as usual. Things with her hadn’t changed since high school. “Hello, Sophia,” Kay said. “What are you doing here, Kay and why are you with Steve?” Both of the ignoring Steve for the moment. “You look good, Sophia. New York suits you’” stated Kay avoiding the question. Sophia turned to Steve in an attempt to get some sort of answer on what the two of them were doing here. “Steve, what is all of this about,” Sophia asked. Steve opened his mouth to answer but Kay cut in as usual. “We’re engaged,” she stated waving a diamond ring in Sophia’s face. “Engaged?” It was like high school all over again. This time Sophia was not leaving in tears of humiliation. This time she was fighting back. She was not going to throw away all those years. “Why, Steve?” This time he was allowed to answer. “I decided it was time to get married.” “Why not me? We were together for eight years. I thought we had something. Yet, you go behind my back with Kay of all people.” She struggled to keep her composure at the news. “When did you get together? Sophia asked furrowing her eyes. I met her a couple of months ago at a party my Mom threw. You know, the one you couldn’t make because your father had something going on,” answered Steve. “My father was in the hospital,” Sophia said. “I had to see him. He nearly died,” emotions pouring through those words. “Easy, Sophia no need to get all upset about things. My mother was the one to introduce us. We hit it off immediately,” said Steve. “So, you were dating her behind my back. I should have known something was up when you canceled the standing date we had because you were tired after work. Let me guess you saw her then,” there was an edge of anger to her voice. “Sophia, I,” “Don’t bother Steve. As for you Kay, I hope your happy with my leftovers like you did in high school,” yelled Sophia. Sophia turned and stormed out of the restaurant holding the tears back. This time she wasn’t giving them the dignity is seeing her cry. With revenge on her mind and holding back tears, she turned into the street and ran straight into a scruffy guy welding a knife trying to grab a quick buck. The distraction was enough for the victim to practically grab the knife out of the mugger’s hand and breaking it in half in front off them. He tossed it into a nearby alley and the mugger took off as they began to attract attention from the crowd. “You alright miss,” he asked in a husky voice.” “Aren’t I supposed to be asking you that? you were the victim,’ she said. “I had it all under control. Back from a hot date,” he asked appraising her. “More like a big breakup. Once again, I am the butt of a bad joke,” Sophia replied. “Too bad,” he stated. Turing to walk away. “Wait. What is your name,” Sophia called.