To Love Again

Chapter two

Selena had the most hectic day and all she wanted to be a hot bath, simple dinner, and sleep. She climbed out of her car which was a wedding gift from her dad.

She had been married to Peter for just two years before the accident that claimed his life and shattered her heart and life, how she survived it all remained a mystery to her.

She moved to Chicago on advice from her friends and family, they all felt a different environment would help her heal though she was beginning to have doubts. The pain was still fresh and left her breathless on some occasions

After her encounter with Mr hunk, she had never been the same. She found it difficult to sleep tossing and turning in her bed and she dreamt of him when she managed to fall asleep.

Since her husband's demise she had promised herself not to fall in love again or get deeply involved with any man when she gets ready to date again, how would she survive it if she gets hurt again.

Her last relationship ended because he wanted marriage and children, she wasn't ready for such commitment and they both parted ways.

Last time she saw him, he was already married to his wife who was heavily pregnant. They both looked so happy that she wondered if she made a mistake by not agreeing to marry him.

***

As Selena slid her whole body into her bathtub, she felt herself relax closing her eyes and she enjoyed the total silence. Her phone rang disturbing the gentle tranquility, she thought of ignoring the call but changed her mind.

"Hello Selena," her younger sister's voice buzzed through the phone. "Dad asked me to call you, he is worried since you haven't called as you normally do, hope you are okay". 

She hadn't called her family for almost two weeks, it was unlike her and she felt guilty for making them worried. Her Dad especially had a soft spot for her. 

"Am really sorry, I have been so busy with work?" she said, using her free hands she added more bath bombs into the water. They both chatted, exchanged pleasantries, and hung up.

Selena reminisced about her family as she relaxed more into the tube. Her father Mr. Barlow has always doted on her since she was a child, he also loved his other two children Loretta and Francis.  But he found Selena to be the most kind-hearted and resilient of the three. They had a great relationship and as she grew their bond became stronger. 

During the early years, Selena's siblings felt jealous and hated her because of her closeness to their father, with time and as they grew older they understood that though he seemed to do more for Selena, he loved them all. They knew little about their mom who had died in a fire accident when she was just 5. Mr. Barlow felt 

guilty about her death, maybe she would have been alive if he hadn't gone on the business trip that dreadful October morning.

"Darling, cancel your trip. You just came back from Germany last week".Margaret said as she removed the clustered toys on the floor. "David would be there and he can handle the clients without you".

He stopped at the door leading to the bathroom. "You know I can't do that, as the CEO my presence at the meeting is very important. It would send a wrong message to the clients if I'm absent". He went over to his wife and turned her to face him, "I promise to take you and the kids for a vacation once I return". He kissed her deeply and felt his whole body get warm, their feelings for each other didn't wax cold with time but rather grew stronger. "I love you, Maggie, never for an instant doubt this".

That was the last word he said to his wife before his departure to Florida only to come home to three scary eyed kids and his wife in the morgue.

                                       ***

Selena was brought out of her absent-mindedness by her sister when she asked her if she was alright. "I was lost in thought, Selena answered". "How is Papa, I heard he 

he has gone on dates with Ms. Meghan and there is a possibility of marriage." 

"They both make a great couple", Loretta said, "Dad, looks so happy when they are together, he blushes at the sight of her".

Ms. Meghan was a divorcee with an only son and had put on some weight following her painful divorce. Dieting had not been easy for her and she still had extra flesh on her middle section.

"Are you coming home for Christmas". Loretta asked her sister. "We would be happy if you did".

Selena smiled remembering fun moments with her family during the Christmas holidays " I would be coming in three days' time" Christmas was just two weeks away and most of her friends had already gone home to their family. 

After a little more chit chat with her sister, they both cut the call. Selena hurriedly finished her bath, dried up, and went to bed, John once again invaded her dreams.

      ***

Mr. Barlow's house was filled with friends and neighbors,  it was two days to Christmas and as was tradition to the suburbs a neighbor hosted a party for them all and it was the turn of the Barlows to do the hosting.

"Hi Loretta'' Maureen greeted. She was the daughter of the sheriff and she had the attention of the guests, flirting with guys she felt were handsome not minding if they were with their partners.

Maureen was very beautiful, her chiseled face and abs were as a result of a strict diet and yoga. Her curly wavy shoulder-length red hair, with deep blue eyes, made her a sight to behold. Maureen knew she was beautiful and flaunted her beauty Without apology.

Loretta was not keen on talking with Maureen, They used to be close friends until Loretta caught her with her fiance making out.

"Hello Maureen", when did you arrive"? Loretta asked.

"Yesterday morning" she replied, but her attention was fixed on the guy standing with Loretta. "Won't you introduce me to Mr handsome" Maureen smiled seductively at him. 

Alex introduced himself, he had known about Maureen from Loretta who told him how her last relationship ended.  When their relationship was getting serious Loretta confided in him about her heartbreak from her fiance and best friend. She needed closure so she could move on and fall in love again. 

Alex noticed Maureen's flirting towards him and also noticed her beauty. He knew such beauty can only trap him and lead to the destruction of his beautiful relationship with Loretta.

Maureen tried all in her prowess to seduce Alex but without success, and was grateful when her dad called her to his side. He wanted to introduce her to his childhood friend.

"Why were you mean towards her? You could have smiled a bit" Loretta asked Alex immediately Maureen left. He looked at her grateful that she was his and shrugged "I just couldn't bring myself to smile at her, I kinda hate her guts' '.

Loretta couldn't reply as her dad walked up to them, he wanted her to look for her sister Selena. "Loretta I need you to get your sister here, I want to introduce her to an old friend of mine," Loretta asked her dad who that was and he explained that he wanted her to get acquainted with Mr. Peterson who had a grown-up son Craig. Craig was well built and about 6 feet, He had blond hair and grey eyes. He was the manager of a bank and a top gun in the field. Mr. Barlow wouldn't mind having him as a son-in-law. What he didn't know was that Craig was arrogant and more of a Casanova.

  ***

"Selena.....", Loretta called out, knocking harder this time, she had been knocking for the last two minutes with no response from her sister.

"She is not in there", Francis said when the knocking became persistent, "I think she is in the garden, you know she loves the serenity and the flowers there".

Selena had always been fond of their garden since she was a child, that was part of the reason she made sure her home with Peter had one too.

"Yeah . I guess you are right. I would go and look for her there, thank you, Francis". Loretta said as she walked past him towards the garden. Francis and Loretta had gotten closer after she broke up with Moses following his affair with Maureen. He had stayed up with her during the sleepless nights, the crying, and when depression set in. He gave her all the support she needed to overcome her heartbreak.

Ever since then they both shared their fears, aspirations, and plans together. This also gave Francis the opportunity of sharing his own heartbreak with her when she was away in the university.

"Loretta you have to stop brooding day and night over him, he is not worth the trouble. Imagine getting married to such a low-life like him. I am not justifying what Maureen did, but maybe she actually saved you from the worst heartbreak."  Francis said, trying to console her. There is something about me you don't know. As he said this Loretta lifted her head to look at him, her eyes swollen and reddish from crying. His heart broke at how vulnerable his sister looked, but he continued. 

His voice was calmer than he felt, "Remember when you came back from the University for Thanksgiving, how I rarely participated in all the fun and games". As he spoke he realized that he didn't feel hurt as he used to feel then. Loretta's face squeezed a bit and her forehead wrinkled as she remembered how her brother had preferred being alone and also adding more pounds than necessary. How did they miss noticing his dilemma, she thought.

"I have come to terms with it now, I caught Lizzy in bed with Jack". Francis said As he shot his eyes he felt as if a knife was driven into his heart. Loretta looked at her brother, her heartfelt pity, and great love for this young man who has been with her in this dark period. She tried to remember who Jack was and when she did her heart broke more for her brother.

"Jack, your best friend since kindergarten, am really sorry she cried". They both hugged and held on to each other allowing their tears to wash away their pains and hoping to be healed from their broken hearts.

That night brought a new resolution to both of them, they silently vowed to live if possible fall in love again. Helping each other they overcame their pains and their bond grew stronger than before.

***

"Here you are," Loretta said "I've been knocking on your door for the last minutes"."What are you doing with the how?". Seeing Selena with the hoe and in the garden brought in fresh memories of her life with Moses, they had been living together and their marriage was just a month away before she caught him cheating.

"I want to plant the seeds I got from Mr. Packer", Remember him?" Selena said

"Of course, yes", "But surprise he gave you those seeds, he is rather stingy with those".  "Maybe he has a crush on you". Loretta said, trying to hide her smile.

"Don't be ridiculous, he is almost 70 years old,'' Selena chuckled, " I walked his dogs for him when I was just a girl". Mr. Parker had always been grateful for Selena's help with his dog. He had no one to help him out as he refused to marry and spent most of his life to himself.

"So what do you need me for?" Selena asked her sister. 

"Dad asked me to get you". Loretta said with a grin "I hope he isn't matchmaking again" Selena grunted as she continued to add seedlings into the soil. She loved the feel of the Earth and nature. 

"I hope it works out for you though, you really need to start dating again, and also put on some flesh". Loretta said as she walked towards her sister and knelt beside her.

Selena tried her best to remain calm but couldn't, she understood that her father wanted what's best for her and how he felt about her attitude towards marriage but she wasn't ready to date again. She had to stand her ground even if it's her father.

"Why does dad feel he can find a suitable man for me, doesn't he understand that I am not ready yet", she stood up, wiped her brows with her upper arm, she felt defeated. 

"Tell him you couldn't find me", saying this she reached for the hose and watered some parts of the garden. Loretta watched her sister for some time, she understood how she felt, her beautiful carefree sister.  Selena was quick to anger and this time her anger seemed justified. 

"Selena, I might have jumped to conclusions earlier concerning why dad asked for you but even if it's true that he is matchmaking please don't be angry with him. He loves you so much and only looks out for us all."

Selena looked at her sister who had grown into a wonderful woman, she wasn't quick to anger and her looks were mild and homely. 

She didn't want to cause her father any pain either and decided to answer his call, after all, that it would cost her, she thought. If only she knew it would cost her more than her heart she would have ignored the call.

"Dad, am here", Selena said. Mr. Barlow turned towards his first child and felt his heart melt with love for her, "If only I can take away all her pains and give her the whole world" he thought. Smiling at her he drew her towards him.

"I want you to meet my dear and old friend Mr. Peterson and his son Craig". Taking a sip from his drink, he continued. "Craig is the managing director of Fortune bank and also a partner in Kurt and Kurt Accounting firm".

"Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Edwards, I've heard a lot about you from your father, he never stops talking about you". He lifted her hands and placed a kiss on her fingers.

Selena felt a spark when his lips brushed her fingers, a feeling which she hadn't felt for a long time since Peter died. "Pleased to meet you too", she said and was surprised that she really meant it.

Mr. Barlow excused his daughter and Craig and went to join other guests, he wanted them to talk more. Craig held Selena's hand and led her to the sofa so they could talk more. They talked for a long time, both enjoying each other's company. 

Craig talked about not being home for the past five years and wondered if that was the reason they never met until now. He found it so easy to talk to her though he was a ladies man and had always had his way around women. 

But this was different. He actually enjoyed her company and wanted to spend more time with her. He combed his hands through his hair, "Is this how love felt, or was it that he was getting old" he thought. 

The next weeks would determine a lot about how things go between them, this Christmas would surely be fun. Craig looked at Selena and when their eyes locked he swore he felt butterflies at his lower abdomen. They talked about everything and anything but both were conscious not to delve into personal matters as the day drew to a close and most of the guests left for their homes Craig stood up to leave, he smiled at her wished her a good night rest and left. 

Selena was disappointed and confused, she was hoping he did ask for a date, she felt inferior to him since he was a bank manager and she was just a secretary at a mortgage firm and he was above her class. She felt her eyes filled with unshed tears, pulling herself together. She went into her room, closed her door, and sat at the foot of her bed, and cried.