Unrequited Love
Six years ago, Georgina took a deep breath as she entered a well-known restaurant in town. The receptionist guided her to their reserved seat, and from a distance, she spotted her favorite person, Travis Rosselli.
With a raised chin and a graceful stride, she approached him. Travis, ever the gentleman, stood up and pulled a chair for her. A simple "thank you" was her response, words feeling inadequate in the presence of someone she held dear.
Travis's gaze lingered on her for a moment, inspecting her appearance. Georgina understood; she had prepared meticulously for this encounter, booking an appointment at the most expensive salon to ensure she was the most beautiful woman in his eyes. "You're extremely beautiful tonight, Georgina," Travis complimented, and a blush painted her cheeks.
Unaccustomed to such flowery words from the opposite s*x, she stammered out a shy "Thank you."
Travis, without dwelling on the compliment, signaled the waitress to take their orders. The delectable dishes arrived promptly, but Georgina's thoughts were elsewhere. Her mind buzzed with a multitude of thoughts.
Travis, perceptive as ever, noticed her distraction. "What's wrong? Don't you like the food?" he inquired. She managed a smile and shook her head, "No, in fact, it's mouth-watering."
He resumed eating, and she observed him—the way he chewed, every movement. Travis was undeniably attractive, possessing wealth, power, and looks. He was the epitome of the man every woman sought.
As time slipped away, she realized he had finished his meal. He wiped his mouth with a napkin and locked eyes with her. "We can now talk, whatever it is, Georgina."
Her gulp resonated heavily in the silence. This was her moment to express her admiration and love for him. Their fathers were best friends and business partners, leading to frequent encounters throughout the years. Her college crush on Travis had only intensified with time, evolving from infatuation to deep-seated love.
Travis was her first in everything—a presence in her life since college. The root cause of her feelings eluded her; she couldn't explain why she felt this way. She needed a remedy, and she believed that remedy was Travis's love.
As the days passed, her feelings for him grew stronger. He was her first in everything – her first love. If asked about the root cause, she couldn't pinpoint it. All she remembered was attending a colleague's party celebrating new graduates. The night ended in a blur, with a worried Travis fetching her back to the Mansion. The next morning, she woke up in bed with him, a bloodstain on the sheet serving as proof of their intimate encounter.
She didn't press him for details; there was no anger in her heart. In fact, she felt an odd sense of happiness. Travis was her first, after all. On his part, Travis didn't bother bringing up the events between them. They both pretended as if that night never happened, a month ago. Travis wasn't vocal about the status of their non-existent relationship.
"I-i..." She struggled to find the right words. Travis glanced at his watch impatiently, a furrow forming on his forehead. She took a deep breath, closing her eyes before meeting his gaze with determination. It was now or never. "Travis, I love you," she confessed, nervously biting her lip.
A heavy silence hung in the air. Her heartbeat echoed loudly in her ears, making her feel like she was awaiting judgment in a courtroom.
"Is this for real?" Travis asked, his eyes gloomy. She nodded, her voice guttural. "Yeah, you heard it right. I love you, Travis," she declared as if time was running out.
Travis stroked his beard thoughtfully. After a moment, he spoke with a difficult tone. "Look, Georgina. We know each other. Our fathers are best friends. But that's it. Yes, something happened between us, but that's all. I don't want to hurt you, but I'm not the man for you. There's someone out there who deserves you, and I'm not that man. Love? It will fade with time. Someday, you'll thank me for saying this. I'm sorry, but I don't love you... I don't feel the same way," he explained.
Her shoulders slumped, and she felt hot tears welling up. His words pierced her heart like a pin. He stood up and walked away, each step a painful reminder. She watched him go, tears streaming down her face.
Raindrops from the clouds matched her emotions. Hours passed, and she sat still in the restaurant before a realization hit her.
Wiping her tears, she stood up. Why waste tears on someone who doesn't see her worth? Travis was right. She deserved someone much better. Someone who could make her feel special and loved.
That night, she learned a valuable lesson: don't choose the person you love, but the person who loves you and treats you better.
