Until Forever Wasn't Temporary

Chapter 8—Proposal & The Past

It was Sunday; Adriana woke up from a long sleep. It was like her body was still asking her to rest.

She got out of bed, and the first thing that she remembered was the moment Mr. Dante Vescari offered.

“Stop it, Adriana, you are not going to say yes.”

Adriana gave herself a pep talk to herself, as she needed to stay focused and not be swayed by Theo and his father.

A notification popped up on her phone, and it was Elena’s social media post.

“I can’t wait to see you soon.”

It was an image of an ultrasound with that caption.

Adriana let out a deep sigh as she could feel her heart being squeezed. Even though she said she should not feel any more pain about the past. She could not stop feeling saddened, as being betrayed is indeed painful.

What if she were hurt again?

What if she can’t bear the pain?

Can she survive?

Dante is in this study room, busy reading Adriana’s files.

“No matter how you read it, her husband is an asshole.”

Vincent said while staring at him.

“I know that, and I know ‌that is the reason why she is reluctant.”

I feel bad for Ms. Hartley; getting a cheating husband is brutal.”

Vincent also pities Adriana; to be betrayed by her husband and best friend, what an awful way to go.

“I also learned that the husband only paid her half a million.”

“What?”

“Yup, from our investigation, Ms. Hartley said yes to that alimony price at the outset, that Mr. Lewis will be having a child and needs more money than her.”

Dante clenched his hand in anger.

“What a douchebag; how can he do that?”

“He can. Ms. Hartley and Mr Lewis were childhood sweethearts; Ms. Hartley devoted her life to him.”

“Good thing they didn’t end up having children.”

“Because that prick planned to have it with another person.”

Dante is in fury, learning those things about Ms. Hartley; it is mortifying to know that a person like Daniel Lewis exists.

“And to top that, Elena Cole, the woman he cheated with Ms. Hartley, is now engaged and getting married.”

“I haven’t met the man; I want to crush him.”

“Ms. Hartley will not like that.”

“Sigh! I know; she is not like that.”

“I hope you have a plan to win her.”

Dante smiled and pulled out his phone.

“Yes!”

Adriana made this day productive. She went to the supermarket to buy supplies. She was scouring the frozen section when..

“Adriana Hartley!”

She turned around and saw Elena and Daniel shopping as well.

She froze on the spot as the two approached her.

“Are you following us?”

Daniel asked

“I am just shopping.”

Adriana replied with disdain.

“Come on, Adriana, are you still bitter after the divorce?”

“I'd better leave.”

Adriana tried to leave the scene, but Elena and Daniel just didn’t move.

“Come now, Adriana, can you not be happy for us?”

Elena said with a taunting tone.

“Congratulations, please; I need to go.”

Adriana pushed her cart away from the two.

“You better not get in our way, Adriana. We're divorced.”

Daniel shouted and laughed as he thought he had won over Adriana.

Adriana, on the other hand, was trembling as she never expected to meet those two. Why is fate being playful with her?

What did she even do to deserve this?

She hurriedly left the supermarket and went straight home. At the doorstep of her apartment, a bouquet of pink roses awaited her.

She picked it up and saw the card.

I hope you like roses! - Dante Vescari

Adriana entered her apartment and placed the flowers on the table. She smiled while staring at the flowers.

Suddenly, her phone rang; it was an unknown number. Adriana answered.

“Hello!”

“Did you like the flowers?”

“Mr. Vescari? How did you get my number?”

“I have ways. Did you like it?”

“Yes! Thank you!”

Dante smiled while talking to Adriana on the other side of the phone.

“I hope the flowers can make your decision change.”

“Please, Mr Vescari, I am still…”

Adriana didn’t dare to continue after the encounter with Daniel and Elene; hearing Mr. Vescari’s voice made her happy.

“If you're still deciding, then allow me to send you flowers every day so you can already say yes.”

“Mr. Vescari, marriage is not a joke. I hope you understand that.”

“I am not making light of this. As a parent, I love Theo, so I want what he wants. I also want a person who will love and cherish my son. I believe it is you.”

“But you are going to sacrifice your happiness?”

Dante paused, as he already knew where Adriana was going with this conversation.

“Do not overthink, Ms. Hartley. I do not want to cause you any stress or harm; rather than thinking of what isn’t, try to think of the good things in becoming Theo’s mother.”

“You do not know me that well, Mr. Vescari.”

“I will get to know more about you if you become Theo’s mother.”

Adriana didn’t speak on the other end, as she knew that Mr. Vescari was indeed a persuasive man.

“Save my number; see you soon, Ms. Hartley.”

“Yes!”

The call ended just like that. Adriana stared at the flowers and thought to herself.

When was the last time she ever received flowers?

Daniel had never bought her flowers since they got married. Now, when she thinks about it, what did Daniel even do for her after their marriage?

Adriana then thought that after marrying Daniel, their marriage was not good.

Adriana then thought of what-ifs: if she had married Mr. Dante Vescari, her life might be better.

The next day, Adriana came to Redwood, and the incident that had happened was all erased.

“Good Morning, Ms. Hartley.”

Theo greeted Adriana that morning.

“Hello, Theo!”

“Are you alright, Ms. Adriana?”

Adriana smiled at Theo; she ruffled his hair.

“I am alright! Thank you for asking.”

Classes have started at Redwood, and everyone is excited to start the day. Adriana completed her class schedule and headed to the teacher's lounge. When she entered, everyone was huddled over an area.

“What is happening?”

As she asked, she was surprised to see a bouquet on the table.

“For you!”

Madeline said while handing the card to her.

“What?”

Adriana took the card and looked.

Hope this makes you happy! - DV

Another flower from Dante Vescari. This is really getting out of hand.

“Who is it from?”

Madeline asked who was trying to sneak a peek at the card.

“Just a parent who is expressing gratitude.”

“Really? I say it is a suitor.”

“Madeline, please!”

Adriana approached the bouquet; she took a picture and sent a text message.

Thank you, but please not at my work. Everyone is staring at me. (SMS)

Oh! Do they envy you? (SMS)

Mr Dante Vescari, please, I am not kidding here. (SMS)

Sorry for teasing; I will send the flowers to your house next time. (SMS)

Thank you for the flowers. (SMS)

You’re welcome! (SMS)

Adriana smiled subconsciously while messaging Dante Vescari.

“So it is a suitor.”

Madeline said while staring at Adriana.

“Nope, totally different people.”

“Hmm! You deserve to be happy. So go for it.”

Madeline’s words struck a chord in Adrian’s heart. Her ‌deserving of happiness.

Is she really deserving of that?

Will she really be allowed to be happy?

Classes at Redwood ended. Adriana said goodbye to her students and headed home.

As she walked around the corner. Adriana bumped into Daniel.

“My gosh, isn’t it Adriana Hartley?”

“Daniel?”

Daniel approached her and saw the flowers.

“How desperate to buy flowers to make you feel good. Are you that sad?”

“Get away from me, Daniel.”

Before Adriana could go away, Daniel held her arms and pulled her. Adriana was surprised and dropped the flowers.

“What do you want, Daniel? We are already divorced.”

“That is the problem: we are already divorced, but everyone in my circle thinks I made the wrong decision.”

“That is not my fault. Let me go!”

“Because of you, they do not want to accept Elena.”

Adriana was already feeling pain from Daniel's grasp. She kicked his knee, which made him let her go.

“Ouch! Adriana!”

Adriana hurriedly ran away from Daniel; she didn’t look behind her.

All she wanted was to get away from that man.

He was evil and still blaming her for things she didn’t do!

All Adriana ever wanted was to have nothing to do with Daniel or Elena. She wanted to cut everything linked to them.

If only Adriana could run forever to escape them, she would do that. But she knew that was impossible. She needed to do something to end their delusion and their harassment.

Adriana reached her apartment; she immediately locked the doors. She sat on the floor from exhaustion.

She started crying out of anger and fear at how Daniel could still be harming him.

She then saw the flowers sent to her by Dante Vescari.

She wiped her tears and looked determined.

“If this is what it takes, I will make sure you will not harm me anymore.”

Adriana told herself.

She resolved that day!