How to Get A Guy on Valentine's Day

“You look happy,” Louise, my coworker, remarked with a teasing smile as she watched me pack up for the afternoon. “Do you have any plans?” My smile widened. “It's Valentine's day.” Louise grimaced, glaring at the door of the office of the manager who happened to be her husband. “Don't I know it? I can't believe he made us come in to work today. All the other teams are out having fun.” “We work in public relations at a food company. If we didn't have work today, we might as well pack up.” I hoisted my bag to my shoulder. “Anyway, I'm off.” “You didn't answer my question,” she yelled after me. “Where are you rushing off to?” Fortunately, her husband came out of his office at that moment with a large bouquet of roses. I used the momentary distraction to slip away from her to the elevator. I made the short trip from the third floor to the ground floor where my car was parked in the parking lot. When I got into my Audi, I rested my head against the steering wheel, taking deep breaths to calm my racing heart. Reaching into my handbag, I pulled out the small red box that had been on my mind all day. Cracking it open, I took a peek inside. On the black cushion rested a plain, silver ring I had had custom-made last week in anticipation of today. The day I would propose to my boyfriend of three years. Jason was the first friend I made when I moved to Miami after college in Oregon five years ago. Being thousands of miles away from my family, I had needed support and he had helped in more ways than one. It wasn't a surprise when I fell for him only a few months after we met. He asked me out a while later and we had been dating ever since. Today, I was going to make our relationship even more official. After letting out a breath, I put my car into gear and drove to his office, imagining the kind of face he would make when I proposed to him. It wasn't usual for women to propose to men so perhaps he would be shocked or even embarrassed that he hadn't thought to propose first. I was only making this move after being heavily encouraged by the saleswoman at the shop I bought the ring at. Not to mention that the ring cost me a pretty penny. The proposal had to be a success. I pulled into the parking lot of Jason's office building. When I stepped in, Lizzy, the receptionist smiled at me and waved me over. “Hi, Elena. What are you doing here?” I showed her the box of chocolate, hiding the ring in my jacket. “I came to surprise Jason.” Something flickered in her eyes—something like panic or sympathy maybe. “Really? Go on up. I'm sure he'll be glad to see you.” She scribbled something on the back of a card and gave it to me. “Give this to Fiona. She's the new receptionist on the fourth floor. If you hand this to her, she'll let you right in.” I smiled. “Thank you.” She returned my smile. For some reason, it seemed a little sad. “It's no worries. Good luck.” “Good luck?” I muttered, wondering why it sounded like she was sending me into the lion's den. I shook my head. I was probably overthinking it. If something was wrong, Lizzy would tell me. I arrived on the fourth floor, my excitement rekindled immediately. Fiona looked up as the elevator dinged. Seeing me, she put on a customer service smile. “Hello. How may I help you?” “I'm here to see Jason Altman.” Her eyes flickered towards the door of Jason's office nervously. “Do you have an appointment?” “Well, no but Lizzie said to give you this,” I said and handed her the card, remembering too late that I hadn't read what was on it. I watched Fiona's expression to see if she would give something away. She didn't and nodded with her polite smile in place. “Alright. Head right in.” “This is it, Elena,” I muttered under my breath. My hand closed around the door knob. After doing a small countdown in my head, I threw open the door. I froze, hardly able to believe what I was seeing. The box of chocolate in my hand clattered to the ground. Hearing the sound, the two separated hesitantly and turned to me with annoyed eyes. When he saw me, Jason's eyes widened. “E-Elena, what are you doing here?” “Is it so wrong to want to spend Valentine's day with my boyfriend?” I asked, my eyes stinging. “I suppose I'm a fool for coming all the way here and meeting you and your assistant swapping spit.” Ruby, the assistant aforementioned, blushed and turned away. “Why so shy, Ruby? You didn't look this way when you were kissing my boyfriend.” Jason moved Ruby behind his back. “Elena, let her be. Your fight is with me.” I glanced at the flowers on the desk and the steak dinner that was set on the meal table that faced the glass wall overlooking the city. The chocolate box I brought over looked insignificant. “I’ve spent so much effort trying to make sure we will be together. I brought this expensive chocolate”—I kicked the chocolate box towards him—“a ring and even booked a trip for us to leave–” “This is what I hate about you. You're so damn controlling,” he yelled, interrupting me. “Who said I wanted a trip or your stupid chocolate?” “Is it a crime to want to do nice things for my boyfriend?!” I yelled back, matching his intensity. “Instead of talking to me about it, you run behind my back, cheating with little–” “Do not dare complete that sentence!” I stared at him stunned. He wasn't even apologetic and remained so intent on defending the other woman. “Ruby understands me and actually treats me right. She listens to me and does what I want. You, on the other hand, you're so stubborn that it makes you look ugly. I want a life with her, not you. I will never marry you.” My heart shattered into tiny pieces. Unable to stand the sight anymore, I turned and ran away from his office. "I can't believe I was in love with a bastard like him."