Chapter 2
1384 Words
RILEY
I think the world stopped around me. What did I just hear? Absent-mindedly, I took the bottle of champagne and down the whole thing, not caring that people were watching us.
"Um, Pooh Bear, maybe you should..."
I slammed the empty bottle on the table. I was sure now there was no ring.
"I'm sorry, what?" The warmth of his hand started to feel like a burning burden. I slipped my hand out of his. "You're breaking up with me?"
"More like a break. I swear, it's not you, Pooh Bear," Dean said.
"Don't call me that," I snapped.
"Right," Dean said, clearing his throat. "It's just I think we need to focus on our careers right now."
What the f**k does that mean? I tried to ask just that, but suddenly, my mouth felt parched. I couldn't believe my ears. For a moment, I thought maybe I was dreaming.
"So, you're breaking up with me," I asked, trying not to put any emotions in my words. "At my favorite restaurant?"
Dean's eyes widened just a bit at the accusation, and he looked around before rushing to defend himself.
"I'm so sorry, Pooh Bear, I mean, Riley," Dean corrected, grabbing my hand again and rubbing circles on my knuckles the way I liked. I could actually feel myself relaxing in his grasp. "It's just...well, you know I'm going to be promoted as an attending physician..."
"I've never gotten in your way, Dean," I said, cutting him off. "We've been working together for three years, and we've never caused problems for each other."
"Well, we are breaking the rules for dating in the first place and we are in the same department, which might make it weird since I'll be in a higher position. It's been causing me stress, especially since my mother is very strict about it."
This was news to me. No one ever mentioned this to me, nor was it in my contract.
"Why now? Why didn't you say anything before? Besides, no one even knows that we're together. I work mostly at the clinic, and you're in the main hospital building. We barely see each other."
"I know, but I didn't bring it up before because I love being with you. The same reason why I brought you here," Dean said, gesturing to the restaurant. "I wanted to do something nice for you."
"Something nice," I repeated absentmindedly. My brain was taking its time to comprehend what the hell was going on. Is he out of f*****g mind? "Something nice!"
Dean flinched at the tone of my voice as I snatched my hand from his grip. He leaned back, looking around nervously at the other patrons.
"Pooh bear-"
"Don't," I snapped. "You don't deserve to call me that anymore."
Dean raised his hands in surrender. "You're right. I'm sorry."
Dean was never a confrontational kind of person. He would apologize for anything if it meant he didn't have to argue. How the hell he became a doctor was a mystery to me. That actually seemed to piss me off more.
I leaned away from him, crossing my arms. "I don't need your validation or apology. Who brings the person they supposedly love for six years to their favorite restaurant to break up with them?"
I could feel my anger rising with each word, making Dean shrink back into his chair. There was a moment of silence before I noticed the other patrons in the room watching us. I covered my face with my hands, trying to collect myself. It took all my strength to keep myself from crying. I won't let this happen. I should fight for this. Dean was never good at making these kinds of decisions anyway. How do I bring this back on track in my favor?
"What about the ring," I asked. I was sure I hadn't imagined a box on the table, but the look on Dean's face didn't reassure me. "There was a ring box, right? Here on the table, I saw a box."
My voice was quivering by the time I finished speaking. Dean looked in the direction I was pointing, and a realization came across his face. He sighed and rubbed his face.
"Pooh Bear, that box was here before I got here. I think the couple before us left it, and I kept reminding the waiter to take it off the table. I wasn't proposing...I mean, I didn't think you would think..."
"I don't understand," I said, cutting him off and trying to keep my voice low. "This...this is all wrong. This is not part of our plan. We had a plan, remember? We made a couple's list. That we framed."
Dean groaned. "Can we not talk about the list right now? They always gave me anxiety when I saw it. Made me feel like a failure if I didn't get something."
"You never said that before," I yelled before pulling it back. I collected myself and tried to speak as calmly as I could. "Dean, what has happened since the last time we saw each other? You go away for a few weeks with your friends to Budapest and return to break up with me. What the hell happened in Budapest, and don't tell me it was some spiritual journey bullshit."
"No," Dean quickly replied. "I mean, it was a spiritual trip, but nothing like you think. Budapest was just....Budapest. It's just she..."
I gasped loudly before covering my mouth. "She?" I couldn't believe he actually had the balls. "Did you...cheat on me?"
Dean's face paled at my accusation. He wasn't the type to do that, but this whole ordeal was out of left field.
Dean leaned forward with wide eyes and whispered, "Of course not, Pooh Bear. How could you even think that? With the hospital schedule and my mother on my back about this position, I barely have time for myself."
His eyes misted a little, like he was on the verge of tears. He was so good at that. I even felt terrible for accusing him of something so heinous. I was about to reach for him to comfort him, but then he did something that made me hesitate. He quickly looked away and massaged his neck before pulling at his ear. It was one of his many tellings.
Before I could call him out, the waiter awkwardly approached the table to remove the empty dishes. I wiped away the tears from my eyes to thank the waiter.
"I'll take the check." I could hear Dean whisper. The waiter returned promptly, taking the last few glasses off the table. He turned to give me a smile. I could tell it was out of pity.
"If there's anything you need, please let me know. Anything," the waiter stressed before bowing and leaving the table.
Dean scoffed, glaring at the waiter. "Can you believe that guy? I'm sitting right here, and he's flirting with you. The service in this place could be better."
Are you serious? "The service here has always been great, Dean. It's one of the reasons I come often, but now you have ruined that."
Dean sulked, his sad eyes looking over me as he reached for my hand, but I quickly pulled away. He sighed, and before he could say anything, his phone rang. He looked at the screen and groaned.
"I have to take this," he said, standing. "Don't go anywhere. I don't want to end like this, Pooh-Bear."
He placed his card on the table and left the room. I placed my hands over my face and cried quietly. I didn't know how long I could keep up the facade of my heartache.
"Miss?"
I quickly composed myself and wiped my face before looking at the waiter. I could tell he felt sorry for me, but I didn't want him to worry for some reason. I took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry. Don't mind me. Ummm, here's the card to pay for everything," I said, wanting him to leave the table as soon as possible.
He hesitated to leave and turned to me. "Are you sure that is all you want to charge?"
He gave me a knowing look, and I couldn't help but laugh. He was right. That wasn't all I wanted.
- Writer
