Act 2: The Choice

Trudging up the stairs, her head hung low. She felt strangled by her misfortune. So much so, that she did not see the person in front of her.

“Ah!” she cried out, almost tumbling backward, but a strong grip caught her and drew her close.

“Hey, babe,”

She glanced up in surprise as the face of her boyfriend stared down at her. His hazel eyes softened as he took in her expression.

“Nathan?” she asked incredulously. What was he doing here? “Aren’t you supposed to be in a meeting?”

He shrugs, “Nah. You never call me during work hours, so I figured something was off.”

Devyn broke out into a smile and wrapped her arms around him. How did she end up with someone like this with all her bad luck?

“You figured right,” she grumbled into his chest as he stroked her hair. With a sigh, he broke the embrace and looked at her. “Let’s get inside then we can chat, baby,” he said and laced their fingers together. Devyn nods and unlocks the front door. Nathan always seemed to know when something was wrong with her. This was why his abrupt goodbye earlier surprised her so much. If there’s one thing she was thankful for, it would be him.

She slipped off her heels for her flats and flopped down on the couch next to Nathan. Laying her head in his lap, she lets out a big sigh.

“I got fired today,” she admitted with shame. He had been there through the last 3 job changes, so one more felt a bit embarrassing.

“Really? How did that happen, Dev? I thought things had been going well at this place.” He asked with a frown. It was true, things were going well up until a week ago. That’s when she started waking up later or ignoring her alarm clock. Clarissa mentioned something about depression, but as usual, Devyn ignored her.

She pinched the bridge of her nose, “At least I thought it was.” she answered truthfully.

Nathan shook his head, “What now?” he asked.

She looked at him and offered him a thin smile. “I don’t know. Job hunting again, I guess.” She answered him with a shrug. He nodded at her.

“You know, Dev. There is one option, and I have mentioned it to you before.”

Devyn stiffened.

Nathan had asked her to move in with him a month ago and she still had not answered him. He told her she would want for nothing and wouldn’t even need to work. But she was not the type to leech off anyone. She was not her mother.

“I can’t answer you right now, Nathan. No matter how desperate I am, I could never do that to you. I need to work and sustain myself, even if that means I have to struggle. I just can’t depend on somebody like that. Please understand.” she answered sincerely and saw his injured expression.

They have been together for just over three years, but she still felt apprehensive about moving in with him. She couldn’t explain why she felt this way, it wasn’t as if she didn’t love him. She thought the world of him.

“I’m not ready.”

Nathan perks up and gives her a smile. "I understand, babe. Wanna go out for the day? It might help take your mind off things."

Devyn sits up and throws her arms around his neck, "I would love that, Nate. But, don't you have work to do?" She asked him with a knit to her brows. He gave her his lopsided smile that she loved so much, "I'm sure my company can do without me for a few hours." He responded as he pulled out his cellphone. "I'll get Manuela to cancel all my appointments for the day."

She stared at him while he called his office, and wondered why she wasn't completely giving herself to this man. He thought the world of her and yet all she had to offer was snippets of her love and affection. Was she not as secure in this relationship as she thought she was?

He gave her another smile as he sat up and held out his hand for her to take. "I'm all yours, babe." He says, planting a kiss on her cheek.

She looked at him as they walked out and could not help but think to herself, "I wish I could say the same."

***

They took their seats at her favorite restaurant after an eventful day. Nathan took her to all her favorite places and now he was treating her to a meal.

“You spoil me too much, Nate.” She tells him after they order. He looked at her with eyes full of love and a wave of guilt washed over her. “You deserve only the best, babe. And I aim to please.” He answered with a smile and she giggled.

“Why can’t you just say yes to him, Devyn?”

“I’ve been thinking since I took you to Radio City Music Hall,” he started and she realized where this was going. “Why don’t you go back to school again, Dev? You got accepted to the Manhattan School of Music but left after two semesters. We could get you back in there if you wanted? I know the Dean and I’m sure something could be worked out for you.”

Devyn sighed. Nathan was constantly trying to help her out with her music. Singing was her passion, but she never seemed to get anywhere with it. All the clubs she used to sing at were dives and did not appreciate her talent. Yet here was Nathan, trying to give her her dreams on a silver platter.

“Nate, we’ve spoken about this. If I am going to reach my dream, it will be on my terms. I won’t piggyback on your contacts when other talented people struggle to get in at MSM. It’s not fair.”

Nathan wanted to give her the world, and here she appeared to be debating the fairness of it all.

He sighed and took her hand in his, “You’re too kind for this world, baby. Did I mention how much I love you?” He asked her with her favorite lopsided grin playing on his lips. She beamed at him, “Nah, I don’t hear it enough.” She joked, sticking her tongue out at him, and he feigned shock. “Well, I guess I will have to show you tonight, won’t I?” He responded with a mischievous smile.

Devyn loved these exchanges with him, but lately, Nathan barely made time for her. He was CEO and Head Editor of a small publishing company, so she understood he was busy. The fact that he ran over to her today had been a surprise to her. In the quiet season, he would regularly visit her every second day. Lately, if she saw him twice a week, it was a lot.

“So, how are things at work? They seem to keep you busy lately.” She asked him, trying to dig a bit. He looked at her and shrugged, “I’ve been approaching e-novel authors for the next big thing. From what I can see, there is an abundance of untapped talent out there and e-novel websites are the only way for them to get their stories out into the world. They have given me 4 months to land a best-seller.”

So that is why he has been so quiet then. She leans forward and gives him a tense smile, “Here I was starting to think I was boring you with my presence.” She joked and caught the frown on his face, He shook his head, “Never, Dev. You’re my world and if something was bothering me about our relationship, you know I would tell you.” He responded, and she knew it was the truth.

“I know, babe. I’m only joking.” Devyn said, trying to iron out the mood again. She looked around the room and smiled, “Do you remember how we first met?” She asked. Of course, he remembered. Pointing to the bar area, he chuckled, “Right over there.”

She worked as a bar lady here when they met. He was along with a bachelor party crawl when he spotted her. She felt his eyes on her all evening before he eventually resolved to approach her. When she saw him, she remembered thinking how handsome he looked. He was wearing black jeans with a buttoned-down shirt, but it was his eyes that drew her in; deep pools of honey. She wasn’t looking for any relationship then, so they started out as friends first. One evening her ride didn’t pitch, so in desperation, she called Nathan and he took her home.

They had their first kiss that evening.

“I will never forget how I felt when my eyes met yours.” He gushed, taking her hand. “I knew then that I had to have you.”

"Woah, why did that suddenly sound creepy?" She thought to herself, hiding her reaction. “Now you have me.” She says with a tight smile and he nods. “You’re all mine, no one else’s.” He whispered as he took a sip of his wine.

What the hell was up with him this evening? Where did this possessive personality suddenly come from?

They spent the rest of the evening chatting further, but Devyn grew rather apprehensive about her boyfriend. She did not like the possessive tone in his voice earlier; it reminded her too much of her father. Remembering her vow to never choose a man like her father, she kept her distance from Nathan as the night went on. If he noticed her behavior, he mentioned nothing.