Yearning for Love

Crazy but Smart

“Your engagement is in a week time Caroline! Why haven’t you contacted the designer yet? The delivery has to be done on time or we’re going to worry about your outfit now!” Mrs Halls nagged with frustration, as she got off the phone with their designer. It seems the old lady had postponed the order of her golden gown due to high demand.

“I am sure she will figure it out.” Caroline smiled. Her mind hadn’t been on the designer gown, nor was it on the new jewelry sets her mum got from the Paks. Her mind was on Andrew Pak, the man she was to get married to. His thought made her lips blush, and slid her hands down her smooth hair. She loved him, she wanted him, and hoped he felt the same way. Of course he felt the same way! He had told her too. Feeling bored by her mum’s constant nagging and Laura’s nonchalant attitude to the preparations, she chose to take a short stroll.

This time she didn’t fix her mind on Andrew’s soft touch or his long stare into her eyes. She rather paid attention to the old man who pushed his old trolley down the pedestrian way. He did it slowly as if he had nothing to rush home too. As he pushed down this trolley which Caroline could guess had a child in it, she noticed a relaxed look on his face. It was barely a few seconds in when a young lady hurried to him and apologized for taking so long. She seemed to be the mother of the child, as she bent over the trolley for a while laughing at the old man. Perhaps the old man was her father? Caroline couldn’t tell.

She stared away from their direction, feeling the need to mind her business. She walked down the old road, feeling the cool evening breeze grace her pores, then she saw Millie, Andrew’s old maid. A smile appeared on her lips at her sight. Millie was engrossed in the tomatoes she priced, she didn’t notice her. But when she did, she turned away as if she barely knew her.

“Hi, I am Caroline.” Caroline introduced herself, thinking the old lady must have forgotten her.

“Yes, I know you from Andrew.” The lady didn’t care.

“Can I know if he is home?” She asked, wondering why the conversation got cold.

Millie gazed at her for a while before nodding.

“Yes he is.”

Caroline took that as a good news.

“But I will advise you to stay away from him, that’s if you love yourself.”

“Why?”

“You will see if you do not listen.”

Caroline couldn’t tell why Millie acted cold towards her. What problem had she with them being together?

“Perhaps an elaborate explanation will help….”

That was a useless request because Millie snubbed her afterwards. Caroline saw this as a red flag. It was one she couldn’t just ignore. She took deep breaths and made her way towards Andrew’s home. The 15 minutes trekking wasn’t one that bothered her. She approached his gate and got in easily, due to his gateman recognizing her.

“You’re looking for Andrew?” She was asked by the driver, who washed his car.

“Yes, I am. I heard he is in.”

The driver nodded and had his phone call Andrew. After a minute, he turned his head in refusal.

“Sorry, he isn’t in”

“Millie told me he was in.”

“He left a few minutes ago. I am afraid you missed him.”

“Thank you.”

Caroline walked out with a mild regret of having come in the first place. Was this supposed to be a walk of shame? If only she hadnot come at all, then she wouldn’t have a slight feeling Andrew was avoiding her. This was a feeling she didn’t want to experience. She hated to overthink things. He might not be avoiding her, perhaps Millie was referring to a bad habit of his, she wasn’t aware of yet.

When she arrived home, she received a phone call from the designer informing her that her gown was ready. Well, that brightened up her mood a little. What was the point of the wedding, if she wasn’t sure of the groom’s choice anymore?

“Andrew sent you a parcel.” Laura informed her, as she peeked her head through her open door. Caroline was stunned.

“What? Really?” She asked.

“Yes, He did. Come to the living room to see it.”

As the obedient sister she was, she rushed downstairs to see the parcel. It was a basket filled with some gift wrapped boxes. A bottle of expensive wine stood out from the rest, and a green bow was use to decorate the handle of the basket. She’d picked up a note which was placed on top of the boxes.

“I love you, Caroline.” She read out loud with a blush.

“I wish your dad did that for me during our youth days.” Her mum said with slight jealousy.

Caroline picked up the basket and headed back to her room, feeling curious on what could be in those boxes. Her experience with Andrew that evening flew out of the window, since she felt his love reassurance through his letter.

*ANDREW POV*

Andrew Paks sighed with relieved when he was told of Caroline’s visit. Good thing he wasn’t home at that time! He wouldn’t have known how to react. As he took off his shirt and unbuckled his belt, he recalled his mum’s insistence on him getting Caroline a gift that morning. He wasn’t sure why nor had he any interest. His mum’s optimistic vision of a lifelong bond through little gifts, forced him to the edge. He ordered her a gift basket that morning and wrote a note the way she would love. He could imagine the big glow on her face ones she read those three magic words he never meant.

“Why are some ladies so naive?” He thought, finally taking off his trousers.

He was interrupted by his phone ringing as he folded his trousers. It was Drey.

“How’s the flight tickets going?” He asked promptly. His need to leave as soon as possible was obvious from the desperation in his voice.

“It’s going okay….just not the way you want.” Drey explained.

“What do you mean by that?” Andrew sounded pissed.

“The only flight I could find to Spain after the storm is on the first week of February. That’s your only chance to leave.”

Andrew wasn’t happy by that news. First week of the following month?! What?! Why the hell did they have to postpone flights due to terrible weather anyway?

“Mehn, why can’t it be this week so that I can avoid them ones and for all?”

“Bro, try to give her a chance. She’s not so bad.”

“Convincing me is pointless and you know it.” Andrew stood up and went into his washroom.

“You have to settle down sometime, dude. You are an only son….”

Andrew splashed some water on his face and stared at his reflection on the mirror. He never thought of the situation from that point of view. All he was after was his business and his lust. He never thought of his parents, their descendants or whatever responsibilities he had.

“I will speak to you later, Drey.” He hung up and splashed another round of cold water. How could he have missed the thought of him being a family man soon? Of course he had to be a family man soon! But does it have to be with Caroline? He feared that lady. He feared his helplessness around her and the way she made him feel. He wasn’t interested in feeling concerned for her anytime soon. His phone rang again while he dabbed his face dry. It was his mum.

“Caroline received the gift. I called to confirm her reaction and it was positive.” His mum informed him.

“Good for her then.” He didn’t care.

“You know the engagement is next week Friday, right?” His mum asked.

“I needed that reminder.” He sounded sarcastic.

“Andrew I am so happy you’re settling down. You’re doing me proud, you know that right?”

“Well I….”

“She is a good lady. You made a great choice. Do not make any mistake you’ll regret later.”

His phone beeped and he checked a message that flew in.

‘Your tickets are ready.’

A smirk came on his lips.

“Andrew, are you even listening to me?” His mum sounded at the other end of his phone.