A Second Chance

She stared at her signature drink the waiter set down in front of her. “I didn’t order this!” She called after the waiter.

“No, but I did,” the chillingly familiar voice reached her ears before he sat across from her. “Hello, again,” he smiled.

“Derek.” She said curtly, willing her face into neutrality. What was he doing here? She’d gone to the city to get away from him. Dyed her hair auburn, got a spray tan regularly, and started wearing glasses. She’d even changed careers from a chef to a school teacher, going to night school to finish her teaching certification. She'd thought perhaps she'd gone overboard; been too cautious. Yet, here he was, in the flesh.

“I’m so glad I found you,” his voice was as smooth as honey. “You still like a green tea matcha latte with a hint of vanilla, right?”

“What are you doing here?” She gripped the paper napkin in her lap, tightly. The coffee shop bustled around them, but here, at this table, the world stood still.

“I came to see you, Sara.” His blue eyes looked into hers, almost sincerely. Those eyes had fooled her before. “I was so worried when you disappeared. I came home to our apartment. No note, no message, no hint that you’d ever existed. You even took your art off of the walls and the spices from the cupboard.”

“Those spices were expensive and— No! You don’t get an explanation. Leave me alone!” Sara hissed.

He stared at the untouched latte with its milky white flower art in the thick green liquid. “It’s not poisoned. I never once touched it.”

Sara didn’t even look at the drink. To accept it would mean she was letting him in. Forgiving him, even if it was only a little bit.

“I know you hate food waste. It was one of your passions as a chef,” he coaxed as if she were a little child like those in her kindergarten class.

“Derek, did you not think that I would have told you if I wanted to be found?” She pleaded. She looked around at the cafe, but nobody seemed to notice, or care, that she was in distress.

“We’re married, Sara. Til death do us part. Or was that just a lie on your side?” His eyes narrowed.

There it was. The real Derek. The charmer and the sweetheart disappeared the day after they said their vows. Reality set in. He was cruel. A liar. A cheater.

“I was going to send the divorce papers as soon as I had enough to afford a lawyer,” she said quietly. She closed the little notebook on the table in front of her slowly.

“I won’t sign. We’re married, Sara. You’re my wife and I want you back.” Derek’s face was serious. No saccharine smile. No narrowed eyes. Straight face.

“You cheated on me!” Sara said a little louder than needed. Now heads were turning their way. She blushed furiously.

“I did and I’m sorry, Sara. I was wrong.”

She blinked, the only show of her surprise. “What?”

“I was wrong. I took you for granted and I want a second chance.” He said. His voice held notes of true regret.

Derek. Mr. Right. Mr. Charmer… he never… never admitted he was wrong. She stumbled over her words, “Derek, I—”

“You don’t have to answer right now. In fact, you probably shouldn't,” he said, standing. “But please think about it.” As he walked towards the exit, he paused. “I like the hair color. Makes your eyes pop.”

The door jingled too brightly. Sara stared at the journal in front of her, thinking about it.