Choices

"Darn." Madelyn muttered as she searched in her bag for her car keys.

Why is it that when she's in a hurry she usually manages to forget or misplace something?

After a few more seconds of fumbling in her bag, Madelyn successfully fished out her keys. She hurriedly unlocked the car door, slammed it shut and backed out of the parking lot.

Within minutes, Madelyn left the office building where she worked as an Assistant PR Manager. Good thing she finished all the necessary paperwork or she wouldn't be leaving the office at such a decent hour.

Her watch signaled six o' clock. Madelyn mentally calculated how long it would take her to get home, freshen up and then drive to the restaurant where she was meeting Daniel.

"Daniel." she said the name aloud. Just thinking of him brought back so many memories.

Daniel called her yesterday, asking if she would have dinner with him; but Madelyn knew deep in her heart that Daniel wanted more than that.

It's been two years since she last saw him. Two years since that fateful night.....

-0-

Madelyn was 21, fresh out of college, with a degree in Communication Arts and a zest for life. He was 27, a young politician slowly climbing the political ladder. They met during one of their company parties. A new product line was to be introduced to the market and several prominent people were in attendance. Daniel was one of them.

Madelyn was standing in a corner, holding a glass of wine and thinking how lucky she was to be involved with such a successful company, when someone accidentally bumped her arm.

She looked in horror as the wine cascaded down the front of her dress. Frankly, Madelyn didn't care much for the wine. But the dress she was wearing costs almost half of her month's salary.

She turned around, ready to face the culprit. Nothing could have prepared her for the vision that met her eyes...

There, standing before her, was the most handsome man she has ever seen.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I didn't see you." the man said.

"I...um...it's okay." she replied, somehow her vocal cords were betraying her.

"Here, take this." he said, offering a handkerchief. "It's the least I can do." he added, smiling slightly.

"Thanks." Madelyn answered feebly, reluctantly accepting the handkerchief.

She dabbed at her dress and slowly backed away to go to the ladies room. The man reached out to stop her, his touch sending shivers throughout her body.

"I believe you're new here. I can always detect a new face when I see one, .especially one as pretty as you." he said, smiling openly.

"I've only been with the company for three months." she replied. "And thanks for the compliment." she added, slowly regaining her composure.

"Nice party, isn't it? Oh, by the way, I'm Daniel." He said, offering his hand.

"My name's Madelyn, but you can call me Maddie." she said, shaking his outstretched hand.

"And you can call me Dan anytime." he murmured softly.

Three weeks later, Madelyn still hasn't heard from Daniel.

Actually she was beginning to think Daniel was just a product of her overactive imagination.

So when a dozen red roses were delivered to her office, she was totally unprepared. She read the note which accompanied the flowers with great anticipation.

Madelyn,

I've been thinking about you, and I was wondering if you'll have dinner with me?

I'll call you up.

Daniel

Madelyn read it at least five times, trying to conjure an image of him in her mind.

All through the day she had a silly grin on her face. Well, at least until her boss scolded her for forgetting an ad she was supposed to release. Then, she had to wipe the grin off her face and try to concentrate, or risk losing her job.

True to his word, Daniel called her the next day. He invited her out to dinner and she accepted eagerly.

Their dinner date was followed by another, and then another, until it became a ritual.

Dan can be so charming. Aside from his obvious good looks, he is very knowledgeable on every possible subject. He is a man who knows what he wants and strives hard to get it.

Needless to say, Maddie fell head over heels in love with him. Refusing his physical advances had become very difficult for her. Daniel can be so aggressive at times.

It was during one of their long, passionate goodnight kisses when Daniel laid the bombshell. They had been gong out for 2 months and still Maddie was caught unprepared.

"Maddie." he breathed into her ear. "You know I'm crazy about you, I want you, please let me be a part of you." he whispered huskily.

Maddie pushed him slightly and looked at him levelly. She was frightened with the passion she saw in his eyes.

She knew what Daniel meant.

'Dan, I adore you and I'd do anything for you. But please, don't ask me for something I'm unprepared to do." she gently replied.

They looked at each other for a moment; him with anger and her with confusion.

"I've waited this long for you and still you refuse me." Dan said, his voice hard.

Before Maddie could say another word, Dan turned around and went to his car. He revved the engine and hastily sped away.

She was left there, hopelessly thinking what she should do.

For several days she never heard from or saw Daniel.

A part of her believed that she did the right thing. If Dan really loves her, he should understand why she's so reluctant to take their relationship a leap further.

She's only 21, for God's sake, and they've only been going out for a few months. It was just too much too soon for her.

And yet a little voice inside her head scolded her for being foolish. If she really loves Daniel, she should learn to trust him more.

Finally, she couldn't stand it any longer, Maddie called his office and his secretary informed her that Daniel left the office early. She resolved to go to his place after work.

His car was parked outside his house when she arrived. She felt both happy and relieved that they could finally talk.

Maddie knocked on the door but nobody answered. She turned the knob - it opened!

She stepped inside, it was dark and quiet. Maddie noiselessly looked around the house, she noticed a crack of light under the bedroom door.

Her lips parted into a naughty smile, she was going to surprise Daniel. She took a deep breath and opened the door.

The smile died on her lips as she registered the scene before her.

Yes, Daniel was there, but so was another woman - in bed!

The following day, Madelyn avoided all of Daniel's attempts to talk to her.

She felt as though the world has betrayed her, she needed sometime to dwell on her pain in private. But later that day, as she stepped outside her office building, she immediately spotted Daniel.

"Maddie, wait!" he called, hurriedly following her.

"Please let me explain." he implored as he grabbed her arm and turned her around to face him.

"Explain?" she countered incredulously. "What is there to explain Daniel? I saw you in bed with another woman - plain and simple. Or are you going to make up a story about her being your cousin or you being drunk. Please Daniel, I'm not that naïve." she continued, trying to control her emotions.

"Madelyn, I'm not going to deny what I did. I needed someone and she was there for the taking. I was just so hurt when you refused me. I know I had been weak, but please give me another chance." he said in a soothing voice.

Maddie shook off his hands, "I'm sorry Daniel, but as far as I'm concerned, it's all over between us." Maddie said evenly.

"Maddie, I love you." he whispered with pleading eyes.

"No Daniel, you don't love me, you love only yourself." she said with conviction. She turned around and walked away before Daniel could see the tears in her eyes.

-0-

"Beeeeeep!" the car horn blared behind her, jolting her back to reality. Madelyn eased her car forward.

All of that happened three years ago, since then she has worked hard, trying to keep herself busy. Eventually, she began reaping the fruits of her labor. Madelyn has carved a niche in her profession, she has her own place now and a new and more functional car. She also has Ianne.

Ianne. Dear, sweet Ianne.

She met him during the days when she thought she hated all men. Yet, despite the cold treatment that she gave him, Ianne continued to befriend her.

She knows Ianne loves her. Although now she treats him more nicely, she still keeps him at arms-length.

Ianne is a photo journalist, two years older than her. He is a very patient and understanding man.

So why was she on her way to meet Daniel?

For old times' sake?

Out of curiosity?

Out of love?

Madelyn inhaled shakily as she recalled the conversation she had with Ianne last night. They were sitting in her living room, watching a movie.

"Ianne, there's something I want to tell you." she said, a bit nervous.

"Okay, shoot." Ianne replied with a boyish grin.

"Well you remember Daniel?" Maddie softly said.

Ianne stopped grinning, a worried expression now on his face.

"Well, he called me this morning and asked if I would have dinner with him tomorrow night. I...um...I accepted." she stated, her voice faltering as she saw the change in his expression.

Yet, it was not anger she saw, it was an expression of sadness.

"Maddie, all this time I've showed you how much you mean to me. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you. I will never stand in the way of your happiness." he said, looking at her intently.

"Daniel was already a part of your past when I met you. I believe he's the reason why you've kept me at such a safe distance. But if you want to see him, then go. If you're happy with him then I should be happy for you. Just remember Maddie, I'll always be here if you need me." he continued, casting his eyes downwards.

Madelyn finally reached her home. She turned off the ignition and rested her head on the steering wheel.

When a woman is faced with a predicament such as hers, who should she choose?

Go back to the man she loved in the past?

Or stay with the man who loves her now?

She stayed there for a moment, trying to reach a decision.

Finally, she went out of her car and glanced at her watch -- 7:15.

She still had time to freshen up.

Time to call Daniel and tell him she won't be able to make it.

Even more time to be with Ianne.

Madelyn has finally made her choice.

-The End-