Mina's POV

I exhale in finishing my work for the day. I take the submitted new food recipes in the folder for the Food Column for the Romania Journal newspaper. I exhale in satisfied exhaustion of the work done today. I put my black heels back on before standing to my feet. I head over to my boss's office to drop off the recipes for their final approval into the column.

She is on the phone when I lightly knock on her office door. She tells me to come on in. I do so as she smiles to me while mouthing the words, "One minute."

Tassa is a well respected woman in her early fifties, long brunette hair with some gray to it. She has a black and white spotted dress suit on with red heels. Her taste of clothes makes me smile in a good way whenever I see her.

She finished her phone call then looks to me with a smile on her face. Tassa extends her hand out and I hand the folder to her. She opens the folder to look at the chosen recipes. She takes a few moments to look at each recipe that is picked for the season.

The others and I that work the food column often submit food related to the time of year, holidays and celebrations happening so when people look at the recipes, they will possibly have the urge to make it themselves.

"You and the others always have a keen eye for amazing, delicious, unique dishes, Mina. I approve of them all. I'll hand these to the chefs for them to make, taste test and photos to add with the recipes in the paper. Great work as well, Mina. I'll see you tomorrow." Tassa tells me with appreciation in her voice to me.

"Thank you, Tassa. Have a good rest of your day." I tell her smiling before I leave the office, closing the door behind me.

I go back to my desk to log out of my computer. Then I clock out before grabbing my purse to head for the elevator. A coworker a few desks over tells me to have a good afternoon. I smile saying, "I will for sure. You do the same."

I go to the elevator when my fellow coworker and friend, Izabela follows behind me in the elevator. I hit the first floor button. The door closes when Izabela and I talk on the way down. I can tell she wants to ask me something and I can already tell she is nervous to ask.

"Whatever it is you want to ask, you can ask me."

"Have you heard anything from him?" She asks me in a whisper like she suspects he will hear her or something at the mention of him.

I feel a cold chill go through my entire body at the thought of that horrible man. I close my eyes trying not to think about him. I tell her, "Not for a few weeks now."

"That's good. Maybe you are in the clear now." She whispers in a positive way.

"Maybe. But I am still going to be keeping things different in my life. No daily routine." I honesty tell her with a heavy heart in all that has happened for the past year.

Emily places her hand on my shoulder then encourages me to have a good night again. I give her a small smile in return. The elevator doors open when we arrive to the first floor. We walk out to feel the day has a feel of Autumn in the air and the sky covered in gray clouds, blocking out the sun like it often does.

I usually take a cab however I want to walk home today while the weather is decent. I start heading down the street among other people walking home. I take in the view of the city as the noises of cars driving, people talking to one another, passing by another day.

I get a few blocks when I hear my phone vibrate in my purse. I pull my phone out to see my phone has been blown up with phone calls and text messages from my mother. I let out a sigh of frustration knowing what all of the missed calls and unread messages are about. I truly cannot get a break from this even after it has almost been a whole year.

"Really? Give me a break." I lowly growl in frustration.

I decide to turn off my phone so I do not have to be bothered by her hounding voicemails and messages about what has been going on with him. I am not going to give in to the demands of him or my mother. It's not ever going to happen.

I put my phone back in my purse and walk on to enjoy myself with the noise of the city. I notice how everyone is going about their day like it is just another day for them. I admit that everyday of same routine feels nice. But at the same time, it can get tiring real quick in the same old same old.

Then those thoughts fade when I see what is up ahead. I smile in joy when I see the market stands coming up. I have not been around there in a few months due to all that has happened. I stop a moment wondering if I should or not since I don't know if I am still being watched by his henchmen to this day.

However I cannot live the rest of my life in fear anymore. It has been a while since I have visited them. I work up the courage in me to make my way over there. I see all of the local stands selling their homemade products, jewelry, newspapers and even some books.

I take some time between each stand and enjoy speaking with the workers before moving onto the next stand. I see my favorite market filled with fresh grown and cut flowers. Then I see the sells lady, Josie. We spot each other at the same time and we are both filled in joy seeing one another.

"Mina! It has been too long!" She comes around the stand and we hug one another. I am filled with further joy of seeing her again as well.

"How are you, Mina?" She looks at me in excitement.

Josie is the age of thirty like myself with shoulder length blonde hair, blue eyes wearing blue jeans and an autumn sweater designed with a few leaves. I see she is dressing with the season. She is a people person and clicks right away with anyone which is what I love about her.

"I am doing good. How are you?"

"Enjoying myself at the market like always. It truly is good to see you. And you come at a perfect time. Your once favorite was just picked this morning before I started working on the fall flowers and pumpkins."

Josie goes behind her flower stand; she pulls out an amazing set of plush pink roses. I see that they are fully bloomed and fresh picked from her rose garden. They are so beautiful when she uses a small band, putting a dozen of them together then wrapped in white like she always did.

I get my wallet out, ready to pay for them. However she tells me that they are a gift to me. I feel so blessed in what she is doing for me. I hold my wallet knowing she will not let me pay for them. She will take no for an answer however I still try to.

"Josie, I am more than willing to pay for their price worth."

"Mina, you have been my regular for a long time. I also know that you have been going through a tough time. You deserve a little something. And if that is not enough, think of it as a thank you after all of the business you have brought to me. Take them. I am not taking no for an answer." Josie says when extending the beautiful roses to me.

I can tell by the look on her face that she is not going to give up until I take them. I take the roses without another word. Josie leans against the cart knowing how much I appreciate what she has done. "Thank you, Josie. I needed this."

"You're welcome, Mina." She comes around and hugs me again.

I truly needed this and she is always the person to do it. We look to one another then start talking a bit to catch up with one another while she works on another set of flowers. She is full of positive energy and passion in what she does just like I do in my work.

"What markets will you be at this week?"

Josie gets more excited and tells me which ones she will be at while I take a moment to admire the roses until I get a sudden warm feeling through my body. I have a sense that someone is looking at me.

My eyes look to the left but no one is there like I thought. I swore I felt like someone was standing maybe half a foot away from me. Maybe I am over thinking things with all that has happened to me. I need to enjoy myself for a bit longer.

My eyes look back down at the roses when suddenly a slight dark yet warm voice say, "Beautiful."

I gaze to my right to find a tall, dark and handsome man standing near me. I turn to have a full view of him. He is dressed in black and wearing black gloves. He is taller than me without wearing heels. This man has a very nice face as he looks at me in a way I have never been looked at in a good way. I cannot fully explain it but there is something about him.

He smiles the most amazing smile to me before saying, "The flowers, my lady."

I smile by the words he has spoken. I do not think I have heard anyone speak like that before. I ask him out of curiosity, "'My lady?' Where are you from?"

He still has that charming smile on his face when I ask him this. This man is strong built with broad shoulders, shoulder length black of hair with fair white skin. His eyes are dark brown that would make any woman melt to their knees, getting butterflies in their stomach just like I am right now.

"A long way from here." He says almost in a cute, shy way. His smile is starting to even make myself smile.

However I need to keep my distance. I never know if this man works for him. I have to keep to myself when meeting new people. "Well, good night."

I walk past him, about to head home when he says something I never thought anyone would even say to me. I take in the words of his soft voice speaking to me.

'Why think separately of this life than the next, when one is born from the last.'

I stop from taking another step, amazed to hear those words come from this stranger man. I lightly smile when I turn around to stare at him.

"It's my favorite poem." I tell him.

He cannot be working for him because no one but my father and my life long friend, Jace knows that is my favorite poem. I always felt a connection with that poem unlike others. I begin to feel that the poem is his favorite as well.

"It speaks to you of yearning; of one soul pleading for another." The handsome man tells me when standing face to face with me.

I have always thought the same about the poem since I first heard it years ago from my father reading it to me. Something in my mind and heart is telling me to know this man in every possible way that I can, even to love him like I have known him before from somewhere. I cannot explain how or why but I do know him somehow.

"I'm Mina." I tell him without hesitation.

I extend my hand out to him however he does something I never expected. He softly grabs my hand and brings it close to his lips. He softly tells me, "Vlad." Then he kisses my hand gently on the top. I smile when he does this.

I am getting more curious of where he is from. No man I have come across has ever done this. I have only seen it in movies or from reading books. It is something more when experiencing it myself. I have smile more than I ever have in months in just a few moments with this enchanting man.

We stare at each other for a moment; it feels like hours in gazing upon him in a good way. I did not realize how close I am to him until he asks me, "What other poems or stories do you enjoy, Mina?"

I get my head back to reality, answering him, "Shakespeare is one of my favorites especially Romeo & Juliet. Their written story may have come to a tragic end. But at the end of it all, the time they had together to love one another is what matters. It experiences what real love is suppose to feel like in a lifetime unlike most people do in real life."

Vlad is in agreement with me before saying, "I couldn't agree more. You said it well. Bittersweet story it is. Shakespeare is a good one. One of my favorites is somewhat dark but I like it. The details, how he tried to hang onto the things he loved so dearly. Edger Allen Poe. The work I enjoy most from him is The Raven. He did have bad things happen to him but he would try to hang onto it like any man would to the things he loves most."

I notice the way he spoke about Edger Allen Poe like he knew how it is to hold onto the things he loves dearly but lost them. I did not want to ask about it. I want him to tell me if he wants to tell me.

"May I walk with you, Mina?" He asks me like such a gentleman.

"Yes, Vlad. Give me a moment." I tell him.

I go back to Josie and say goodbye for the night. Josie sees Vlad and tells me to give all the details the next time I see her. I cannot help but laugh at her. She waves at Vlad in a flirting manner when I walk away. Vlad waves back to her.

We start to walk down the street, talking about many poems, books and songs. We have some of the same taste in literature. I learn that has does have some dark taste for things. However he made good points about the things he enjoys. We keep on walking until I notice that it is getting dark now.

Before I can say anything, I see that we actually stopped at my doorstep of my apartment building. I did not realize this until now. "This is me, Vlad. Thank you for the walk. It was really nice. Have a good night."

I start to walk up the stairs feeling like I have to pull myself away from him. However I stop when he gently grabs my hand. I look to him in feeling my face become a bit warm in blushing to Vlad.

"Is there a chance that I can see you again, my lady?" Vlad asks me in his charming smile.

I feel my cheeks become warmer by the second just by hearing his amazing voice and smile. " I would like to see you again, Mina. Maybe a stroll in the park or a cup of coffee at a book store?"

"Both sound wonderful to me, Vlad."

"What day and time works best for you, Mina?" He asks me.

"Tomorrow morning at 9 sounds good. Meet me at the flower stand?" I ask him while staring deeply into his dark brown eyes, feeling like I can completely trust him.

He pulls my hand to his lips once more and kisses the top of my hand gently. "Yes, I will meet you there, Mina. I'll see you in the morning, my lady. Have a good night."

He pulls his hand away from mine. And I begin to feel something inside my head telling me not to let him go, not now. But I have to for now. He begins walking down the street then looks back at me for a moment with his smile that I like the more I see it. I watch him walk away until I no longer see him.

I cannot help but to smile about Vlad. I unlock the door and walk into the apartment building. I use the stairs to my studio apartment door on the second floor. I unlock the door, going inside and lock the door behind me.

I press the light switch and the light turns on to show my studio apartment. I take off my white coat and hang it on the coat hanger behind the door. I set my purse onto the small table by the door. I decide to leave my phone off and in my purse for the night. I can use my bell alarm clock by my bed to wake me up in the morning.

I still have the pink roses in hand. I go to the kitchen and find my flower vase in the cabinet under the kitchen sink. I know I do not need to cut the thorns or the steams of the roses. Josie always does before hand. I fill the vase up with the right amount of water before placing the roses into the vase.

I admire them and place them on the kitchen counter. The pink roses go along with the pink and white interior of my studio. My living space is small and simple however I prefer it that way so if I ever need to leave in a hurry, I can.

I head over to my small closet and change out of my dress and heels. I grab my comfy gray, satin pajama shorts and tank top. I cannot stop thinking about Vlad as I change. My mind sinks into the thought of his eyes, smile and the softness of his lips on the top of my hand. I brush my fingers upon my hand of where he kissed.

I bite the bottom of my lip in the fact that I cannot wait until tomorrow morning to see him again. I look into my small closet in thinking of what I should wear. I know I want it to be plain, simple but cute as well. I go through some of my clothes until I see the black lace zip top with the white ivory flare pants and double buckled black booties. I knew that this would be the outfit to wear tomorrow.

I take the outfit out and hang it up by the mirror in the bathroom. I then see the time and it is 9:30 pm. I did not realize how much time passed when walking with Vlad into my studio. It truly turned from a decent afternoon into a wonderful night. I hope the same for tomorrow morning.

I go over to my small night stand and open the first draw. I pull out my pink flower designed Bible. It is the King James Version for women. I sit on the edge of my bed, opening it and finding exactly what I want to read for the night. I read 1st Corinthians Chapter 13 verse 4 through 10. I look upon the words that I know exactly by heart.

'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes the imperfect disappears.'

I glare upon my bible book mark that has the very poem Vlad and I spoke about. I admire the cursive font of the words. I speak the words out loud.

'Why think separately of this life and the next, when one is born from the last.' 

I smile while I close my Bible, setting it on my night stand. I go to the bathroom, taking off my jewelry, wiping away my makeup, brushing my hair out then brushing my teeth for the night. I turn off the main light, going back to my bed and get myself comfortable under the white sheets and pink blanket.

I lean over to turn on my cd player then press play for my CD. I have some trouble of sleeping without music, no matter how hard I try. I hear the song from the band, The Civil Wars, O Come O Come Emmanuel begin to play.

I get relaxed under my bed covers; turning over to listen to the music get me sleepy that it changes to another song by the same band. The song is called Dance me to the End of Love.

The words of the song make me think of Vlad when smiling about him. I am beginning to feel myself falling asleep, still thinking about Vlad, his enchanting smile and his voice saying the word, Beautiful. I thank God for the nice afternoon and night he blessed me before I am out for the night.

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