A Romantic Story for You

It’s the day after Valentine’s Day, so here’s a short romantic story. Hope you enjoy it!

The Secret Admirer

Today was a milestone—my first anniversary as Office Manager for the Mathematics Department at Cunningham University. Not that anyone would remember.

         I entered my office and stopped short. A beautiful bouquet of red carnations sat on my desk. Someone had remembered! With trembling fingers, I opened the little envelope.

         “Hey, girlfriend!” Trina Wright, a faculty assistant, smiled from the doorway. “Look at those carnations. Who’s the guy?”

         Laughing, I pulled the card from the envelope. Not even Trina could burst my happiness. “It’s been one year since—oh!” Reading the card, I frowned. “Well, it’s not what I thought.”

         Trina grabbed the card. “To Amber, from your Secret Admirer.” Her eyes widened. “Whoa, girl!”

         Wishing I could have found out in private, my face grew warm. Now the entire department would know within fifteen minutes. Maybe five. “We’d better get to work, Trina.”

         She smirked. “Don’t you want to guess who sent the flowers?”

         “No.” I sat at my desk and pushed the play button on my CD player. The calming strains of Mozart drifted out.

         Trina didn’t move. “It’s either Prof. Williams or Darrin. Have you noticed the way Darrin looks at you?” She laughed. “And hey, is Jason coming in to fix the copier this morning?”

         “He’s supposed to.”

         “Jason is my dreamboat.” Trina waltzed from my office.

         I frowned. Could these flowers be from Professor Ron Williams? He was the only single professor in the department, but not my type. Maybe it was Darrin, another faculty assistant. He was kind of cute—and very friendly. Of course, this secret admirer might not be part of the university at all.

         An hour later, Jason stopped at my doorway. “I’m here to fix the copy machine.”

         “Oh, good.” Our two ancient copiers took turns breaking down. Jason was almost a staff member.

         As he meandered out, Darrin stopped by. “Someone’s spending big bucks on you, Amber.” His dimples creased as he smiled. “So it’s a secret admirer, is it?”

         “Yeah.” I grinned. “Thanks for the flowers, Darrin.”

         He put up both hands. “Hey! I didn’t send them.” He disappeared.

         I walked to the door. Jason stood at the copier. Parts lay all over the floor, and Trina seemed to be one of the extras. I shook my head. Trina was on a mission to get that man married—to her. I had to admit Jason was a good-looking catch.

         After lunch I entered my office to find a box of candy on my desk. The card read, “From your secret admirer and a fellow worker.” Well, that certainly narrowed down the field—to Ron or Darrin!

         Jason walked in and handed me a clipboard. “The copier is fixed.”

         “Thanks.” I signed my name on the work order. “Would you like a piece of candy?” I picked up the box. “It’s from my secret admirer, whoever he is.”

         Jason smiled. “Sure.” I never noticed what blue eyes he had. He took the candy and stepped out. “See you next time.”

         “Next time a machine breaks down?” I laughed. “That will be soon.”

         After Jason left, Prof. Ron Williams walked in. “Hi Amber.” Straightening his tie, he glanced at the candy. “Another gift?” 

         I offered him a piece, but he declined. He probably didn’t want to dirty his white teeth.        

The next morning I arrived early, but a fruit basket beat me to the office. Had Ron sent another gift? In private I opened the card. “From your secret admirer and friend. Remember, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”

         Puzzled, I slipped the card into my purse. Why didn’t this guy just ask me out?

         At ten o’clock, Trina burst into my office. “Copier number two is jammed! You’d better call Jason.”

         I reached for the phone. Trina had probably jammed it—on purpose!

Sitting at my desk an hour later, I closed my eyes as the violins of a Mozart sonata flowed over my soul. I loved his music. It was so calming. Must be why people had their babies listen to it.

         “I’m here to fix the copier.”

         I opened my eyes to see Jason standing in front of my desk. He handed me a brown envelope. “This was outside your door. Your secret admirer strikes again.”

I pulled out a ticket to a Mozart symphony concert. “Wow!” A feeling of excitement rushed through me as I studied a typewritten note. “I can’t believe this! He invited me to a concert, and it’s tonight!” 

Jason cocked an eyebrow. “Are you going?”

“Of course! I have to find out who this guy is.”

At eight o’clock that night, I took my seat in the symphony hall. The empty seat next to me was probably intended for my secret admirer. But who was he?  

I glanced around, trying to stop my hands from shaking. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was Professor Ron. He was always late.

So why was I nervous?

Deep in my heart, I hoped it wasn’t Ron. And I hoped it wasn’t Darrin. That only left…

A man sat down beside me. I turned, and my heart swelled as I met his blue eyes. “Jason?”

He grinned. “Happy anniversary, Amber.”

* * *

I hope you had a good day with your Valentine. Until next Friday, may God bless!