Mr. Hephephobias

CHAPTER 118 - The Choices I Choose

The sky of Quebec City looked bright, as bright as the mood of Lucia who had just woken up from her sleep. The leaves have changed color to yellow and brownish red adds to the beauty of every street down there. Lucia goes to Rayn's room, but she does not find Rayn in her room.

Any more? Rayn left the hotel. He disappeared again every morning without saying goodbye, even from what time he had left the hotel. But, this time it seems like Rayn still has feelings because she left a note containing her message.

[I'm sorry if I can't keep you company today, instead we'll go enjoy the orchestral music show together]

That message was written Rayn, he left the message with 2 music tickets that he will see later. Lucia grabbed the 2 tickets and then sighed rudely because Rayn did not tell the urgent business what made her have to leave early in the morning.

Again and again Lusia tried to understand Rayn's situation because this is Rayn's hometown and Rayn's long time no return then naturally will make Rayn have a lot of business.

Rayn advises Lucia to stay in the hotel until she returns. However, Ryan also did not forbid if Lucia was bored and wanted to go for a walk around the hotel. Rayn tells Lucia that there will be some people who will follow Lucia while outside the hotel. He also said that Lucia did not have to worry because they were the ones Mickey ordered to look after her.

Lucia decided to go for a walk to enjoy the beauty of Quebec City itself. He does not want to just stay in a hotel room and waste his time while in a country that is famous for its paradise of maple tree beauty.

When exiting the Hotel, Lucia's sharp eyes immediately glanced around. As Rayn had said, Lucia saw that there were about 4 people already on guard outside. They look like tourists and locals. One by one they approached Lucia as Lucia walked past her.

The men walked with Lucia to greet her and introduce themselves if they would escort her during outside activities. Lusia simply returned the greeting with a smile as if unperturbed by their existence.

Lucia went to a flower shop that she came with Ryan yesterday. Rayn once told Lucia that she would buy flowers for her every day. Only one time did the promise come true and now he has to buy it himself for himself.

Upon entering the flower shop, Lucia was already warmly welcomed by the shopkeeper woman. He greeted Lucia in English, different from when he came with Rayn yesterday, this woman spoke French which only Rayn could understand.

The shopkeeper woman gave Lusia a bouquet of flowers that had already been ordered for her. A bouquet of beautiful Baby Breath flowers has been ordered for Lucia. The woman said Rayn had come to her shop before she even opened it. Rayn hurriedly ordered the flowers and had the shopkeeper give the flowers to her lover when he came to the store.

"I initially doubted him and asked him what if your lover hadn't come. But, he said that he was very sure you'd come here. He even wrote something for you. I think he's an adorable man" the old woman told Lucia.

Lucia broke down a smile and smelled the fragrance of Baby Breath in her hands. Lucia felt sad because there was no Rayn by her side. He sighed then read the message Rayn had written and inserted it into the bouquet.

[If you received this flower from the shopkeeper woman, then that means I'm still not with you. Forgive me and enjoy your time. I'll see you soon before the music concert takes place ]

Lusia snorted angrily reading the message. "Is this what he means by romantic messages? Without writing this message, everyone knows that I am still alone. All right, you have to meet me as you promised" murmured Lucia to make the shopkeeper look after her for not understanding what Lucia said.

Lucia again unraveled an awkward smile looking at the shopkeeper who looked at her confusedly. Lucia left the store. He then continued to enjoy his vacation by trying out some special foods presented at roadside food outlets.

Still with 1 cup of Americano in his hand, Lucia stands in front of a boutique that becomes a paradise of beautiful dresses. Lucia stepped foot into the boutique, she was immediately greeted warmly by the saleswoman who approached her after the door opened. Lucia's eyes immediately turned to a white dress that looked so beautiful and luxurious.

"This is the most beautiful dress that you can wear at a precious moment such as engagement" explained a saleswoman speaking in English to Lucia.

"Infederation? A dress as beautiful as this is even suitable for a wedding" murmured Lucia speaking herself describing the real luxury for her.

"You want to try it?" ask salesgirl.

Lucia could only throw a smile as the question was posed to her. Trying any? How could he dare to try while he was very sure if he would not be able to buy a dress as beautiful as it was unless suddenly appeared a prince who would buy it.

The prince could have been Rayn, but it was very unlikely he would have appeared all of a sudden. Lucia looked at the door while saying. "Don't dream of Lucia" he said.

To dream, buy with his own money or get it from Rayn, of course it is just a dream. But Lucia did not want to betray her curiosity to know how much the dress was worth. He asked, the salesman immediately took the catalog and showed it to Lucia.

Lucia's eyes widened looking at the fantastic price. Yes, that price is indeed very worth it for a dress as beautiful as that. Lucia is well aware that the problem is not in the price, but the fix is on her who does not have the money to buy it.

Not long after a woman who is none other than a boutique owner approached Lucia. He highly praised the beauty of Lucia who looks innocent natural like an angel and then glanced at the dress that is being seen by Lucia. The owner of the boutique said that Lucia would be very suitable to wear it. Yes, that was the persuasion they would say to attract visitors and Lucia could only return throwing an awkward smile.

...***...

The day turned afternoon and the sky began to darken but Rayn never gave any news. After resting himself for a moment, Lucia prepared to go to the venue where she had an appointment with Rayn. With 2 concert tickets in hand, Lucia goes to Place des Arts which is Montreal's premier performing arts complex featuring various of Quebec's largest performing arts halls.

Almost 1 hour passed since he got there and Rayn never came, even his phone can not be contacted. 10 minutes more time the show will start, Lucia began to become upset. Lucia finally decides to contact Mickey to ask him where Rayn is right now.

"I'm sorry Lucia, Rayn asked me to call you if she couldn't come. I was so busy today I forgot to tell you. I'm sorry, it's my fault. But you still haven't gone there, have you? Are you still at the hotel? What time are you supposed to meet?" ask Mickey without knowing the schedule that Rayn and Lucia have.

Lucia ignored Mickey's question. Lucia just stared at the two tickets in her hand and then looked at her watch. The show should have started by now.

"Is he okay?" lusia softly asked with a sad tone of voice.

"Eeemm,, he's perfectly fine. Don't worry, if the business is done, he'll see you soon" Mickey replied.

Hearing that made Lucia become irritated all of a sudden. "Alright, tell him if he should have given the news directly to me, not through you." said Lucia and then closed it because she was upset. "Well..he's perfectly fine he said?" lusia spoke to herself after hanging up the phone.

Lucia decided to watch an orchestral concert without Rayn. He felt if he would still be able to enjoy it, yes just enjoy it enough. The moment that he should not miss just because Rayn invited him did not come when he was there.

Despite being shrouded in disappointment, Lucia walked in with her legs out loud. However, those footsteps suddenly came to a halt. Lucia looked at her slice who was currently already inside the hall. "What do you expect Lucia" he said staring at the empty row of audience seats with an expression full of sadness.

Lusia had thought that he would still be able to enjoy it with other spectators. But suddenly Lucia forgets, if Rayn does not come then there will only be someone who fills the chair. There will never be another audience other than her who is watching the music concert now. This is because Rayn's phobia won't let the situation happen.

Slowly Lucy stepped her feet towards one of the chairs in the middle row. Yeah, he's free to sit anywhere because Rayn bought all those tickets.

"Does he have to do it this far?" tanya Lucia looked around.

Maison symphonique de Montreal, Lucia was stunned by the grand and grand classical hall concert hall, which had more than 2,000 seats. A warm interior, the auditorium harmonica has overlapping curved panel walls and three tiers of balconies made of bright brown Canadian beech wood.

It's crazy, that's what Lucia thought when she found out Rayn rented a place this big just for the two of them. However, a place of that size that is usually filled with thousands of spectators now feels lonely. Maybe for people what Rayn does is the romantic envy of couples in the world, but for the current Lucia makes herself like a lonely woman who comforts herself.

"Yes, now I watch it myself like a lonely girl" murmured Lucia staring at the red podium curtain in front of her slowly lowered and some of the lights began to go out and changed with the lights that were setting.

The music of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the legendary orchestra in Quebeq, began to sound so beautiful, a concert titled "Love of My Life" led by a famous conductor.

Maybe they wonder if the show they performed was worth the 2,000 seats that are usually filled with spectators is now only witnessed by a woman sitting there. Perhaps even the orchestra players looked pityfully at Lucia.

"Looking at this situation, maybe people will say that this is already a risk I have to take when I'm with him. But no, for me this is not a risk but a choice I choose. Even the flaws that put me in this situation are not a curse. At first I felt sad and disappointed, but now I can actually feel what Rayn has felt all along. This is how he lived his life alone, isn't this so cruel? That phobia wasn't his fault and I shouldn't blame him for the choice I chose"

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*** to Be Continued ***