2 A Parting

They were dining at a fine restaurant, one of New York's finest at a table on the farthest corner with a splendid view overlooking the rich layout of the place. They toasted to her success as the table was filled with exquisite delicacies but Jess had no appetite. The conversation flowed as David explained to her the details of the contract with Jess making an occasional nod or two to show her agreement. She heard his words with half a mind for her thoughts were miles away.

Dinner passed by in a haze but when dessert arrived, David knew he could not go on pretending. From the moment he saw her he knew something was not right. As the night progressed, he felt more and more sure. She was quieter, listening to his words halfheartedly and the excitement he expected to find in her was missing. Something was weighing heavily on her mind.

"What's wrong Jess? You know you could confide in me" David coaxed. He was genuinely worried about her.

"David, I'll be out of town for a few days" Jess said as she faced the man before her.

David was surprised. He hadn't expected this. He came here tonight with one thought in mind. He'd been meaning to ask her for quite a while but time was rarely his friend. He had thought that today this moment was going to be the perfect one but he realized how wrong he was the moment she walked in. So he was going to wait and let her have her say first.

"For business or pleasure?" he asked. She rarely goes anywhere except for the occasional trip or two so he wondered what was about this trip that made her so uneasy.

"Neither. It's of a personal nature" she replied.

"Where are you going?" David held his breath. He didn't know why but he was suddenly afraid of losing her. Even after all these years he still did not know where he stood with her.

"Roseville" Jess breathed out.

David was at a loss for words. It was a place they rarely talked about. It was related to Jess's past and it was strictly off limits. Every mention of it would be met by a dead end on Jess part and he had learned to accept it over the years. He was sure there was a secret there that she didn't want prying eyes.

"Its Aunt May. I got an email from her asking us all to come, she wouldn't tell me why and I just can't ignore it. I owe her too much. I promise I'll be back as soon as I can"

"You haven't been back there for the past 10 years I guess" David probed. He felt that there was this whole other part of her he had yet to meet, a part that was buried in Roseville.

"12 years" she corrected.

"So this must be a happy reunion for you all" David pointed out.

"A reunion yes. A happy one I'm just not sure" she said.

"When are you leaving?" David asked.

"After the Ashton's Christmas Ball"

"About the ball, my apologies for not escorting you there. My attendance at the Annual Board Executive Meeting in Los Angeles is mandatory this year. I'm sorry I know how much this ball means to you" he said regrettably.

"I understand. You are needed there more so than here. I don't begrudge you for that. I'll miss you" Jess comforted him as she held on to his hand.

"I'll miss you more" he said as he held on tight.

They were perfectly in sync with each other right from the moment they met 8 years ago when Jess fresh out of college applied for the post of personal assistant to a senior executive at a reputable publishing firm who happened to be none other than David. Even now David wondered at his sanity for choosing her out of the 100 applicants but his instincts were right all along for she was the best personal assistant he ever had.

Jess went on to complete her degree in journalism and with David's guidance and mentor ship she slowly became renowned in her field. He was also the one who encouraged her to write her first book which was an overnight bestseller, one the many in the years to come.

As David drove her home that night, she realized she was grateful indeed for this man beside her. He was her mentor, her editor, her friend, someone in a long while whom she trusted and depend on. She knew there were many a times when David hinted of something more from their relationship and she was quite tempted too but the bondage of the past still had its manacles firmly attach to her heart.