Page 13 of Consumed By Fire

"Oh wow, and your father didn't want you to follow in his footsteps?"

I laugh, remembering his face when I told Dad that I was going to study accounting and marketing. "Yes, but in the end, he told me to choose what made me happy, and I did. I studied accounting, marketing, and management."

"They must be so proud of you."

"Ha! Proud. Let's say they had no choice. They had to accept it because I paid for college myself. I never had a great relationship with my parents. Actually, I never had a great relationship with my mother. Dad was there as much as possible but often the worldly life kept them busy. I grew up with my grandfather.”

"I'm sorry about your parents. I'll have to thank your grandfather, then."

"Unfortunately, that won't be possible. He left us more than seven years ago."

"Oh, Charlotte, I'm sorry."

"Thanks. Now he’s an angel watching me from up there."

"Oh, so the tattoo on your shoulder is a tribute to him."

"Actually, no. Being here is a tribute to him," I reply. "And your parents?"

"Mom is a retired dance teacher, and Dad is a jeweler."

"I'm sure they're great parents,"

"Yes, they've always supported me and say they can't wait to come here."

"How cute. The house is almost ready, but if you don't want them to stay with you, Paradise is at your disposal."

"Thanks ... they’d love you, you know?"

"Really?"

"Yeah, you’re sweet, intelligent, sensitive, beautiful, and you also know how to cook. Mom would say you’re the perfect woman."

I feel my cheeks on fire. "Thank you," I tell him as I pick up the plates and bring over some brownies with cream and strawberries for dessert.

"How did you know I love brownies?"

"Actually, I didn't know. I made my favorite dessert."

He smiles as he tastes it, moaning. "It's delicious."

"Thanks. So, can I ask you something...?"

"Sure, ask away," he says, eating another bite.

"Have you ever been in love?"

"That’s a pretty tough question, to be honest. At the time, I thought so. I met Stacy in high school, and we never broke up. Even after I enrolled in college, she stayed close to me, but when I got home two years ago, well ... I found her in our bed with someone else," he says, looking at his plate.

"I'm sorry, Dylan. She didn't deserve you, and I'm sorry she made you suffer."

"I got over it. It's just ... when you trust a person and discover a betrayal, it's like it tears your soul apart."

"Yeah,” I answered thoughtfully.

"And you? Have you ever fallen in love?"

"I don't think it could be called love. Infatuation I think is the exact definition."