Alan ‘’Chumper’’ Greene was looking forward to catching up with his girlfriend. It had been five months of their long distance relationship and as time went by, the distance seemed greater while the desire was stronger.
Chumper lived at Bathurst and Eglinton in Toronto and his girlfriend, Lisa lived in Mayfair, England. They had met at a convention in Scottsdale Arizona for Independent Television Producers and hit it off the second they were introduced.
Both Chumper and Lisa were staying at the Four Seasons Hotel in Scottsdale and after the first night they were inseparable. The chemistry between them was off the chart and before Lisa and Chumper headed to Sky Harbour Airport they discussed how how fast they had fallen for each other and how wonderful it would be to get married. They decided they were soulmates. It was fast and furious and Chumper was completely smitten. He thought that maybe Lisa’s sexy British accent had helped fuel the fire. She was gorgeous and exotic.
A month after they met, Lisa came to stay with Chumper for a week in Toronto and they had the best time ever. It was now Chumper’s turn to visit London. Lisa booked him in to the Pan Pacific hotel. It was located in Cental London very close to Liverpool station. It was not far from the Tower of London and the Tower Bridge. Due to the incredibly high exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and the pound, Chumper would only be staying for four nights, five days. He thought a short trip would be worth it to spend time with the love of his life
Lisa explained that she lived with her Brother and it would be much easier for him to stay at the Pan Pacific. She was concerned about privacy and intimacy. Alan said he understood. It was expensive, but he was ready to do anything for love.
Before arriving in England, Alan reached out to a number of contacts in the production business who were based in London. He wanted to let them know he was going to be around and that he wanted to meet. Most of the contacts were from Linkedin. The Producers he would be meeting with (completely coincidental) were all women.
When Alan arrived at Heathrow, Lisa was waiting for him. They took an Uber to the Pan Pacific which was an impressive hotel. As they were heading to the hotel, Chumper marvelled at how everybody was driving on the wrong side of the road.
Lisa and Alan went out for Lunch at a place called The Tank and Paddle Minster Court. It was an informal pub style restaurant and Chumper loved it. He and Lisa laughed over a couple of pints of Guiness. Alan had Mac & Cheese. He ordered Roasted broccoli and onion, finished with almond pesto. Lisa enjoyed a Chicken Caeser Salad.
Even though the weather was gray out and there was no sun, Lisa never took off the baseball cap or sunglasses she was wearing, even inside the restaurant she kept the hat and sunglasses on, it was kind of weird.
After lunch they strolled around and went back to the hotel. Alan showered and suggested they might want to get naked. Lisa laughed ‘’I’m going to go to my place and get a change of clothes and come back. I’ll give you three hours to nap, relax, walk or do whatever you like. I’ll see you later.’’ She kissed him on the lips and left. The problem was Alan wasn’t tired and wanted to fight jet lag. He was worried that if he slept he’d be in trouble.
One of Alan’s contacts had told him her office was close to Central London in a place called Holborn. Chumper placed his call, it was answered on the second ring. ‘’Hi Amy, this is Alan Green. I’ve arrived in London and I was just wondering if you’re available this afternoon to grab a coffee?’’ Amy was extremely receptive and suggested he come to her office and she gave the address. He left the Pan Pacific hotel and seven minutes later he was standing in her editing bay. She invited him to see a project she was working on. It was unbelievable. It was live action film mixed with AI characters and according to Amy the cost of producing the movie was half of what it normally would have been.
Chumper couldn’t believe how cute Amy was. She was full of energy and had a great sense of humour. He sat and talked with her for almost an hour. Amy sat cross legged on the floor. He was extremely attracted but knew that meant nothing as he was in London to spend time with Lisa. The attraction must have been mutual as Amy invited him out for dinner and drinks at a local restaurant. He had to decline but left feeling really good. He would keep in touch with Amy.
After getting back to the hotel and showering, Alan waited for Lisa to arrive. She called and said she was running late. He waited patiently and then much to his disappointment she called again to say she wasn’t going to be able to make it over. ‘’Alan, I feel terrible, but Mom had a fall and I think her wrist might be broken. I’m staying with her at the hospital while they take XRays and do all that kind of stuff. I’ll make up for not being there with you. Sorry about this.’’ Alan explained he understood that shit happened and they would make up for lost time. He looked at his phone and was going to call Amy but instead decided to watch a movie and go to sleep.
He received a call at eight am (Fortunately it woke him up or he would have slept in) from Lisa telling him she’d be over at around 2:00 pm. They would spend the day together and grab dinner. He told her he was excited about it and after hanging up went to his computer and called another Producer. Her name was Sandy Thomas. She was a Senior Producer at Red Blue Rooster, an Independent Production company and she invited him to join her on location. She was working on a film and invited him to the set. He took the details down and found himself on Canada Street in Canary Wharf. Sandy was welcoming and busy when he arrived. She was shooting a scene about a woman who worked for a major financial institution. The woman was siphoning millions of dollars from the company she worked for and sending the ill gotten goods to an offshore bank account. Chumpers was really enjoying himself when Sandy offered a perk. ‘’Alan, would you like to be an extra in the next scene. It’s your chance for immortality. All you have to do is a walk through. Our protagonist stops the mastermind on the street and you walk by them.’’ Alan announced he was ready for his close up and participated in the shoot. It was a lot of fun. When it was time to leave, Sandy who was incredibly lovely invited him to join her for a party of the Radio Television Society. Chumper had to pass because he was going to be with Lisa. Sandy said she understood and they promised to keep in touch.
When Alan got back to the hotel, he received a call from Lisa. She was out of the hospital but was running late and would be at the Pan Pacific at three pm. He waited in the lobby for her. Lisa showed up at four. She looked a little harried but great. He noticed she was wearing a different cap and different sunglasses and kept looking around the lobby. Alan was happy to see her. He missed her and they hadn’t spent much time together. ‘’Honey, do you want to go up to my room for a while and get reaquainted?’’ Lisa laughed. ‘’Is that your way of asking me if I want to fool around? The answer is I’m kind of exhausted from being at the Hospital all night. So why don’t we do this. Let’s go out for an early dinner and come back?’’ Alan said that would be fine and they went to Gaucho Covent Gardens on James Street. After ordering wine they enjoyed Steaks with Croquettes. Alan couldn’t believe how delicious they were and he couldn’t keep his eyes off of Lisa, she was tremendously beautiful and classy. She had finally removed the baseball cap and sunglasses she had been wearing. ‘’So how’s your Mom?’’ Lisa shook her head ‘’She’s seventy six and full of energy, but the broken wrist thing is slowing her down.’’ Alan took a deep breath ‘’Lisa, I have to tell you, sitting across from you just reminds me of why I fell in Love. I am crazy about you.’’ Lisa let a sly smile cross her lips. ‘’I am so grateful we found each other.’’ Alan finished his steak and leaned back in his chair. ‘’Let’s go back to the hotel.’’ Lisa grinned, ‘’Okay, time for dessert.’’
Lisa put her sunglasses back on and readjusted her cap. They walked out of the restaurant and the rest was a blur. They were soon in his hotel room and kissing passionately and getting undressed. After some serious passion they were in bed and making love. Alan felt like the King of the World, Lisa was tremendously beautiful and had phenomenal control of her body.
At six o’clock Lisa took a shower and announced she had to go and check on her Mother, she would be back the next day to spend quality time with him. She also promised to spend the next night with him. She left and Alan felt extremely satisified. He really didn’t care that he wasn’t going out to see the sights. Making love with Lisa was worth crossing the globe.
The next day Lisa called and said her Mother’s wrist was really bothering her and she needed to take her back to the hospital for another Xray. She would be at the hospital till around three o’clock and then would come over to the Pan Pacific the minute she was free. Alan once again explained that he understood and hung up. Even though he was disappointed there wasn’t much he could do about it. He hung up and turned on his laptop. He checked out his contact list. He read his notes and called Kitty Laski who ran her own Independent Production company focused on producing television shows. She explained she was busy, but wanted to meet him. She invited him for a coffee at Pret A Manger on Oxford Street. Chumper accepted and then went and asked the Concierge how long it would take to walk from the hotel to Pret. The Concierge was an old fashioned kind of buttoned down guy. ‘’Sir, it will take you 25–35 minutes if you walk. You go straight down Bishop’s Gate to Oxford Street.’’ Alan thanked him and left for his adventure.
He was enjoying a brisk walk and feeling very comfortable when his mood changed. He ran in to extremist protestors yelling and screaming vile, despicable things. It was extemely uncomfortable because what they were spewing was both anti-semitic and racist. He was determined not to let them ruin his day, but their hate was overwhelming.
When he finally walked into Pret A Manger he looked around and couldn’t figure out who and where Kitty was. He was looking around the restaurant when she walked in. She was much prettier than her Linkedin photo. They found a table and sat down and Kitty exhaled. ‘’It’s been a crazy day. We just pitched a new series and I don’t know if we did a good job answering the broadcaster’s questions after the pitch. You never know what the commissioning editors are looking for. Is it the same in Toronto?’’ Alan nodded, ‘’Yup, it’s Universal. We call it the twisted Kishkes syndrome. They tie your stomach in knots till you know if they liked what you were presenting. They laughed and Kitty insisted on buying the drinks, Alan had a Hot Chocolate and she had a Cappuccino.
The conversation flowed and Chumper was intrigued. Kitty was a blend of creative and corporate. As they were leaving, Kitty invited Alan to her place in Chelsa to join her and some friends for dinner. He explained that he had a prior committment but would see if he could change things around. He also asked if he could bring a friend. Kitty said that would be more than fine and she would text him her address. She gave him a hug and a nice kiss on the cheek and they left Pret.
The walk back to the hotel went quickly and Alan checked his watch and it read two pm. He took a shower and checked emails. There was one from Amy (the attractive editor) inviting him to a launch of a new film she had been working on. It was taking place the following evening at the Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square at 7:00 pm.
Lisa arrived at the hotel looking beautiful and she said she had made a dinner reservation at a place called ‘’Oslo Court’’ in St. John’s Wood. ‘’I think we should take an Uber, it’s the best way to get to the restaurant.’’ Alan looked at his watch it was four o’clock. ‘’Honey, isn’t it really early for dinner?’’ Lisa chuckled. ‘’By the time we choose our food and shmooze a bit it will be five. It will take a couple of hours to eat, and then we can have a nice leisurely evening. Oslo Court is a very Special place.’’
Alan suggested he needed to change his clothes and asked Lisa to come up to his room with him. She smiled and shook her head ‘’I know you. You want me to come up, we’ll end up getting undressed and missing our reservation. She then stood up and after looking around walked hand in hand with him to his room. As soon as the door closed they started kissing. They began undressing each other when Lisa’s phone rang. Alan whispered in her ear ‘’Don’t answer.’’ She laughed as she pulled herself back from his kisses. ‘’I have to, it might be my Mom and some kind of emergency.’’ Alan respected the fact she was so concerned about her Mother. ‘’Hello, Oh, Really, but I have plans. Are you absolutely sure. I have company from out of the country? Okay, what time? Alright, I’ll be there.’’ Lisa turned her phone off and looked at Alan. ‘’I feel absolutely horrible, like a fraud. My Mom’s Sister had a Heart Attack. This is such a shitty week. My Mom is insisting I take her to the hospital. I know tomorrow is your last day here and I know you’ve heard this before, but I promise to make everything up to you. I might have to come back to Toronto really soon. In the meantime, why don’t we make love and then I’ll go.’’
It didn’t take Chumper twice to accept the offer and after a robust love making session, Lisa got dressed. ‘’Look there’s good and bad news. The bad news is we didn’t spend as much time together as I would have liked. The good news is we were able to be close. I’ll call you in the morning and we’ll get things happening. I’m also planning to take you to Heathrow.’’
She kissed Alan passionately and he walked her to the door and then when she left he collapsed on the very comfortable bed. He looked at the clock and it was early. He thought about dinner and called Kitty’s cellphone. ‘’Is that dinner invitation still open?’’ When she replied ‘’Of course’’, he pumped his fist in the air and said he’d be at her place at seven and thanked her again.
Alan showered and looked up the best way to get to Chelsea. He once again called an Uber and he was on his way to dinner with new friends. Kitty lived in a place called Chelsea Barracks and her place was beautiful.
When he entered Kitty’s place, Chumper was warmly greeted by Kitty and five of her friends. There was a cross section of people, some were involved in Television and Film the rest were in Finance, Real Estate and Journalism. It was a very cool mix.
After pouring Alan a glass of Wine, everybody was curious about life in Toronto and they started to get to know one another. As they sat down in the dining room, they asked Alan why he had come and he confessed it was to see Lisa. He mentioned that she was also in the television business and one of the people present, Lara who was a Director giggled. ‘’We are a big and at the same time small incestuous business What’s her name? Alan thought for a second ‘’Funny, I never thought about the last name. I believe it’s Stanzer. Her focus has been on Unscripted. The people in the television biz shook their heads. ‘’Doesn’t sound familiar. Do you have a picture?’’ Alan nodded and pulled up a picture of Lisa from their time in Toronto. Lara looked and seemed stunned. ‘’This is your girlfriend?’’ Alan felt a sense of pride come across him. ‘’Sure is.’’ Lara looked at the picture closely. ‘’Is this her Linkedin picture also?’’ Alan shook his head ‘’Nope, her Linkedin is an action shot from one of her productions.’’ Lara passed his phone around and everyone seemed to know who she was, even those not in the television world.
Kitty was the one who revealed what was going on. ‘’Your girlfriend is quite famous here in England. Her last name isn’t Stanzer, it’s Olden-Fletcher.’’ Alan was confused. ‘’I’m pretty sure it’s Stanzer.’’ Kitty laughed, ‘’Alan, I think that’s an alias.’’ Alan stuttered. ‘’Why would she have an alias?’’ There was more laughter ‘’Alan, she’s very well known here. She’s Michael Harrison’s girlfriend.’’ Things were getting more bizarre by the second.
Lara handed over her phone and there was Lisa with a very tall guy. They were smiling and he was wearing a Soccer uniform. Soon, different phones were headed his way with different pictures of Lisa. Most of them were with the Michael Harrison dude. It didn’t take long to find out that Michael Harrison was one of the Best Soccer players in the world and he played for Arsenal and England’s national team. According to one of the articles, Lisa was his long term girlfriend. It was confusing.
One of the women at the party Francine told Alan she was impressed. ‘’For you to be seeing Lisa Olden-Fletcher you must have some kind of Super Power. I mean she is involved with one of the sexiest men in the world and to turn her back on him for you is impressive.’’ Alan didn’t like Francine, what the hell did that mean?
As soon as Kitty and her friends found out about Lisa they seemed to act differently towards him. It was strange, the conversation seemed more guarded and not as open. He decided not to reveal much about his relationship and as a result the talk all seemed stilted. Kitty served South Asian food and everything seemed extra spicy or was that just a metaphor about what had happened when Kitty and her friends found out that he was dating Lisa.
Chumpers felt relieved when he left and on the Uber back to the hotel, he thought about his relationship with Lisa. They had talked about marriage and how much they loved each other, but he didn’t even know her. What the hell was the deal with her and Michael Harrison?
When Alan got back to his hotel, he stayed in the lobby for a second and did a Google Search on Michael Harrison. There was an event that night to raise funds for England’s Youth Soccer program and there was Harrison signing soccer balls. Standing over his shoulder was Lisa. It was crazy, was Michael Harrison the person she was saying was her Mother? Had she been lying to him about her Brother living with her? Alan’s heart fell in his chest and he felt a sense of sadness. The love making was exceptional but he really thought Lisa was his future. How could that be possible? He didn’t even know her real last name.
The next morning at 8:00 am a very chipper Lisa called and Alan had to fake enthusiasm. ‘’Hi Alan, I am setting aside time for us today. I told my Mother I couldn’t take her to see her sister and I’ve rearranged my schedule for ‘’us’’ time. I’m going to take you for High Tea in South End at the Roslin Beach Hotel Resort. It’s a nice little escape. If you were here longer, I would have made plans to go to the Cotswolds. I’ll be at the hotel at around 11:30 to pick you up does that work for you?’’ Alan wanted to say don’t bother but instead he simply said ‘’I look forward to seeing you’’ which was the truth. No matter what he had learned he had feelings for Lisa and he couldn’t just turn them off.
Alan took a brisk walk around the hotel and grabbed a cup of tea. It was a twenty minute walk to the Tower of London. It was cool out and he wished the sun would show up. The one thing he had noticed about London was that it always seemed to be gray. He could never live there, the dullness would make him crazy.
When he got back to the hotel he waited patiently in the lobby and Lisa walked in. She looked as gorgeous as usual and was wearing a Toronto Blue Jay’s cap which made her look even sexier. He got up from his seat and hugged her. She smiled ‘’We have time for that later.’’
Alan walked with her to a parking lot attached to the hotel and he got into her Mercedes. She put in the directions to South End and they took off. London had narrow streets and a lot of traffic. She looked over at him ‘’So, tell me how have you found England? I know we haven’t spent enough time together but I hope you’re still having a good time.’’
Her comments were an opportunity to discuss what was heavy on his mind. ‘’Well, I discovered something amazing. There’s a woman named Lisa Olden-Fletcher who is your doppleganger.’’ Lisa almost swerved the car and this was followed by a few seconds of silence. ‘’Oh, you know.’’ Alan didn’t know how to react, so he played it lightly. ‘’That you have a doppelganger or twin, yup the cat is out of the bag.’’
Lisa glanced over at him. ‘’We have a pretty good drive ahead of us, I was waiting for the right time to tell you my story, so now is as good a time as any. Please let me tell you everything before you pass judgement or decide you want to break up with me.’’ It was Alan’s turn to look over at her. ‘’I have no desire to break up with you, but I am interested. What’s going on?’’
Lisa turned her radio off and commenced to share her life story. ‘’To begin with Stanzer is my Mom’s maiden name. My Mom married my Dad, Steven Olden-Fletcher. Unfortunately he passed at a young age, and it was very difficult, he was an exceptional person. He loved us with every ounce of strength in his body. All he wanted in life was that we should be happy. After he died things were very tough for my Mom and to tell the truth, I don’t think she’s ever recovered.
I received a lot of love from her, but she never wanted to date anybody else and she was very protective. I went to Oxford University and got a degree in Commerce. I have always liked business. I was able to secure a job with an Agency that represents Premier League players. The Premier League is the top football league in England.
One of the players was really talented and he asked me out a number of times and I always passed as I didn’t want to mix business and pleasure. As he progressed in his career he kept on telling me that he wanted to know me as a person instead of an Agency rep. I finally relented and we went out and had a lovely time. I was surprised. He was kind and funny and there was genuine chemistry.
He kept asking me out and finally I told the head of my Agency and he was very encouraging. The President said, ‘’If our client is happy, we’re happy.’’ Anyways, the player Michael Harrison became very serious and after a couple of months of dating, he asked me to move in with him, which I refused. I told him I needed my own space and place and the next thing I knew, he bought me a Flat in Mayfair. I also realized I was compromised as his Agent. Other players I represented started making uncomfortble comments and a couple of guys I represented asked for different Agents. They said my focus was obviously on Michael. The crazy part was I wasn’t his Agent. Anyways, while we were dating he signed one of the biggest contracts in the history of the Premier League. He told me I had been his lucky star and he bought me this Mercedes and put five million pounds in my bank account. Five million pounds is about eight million dollars in Canadian money. That’s a crazy amount of money. I told him I didn’t want it and he had gone overboard. That I liked him and enjoyed his company but I didn’t want to be ‘’paid’’ for being his girlfriend. He responded by saying he loved me and hoped to one day marry me. It was an unrequited feeling, I felt something was off.’’
Alan was invested in the story, he couldn’t believe it. He had never heard anything like it. Maybe Francine from the party was right, Michael Harrison seemed to have everything, why was Lisa involved so interested in him when she could have had whatever she wanted from the soccer guy.
‘’I went to a Lawyer and explained the situation and asked what I should do. I mean the Flat and Car were in my name and the money was in my bank account, but I didn’t want to be owing to Michael. I needed to know that if I wanted to leave him, he wouldn’t or couldn’t ruin me. He stayed at the Flat but he never moved in. He left a couple of suits and some clothing but it wasn’t like it was his home. Anyways, my Solicitor suggested she draw up papers to present to Michael to make sure I was protected. When I gave him the papers he just signed them like he didn’t care. I don’t even know if he read them. He then pulled out an engagement ring. It was gorgeous. I thought about it, and he had been so generous and loving towards me that I accepted, even if I didn’t really know if I loved him. The fact he kept professing his love to me was enough.’’
Alan looked out the window and the traffic was moving but the Highway was heavy. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. It was a crazy story and even crazier was the fact he was in the middle of it.
‘’I went to all the parties with Michael and soon we were in all the papers. The paparazi loved Michael as he was always smiling and took the time to stop for pictures. Wherever we went the paps were around. It was why I wear baseball caps and sunglasses I don’t want them to spot me. It would put you in the centre of a storm. So, things were moving very well, we set a Wedding date and a year has passed. I am still not convinced I am in love with Michael but I’m convincing myself that he will be my partner for life. We’ll have kids and be the next Beckham’s. That we will lead comfortable lives and as time goes on I will have stronger feelings for him.In fact I’m counting on it. I mean I liked him, but something was missing and I couldn’t figure it out. I have that missing something with you, but at the time I couldn’t find it with Michael.’’
Once again Alan felt confused, what had she found with him? It was crazy, the good news was the sun was starting to peak out from the heavy clouds.
‘’So, Michael goes to play in a World Cup match in Argentina and the WAGS (Wives and Girlfriends) arrange a watch party at the Four Seasons London Park Lane. I arrive early and go to the bathroom I’m in a stall. A girl named Jill walks in with another woman. Jill is a Publicist for the National team. I hear them talking. She says she has eight phones. A bunch of guys on the trip took burner phones. She has to send texts to the wives and girlfriends from their phones twice a day. She has to convince them that the Coach has banned direct contact until after the match so they don’t lose focus. They both laugh. I’m in shock. She says that she knows Michael Harrison has a model girlfriend in Argentina and a model girlfriend in Chile and has to juggle them while he’s away. I leave after they leave and wash my face. I knew something was off with Michael. The weird part was why did he want to marry me? I watch the game, which they win, Michael scores the winning goal and I wait a few minutes after the game and I call his phone. A few seconds later I get a text that he can’t talk, the Coach has banned direct contact. There’s two days of training and then he’d be home and we’d celebrate. I knew it was over.’’
Alan couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Why would Michael Harrison give all those presents to Lisa and cheat on her? Especially the money and the very expensive engagement ring.
‘’We’re about a half hour from South End, telling you this story makes me feel sad and relieved at the same time. I wait till Michael returns from Buenos Aires and we go out for dinner and the whole time I’m looking at my engagement ring. The paps shoot us going in to the restaurant (The Paternoster Chop House and Tavern) and Michael is telling me what a good time he had with the boys and how England is going to win the World Cup and I’m smiling and listening and when he finishes, I ask him if his girlfriend in Argentina or the one in Chile agrees with him. His face goes as white as a ghost. He doesn’t know what to say. He starts to stammer. I look at him and ask about his other girlfriends. His face changes from white to red. People are stopping by the table and patting him on the back, and a couple ask for pictures with him and he is sitting there stunned. How stupid can a person be? Didn’t he think I’d eventually find out. I keep looking at my engagement ring and twisting it on my finger. He stands for pictures and then calls his bodyguard over. He tells him to stop people from bothering us. The bodyguard a guy named Lester snaps to it.
The cut off for South End gets closer and Alan realizes he doesn’t want the trip to end. The story is one of the craziest he has ever heard. As Lisa resumes the story there’s a different tone in her voice.
‘’Michael looks at me and shakes his head. ‘’Look, I’m a huge deal. I can’t help it. Woman throw themselves at me, but it’s you Lisa who I love. I’ll dump the rest.’’ I shake my head and explain the principal of trust. Once it’s broken, it is very hard to get it back. My Lawyer had prepared me for his comeback. I was ready. He talks about all the gifts he gave me to show his love. I explain that I don’t intend to give back one thing, but we can salvage some dignity from the situation. I will finish the year going to public events with him and then just before the anniversary of our engagement, we’ll announce we are breaking up but will remain friends. It happens all the time in pro sports. He asks that I don’t go out with anyone so that the public doesn’t know what’s happening while we’re in our friend zone situation and I agree, but then I met you.’’
Alan looked at all the little shops Lisa was passing as they were heading to the Roslin Hotel. ‘’Why me Lisa?’’ She smiles ‘’It’s simple. In Arizona you didn’t know who I was and you treated me with respect and decency and you had no ulterior motives. We enjoyed each others company because there was something that connected deep inside. I never felt that with Michael, it was like a soul connection and I was happy for the first time in over a year. It was so strange, when you walked through the doors at Heathrow I felt the same thing. Every time I’m with you I want to be with you. I never felt that with Michael. You are genuine and decent and loving and caring and you were ready to marry me without doing a background check. You didn’t care if I was wealthy or poor, you liked me for me. I also thought my Mom would love you. I introduced her to Michael once, and she pulled me aside and asked what I was doing with him. She was never impressed. So, that’s my story. I’m not certain he won’t sue me or try something when we officially break up, but as long as I have you it doesn’t matter. Oh I have to share three other things with you to give complete disclosure. My Mom did fall and break her wrist but I could’ve gotten together with you. The thing was Michael had a team event and asked that I join him as the media would be there and he didn’t want them asking questions. He also had a thing for British Soccer and encouraging kids and he asked me at the last minute. I think he still wants me to be around him, but I am doing everything I can to avoid him. Finally, when you said you were coming I wanted you to stay at my Flat, but if the Paps found out, it would be a huge scandal, so I said my Brother lived with me. Are you okay? Do you have any questions?’’
Lisa pulled in to the parking lot behind the Roslin hotel. Alan took a deep breath. ‘’I am in shock and grateful. I wondered about the baseball cap and sunglasses and now I get it. I do love you. There is something so strong that I can’t explain it and that story makes me love you even more. But, I don’t have five million in my bank account, what if I can’t give you the lifestyle you’re now used to? I mean even the engagement ring I have for you is not as lavish as the one Michael gave you.’’ There was a pause as Lisa looked at him and tears started to stream down her face. ‘’You brought me an engagement ring?’’ Alan reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black box. Lisa screamed ‘’I Love you. I want to marry you. I want to be with you forever.’’ She grabbed the black box from him and stared at the ring which was very basic except for a two carat diamond. She took the ring and placed it on her finger. ‘’I accept Alan Greene, I will be your wife. Let’s go have our High Tea and celebrate, then I’m going to take you to meet my Mom. I Love You, I Love You, I Love You.’’ She then leaned over and they kissed.
When they were finally getting out of the car, Alan looked at her and said ‘’What about Michael Harrison?’’ She smiled ‘’Who’s that?’’ and walked around the car, kissed him and took his hand to enter the restaurant.
It had only been a short trip, but in the end it was the most important one that Alan Chumper Greene had ever taken in his life. The ironic thing was for the first time in three days, the sun was shining brightly and the clouds had parted. It was like Lisa’s father was shining down.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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