Chapter 14 - THE MAN WHO SAW HER FIRST
Casimir invited Delia to dinner on the anniversary of the Ashmore gala.
She arrived wearing a dark green dress.
Not borrowed.
Not chosen to impress her sister.
Bought with money she'd earned herself.
Casimir stood when she entered.
“You look beautiful.”
Delia smiled.
“Thank you.”
He pulled out her chair.
For a while, they talked about ordinary things.
Work.
Books.
The weather.
Then Casimir placed a small box on the table.
Delia froze.
“Casimir.”
He smiled.
“Open it.”
Inside was a fountain pen.
Dark blue.
Silver trim.
Engraved with her initials.
She stared.
“A pen?”
He nodded.
“You told me the first thing you wanted when you got your own office was a pen that didn't leak.”
Delia laughed.
Tears filled her eyes.
“You remembered?”
“I remember most things you say.”
She looked at him.
For years, she'd believed nobody listened.
Now she sat across from a man who remembered a passing complaint about office supplies.
Casimir reached across the table.
“Delia, I know my life is complicated.”
She nodded.
“And I know I've given you reasons to be cautious.”
“Yes.”
He smiled faintly.
“But I would like to keep seeing you.”
Delia looked at him.
“Why?”
Casimir's expression softened.
“Because you're the most honest person I've ever met.”
She smiled.
“And because you make me want to deserve that honesty.”
Delia reached for his hand.
“Then let's keep trying.”
Casimir lifted her fingers gently.
And kissed them.
Not as a transaction.
May you like
Not as a performance.
As a promise to treat her like someone whose choices mattered.
