More than Meets the Eye

painting done by Pierra Auguste Renoir

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Rupert sure didn’t give up easily, Miranda thought. She felt sorry for him, but she just wasn’t in love with him. He was kind, but he didn’t compare to Phillipe. Her mind was drifting as he droned on, “Blah, blah, blah!”

She couldn’t stop thinking of Phillipe. His handsome face and french accent. He had talked about taking her to Paris, and going up in the Eiffel Tower. Her heart leapt at the thought of strolling the streets of Paris. Seeing the sights, finding a cafe and indulging in a French baguette and some eclairs. Sipping on a Cafe Parisian drink, she had always wanted to try one.

She could see the Arch of Triumph and visit the Louvre! Miranda loved museums and art galleries and its been a dream of hers for a long time to see the Louvre. She thought it would always remain just a dream, and then she met Phillipe.  The suave French guy who had swept her off her feet with his charm.

“Blah,blah,blah!” What was Rupert talking about now? She was catching bits and pieces but wasn’t sure about what pieces she should actually pay attention too.

Looking down at her watch she was surprised by the time. She was supposed to meet Phillipe very soon, she had to go.

She interrupted Rupert in mid sentence , “Rupert dear, I am sorry, but I am afraid you will have to excuse me. Wait? What is that sound? Oh Rupert, look, I do believe you left the hose running!”

He jumped up from his chair, and Miranda said goodbye, as she made a hasty exit when he was distracted.

Miranda touched up her hair and smoothed her dress, while her heart fluttered at the thought of being with Phillipe again.

The doorbell rang. She walked down the stairs with anticipation. Opened the front door and there he stood with a radiant smile holding a box of chocolate strawberries in his hand.

“Oh my favorite! Thank you soo..”

She gasped as she noticed what was behind him, a horse and carriage!

Phillipe took her hand, ” How would you like a ride through the park before dining at the finest restaurant? Only the finest for someone as beautiful as you. I thought we could talk about those plans for Paris as well, how soon would you like to go there?”

“Oh Phillipe, how I do love you!”

It was late when Miranda got home, the clock had almost struck 12. Phillipe joked that he had to get her home before their carriage turned into a pumpkin.

Miranda fell asleep with a full heart, after a delightful evening, with visions of Paris dancing in her head.

Time had flown, it was only 2 days before she was supposed to leave for Paris. Miranda thought she would go for a nice walk in the park, she was supposed to meet Phillipe that night. She was standing at the fountain in the park, when she thought she heard Phillipe’s voice!

Sure enough, he was sitting on a bench not too far away. who was that strawberry blonde haired lady sitting with him?

Miranda’s heart started beating fast, maybe it was just a cousin, or his sister. Had he ever mentioned a sister to her?

He put her arm around her and drew her close. Miranda couldn’t shut out the words she heard him saying to the lady. The same sweet romantic words that he had spoken to her. When she saw them start to kiss, the waterworks started and she knew she had to get out of there. Turning around she started running, with hot tears blinding her. She ran straight into someone.

Her cheeks flushed as she apologized, while still looking down at the ground.

“Miranda, what is wrong?”

“Rupert??” she wiped her eyes and looked up at him. She saw tenderness in his eyes as he looked at her.

“Oh Rupert, I have been such a fool!”,  she fell against him sobbing.

He wrapped his arms around her and rubbed her back, letting her cry.

Miranda felt a warmth in her heart at Rupert’s soothing words and gentle touch. Who needed Paris? A heart that cares is far more priceless!