A Lover And A Stranger

By Maria Ventura

A Lover and a Stranger takes you through the journey of love, trust, pain, and betrayal. How much can one person endure for love? Can trust ever be restored? The heart is our worst enemy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887935461

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Lover And A Stranger

Maria Ventura

Copyright © 2023 Maria Ventura

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING

Conneaut Lake, PA

First originally published by Page Publishing 2023

ISBN 979-8-88793-529-4 (pbk)

ISBN 979-8-88793-546-1 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

A Lover And A Stranger

About the Author

To my son Jason. Thank you for being my strength, my light, and my happiness.

A man’s courage is not in his hands but in his heart.

A man’s sincerity is not in his words but in his eyes.

A man’s creation is not with his hands but with his soul.

A man’s thought is not with his mind but with his heart and soul.

It was like a fairy tale. Like a dream come true. Everything was perfect, and it was more than I could have dreamed of. For a long time, my life was not complete. There was something missing, and that something was love, affection, and security. Security that I was happy with someone who loved me for who I am with all my faults and insecurities. My heart wanted to love and be loved. Everything changed when he came along.

Now I know that every woman dreams of her knight in shining armor, I, however, just wanted a little bit of happiness. He came along, and I thought that I had finally found the right person, and that I was finally going to be happy. I thought that he was finally going to fill up the emptiness that was within my heart. I thought that, finally, happiness had knocked on my door, and it was time to let it in. So I let him in, and the nightmare began.

It all started on a cold January night. I went to a bar in midtown Manhattan. I was freezing and needing something strong to bring back the circulation into my body. I sat at the bar and ordered a brandy. As soon as I was given my drink, I took a big sip. I sat there for a while looking down at my glass when I noticed that someone sat next to me. I took a quick glance. I quickly noticed a tall good-looking guy. He turned his head and looked at me. I looked away. From the corner of my eye, I could see that he was still looking at me. I took another sip of brandy and looked beside me, but he was gone. I finished my drink and walked out of the bar. I had parked my car two blocks away from the bar.

As I started to walk, it started to snow heavily. I got to my car and got in. I tried to turn on the car, but it wouldn’t turn on. I tried once more but nothing. I cranked the hood open and got out of the car. Oh God, why me? Why now?

I then heard a voice behind me say, Who knows? Maybe it was meant to happen.

I turned around and saw the tall handsome guy standing behind me.

He smiled and said, You need help?

All I could say was, Do you know anything about cars?

Once again, he smiled and said, You are asking me if I know anything about cars?

Well, do you? Can you fix it?

I know a bit.

I took a deep breath and said, Please look at it and tell me why it won’t start.

Sure. He turned on the flashlight on his phone and started to look. I stood beside him, and all I could do was stare at him. He had shoulder-length, dark black hair and a soft, dirty bear. Oh, how I wanted to run my fingers through his hair.

All of a sudden, he turned and looked at me and noticed I was staring, he then said, Sorry, lady, but there is definitely something wrong with your car.

Can you fix it? I asked him.

I can fix it, but it’s dark out here, and it’s snowing too hard.

I looked straight into his eyes and said, How am I supposed to get home?

If you want, I can give you a lift home. It’s no trouble for me.

I was not about to let him drive me home. No, thanks, I’d rather take a taxi home. I will call a tow truck.

Are you sure? It’s no trouble. My car is down the block.

No, thanks. I called the tow truck and waited for them to come. He walked away, got in his car, and drove off. I went across the street and got into a cab. My heart was beating faster than usual, and right then and there, I knew this night was the beginning of a roller coaster that I was never going to forget.

The next morning around 9:00 o’clock, a loud knock at my front door woke me up. I got out of bed and rubbed my eyes. I looked through the peephole and saw a man’s face looking back at me. I opened the door halfway. You, I said. What are you doing here? How did you know where I live? How could he know where I live? I kept wondering.

He smiled and said, You dropped your wallet last night, and I came to return it to you. He waved the wallet in front of my face.

I reached out to grab the wallet, but he moved back. Are you going to give me my wallet or not?

He waved the wallet again in my face, and I grabbed it. Once I had the wallet in my hand, I tried to close the door, but he held it open with his foot. The least you can do is invite me in for a cup of coffee. It’s really cold outside, and I could use some hot coffee, he said.

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Who the hell do you think you are? I said to him.

Nick Maxwell, that’s who I am. And I would really like that cup of coffee.

The nerve of him. What am I at a coffee shop?

Amanda, all I want is a cup of coffee.

How do you know my name?

He laughed and said, Well, in order for me to figure out where you live, I had to look through your wallet and look at your driver’s license. He looked at me like I was stupid, and I couldn’t defend myself ’cause he was right. He had to look through my wallet to find me.

I tried to close my door, but still, he held it open. Do I have to call the police on you so you can leave me alone? I asked him.

Well, excuse me for trying to do you a favor and return your wallet.

Do you want a medal for doing me that favor?

Look, lady, I was just doing you a favor that you did not appreciate.

If what you want is a thank you, then thank you very much. I quickly slammed the door in his face. Who the hell did he think he was?

That afternoon, I had just come out of the shower when the phone rang. I picked up, Hello?

Hi, Amanda, it’s Nick. I am downstairs. I fixed your car. Please, come down.

How did you get my number?

Your car was taken to my body shop.

You are really something, you know that? I said to him. I could hear him laughing on the other end.

Just come downstairs.

I’ll be there in five minutes.

I can’t wait no five minutes, just come downstairs right now.

Fine, just give me time to get dressed. I hung up the phone and got dressed.

When I got downstairs, Nick was in front of my building leaning against my car. I didn’t think you were going to get dressed so quickly, he said.

Can I please have the keys to see if you actually fixed it.

He handed me the keys, and I got into my car and turned it on. I couldn’t believe he actually fixed it. I got out of the car and walked over to where he was standing. So how much do I owe you for fixing my car?

You don’t owe me anything.

I didn’t quite understand what he was saying. I gave him a puzzled look. What do you mean I don’t owe you anything?

You heard me. You don’t owe me anything.

Look, I don’t know you. And besides, you took your time to fix my car. So just tell me how much I owe you.

He smiled and said, I’ll tell you what, if you really want to pay me, go out on a date with me.

I could not believe what I was hearing. What?

If it would make you feel better, we could go back to the bar I first saw you at.

The only way that I am going to pay you is with money, so tell me how much I owe you, and I will pay you.

Are you sure you want to pay me with money?

Yes, I’m sure.

Okay, if that’s what you want—fine. But you don’t know what you are missing.

I looked at him from head to toe. From what I can see, I’m not missing much.

He laughed and said, You owe me two thousand dollars.

What? Are you ripping me off?

He gave me a sarcastic look. I am not ripping you off.

You actually think that just because I am a woman and don’t know much about cars, you’re gonna take advantage of me.

I am not taking advantage of you. Besides, you have a choice. You can go on a date with me or you can pay me two thousand dollars. It’s that simple.

He was such an asshole. I’d rather drop dead before I go out with you.

He leaned against my car and folded his arms across his chest. Okay, Amanda, but don’t ever say I didn’t try to come to an understanding with you.

He was just unbelievable. I don’t want to come to any agreement with you. All I want is to pay you your money and get this over with.

Fine, then pay me.

I am going to go upstairs and write you a check.

Sorry, no checks, cash only.

I looked at him and ran my fingers through my hair. I don’t have that type of cash amount on me. Why are you making this so difficult for me?

I am not making it difficult for you. Just accept my first offer, and we can end this right now.

And you would like that, won’t you?

More than anything in the world.

Well, like I said, I rather be dead instead of going out with you, so wait down here I am going to get my bank card.

By the look on his face, I could tell that he was enjoying the hell he was putting me through. Oh, don’t worry about me. Go right ahead, I will be right here waiting for you. I am not going anywhere.

I was pushing my last button. I ran upstairs, and when I came back down, he was still leaning against my car. Amanda, do you want me to drive? he asked.

Just shut up and get in the car. I’m driving

Well, someone is mad. He had that big smile on his face.

Just keep your mouth shut and don’t say anything.

Just accept my first offer and get this over with.