The Bloody Valentine Blog Hop

Sophia’s Valentine Heart

By Barbara Watkins

Sophia and Rick had been dating for almost a year when, without any warning, he decided to end the relationship on Valentine’s Day. Her friends had tried to warn her several times that he was no good but Sophia only saw in him what she wanted to see. With two failed relationships behind her, Sophia had wanted desperately to make this one work at whatever cost – if that meant changing her hair, raising her skirts an inch or two, alienating whichever friend of hers that he didn't approve of…well, then so be it. However, Owen was the one friend she would not distance herself from – not for Rick or anyone else. Owen had been there for her from the beginning, been by her side through her parents divorce, two failed relationships, and always eager to lend her his shoulder to cry on. But the one thing they didn't have in common – an attraction to each other.

Sophia threw the stuffed teddy bear against the wall and crumpled the red rose between her fingers. “Who the hell does he think he is, dumping me on Valentine’s Day?”

“I’m so sorry that it took me so long to get here, Sophia. I know you’re hurting but I promise you I can make it better.”

“I shouldn't have called you, Owen. I know we've been best friends since grade school but I can’t expect you to drop everything and be at my beckon call every time I get dumped!”

Owen grabbed her arm and turned her toward him. It seemed only a second, so fast she didn't have time to think. Owen was there, pressed against her. He went straight for the buttons on her silk chiffon shirt. Tears filled her eyes at his startling transformation. The buttons from her shirt hit the floor as she jerked away.

Owen tilted his head to the side, as if he didn't understand why she was refusing his advances. Her fear escalated to the surface as she stared into his eyes glowing like red-hot timbers “ None of those assholes were ever good enough for you, that’s why I always made sure that it never worked out.”

She fought back the tears. “I don’t understand…!”

His heart was crushed. Tears streaming down his cheeks, he lowered his head. In that moment her heart wanted to comfort him, but she dared not. And then suddenly, as if lifted up by a band of demon angels, his demeanor changed from pitiful me to all-powerful evil.

“You refuse my love for you, deny my heart? Oh yes, you would rather have the heart of some asshole than to have my heart! Be careful what you wish for, Sophia.”

And with those last words, Owen slammed the door behind him and sped away into the night. Sophia was horrified by what had occurred. She searched her mind for an explanation. It wasn’t like he’d never had a love life, although not a lasting relationship, he’d dated plenty of girls. Could what he had said be true? Was he responsible for her failed relationships? How did she miss the signals?

Several hours had passed by when suddenly the ringing of the doorbell startled her. She inched her way to the door, all the while praying it wasn't Owen on the other side. Looking through the peephole she saw a package left on the top step that was clearly marked in red, ‘Happy Valentine’s Day.’ Could this be a peace offering from, Rick? She hoped now, more than ever, that it was. She ripped the top of the box open and folded the sides down. Inside the box was something wrapped in red plastic and tied with a beautiful bow, and an envelope that read, ‘You now have my heart’ signed, Rick. Her hands began to shake as she noticed a red substance leaking out from underneath the bottom of the box. She didn't want to continue on, but the mystery of not knowing was too powerful. Her legs gave out as her knees buckled, sending the box crashing to the floor, and the heart cut from her lover’s chest rolled across the floor. Her screams echoed throughout the empty house – ‘What have you done, Owen – Oh my God, what have you done?”  The Bloody Valentine's Day Blog Hop