Red

"Happy Valentine's Day, my dear!"

The voice was his, but the confidence wasn't.

"Finally, I can tell you the truth about how I feel."

Oh, God! No!

I mustered up all my courage and looked up at him again. He was covered in Red. My heart skipped a beat...or two. We spent what felt like an eternity just staring at each other.

"I wished you a happy Valentine's Day," he finally spoke up. "I expected some sort of a reaction, whether it be good or bad."

I tried to think of ways to reply but my head was blank. I just let my heart do all the talking. It did a really good job for my heartbeat could probably be heard for miles. I just moved my gaze down. His hands were tied behind his back...No, he is holdingsomething. I swayed a little to my right, trying to get a glance at what he was holding.

"Uh-uh," He turned to his left to block my view and shook his head. "No peeking."

I straightened up.

He gave a throaty chuckle; my throat knotted up.

"Come on, dear. I've been waiting for years now. The day is finally here. Don't make me wait more."

Years?

My eyes widened.

He laughed again, louder. A single drop of tear dropped down my left cheek.

"I-" His laugh stopped abruptly. "I didn't mean to scare you." He took a step towards me and put his left arm over my shoulder, his right hand still hiding my present: my Valentine's Day present...from my Red Valentine.

I stiffened.

Thisisit. There'snoescapingnow.

He lifted his hand once more and held my face, ever so gently. Slowly, he brushed the drop of tear from my cheek with his calloused thumb.

"So tell me, my dear," he whispered. I could feel his breath on me. "Will you give me your heart?"

I took a long, shaky breath and gathered all of my courage and replied, "Do I have any choice?"

He smiled.

Heishappy.

"No, my dear," he pecked a little kiss on my cheek. "No, you don't. Now close your eyes. It's time for your present."

I closed my eyes, just as I was told to.

Ihavenochoice.

It's time for the present. I already knew what my present was.

And then, he gave me my present. My Valentine's Day present was rammed into my chest. My eyes fluttered open as I fell back but my Red Valentine held me. He slowly pulled the knife down my sternum, carving a hole around my heart. He smiled as my blood splattered into his already Red suit.

Howmanypeople gave him their heart for himtobedrenchedthisRed? HowmanypeopleacceptedthesamepresentasIdid?

"Goodbye, my dear. I will cherish the heart you've given me."