Mystery Man's POV

         I know I told you a month at first, but I am sorry.

         I got nervous so now two months have passed and now I make you wait another two months.

        :(

        Chole's  POV

          Do not frown.

         I promise to wait the extra two months.

        I waited this long, so why not?

         Mystery Man's  POV

           You are better to me than I could ever imagine or hope for Chole.

           Chole's POV
              Do you like plays or operas?

           Mystery Man's POV

         I can not say I have gone to many operas. I never could afford it so, I am not sure.

        I have been to a few plays, but none were exciting. 

         Chole's POV
           Oh, how so?

          Mystery Man's POV

          The few plays I saw were school plays in kindergarten, second grade, third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade, sixth grade, seventh grade, eighth grade, ninth, and again in tenth, and twelfth-grade years of high school.

         In my first grade year, I was terribly ill with mono so for that year my father had a tutor homeschool me. Then, in eleventh grade, the school play was canceled. 

     Chole's POV
       Well, I do not think schools give plays justice either.

       I shall have to attend a real one with you at some point.

      Mystery Man's POV
        Is that an attempt to flirt with me?

       Chole's  POV

       Little me, flirt?  Ha, I shall do nothing of the sort.

         Mystery Man's  POV

          You take my breath away with how the sun makes your hair glisten just now.

           It is much longer than it was back in high school.  You had no curls in it then.

            I long to hold the end of one to see if it is as delicate as it looks.

         Chole's POV
             You say we have met before, but I am sure I would have remembered a gentleman as fine as yourself.  I do not believe it possible that we could have crossed paths without my noticing you.

         No, I do believe you are a mysterious man who I have yet to meet for the first time ever within two months' time.

         Mystery Man's POV

            Trust me when I say this, I was not always the gentleman.

         No, once I was a shy schoolboy.  A lad who was ridiculed for his affections towards another.

          Over time I grew fond of someone new. I never could face her.

         Chole's  POV
            Her?

       Mystery Man's  POV
          Yes, by her I naturally mean you.

        It was quite a surprise when I found myself drawn to you.

       I was afraid you could not see me the same way.

          Chole's POV
             Is that what has kept you from me all this time?

            Mystery Man's  POV

               The time it slows for no one,

              yet we try to keep it,

            on our watches,

          with clocks,

        and reminders of all kinds.

         Time such a funny thing it is,

        and yet,

        soon or later,

      without warning, 

      it runs out.

   Chole's POV
     You make me blush,

    then cry with your words.

      Please, do not back out 

     of the deal,

     I beg you!

       Mystery Man's  POV

     I won't.

     I  will keep my word.

      I only hope you 

     will find me,

   to be the one you hope for

   when the time comes for us

   to meet at last.

  Chole's  POV
    Oh, I will.

   I am sure of it.

    Mystery Man's  POV

    What will become of us?

    Chole's POV
       What do you mean?

    Mystery Man's POV

     When we are old, do you see us still being together?

    I  like to think so.

     I see you as lovelier still with your hair white as snow,

     or possibly gray,

    but I should not care either way,

     as long as I with you in that day.

   Chole's  POV

     Whoa, you speak as if you see our being together for that long!

     I am amazed.

      Mystery Man's  POV
          Chole, I  shall not make it,

        another two months,

      unless you tell me,

       the words I long to hear,

      my dear.

       Chole's  POV
         I love you!

        I am sure of it, 

     as much as I am

   that you love me.

    Darling, I can not wait

   to feel your embrace.

      Find out more in Chapter 10

     bye-bye, little owlets!

     -Summer out!

Chapter published August 9, 2021

  Edits made August 10,2021