Stupid robot

Though Stephen could have his father inform Violet's father and end things there, he felt that Violet deserved to hear it from him. She was a kind girl and had been a good friend to him over the years. Disregarding the guest that had come to congratulate him and the party that was in his honor, Stephen went to find Violet among all the people present. Once he found her, he went straight to her. "Excuse us, I need to borrow Violet for a moment." "Of course, anything for the birthday boy. Can't wait to be alone with your fiance." They said with a chuckle, to which Stephen replied with a sheepish polite laugh. After pulling Violet along he said, "We need to talk." and took her with him to the balcony. "What was so urgent that you needed to tell me in the middle of your own party?"

"There is something that I have been meaning to tell you and I don't want to keep this from you any longer. You know that I see you as a good friend right? And that I care about you very much." Violet nodded, while feeling worried as she could sense what was about to come. "But caring about one another isn't love. I want to have a marriage based on love and I want the same for you and I think you and I both know that isn't possible between you and me. It wouldn't be fair to either of us if we went on with this engagement. So, just now I went to ask my father to cancel the engagement between the two of us, so that we can both find happiness. I wanted to tell you this myself, because I hope that we can still remain friends after all of this." Violet was shocked. It was what she dreaded. She knew that Stephen didn't love her, but she hoped that if they spent more time with each other, that if they got married and were more intimate with each other, that those feelings would develop. But it seemed that it wasn't meant to be.

"What do you think? Why aren't you saying anything?" Stephen asked nervously. Violet pushed her feelings aside and put on a big smile as she said, "There isn't much for me to say, is there. It seems that everything has already been decided. If this is what you want, then I won't stop you. I, Violet Jones, am one of the most eligible ladies in all of England, so there are plenty of other suitors for me. Better suitors. The only reason I stayed with you for so long, is because of our friendship." The moment she said this, Stephen who was oblivious to her real feelings, was relieved. He chuckled and said, "I am positive you will. You are an amazing girl any guy would be lucky to have you." 'Any guy but you it seems.' Violet said in her mind. "You had me worried there for a second, but I am glad you feel the same way." Violet put on a forced smile and said, "So, now that we have agreed that I am too good for you, tell me, is there someone in your heart already?" Tying to ignore the cracks in her broken heart, Violet and Stephen continued to talk on the balcony for a while enjoying the refreshing night air.

Violet told herself that she was still young and she cared for Stephen too much to want to trap him in a loveless marriage. This way she could at least keep him in her life. Even if it was in a different role than she had anticipated. At least he regarded her and their friendship important enough to want to tell her in person instead of having to find out through her father. She told herself that what she had felt for him wasn't love, just something created by her imagination as he was the man she was supposed to marry. She told herself this was for the best, because now she could find someone she loved for real. Someone who loved her back and would treasure her. Someone better than him.

Once the formalities had been taken care of and the engagement was broken, Stephen went to find Susan. Having felt that they had spent too much time apart already, Stephen took a drastic action. The moment he saw her walking on the campus grounds with one of her girlfriends, he walked over to her and ignoring all his surroundings dropped down on one knee and said, "Susan, I know this might come as a surprise to you, but I have know that you were the one for me that fateful day four years ago. These past three years I have worked hard to become a man worthy of you. Now that I have taken care of what needed to be taken care of I want to ask you if you still feel the same and if you would do me the honour of becoming my wife." Though Susan was taken by surprise, she had subconsciously been waiting for this day. She had always kept that sliver of hope that her words had been the push in the back that Stephen had needed. That he would come for her. Making her reject all other pursuers and just when she was at the point where she was ready to give up, he revealed himself in such a grand way. Without a second thought she said, "Yes and YES!" before throwing herself in his arms and making him lose his balance. They fell to the ground and both started laughing as they hugged each other tightly in the middle of campus with all eyes directed at them. "It was about time. I started getting worried. You kept me waiting for so long you stupid robot."