"Cora, I know you love him. Why don't you catch him before his plane leaves?" Gwen, Cora's best friend pleaded.

"I can't. It's complicated in more ways than one," Cora stated simply, shaking her head sadly. "And besides I have an appointment in an hour."

"Is that more important than stopping the love of your life from making a mistake?" Gwen asked.

"Gwen, I made a commitment and I need to keep it. I can't," Cora paused, feeling the full effect of what was bound to happen: The one she loves disappearing from her life forever.

But she didn't have time for tears. This was a day that presented an amazing opportunity she had to take. She would be interviewed by a representative at Chez Jacques, the elegant French restaurant for the position of sous-chef and she knew she could do it. Fresh out of a prestigious culinary arts graduate program, Cora was young, creative, intelligent and had a flair for design that made her wanted by many renowned restaurants and food companies.

"Okay, then this is what you're going to do," Gwen spoke up, unwilling to let it go. "Write a letter to him and I'll deliver it to him. You have to do this because I know you still love him. I don't want to see the relationship ending this way."

Cora sighed heavily. She didn't want to dwell in the past even though she longed to be with her beloved Taylor at that very moment. Their relationship had been filled with loving memories and she almost couldn't bear not having him in her life, but it had ended quite viciously. She hadn't wanted him to accept his two-year stay in Paris to study French cuisine. She had tried to manipulate him out of it and threatened to hate him for life if he accepted the scholarship. She had seen the hurt in his eyes, but she couldn't take back her cruel words. In truth, she had been jealous. Incredibly jealous. They had both applied to the same program and they had planned to enter the high-caliber culinary academy together. But he was the only one who received the offer for a full-scholarship and she was left wondering what went wrong; what was wrong with her?

Finally, she answered Gwen. "Okay, okay. I can't argue with you. I'll write the letter."

Cora stared at the blank paper for what seemed to be an eternity. What is there to write? She knew she was unbelievably selfish and rude when she should have been supportive and loving. No words would be able to assuage the hurt she had caused or express how much she still cared. She had already done the damage and knew she couldn't fix it in a mere letter. But she began writing anyway.

"Done," Cora smiled a little at Gwen who had been waiting patiently. "Now I really gotta go, but thank you for making me do this. I hope he'll forgive me."

"Okay, go to that interview and snag that job of a lifetime for yourself, and I'll make sure the letter reaches Taylor's hands," Gwen took the lengthy letter and they both went their separate ways.

Arriving at the airport at record time, Gwen flew through the building and at last found Taylor standing in line, ready to board.

"Wait! You can't go!" Gwen rushed up to him and presented him with the letter.

"What's this?" A bewildered Taylor asked.

"Just read it," Gwen urged.

He opened it and tears started in his eyes as he recognized the fluid handwriting immediately. His eyes quickly read the words in a heartbeat, he forgave everything she had said and done. He could feel the words were earnest and sincere. And he wanted more than ever to stay in Chicago to rekindle the relationship with the only woman he really loved with all his heart. But he knew he shouldn't and he had to go towards his opportunity of a lifetime.

"Please tell her," Taylor looked at Gwen in the eyes. "That I accept her apology without hesitation and I still adore her more than anything. But I have to go to Paris and it breaks my heart to leave her, but she'll understand."

Gwen nodded, realizing he was firm in his words. "I will. But won't you keep in touch with her?"

Taylor looked pained when he shook his head. "I wish I could answer yes, but I feel if I did that, it would make me stay in the past when I need to move on with my life and seize the day. I don't want to be held back. If we're meant to be, Cora and I will meet again."

"I can't believe you're leaving your love life up to fate," Gwen said quietly. "But I have to respect your choice and I guess you have to board that plane."

Gwen hoped that Cora wouldn't be mad about her letting Taylor leave the premises and she almost called out to him once again, but she could appreciate his need for a break and new existence, so she let him go.

Reflection: This was the first assignment I wrote for the class and I enjoyed it very much. Though I got some criticism, I still like it and I think I might expand on it someday.