2 The 1st Encounter

I was in the hotel lobby waiting for the elevator to come. I am scheduled today to meet with the director of fashion Mark Philips. I am wearing a slick off shoulder black dress with some frizzled on the end of the skirt. This is one of my designs which is not yet out. I have tied my long wavy hair in a bun. I am using my black velvet stilettos and black clutch bag with white pearl accents. As for my accessories just some white pearl necklace, earrings and bracelet.

"Andrea what time is our dinner with Mr. Mark?" I ask Andrea which is standing next to me.

"Eight in the evening Queenie." Andrea answered while looking at her wrist watch. "We are just right on time. It's quarter before 8."

"That's good." I nodded.

'Ting' the elevator arrived. The doors opened and inside are some people, mostly men chattering. They looked at the lady in black in awe. Andrea and I entered the elevator. The chattering stopped. I feel eyes staring on me. I smiled to myself feeling the eyes going thru my back.

The elevator arrived at the 53rd floor and we exited. As I walked at the lobby visitors that are happily chatting and doing there own business suddenly stopped and looked my way.

"Hey who's that." a man said. "I don't know maybe an actress or a model. She's damn hot." the man beside him answered.

"Look at her. She's so beautiful. Is she a model or something." a woman said.

While I walk I hear this kind of talk. "Andrea, where's the way to the restaurant?" I asked.

"Right this way Ms. Queenie." Andrea answered. While in public Andrea shows me a respect for a boss. She leads the way.

We arrive at the entrance of the restaurant. I can hear mellow music inside, the ones typically played in five star restaurants. The male attendant at the front desk stared at us in awe.

"Ahem." Andrea coughed. The attendant woke up from his daze.

"Ah yes. Do you have a reservation tonight?" the attendant asked.

"Yes. We are here to meet with Mr. Mark Philips, the director of fashion. I'm Andrea Gale." Andrea replied.

The attendant looked at the ledger and searched for the names. "Ah yes Ms. Gale. You have a reservation for 2 with Mr. Philips." the attendant said. "He is already here. He is at table 401. Let me show you the way."

The attendant showed us inside. The restaurant is a little croweded. Maybe becuae it's a weekend. All the guest are wearing formal attire. I believe these people are from high class society. No wonder, this restaurant is five star and known here in N city.

The attendant lead us to a table by the window. A tall and slim looking man wearing a dark violet tuxedo is chatting with a young woman in a red long gown.

"Mr. Philips your guests have arrived." The attendant said.

The man in the violet tuxedo looked our way then gave a huge smile. You can see in his smile that he is very delighted. He stood up then the woman in the red dress followed.

"Oh my, my. I am Mark Philips. Please call me Mark." the man said. "This hear is my trusted assitant and sister Grace Philps." he gestured to the woman. Mark is gay so he's way of talking is a little bit cute.

"Please call me Grace." the woman said.

Mark extended his hand and shaked Andrea's hand.

"Thanks Mark. We have talked on the phone before. I'm Andrea." Andrea said. "This here is my boss Queenie Versales." she gestured to me. I extended my hand and shaked Mark's hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mark." I gave him a smile.

Mark paused for a bit. "Oh my, the pleasure is all mine." he said.

"We are delighted to finally meet you Ms. Queenie. Your Q.Versales fashion line is known and famous around the globe. It's an honor." Grace said with a smile.

"Yes, yes please sit down." Mark said.

"Oh please just call me Queenie. No need for formalities. We will be working together from now on." I said. We take our seats.

I looked at the view by the window. It looks beautiful. You can see the city from here filled with night lights.

"Beautiful isn't it." Mark said. "Is this your 1st time here in N city?"

"No. Actually I've been here before." I said.

"Wow really? When?" Grace asked.

"A very long time ago." I said while looking at the window.

"Anyways, Mark are all the preparations for Queenie's debut on schedule?" Andrea asked.

"Yes, all is on schedule. We are just wrapping things up then the event is all set." Mark replied. "We are so happy that you picked N city to host your debut Queenie. It means much to us. Thank you."

"No need to thank me Mark. I have always planned to get back here on N city. And I thought why not make my debut in the fashion world here. I have moved back my debut for far too long." I said.

"Well then let's eat. Feel free to order what you want. The dinner is on us." Grace chimed.

After dinner we have chatted for a bit. Then I heard a familiar voice. A voice I will recognize from a mile away. It's Shawn's voice.

"This way sir." I heard the waiter said at the table besides us. The tables near the windows had a division for privacy I guess, so we can't be seen from the other side.

"Yes thank you." I heard Shawn answered.

"Will you have any other companions?" the waiter said.

"Yes, we are meeting with my future daughter-in-law and her mother." a woman's voice said. I also recognize this voice. Shawn's mother. The sweet Abigale. I remember she was a good woman. Always giving a warm smile to others. She was always good to me.

I smiled reminiscing those childhood days. But then I realized she said future daughter-in-law. I perked my ear near the divider for a bit.

"Please mom we haven't decided anything yet." I hear Shawn say with a flat voice.

"Oh come now Shawn, how old are you now. I know how much you have grieved after Jill's death. It's time to move on. Julia is ready to accept you and your past. She will be a good wife. Maybe you can learn to love her as well." Abigale said with a concern voice.

"Mom please just, don't. This is not yet the time." Shawn said.

"Oh Shawn. I know you don't want to forget her. But please don't do this. You think it is your fault that she killed her self. I'm sure she has forgiven you. She was a good girl." Abigale said.

It was silent a while. 'Oh so Julia is the prospect future wife. And she is coming.' I thought. 'So Shawn is guilty with my so called suicide. Let's put on a little show then.'

"Andrea it's getting late. We need to call it a night." I said with a voice just loud to be heard thru the divider.

"Yes. Well Mark, Grace we will call you to fallow up on the preparations for the debut." Andrea said. We stood up then shake hands with Mark and Grace.

'Clack' I heard the tableware on the next table. "Shawn, why did you stand up suddenly? You gave me a fright." I heard Abigale said.

On the way I deliberately walked on the path next table. Just slowly I looked at the man standing just in front of me. Those dark blue eyes I so much loved to look in the past. A look of shock is traced all over his face.

"Jill." he whispered my name softly.