Greeting of Meetings

Chapter II of WCFL. Sanjesh takes to New York, Ceciline gets her breath taken away and Velona and Lisa deepen their friendship.

12:34 in the afternoon. I haven’t made any sells on my work so far. The only thing I was looking forward to was lunch. To my surprise, my sister came in to visit before she left to go back to her dorm. She seemed to have the brightest smile on her face, I knew she had news. She was also looking around at all the photos and paintings. “So I’ll take this one, and this one.” She said. I was unsure if she was serious or joking, but I was hoping she was cause I could use a sell before I left to grab something to eat. “Since when are you into art?” I asked and Velona replied, “Since I had an idea to visit my sister for the weekend, and take back a piece of her work to show my roommates.” She told me as she was taking them down, and picking out her frames. “Well aren’t you a loving sibling. How about we do lunch before you go too.” I added. She nodded and gave me four hundred dollars, I wasn’t sure why or if she even knew that was the price for both of the pictures she wanted, but I put it in my drawer, and grabbed my purse.

“Let’s go. Cec, I’m going to lunch early. We’re dead, and I have a sale on two photos.” “Okay, take your time. I may have to close early today, so I’ll let you know.” said Cecily. She usually closed early on Mondays, sometimes she wouldn’t even open. As much as I enjoyed getting business, I was hoping she would call me before I came back. After we got Lon’s purchase in the back seat, nothing else was stopping me from getting in her car as fast as I could. I honestly didn’t care where we got lunch at, I was hungry, and ready to eat.

“Come on, we’re going here.” I said. I couldn’t help but notice I sounded like my mother when she was hungry. Velona wasn’t even aware of it. We walked in and sat down at a table. Getting a waitress was the hardest part about this place, but their menu looked like I was about to dig in to my tastebuds. I wondered how good the Scallops wrapped in brisket would melt in my mouth, or if their ribs were fall off the bone. My inner big girl was about to lose her mind, and when she seen the salads, she couldn’t help but laugh sarcastically. I was not watching my figure. Finally our waiter came. He looked to be in late 30’s but even for that, the years have been good to him. 

“How you ladies doing today? My name is John. Our menu doesn’t show it, but our Scallops wrapped in Brisket are half priced, and you get an extra side to go. We also have a peppered smothered roast with stuffed with Garlic the comes with mixed vegetables.” This guy read my mind. “I’ll have the Smothered Steak.” Velona said with urgency. She might have had it once or twice growing up, but she didn’t remember, and after I told her about it, she must have been waiting to try it now that she was older. Mike never attempted to growing up, he was afraid he’d mess up moms perfect recipe. “And for you, miss?” “The Scallops, please.” “Alight, 2/2. You’re food will be ready shortly.” He said as he gathered our menus and walked away.

Velona looked at me. “I guess I’ll get an idea of what moms roast was like.” For some reason, I got emotional again, but I didn’t cry this time, I smiled back. “I hope you enjoy it, Lon.” She could see the emotional cry written on my face, that I was beginning to morn the loss of our mom, and she didn’t know what else to say. “You know after you were born, mom and dad were gonna start using protection, but the condom broke twice.” “Really?” She blurted. “Yup, you were supposed to be the last one, but I guess fate had other plans.” “I wonder which one of us looks more like her.” Lon said with her index finger fiddling around the outside of her glass. She did that when she was younger. “You didn’t see the picture above my fireplace? We both have some of her features.” “Well that explains a lot.” I was just about to reach out and grab her hand, but it turned into me rubbing my hands together cause the food was ready.

John had came over to the table. The smell of my Scallops made my mouth water. Then that with of Lons roast came in. It smelled just like moms, only with extra seasonings. I had a nag for sniffing herbs and spices out. I waited for Velona to take her first bite since this was a moment for her. She took it, and eyes went rolling into the back of her head. It may not have tasted exactly like moms, but she felt reborn. My phone rang as I got finished eating. “Hello.” “Cec, it’s Cec. Listen, I closed up. We were dead, enjoy the rest of your day, and we might be closed tomorrow too. Should you need to go back, you have your key.” A early close, and possibly a day off? I’m on a roll. “Okay, thanks Cecily.” “No problem, bye.” Velona looked at me like she was waiting on good news. “Sounds like you got some exciting news.” She said. “Got the rest of the day off. Hey, wanna take me to Express, before you go back to the university?” “Yeah, but what’s there?” “Lisa and a new hoodie and jeans that came out. Their corporate managers are in town to discuss the new line of clothes releasing next year.” I told her. “That’s cool, I might want to check out the new hoodie too.” Lona replied, and as our check came, we split the bill, we each put up $20 for the tip, and we left, this was turning into one of the better Monday’s in a while.

My first full day in New York…for the first time in a while, I’m feeling good about the day ahead of me. The first meeting at the main office was today. I was a little worried that my ideas wouldn’t go so good with the team, but I was still confident in them. I worked hard for long nights, even when she was with me. She loved that I was giving this my all, and helped me out on some of the women’s clothing. She wanted to see my work go through so one day she could be wearing them, but even with that, I was shot down when she left. I wasn’t sure how I could believe that she would keep her promises, but I was never one to doubt a woman’s word. The bosses weren’t too big on being formal for a meeting, they felt we should be causal while talking about what people want to wear.

I was comfortable in my formal apparel. I haven’t wore one of my suits in a while, let a lone in New York, but it was going to happen today. Off I went, to the more suitable place. I had worked at Express right out of high school, By the time I finished college, The company took a shot on me, and now at 25, I am the youngest manager on the board, and have build more than 20 stores worldwide. By next year, I have the chance to become the youngest chairman and first CEO to gross a hundred-billion dollars, but what good was all of that without someone beside me. I wouldn’t give this all away, I want to add to it. A nice cab ride ended in another tip.

The driver looked like he’s been making good tips all morning. The people who seen me getting out of the cab, looked stunned. They didn’t know who I was, but that was all the more fun to give them an idea. “How’s everyone doing?” I shouted. Their jaws dropped. The mysterious allure and warm heart I carried always seemed to grab the attention of everyone around me. It’s not so easy being the quiet ones gets that hostile stare. They’re the most misunderstood. The inside of the building was a lot less hostile. I started to breathe more naturally, then the woman made a gesture to signal me over. “Hi, are you here for the interview?” she asked. “No, I’m here for the meeting of next year’s clothing line release.” “Oh okay, that meeting is on the 29th floor, they said they’re still waiting on a few others.” “Thank you.”

I walked over to the elevator. Before it reach the floor, A woman walked in. She was beautiful. She had beautiful light blue eyes, long brunette hair, and her body was slim but curves in all the right places. “Hey Lisa” she said to to woman at the cash register. The elevator door had opened, but my intention to get on had grown hesitant. She had finally looked over, and the eye contact couldn’t have been more perfect. She lost track of what her friend had been saying. By the time she had looked back, I was gone. “Cec. CEC!” Lisa shouted. My attention drawn back to her. “Were you checking out that guy getting on the elevator?” “She sure was.” Velona jumped in. I was star struck. I was in direct eye contact with a man who never looked at me that way before. I couldn’t elude my racing heart. “He’s here for a meeting with the board of directors for the new clothing line next year. If you wanna hang out, I can drive you back to your car.” “How do you know I don’t have to go back to work?” I asked. “Lon has to go back to school, doesn’t she? And it’s 1:45, your lunch ended 15 minutes ago, and you never come here unless Cecily closes shop early.” “Well I don’t have class today, I could always just drive back at night.” Lon said. “Come on, Cec. It’s obvious you like him, you starred at the whole time, I was talking to you.” Lisa added. I couldn’t deny it, I felt like I met love at first sight.

“Alright, alight. You’re so pushy.” “Oh stop, you’ve been single since that d****e, Mat. You need to get a man like that. He doesn’t seem like another Mat.” “Last time, I check, Mat didn’t own a suit either, let alone afford one.” Lon added on, I couldn’t tell if they’re going in on me or Mat at this point, but they were right. Mat didn’t know what a suit looked like if he walked into one. “So where’s my hoodie. Ma'am?” I said, laughing cause Lisa hated being called ma'am. “I’m gonna hurt you. Come with me.” This Monday has taken an uplifting turn, but I was still nervous. “This is perfect. I love this.” I shouted. “You look really good. Maybe that guy won’t be able to keep his eyes off you.” Lisa said. “Hush, I don’t even know him.” “Yeah, but you couldn’t keep your eyes off him.” Lisa replied. She wasn’t wrong. “So do you want this outfit? You want this and another? I think you’d kill this one too.” Lisa stated. “I think I like that one, but I want this so bad.” I said. Velona wasn’t as lifted as we were, until she saw a hoodie she wanted. “Hey, let me try this on.” she shouted from the other side of the studio. We weren’t really allowed in here, only Lisa was because she was a model for Express. She was prepared to explain why we were here, but she wasn’t sure how well it would go. “Okay try it on.” said Lisa.

Velona went behind the curtain of the runway. She came out, and gave her best catwalk. It wasn’t bad at all, Lisa was very impressed. “Yes, girl! Kill it!” The doors flew open, and the managers had finished their meeting, or at least moving to the studio. “Grinn, you’re okay but why are they here? That stuff better be paid for.” Her manager said, angered by the happy looks on our faces. “They’re paying for it now, they wanted to try it on first.” Lisa said. “Good, I’m not paying you to play dress up with your friends. Get them taken care of and come back as soon as your done.” “Yes, Lenny. Ladies, if you could come with me to the register, I’ll be able to check you out with your new products.” He was standing right there, trying not to look cause he must of thought it was a bit embarrassing for me.

I wasn’t that embarrassed, but it began to grow on me. As the trio walked by, I couldn’t help but notice she was wearing on of my designs from this year. She looked great, it was as if I had made it just for her. We made direct eye contact again. Her eyes, brighter than the blue sky, began to melt me, my eyes were painted over her, now they’re glued to her, and hers were glued to me, I never felt love at first sight, but that’s what this felt to be. “Uh, Henrique, seems like got a fan. She’s wearing your outfit from this year.” “Almost didn’t notice. I knew it looked familiar.” I said. It had to be what I felt, it’s not too often Lenny is making a remark as a comedic gesture.

Lisa held the elevator as we walked on, the door closed and I exhaled the breath I lost walking by him. With that came, the flame of my sister and best friend. “Woah there, breathless.” “What’s the matter, there? Henrique got your tongue?” At this point, it wasn’t getting any cooler, except outside. “Oh shut up.” Lona just laughed, and Lisa was already laughing, but was ready with comeback. “Don’t tell me to shut up, you’re the one that was speechless.” Velona joined in. “Your eyes were brighter than the Sun at high noon.” “It’s alight, Cec. He’s so handsome, when he walked in, my jaw dropped for a second.” “Yeah, he looked so sharp in that suit. I was so weak. Lock him up, Cec. I wanna see you happy, not gasping for air.” I was hoping that was the last joke. Otherwise, I would’ve been a roast special. The bell rang and the doors opened.

“Thank God, that was a long drop.” Velona said, taking the words out of my mouth. Lisa got behind the register, and rang up the clothes, I won’t begin to explain how hard it was to do the ones I was wearing, but she’s crafty. “Alight you’re all set. Cec, I’m stopping by later, I have to go see what Lenny wants up there, order a pizza and mozzarella sticks. Lon, babe, love you, next time your off from school, we’re hanging out.” “I love you too, Lisa. I promise, I’ll call you.” “See ya later Lisa.” My plans for being alone were canceled, but I didn’t mind. I’m bound to have a better night now. “She’s gonna talk you all kinds of upward, I already know it.” Velona said. I couldn't say anything, then I devotedly said, “I hope she does.”

We were still talking about the future line of clothes, when Lisa had walked into the studio. “Okay guys, sorry about earlier, they really like their clothes and…” “Nevermind that, Lisa. It’s fine.” Lenny interrupted her, rudely. The look on her face was like wolf eyeing its prey. Lenny continued on, “We are discussing the line for next year, and we wanted to see if you wanted to give a few catwalks.” She was upset, but her intuition changed her facial expression. “Sure, let’s do it.” She jumped up on the runway and headed to the back behind the curtain. Only some clothes were ready because they were sketched and made here. I was one of the last to submit sketches. Lisa had came out for her first run. She was a beautiful woman and a very good at the catwalk, but my mind was on what I could assume was her friend. Saying something would get her attention, I wasn’t sure if I should or not, so I stayed quiet until Lenny insisted we give feedback. A few said they like it, a few said it could use work. “Henrique, what’s your take?” No choice to make now. “It nice, it stands out.” I was hoping she didn’t have a comment to that.

A few outfit changes later, A person walked in. She looked to be an assistant. “Mr. Lowendor, there’s a Silvia Calwin here to see you, she said it’s important.” Lenny looked to be anxious, or scared. “Uh, yes, tell her I’ll be right there.” “Okay.” the assistant said, and walked away. “Guys, we’re gonna close up here, I have the remaining sketches and we’ll have them ready by the next meeting, if you wish, there’s food on the 3rd floor. Lisa, if you’d like to join them, you may, or you can go home. We’re almost at closing time anyway, and we have two more registers running downstairs. Thank you again, everyone.” Lenny said. He walked quickly to the elevator, it must have been something important. Everyone began to disperse to the other elevator, I followed behind. I noticed Lisa had not caught up, and I didn’t want to be left out on the ride down. She popped out the curtain, jumped off the runway, and ran towards the elevator, just making it. As it appeared, we were standing next to each other, but the elevator was pretty large in size, leaving enough space for everyone to breathe easily. We reached the 3rd floor, but she didn’t get off. She must of had a lunch. I was expecting her to talk to me about her friend, but I guess she’s keeping it between themselves. Nevertheless, I ate some food, and conversated with the other partners. In the back of my mind, She was there, I was wondering how she talked, what her voice sounded like, if her lips were as soft as they looked. Did she have the touch that could slowly melt my arm with warmth. Was her long, shining brunette hair easy to run my fingers through? I had so many questions and thoughts running through my mind. All of which, I was hoping would come to light in time.

There was a knock on my door, and I knew it could only be the reason I’m still up. I opened the door. “What up!” an uplifting Lisa said. “I was forced to show your man the goods today.” “What do you mean?” I asked. “Lenny wanted me to catwalk next year’s clothes, the ones already made, anyway.” Lisa wasted no time stuffing the pizza. It was only weird cause she usually started with the mozzarella sticks. “So you mean he saw your goods before he saw mine?” I blurted out. “It was a joke, I barely had anything showing. Besides, he was doing his job, regardless, and I can tell he was thinking about you the whole time.” That’s a first, guys can never look at Lisa, without wondering what bra size she was. “Anyway, I think Lenny is cheating on his wife. His assistant came in saying some chick, Silvia, was there to see him and he cut the meeting short. I never seen him move so fast in my life. She must be satisfying him well.” “More than his wife, that’s for sure, but did you talk to him?” “Who?” I couldn’t believe she got confused. “Henrique.” “Oh, no. They had food on the 3rd floor, I wasn’t eating that stuff, it’s big girl day for me.” she said with enthusiasm. “You and I both.” I added. “Well get over here, I can’t eat this by myself…well I can but I’m not going to.” We sat there, watching Orange Is The New Black, and stuffing our faces with pizza and mozzarella sticks, a usual girls night for us. Only problem was I wasn’t sure if I had work the next morning. Luckily for Lisa, she didn’t, which meant she was crashing on my couch. We both were. I never really went upstairs when she slept over. We stayed in the living room. Before we knew it, we were asleep. All I could dream about; was him. Did he talk like a gentleman? Was his touch soft and comforting? If I laid on him, would he feel like pillow? Was he as sharp looking without the suit as he was with it? Does have a different music collection, without mainstream artists? I couldn’t get his face out of my head, his lips were wrapped around mind, embracing the moment as sparks and fireworks filled my dream lit sky. It was destined to be him and I, and it was a feeling like no other, and it was taking me over.

Now that I’ve made it back to the hotel, it was time to unwind. I wasn’t sure what I was ready to do, but before I got changed, I had lobster and a bottle of Moscato coming up to the room, and the music was playing. You would think I had set the tone for a lady to be here tonight, but sometimes, men like to be alone with there music, dinner and drink as well. There’s nothing wrong with that. It helps us, as it also helps women. It’s a human trait more than a one-gender trait. “It’s the night to make plans, that seem…so far, so far. I think let’s not wait, let’s love right now. Let's love right now. Lay me down, and tell me everything will be alright. Things will be alright. Lay me down, and tell me every…” The best part of the song was coming, but I was pretty impressed how quickly they had my order ready. I answered the door. “Thank you so much.” And handed the woman a tip. “Is that Sleeping With Sirens?” She asked, what a coincidence. “Yes it is.” I answered. “Good call, I’ve seen them live 3 times, March will be the 4th & 5th.” “You’re quite the fan, yourself. I’ve seen them 5 times, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been to concerts in general, but they’ve been atop of my favorites for a long time.” “That’s awesome. Well enjoy your dinner.” “Enjoy your night.”

Conversations like that are what restore my faith in world peace. The Moscato was ice cold, this was beginning to turn into a great night alone, but my mind was still restless for her. Not the her that has left a hole where my heart should be, but the her that I hope can fill the hole again. I dug in on my dinner however, rather mindless because it was so good, and was kicking with flavorful taste. I haven’t had a dinner like this in a while. I wasn’t too big on expensive food, but it was nice once in a while to eat like a king, so I've been told this what eating like a king is like. I could feel the night dwelling, as the full moon came across the city in the clear night sky. The stars aligned over the city skyline, with twinkles and shine that was so bright, from here they looked touchable. I was sure, this a night to remember for me. To know that there is a silver lining in my life that I’m not the lost soul I was feeling before I got here, but unfortunately, I had to return to my home in 28 days. I had to leave who locked eyes with, just like I was left by who locked her heart with me, so I thought. I was beginning to wonder if this was part of why I had to come here, to see why she had moved on with her life, because soon, I’d have to move on with mine, but I began to fear that I couldn’t move on without the woman I met today. Maybe New York is where I should stay, start a new. The last thought I had, as I began to rest my head was there’s 28 days to think this through, but also 28 days to get closer to her. Her love is a charm, that fits in my arms, and I had to complete this endeavor or have it come to an uncompleted end.

Author's Note

Yes, the story alternates between the two main characters, I guess you can call this the naked twist in my story book. I hope you find this intriguing, but have fun distinguishing which paragraphs belong to whom. Don't worry, it's not too hard.