the zurima collection

IV

It’s been six weeks and he learned everything he could from Mr. Chow.  He had him read The Art of War by Sun Tsu.  He taught him how to conduct himself befitting a gentleman with other gentlemen. He taught him manners and how to be chivalrous.  He taught him what  women like to hear when being  seduced, and how to dance with them. He taught him the art of conversation and topics he should be well-versed in, being in the diamond industry. He gave Stephen a list of names he could drop and a brief background on a few of them. He taught him to be a wine connossieur. He familiarized him with the variety of aged scotch as that would be his drink of choice. They moved him into 699 Central Park East overlooking Strawberry Fields and the Lake.  Should the occasion arise, he would take Zurima here.  He had a walk-in closet the size of a studio apartment in Greenwich Village. There were rows of suits and shoes lining a whole wall. If she could see him now, he thought. Would she regret breaking up with him?

Tonight was the night.  Mr. Chow was at the residence helping Stephen get dressed and coaching him on last minute details.  His plan was to ask her to dance without introduction. Then if it all went well, he would commence to seduce her.

“Remember.  This is business. It will be difficult but do not let your emotions get in the way of your mission.  You will spend a lot of time together and I warn you do not fall in love with her, though it will be hard not to.  She is a cutthroat ruthless business woman. She would take your heart and wipe her feet on it.  She has left a long trail of scorned suitors behind her. Royalty even. If you make the slightest mistake she will see right through your designs.”

He walked into the Oak Room and saw her right away. She was stunning . She was wearing a little black dress and a diamond necklace that could have bought an island off the Tropic of Capricorn. They were as flawless as she was.  She was speaking to several gentlemen, her eyes black as Andalusian pearls and laughing at everything they were saying.  The band started playing John Coltrane and he saw this as an opportunity to approach her. He took the last sip of Johnny Walker Blue and took a deep breath as he made his way toward her. Half way there she turned towards him and made brief eye contact. He was transfixed for a moment. When he reached her he didn’t acknowledge the men that surrounded her nor did he introduce himself.  Without preamble he looked into Zurima’s eyes and said ‘Would you care to dance?” and held out his hand. Without a word she took it and allowed him to lead  her the dance floor.

“Miss Archemides, wars have been fought over women less beautiful than you.” Stephen said.

“I’m sorry. Do i know you?” she asked.

“No, but we are in the same business and I’ve heard so much about you. Where are my manners?  I am Urial Angelis. my father, Raphael Angelis, and I deal in Tunesian diamants.”

“My father warned me about men like you.”

“How’s that?”

“He says you can’t trust a man whose first words out of his mouth make a woman blush.”

“Can a man deny the fragrance of a jasmine blossom?”

“Mr. Angelis. i’m sure you didn’t ask me to dance to compare me to a blossom.”

“When i saw you made eye contact with me I knew you wanted me to save you from those buffoons.’

“Aren’t you the presumptuous one,” Zuidema replied

“Didn’t you?”

“Is there something I can do for you Mr. Angelis?”

“Please. Call me Uri,”

“Uri, what is it?”

“Since we are in the same industry I thought i might employ that as a ruse to get to know you better. Please. Allow me to buy you a drink.  Dirty vodka martini with three olives?”

“Well, I see you must have been researching my indulgences.”

“I hear things.”

Stephen (Uri) took her hand and tucked it under his arm and lead her to a table near the bar.  He brought back her martini and another scotch for himself.

“So, Uri Angelis, from Tunesia. To what do I owe this pleasure? ”

“I  only wanted to dance with the most beautiful woman in the room and buy her a drink. This is an interesting party by the way.The Zurima Collection: A  diamond tasting... providing  ladies with diamonds to wear for the evening. That’s a great strategy by David & Solomon.

“The more money they make the more I make.  There isn’t a necklace in this room that is worth less than two million dollars.”

“And a shrewd businesswoman as well. That’s so sexy.”

“What?”

“I was only saying that it makes you even more allluring.  That is an amazing necklace by the way. It changes colors. It looks blue now.  How does it do that and where do you get your diamonds?” he asked, trying to sound innocuous.

“The secret has been in the family for decades.

Just then a man with an impeccable suit and perfect hair and skin approached the table.  He smelled like class.  Stephen stood up as al-Halawani approached and shook hands.  Zurima did the introductions.

“Mr. Angelis. this is my partner, Ammar al-Halawani.”

“Mr. Angelis,” he said shaking hands.

“Please. Call me Uri.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” al-Halawani said.

“I was just  telling Zurima how beautiful her necklace is. In certain angles it looks topaz blue.” Uri said.

“Yes. That is our trademark.  Our diamonds have a chromatic phenomenon.  For instance if you see that lady at the bar, when she turns her head, her necklace  will turn red, changing in appearance into a ruby, but remaining a diamond. The difference is indiscernible.  They change color to emerald, amethyst and many others. It’s a natural occurrence..”

“ Like a mood ring.That’s truly astounding Mr. al-Halawani.”

“Call me Ammar.”

“So how did you two get together?”

“Her father is my godfather.”

“I hear it’s a family secret where the diamonds come from. That not even David & Solomon know.”

“Yes. ”

“And it will remain in the family until we die out.  We will bring it to our graves.” Zurima added.

“I don’t believe I’ve heard of your outfit. And i am familiar with everyone in this industry.”

“Tunesian Diamant was started by my great great grandfather.  When it came to my great grandfather he chose to discontinue the business over a woman. Then he convinced my grandfather to continue the  legacy for future scions. And so, here we are.”

“Lucky woman,” Zurima said.

“His parents  didn’t approve of her.  So he left the family business and gave up his riches to be with the one he loved.”

“She would have to be some woman. What happened to them?” Ammar asked.

“They led a simple life in Cypress then he inherited the family business which he handed down to my grandfather to revive.” Stephen said.  Being a writer helped to spin yarns spontaneously.  It just came out naturally.  He discovered he could invent himself and live it.  He was an international man of mystery.

“That’s quite a romantic story, Uri. How do you know David & Solomon?” Ammar asked.

“I don’t. I was invited by one of his clients.”

“I see. Welcome to The Zurima Collection. Perhaps I can put in a word for you to David & Solomon to make Tunesian Diamants a contender in our business.”

“Thank you, Ammar. That would be great.”

“I will leave you to Zurima.  She can introduce you to the other dealers.”