"I can see that. You look radiant today. Even more gorgeous than usual." Karen laughed as she got up from her chair to leave..
"Thank you Karen. Oh, while I remember it, could you do some initial research on George Preston so I can ring him back within the hour?"
"Oh, I almost forgot. I did some research on him already. My curiosity got the better of me. He's hot by the way but you already know that. Here are the print outs. His bio is quite impressive."
Linda shuffled through the papers. Yes, he was quite attractive, more attractive than she recalled, very good looking actually. George Preston as it turns out is old money, just as she suspected, however, not idle rich as she had guessed. He's a Cambridge professor with a history of developing start up software businesses and quietly selling them to major global players. And all very discretely which is why few people outside of his industry had ever heard of him.
One news report caught her eye. He had recently sold his latest successful venture for an undisclosed sum, industry insiders believe it was in the $400 million ball park. Clearly, it was worth her time showing him Mayfair House.
Very interesting. Then something else caught her eye. George reportedly has a keen interest in the arts. He collects art and he is a patron of both the theatre and the orchestra in Cambridge.
Linda sat back in her chair, "Wow! Have you read all this?"
"Yes, he's something else, isn't he? Almost too good to be true.
He is married by the way, in case you were wondering. I checked."
Linda pushed her hair back and nervously moved the papers about before lying, "Oh, I hadn't noticed. He's an ideal prospect for the property. I'll call him right away.
* * *
Linda stepped out of her shiny new Bentley at the door of Mayfair House just as George Preston pulled up alongside her in his Rolls Royce. His driver opened the door and the smiling professor climbed out looking splendid in his navy suit.
He walked up to Linda and shook her hand. "Linda, Lovely to meet you again. Maybe we'll have more time to talk this time."
Linda felt weak at the knees as she shook his hand, noticing his firm grip. "Great to see you again. Sorry about the other night at the champagne lounge, it was the end of a long, long day, I wasn't feeling too sociable." Linda sheepishly replied. He was taller than she remembered, definitely better built than she recalled and his steel blue eyes looked straight into hers when he spoke.
"Linda, we've all had days like that. Think no more about it. Let's get straight to business, shall we? I've attended many functions at this property over the years and I've always loved this house and the gardens so I'll cut straight to the chase. Subject to a final review by my accountant I'm ready to make an offer. Let's go inside and chat about it in the library, shall we?"
George led the way to the library, he walked quickly for a man of his age, he was clearly a young and energetic 52 year old. In fact, he looked quite a few years younger than he was. Linda noticed he wasn't wearing a wedding ring.
They sat down in two antique leather chairs by the crackling fire before, nervously, Linda plucked up the courage to ask. "Will your wife be joining us today at some point or would you like me to show her around another day?"
George relaxed into the leather fireside chair. "Oh, that won't be necessary. We recently divorced. I'm quite a private person as is she, and we made a point of keeping the whole matter out of the papers. It's a well kept secret, if you will."
Linda's heart missed a beat and she felt herself blushing. She fidgeted with her jacket and hoped George hadn't noticed.
"Don't be embarrassed about asking, please. You're just doing your job. I understand. Really, it's perfectly ok."
Linda was speechless. For the first time in her professional career she was completely lost for words. She didn't know what to say. All she could tell was that her heart was beating way too fast for a business meeting. And, George did have lovely deep blue eyes.
George continued, "Are you feeling ok? Do you want a glass of water?"
"Oh, I'm terribly sorry, my mind was wandering, too much on my mind, you know. Is there anything you wanted to ask me about the property?" Linda did her best to snap back into her professional demeanor.
George looked around the room before replying. "Right now, nothing comes to mind, I've stayed here many times as a guest on long weekends so I know the place inside and out. I'll get my accountant to talk to you later today and he'll do all the number crunching and prepare my offer. As far as I'm concerned this is a done deal. My only request is that we keep this between ourselves. I abhor media attention."
"Certainly. This is strictly between us. You can count on the utmost discretion."
"Thank you, Linda."
Linda looked up at the ceiling mural and marveled at the intricate detail. "This is such a beautiful house, it'll make a great home."
George's eyes lit up and a big smile spread across his face. "It is, I'm very excited about it, I have big plans for this place. I've accumulated an extensive art collection and it's mostly in storage, I need a grand house like this to put the paintings and sculptures on display in an appropriate setting to show them off.
"I'm also planning to use the garden for summer concerts. I'm involved with the Cambridge Philharmonic, this would make the perfect venue."
Linda's ears picked up and she beamed, "I'll be there in the front row if you do."
"So you like classical music, Linda?"
"I adore it. I'll be in Vienna next month for the outdoor concerts. I can't wait."
"I'll be there myself. We should meet up."
"For sure, it's a date, er, I meant, it's a deal," Linda giggled.
George laughed and stood up, "I'm terribly sorry but I need to get back to Cambridge for a board meeting at my new start up, my driver will be keen to get on the M25 before the traffic picks up."
"No problem, here's my card with my direct number, I look forward to talking to your accountant later today. Thank you Mr.Preston."
"Oh please, call me George," George laughed with a twinkle in his eye as his driver closed the rear passenger door before driving off into the afternoon traffic.
Linda leaned against her car with a silly grin on her face. She'd have to compose herself before heading back to the office or Karen would know exactly what was on her mind.
* * *
One month had passed and at last Linda was walking by the Danube, the sun warmed her bare shoulders and she looked fabulous in the white summer dress Karen had helped her to pick out. The dress made the most of her slim figure and she felt as good as she looked. There he was, she could just now make out George taking a seat at the riverside cafe. She walked a little faster and felt that flutter in her heart again.
"Hello George, we're both right on time as usual," she joked.
"Yes we are, great to see you again," George enthused as he firmly kissed Linda on both cheeks. "You look beautiful, Linda. Absolutely stunning. I've been looking forward to seeing you again for weeks. And you look even better than I expected."
"Oh, thank you. That's very nice of you, George." Linda tried but failed badly to contain her excitement. She dropped her purse and bumped into the table as she bent down to get it, nearly knocking over the vase of yellow flowers.
"Sorry, I'm so clumsy today. Better not invite me around your new house," she giggled.
George released his grip on the flower vase and laughed. "Oh, you must come and visit. I've put a lot of work into the house and most of my art collection is now hanging. I'd value your opinion. I have a few pieces I'm undecided about. Maybe you could help me."
"Certainly, I'd love to. How about tomorrow?" Linda flirted, surprising even herself. She never talked like this.
George smiled, "You know something, I've been thinking about you a lot lately, you made quite an impression on me. I have a very good feeling about you. And if I might be so bold, I 'd like to ask you out on a date."
Linda beamed, "I thought this was a da
te. In fact this is the first time I've dated a client so I've broken the golden rule to see you, so, yes, now that I'm breaking the rules, I'd love to have another date with you."
"Great, I'm delighted you said that, Linda. You see I don't have much recent experience with women, I was married for a long time. So, I hoped I hadn't misinterpreted any signals of interest. But for once I thought, what the heck, lets throw caution to the wind. Thank God you said yes."
George looked into Linda's eyes and moved closer to hold her left hand, "You're a very beautiful young woman, I haven't stopped thinking about you since we last met. The whole time I've been fixing up the house I wanted to phone you, to hear your voice, to have you call around for afternoon tea, simply, to spend some time with you.
"I stopped myself because I thought it would be inappropriate so soon after doing business together. I was delighted when I finally found the nerve to text you to see if you were still going to Vienna."
Linda felt her breathing quicken as she looked into George's blue eyes. "Oh, me too. I was looking for reasons to phone you, I drove past your house many, many times on the way to meetings but I remembered how important discretion and privacy is to you so I forced myself to remain professional. Professional at all times that's me. I'm so, so pleased we've moved on from that," Linda confessed, feeling the lovely warmth of his hand.
George moved closer, he squeezed Linda's hand and softly kissed her on the cheek, "You're wonderful. Honestly, I never thought I'd meet someone special after my marriage ended. I thought that was it, I'm too old to move on, too set in my ways to start all over again, but then you walked into my life and I haven't felt the same since.
"It was pure fluke we met in the champagne lounge that night. I rarely go out. And then when I met you again to buy the house I knew I couldn't ignore fate. It was just too much of a coincidence. For a hard nosed scientist like me it was hard for me to do this but for the first time in my life I decided to trust my heart. Thank God I did," George whispered.
"Tell me about it. I am the world's greatest over thinker. When I met you at the house I felt scared, confused and so happy all rolled into one. I couldn't stop giggling," Linda laughed. "This is the only way you've ever seen me, I can assure you this is not the way I usually am."
George spoke softly and slowly. "There is something about you, I can't quite put my finger on it but it's like I've already known you for years. That day when we sat in the library of the house, that's when I felt it. Talking to you is so easy, so effortless, I never need to explain what I mean. That almost never happens when I meet people. Somehow, you just get what I'm about."
"When you said you love the arts, you had me. That's when I knew I was in big trouble," Linda whispered, enjoying even more the now familiar warmth of his hand in hers.
"Linda, we're a great fit, no doubt about it. I'm so happy we're having this conversation. I was so worried I was expecting too much and that you wouldn't feel the same way. This is such a relief."
"Oh, me too, I'm so happy, so happy I met you, you turned up right on time. Dreams do come true, it's true, it's true!" Linda giggled. "Oh no, there I go again, what are you doing to me George?"
"Don't blame me Linda, I didn't do anything," George laughed and looked into Linda's sparkling eyes. "Tell me though. Now that you mention dreams, I'm curious. Do you have any dreams for the future? Maybe a thought that is always there in the back of your mind, something you'd always love to do one day?"
"Yes, I do have one secret dream. I've only ever told one other person about it, Karen, I tell her everything. You'll get what I'm talking about when I tell you, I know you will, I can see already there's a romantic side to my professor, a side of you that's adventurous and daring. A side that most people don't see. Am I right?"
"You are actually," George laughed, "But, come on, don't keep me in suspense any longer, I can't take it. What is this secret dream of yours? Does it include me?"
"It most certainly does, George," Linda whispered as their faces touched and they kissed, softly, finally, at last. George looked into her eyes and felt his heart soften even more. "I simply adore you Linda," he replied and kissed her again.
Linda whispered in his ear, "Now that I've broken my golden rule by kissing a client I suppose I can tell you about my dream..."
* * *
"It's a perfect day darling, look at that sea," George shouted from the terrace.
Linda skipped out of the open kitchen doors and kissed George firmly on the lips, "Oh my, the Caribbean is stunning today, simply amazing, just like my husband."
George put his arm around Mrs. Preston's waist. "I have some good news to report. I just got off the phone with London. The garden concert is on schedule. And by special request, they'll be performing that Bach piece you enjoyed so much in Vienna. I'm sure you remember that evening."
"I'm sure I'll never forget that evening, George. How would I ever have guessed you were such a good kisser? You don't look like the type. You are just full of surprises, all good ones of course. Any surprises lined up for me today? What do you have planned for me today?"
"Oh, I thought we'd take the boat and go into town. Go to that great seafood place you like so much, and after lunch, I have in mind a lingering siesta with my beautiful wife."
Linda hugged her man and kissed him again, "Am I dreaming? Are you really here, with me, in our plantation house, by the Caribbean, do dreams really come true?"
"Yes darling, dreams do come true, dreams come true but only when you dream with your heart," George held his wife and knew he was home, home at last.
Find Me, Keep Me
7 AM Heathrow Airport Terminal 4 Cafe
Helen dropped her back pack on the floor, placed the skinny latte on the table and sat down. She had two hours before the second leg of her journey and she was looking forward to reading her book. It was noisy in the packed cafe but she didn't care as she dived into the newly released thriller.
"Excuse me, mind if I sit here?" Helen looked up at the tall stranger and just stared at him. He had long black hair, a dark tan and a wonderful big smile. She guessed he was about 35. Someone like him could not be talking to her, he looked like he had just stepped out of a movie. She felt a rush of energy to her stomach and she felt lost for words.
"Is that ok? Sorry to bother you," he continued as he stood there with a heavy tray of coffee and sandwiches. He looked at the cute girl and wondered why she didn't answer his question. She looked to be about 32 and she was easily the best looking girl he'd seen all week. He liked her long brown hair, her slim figure and her light tan. She was just the kind of girl that did it for him.
"Yes, of course, please do, let me make some room for you," Helen croaked as she snapped back to life and hurried to move her empty tray to the table behind her, adding it to the debris of the previous occupants.
A little nervous and to avoid staring at him, she went straight back to her book, Helen was engrossed in the story, flying through the chapters when her freshly fed table companion spoke up, "Is that Harry Devon's new book? I didn't know he had a new one?"
"Yes, I just bought it at the newsagents before I came in here. I got the last copy, lucky me. It's great. So, do you like Devon's work?" Helen looked up from her book and tried to sound polite.
The man's eyes lit up and he moved forward in his seat. "I loved his last book. It really was a page turner, I was up until 4 one night finishing it. I literally couldn't put it down. That should be good flight reading for you. Where are you flying to today anyway?"
Helen's eyes twinkled. "I'm on my way to Chiang Mai. I'm taking a healing course and some time off to chill out."
Her male companion smiled and put his hands through his long black hair. "I love Chiang Mai. I spent a month there last summer, it's beautiful. I'm off to Lima today myself. I'm quite excited about it, I've never been there before. I'm attending a course too. It's a shamanic wisdom training, I've heard very good things about it so it should be well worth the long j
ourney."
Helen put her book down, "It sounds like we have more in common that just books in that case. I was in Lima two months ago. On another healing course. Healing is my thing, it's what I do for a living."
"That's interesting. I've not studied healing myself but a lot of my friends are into it. I'm more of a meditation and alternative world view person myself. In fact, I give courses on personal transformation."
"In that case, is this a chance encounter or is it fate? My life seems to be one coincidence after another." Helen giggled and looked into his dark brown eyes.
"Definitely a random event. You and I have nothing whatsoever in common. I'm Tom, by the way, very nice to meet you." The tall dark stranger laughed and held out his hand.
"Nice to meet you Tom, I'm Helen," Helen smiled as she felt the energy in his hand, she noticed a warm pulse she hadn't felt before in anyone she'd met and she wondered what it meant.
"Do you always travel so light, Helen? You don't have much hand baggage."
"Yes, that's me all over, very little baggage of any kind. Us successfully single healer girls don't need a whole lot. Oh my God, I can't believe I said that. Too much information, sorry," Helen blushed.
Tom laughed, "Me too, I like to travel light, no need to apologize, the way of the warrior eh?"
"Something like that," Helen responded while avoiding eye contact. She forced herself to look away from those lovely brown eyes and instead stared blankly at her book.
Tom stood up and reached for his backpack. "Well, it was great meeting you. I must remember to get that book. Okay if I grab a photo of the cover as a reminder?"
"Sure, go ahead," Helen replied as she held up the book and Tom flashed a copy of the image onto his phone.
"Thanks. There's a great book shop where I live in Kew Gardens. I'm sure they'll have it."
Unexpected Romance - 5 Romantic Short Stories Page 5