It was a watercolour painting of a boy and his mother. He could faintly feel the sea breeze on his skin and the tang of salt on his lips and the laughter; he could hear the laughter of his mother and father and his brother…
“Where did you get this?” Lucas asked, unable to take his eyes off of the painting.
“I found it in a small art gallery down east,” his father replied simply, eyeing him.
“This is—it reminds me of…”
“It reminds me of your mother. And you.”
He stared at his father, unable to believe he was hearing it. For the first time in years, Charles had mentioned his mother; in front of him, nonetheless.
“I was told the young artist was excellent with watercolour,” Charles told him.
Lucas looked at his father, realizing that Charles had just bought a painting done by Alex.
“I believe this was your mother’s way of telling me something.”
Lucas stared at this father. Charles had just admitted he was wrong. He shook his head. “You’re…so this is…?”
He knew his father had this knack for buying art on bad days. He knew last weekend was no exception as he had probably lost a potential socialite for a daughter-in-law.
“I asked Ben to drive around. This small, newly opened gallery caught my eye,” his father told him as he walked around his office. “I browsed through the paintings, mostly in oil. Then I spotted one in the far corner. I recognized your mother immediately and you. That painting was inspired by the photo in the kitchen, right?”
Lucas could only nod. Her personality shone through the painting. He could see the light, feathery yet highly detailed strokes, the colour palette she had used. It was a painting that could evoke bittersweet memories.
“It hit me hard. I damn near cried seeing it,” Charles said, his voice choked. Then he cleared this throat.
“I didn’t know she would… we were cooking pasta that day. She remembered this…”
“You know, when I fell in love with your mother, I defied your grandparents to marry her. They wanted me to marry a Vanderbilt. I wanted to marry your mother the day I saw her. I did after six months and I never regretted a day in my life. She gave me two sons that I haven’t shown much affection to and this painting…it brought back so many memories.”
“Why are you telling me this now?” Lucas said, taking in a breath.
“So you can start getting Alex Forbes back.”
Lucas’ eyes widened. “What?”
“You heard what I said.”
“Father I—”
“I never regretted a day in my life marrying your mother. I don’t want you having any regrets years from now.”
Lucas took in a deep breath. “Dad…”
His father nodded and turned his back on Lucas. “You’re excused. The Shinseki group will meet with me.”
Lucas stared at his father’s back and he nodded once. “Thank you... for everything.”
Lucas ran out of the office immediately. Charles turned to face the door again. He gave a small smile and shook his head. The boy was as in love as he once was. He walked towards the painting again and stared at it for quite a while. He bit his lower lip and gave out a deep sigh, recalling his wife of eleven wonderful years. He recalled her hilarity, the day they were introduced, the day she said yes to his flustered proposal… he had hoped his sons would love their future wives as much as he did. Then he shook his head again, hoping things would turn out all right for Lucas.
* * * *
Lucas’ heart was pounding as he drove like mad. All those little moments with her, those were the ones that mattered most.
“Oh god!” she muttered as he helped her up.
“You okay?”
“Sorry? Yeah. It’s fine. Don’t you know how to walk in heels?” he joked.
“I can manage walking in heels, thank you very much.”
He smiled remembering that day, the day she tripped. She tripped for a reason. He realized it. If she hadn’t, he’d have never met her.
“Are you mocking me?” she said with narrowed eyes.
“No,” he replied quickly, “But I like that smile beginning on your mouth.”
She gave a short laugh. “I’m sorry, Mr. Conrad, I’m just not used to this.”
He remembered her initial shyness, how she candidly admitted she was not used to such treatment or to such restaurants. She was simple, simply beautiful.
“Are you faking your niceness now? To me?”
“Hell no,” he said with a laugh. “I show the real me when I like people. So you’ll hear me swear and make fun of people- which I reserve for those close to my heart,” he laughed.
“I just heard you swear,” she grinned.
“Well, you’re inching closer to my heart, Alex.”
He had never been more sincere to anyone else; especially for the women he dated. Alex was different; she was a breath of fresh air to his corporate and social existence.
She smiled a shy smile and danced around more, singing as well in an off-key voice. He sang along with her, laughing at the same time.
“Ooooh la love, I’ve fallen in love and its better this time than ever before,” they sang together.
On impulse he offered his hand out and they danced a silly dance…
He had never felt happier the day they cooked and ate pasta. It was one of those rare days where he had laughed so much. It was a trivial thing, laughing—but he laughed because he was with her. He kissed her not because he wanted her, but needed her in his life. How could he have not seen this before? The day he met her, the day she tripped and he caught her- he was meant to catch her. He loved her…
He was in love with her!
He almost laughed aloud. Well, it certainly took him long enough to realize that. The sun shone brightly down Manhattan that day as Lucas got out of his car.
“Mrs. Jenkins?” Lucas said, approaching the old lady who was about to go up the stairs.
“Why, if it isn’t Lucas Conrad.”
“Alex hasn’t been answering her phone. I was wondering if—”
“Oh, she left earlier. Caught up for a flight to Chicago or was that Florida,” she said congenially.
Lucas’ eyes widened. “She what? Did she say anything? Where specifically?”
Mrs. Jenkins shrugged. “She just said she was leaving for a little vacation.”
Mrs. Jenkins saw the desperation in his eyes. “Is something the matter, young man?”
“I—nothing. I just need to tell her something.”
“Maybe I can pass on the message?” she offered kindly.
“I need to tell her this myself,” he muttered, looking distracted.
“If you must know,” her voice dropped into a whisper,” She just left an hour ago. JFK.”
Lucas beamed and held her shoulders. “Thank you so much Mrs. Jenkins!”
Lucas quickly got into his car and sped off for John F. Kennedy Airport, hoping he would reach her in time.
“Come on, come on,” he muttered as he drove. He was well aware that he was speeding now and he only hoped no one would arrest him. He picked up his iPhone.
“Yeah, Alice, I need the contact number of that friend of ours at JFK.”
Alice responded and he nodded, memorizing the number quickly and dialling it next.
“Hi, Mr. Wallace. This is Lucas Conrad,” he said as he sped past a yellow traffic light. “Yeah, I was wondering if you could do me a favor. Well, it’s not for my dad; it’s for me—Uh-huh. I’m trying to catch a flight, well someone actually…No, nothing of the sort, not a criminal. It’s bordering on romantic intentions Mr. Wallace, my apologies for something this—well, yes. I’m not sure which flight. Florida or Chicago—its Alexandra Forbes… Five-foot three, brunette, around forty-five kilograms, slim build…uh-huh. I’d appreciate it if you could check. Thanks. I’ll wait for your call.”
He checked his phone every few seconds, his impatience growing. Finally after ten minutes (o
r what seemed like an eternity), his phone rang.
“Mr. Conrad?”
“Yes?”
“She just checked in. Her lift-offis an hour from now, Florida. Jet Blue.”
“You’re a life saver, Mr. Wallace.”
“What else can I do for you, sir?”
“Stall her if I don’t get there in time, please. Damn traffic,” he added, overtaking a yellow cab and then another.
“Will do.”
“Thank you,” he said as he tossed his mobile phone on the passenger seat. “Come on, Alex. Come on. Wait for me… please.”
On impulse, he picked up his phone again. “Alice, could you check if Conrad II is available?”
“Hold on sir.”
He listened as Alice spoke on another line.
“It’s on standby, sir.”
“Tell them I need it. Give me an hour.”
“That won’t be a problem.”
“How’s Charles?”
“With the Shinseki Group.”
“Thanks again, Alice.”
“You’re welcome. And Lucas?”
“Yeah?”
“Go get her.”
* * * *
Alex took a seat on a stainless steel chair, identical to thousands of others in the airport. She had a backpack beside her. She sighed. The backpack was from Trekker. Her lightweight sneakers were from Trekker. She hadn’t thought about it as she packed. All she wanted was to get away, be with her mom, be a baby and cry her eyes out.
No, I’ll be calm. I’ll tell my mom things at the agency didn’t work out. And I’ll find a job closer to her, that’s what I’ll tell her. It’s all I’ll tell her…
She buried her face in her palms, trying to drown the noise all around her. All she wanted was to hear waves crash on the shore, soak in the sun for a bit and help her mother, she figured she could ask her mom to go on a cruise or something, too. She needed warmth. She felt cold and dreary. She hadn’t even informed her mom that she was coming over to Florida. It was a surprise of sorts, so her mother wouldn’t worry about the sudden decision.
“One more hour,” she told herself. “I’ll be with Mom.”
She felt restless all of a sudden and she decided to walk around the airport. It was bedlam on a Monday. She could hear children crying; hear a couple arguing; hear a businessman ranting about his delayed flight. She shook her head. Everyone had their problems. She had hers, but she tried to compare it to children starving in Africa or the people that needed welfare. Her heartache was nothing compared to the scale of other people’s problems.
She was going to get over this, like she had when she and her first boyfriend in college broke up. She was devastated but only for a while. She only cried once. She then concentrated on her studies and work after that. Lucas was the first person she had been interested in in quite a while. Lucas was the only man who had made her smile so much, even alone. She had thought she was going crazy, feeling like a giddy teenager. It was not a problem.
This isn’t a problem. Love isn’t a problem. Oh my god, who am I kidding?
I love him, she realized. But then she shook her head.
His father hates me; his brother probably feels the same. Everyone at work should be talking about this by now. I’ve been marked as a social stigma. Lucas will never—
“Jet Blue flight 5J38 for Florida, now boarding at Gate 12.”
Alex bit her lower lip and made her way to Gate 12. It was too late to think about it. What’s done is done, she thought, feeling so vulnerable that she was afraid she would cry while lining up. She took a deep, shaky breath.
All of a sudden, two men in uniform approached her.
“Ms. Forbes?”
She frowned a little. “Yes?”
“Please come with us,” the man said in a gruff voice. “Airport security needs to have a briefing with you.”
“I went through all the necessary—” she began.
“This won’t take long.”
“My flight-” she protested.
“This won’t take long.”
People ogled at her as she left. She felt confused and just a little scared.
“What? They think I’m a bomber or something?” she wondered as she was led to the airport’s security office. She held her backpack tightly as she got into a steel and glass room. She kept looking at her watch. She had been inside for more than ten minutes. Then a security guard went in.
“Ms. Forbes? This way please.”
She entered another room, stacked with papers, a few surveillance sets and a lot of walkie-talkies.
A burly looking man with a grey beard and thinning hair was seated on a chair. He was reading a report when he looked up and acknowledged her.
“Miss Forbes?”
“Yes?”
“I’m Bruce, Head of Airport Security.”
“Yeah, what’s going on?” Alex asked warily.
“Just your random, regular check-up ma’am,” he replied, motioning for another security guard to take her bag away.
“I went through X-rays and pat downs three times,” she said with a frown. “Am I under suspicion of something?”
“Nothing of the sort.”
“You’re making me miss my flight.”
“Just to make sure.”
“Of what? Do I look like a psycho to you?” she asked. “I need to get on that flight; my mother’s waiting for me.”
“Sir, Jet Blue flight 5J38 just took off.”
“Oh my god!” Alex said, exasperated. “What? You’re paying for my ticket now! I can’t believe I’ve been treated like this when you have nothing against me—”
Bruce held up his palm to silence her, answering a phone call.
“Yes. Yes. That’s right. Ms. Forbes missed her flight. Oh—all right, thank you,” he said putting his phone down.
“Miss Forbes, our sincerest apologies. You’ve been booked on a special flight. Security will escort you to the tarmac.”
She took another deep breath. “Fine. Thank you, Mr. Bruce. I hope no one goes through this again.”
“It’s Bruce Wallace, by the way. And I think this incident will be worth the wait.”
She looked at him quizzically then shook her head. They walked in silence, through airport personnel entrances. The security guards accosting her didn’t look at her. She cleared her throat.
“This gate seems pretty far.”
“It’s for private jets, ma’am,” one told her.
“Jet blue is sending me to Florida in a private jet?” she said, dubious.
“Looks like that, ma’am.”
She shrugged, her impatience growing. What kind of a day was this? The weekend was terrible and now this? She hoped it wasn’t a lie…
She finally heard the sounds of a jet’s engines whirring.
“There you go, Miss Forbes. Thank you for complying with airport security,” one said as they stood in a private hangar where other smaller jets were.
She frowned but said her thanks.
A uniformed flight stewardess came out of the jet and smiled at her. “Miss Forbes? We’re sorry you missed your flight. Please?” she motioned for her.
Alex took hesitant steps. Here goes nothing, never been on board a private jet before…
She entered the cabin and found it was empty. There were only eight plush chairs.
“Make yourself comfortable, Miss Forbes. I’m your flight attendant for today, Beatrice.”
“Thanks,” she said, looking around the plane. “Am I the only one who missed the Jet Blue flight?”
The stewardess looked at her questioningly then broke into a smile. “Oh, yes. Special flight,” she finally said.
Alex shrugged, disbelieving her response. The whole thing was murky. She didn’t like the feeling of it.
“Kindly fasten your seatbelt. We’ll be departing shortly,” a crackled voice came over the loudspeaker. Minutes later the jet was cleared for take-off. It soared into the bright skies. Three minutes late
r, the fasten seat belt sign was switched off. Alex sighed.
“Would you like to drink or eat something, Miss Forbes?”
“Can I have wine?” she asked, suddenly feeling queasy, remembering Lucas.
“Certainly,” the stewardess responded.
As soon as she held the wine glass, she gulped the contents right away. Then she checked her watch.
I still have time for a nap, she thought, dozing off.
The flight stewardess smiled at Alex’s sleeping figure and then she shook her head, trying not to laugh. “Well, you’re going to be in for a ride,” the stewardess thought.
* * * *
Alex was startled awake by some dream she had of her father. She took a breath and stretched a bit.
“Where in the—”
Then she remembered she was on a special flight. She looked around. The flight stewardess wasn’t anywhere. She pushed for the button.
“Oh, would you like some more wine?” Beatrice asked affably, coming up to her.
Alex shook her head. “Shouldn’t we be near Florida by now?
She smiled. “I know we’re headed for some sand and sea. Excuse me while I get you a towel to freshen up.”
Alex pondered on her response. So cryptic, she thought. This whole day is just weird and unpredictable…she looked outside.
“Beatrice?” she called out. “It doesn’t look like we’re anywhere near Florida…” her voice trailed off.
“That’s because we’re not going to Florida,” a familiar voice said.
Alex slowly spun around, her heart pounding. She stood up and saw Lucas standing across her.
Lucas—but how? Unless?
“I’m sorry about last weekend. I never meant to hurt you-”
“You made me miss my flight!” she gasped, “You tricked me?”
“I’m sorry about that too,” Lucas said sheepishly.
“Just who the hell do you think you are?” she snapped, her lower lip shaking. “What? You’re rich and you think you can just play around with people…”
“If I didn’t do this, I could never tell you!” he told her, his face reddening. “This whole thing’s been crazy…I- I had to do this.”
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