Nicole’s Story Prt 4

She was accepted into the program of her choice! Nicole could hardly believe her good fortune! She danced around the room hugging herself, everything was falling into place! Retrieving her backpack from the floor she rummaged around for her cell phone. Her mom answered on the first ring and she quickly blurted out the good news as she danced around the room again.

Nicole’s parents were as happy and as excited as she was. After they had spoken at length about how proud they were of her and how sure they were that she would make them even prouder, her dad asked to speak with Marie. He seemed disappointed that she was not at home and asked Nicole to tell her to call him at her earliest convenience.

After the conversation with her parents, Nicole resumed her perch in the window seat and contemplated how much had happened in the few months. As happy as she was she couldn’t help feeling a little lonely, and the thought of dinner alone threw a damper on her excitement. Marie habitually came in late at least one night during the week. During the past week, she hadn’t made it home until Nicole had gone to bed.

Marie was wooing a big client and she was out late most nights, sometimes taking Nicole along with her to glitzy events. It was not surprising that Marie was beginning to look a little tired. One morning Nicole woke up and found her asleep on the sofa in the living room. It appeared she had returned home rather late, collapsed on the sofa, and remained there all night fully dressed.

She had briskly brushed off Nicole’s concern and disappeared into her room for a good part of the day. It didn’t seem like the type of thing she would do on a weekday and Nicole was worried. She was tempted to knock on her door to check on her but figured she was resting. Marie was in her late 60s and she appeared healthy but it was obvious that she worked way too hard. She didn’t seem to have a life outside of the career that consumed her and Nicole didn’t think she had friends or any other interests. When Marie eventually emerged around mid-afternoon looking more like herself, Nicole was relieved.

Some evenings Marie would insist that Nicole accompany her to work-related events at art galleries or other posh locations. Nicole did not mind, it was something to do and she liked browsing the artwork at the galleries and people watching. Invariably there was no one her age and she had gotten quite used to making the best of the situation. She had been introduced to all of the people Marie worked with and while everyone was kind. One evening as she was engaged in polite conversation with the firm’s senior partner at an art exhibition, Nicole had the sensation of being watched.

She sipped her drink and smiled politely at her companion while glancing around surreptitiously. Eventually, she realized that it was him! The good looking guy she had met at the park a few weeks ago. She stared at him in surprise before quickly lowering her gaze. Mr. Jones touched her arm “well I’ll leave you to have a look around my dear, its nice to see you as always but duty calls” he said touching his lips briefly to her cheek. “It’s nice to see you as well,” Nicole said. She quickly glanced across the room but he was gone.

She hadn’t gone to the park recently; a few times she had caught herself looking across the street but she hadn’t seen the sleek sports car. She had wondered whether she would ever see him again, but she certainly hadn’t expected to see him here! She walked over to the closest painting and idly stared at the vivid swirl of color against the stark black background. “Well hello again!”

It was him! he looked good dressed in formal clothes and she couldn’t help but notice that he seem to fit right in. “Hello”, she said guardedly. “Oh I’m sorry, we haven’t met, I am Paul Jones,” he said holding a hand out. “Jones as in Jones and Partners?” she asked in genuine surprise. “The same,” he said capturing her hand in his. “And you are Nicole” “Yes, how did you know?” she asked suspiciously. “Marie told me to keep an eye on you,” he said with amusement.

Nicole looked at him curiously, he did not look like Mr. Jones in the least! Mr. Jones was a round-faced, balding man with a rotund body, Paul was tall and lean and decidedly better looking! “Another drink?” he asked nodding at the almost empty cocktail glass in her hand. “Thanks but no,” she said quickly, “I should go look for Marie”. “She is having a pow-wow with the executives, hence her reason for asking me to look for you. Why don’t I take you outside for some fresh air?” She hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

He took the glass from her hand and held her elbow as he steered her to the exit and out onto the street. It was chillier than she had expected and he quickly shrugged off his jacket and helped her into it. She snuggled gratefully into its warmth and inhaled the pleasant spicy fragrance that clung to the fabric. She realized he was walking her towards his car which was parked nearby. “Where are we going?” she asked. “Just here”, he said as he held the door open for her to slip in.

The leather seats were cold and she was happy for the warm jacket. She watched as he walked around to the driver’s seat and turned the engine on. The instant low throaty roar accompanied by a loud pulsating Latin rhythm was startling and he hurriedly lowered the volume with a chuckle “I’m sorry” he said softly as the music receded to a more acceptable decibel. “Is that better?” he asked as warmth began to fill the interior of the car. “Yes, thank you,” Nicole said relaxing against the plush leather. “What kind of car is this?” “It’s a Ferrari GTA,” he said. “Wanna go for a ride?” “sure,” she said. He slid the car smoothly out of its parking space and they drove off.