Faded Love [Mature Content]

C .05-The new client

Rebecca pressed a hand against the spot on her chest where her heart lays. “Took you long enough to ask.” She winked an eye at the man sitting at the next table, surprised at their conversation. “She asked me to be her girlfriend.” Rebecca mouthed to the man. He gave them a thumbs up and returned to his companion and meal.

“See, we already have fans.” They both laughed in unison. It was what Juliette needed, and Rebecca was happy to provide it for her.

“Ready to order, babe?” Rebecca asked, teasing the man once again with her voice a little higher. Juliette shook her head at the woman and picked up the other menu on the table. “Of course, sweetheart. Care to share a meal with me?” She asked, playing along.

They couldn’t hide their snickering, and soon after, everyone else in the restaurant was eyeing them. “I would love to, darling! How about the chicken parmesan with a side of salad?”

“Sounds good to me.” Juliette waved over the server. “You’re a mess you know that?” She returned the menu to the table as they await the server to take their orders. “That’s why you love me!” Rebecca outstretched her tongue at Juliette, to which she did the same and smiled at her childlike behavior.

“You ladies ready to order?” The girl with the blue hair streaks asked. Unlike the bartender, she was dressed in a black skirt, white long sleeve shirt and a black apron on her waist to keep her notepad and a dark red lipstick on her thin lips. Her skin was a little paler than normal.

She gave them a broad smile and pulled out her little notepad to take their order. “What will it be?” She asked as she removed the pen cover with her teeth. “We would like two orders of the chicken parmesan and a serving of salad, no dressing.”

The waitress wrote down their order, “anything to drink?”

“Wine?” Rebecca enquired to which Juliette replied, “red?”

“Anything for you sweetheart.” Rebecca emphasized on the word sweetheart. “You two are cute.” The waitress with the name tag Daphne stated. Then she walked away. Juliette and Rebecca both laughed at the comment, then stopped suddenly when they notice everyone else was staring.

Juliette had forgotten about her current predicament. She was starting to feel her muscles relax and her mind unwind with every sip of her wine and the mood of her lunch with Rebecca. She was grateful.

The ladies had finished their meal and paid before they exited the restaurant. Outside, they hugged each other as Rebecca pecked Juliette on the cheek, “I’ll see you later, yeah?” Juliette nodded and headed for her car.

Before she had the chance to enter, Rebecca called out. “Hey babe, thanks for lunch and I love you!” She shouted over the hood of her car.

Juliette blew her a kiss.

Just as they were about to enter, the man that was sitting adjacent from their table came out and smiled at them both.

They exchanged another blow kiss and entered their cars. Simultaneously, they started their engines and drove off, honking at the other.

***

Juliette smiled all the way back to the office. The memory of their little show was more than enough to make her forget about Kallum and the email.

During lunch, Juliette had called Sarah to find out if anyone had come to see her, to which she had replied no. So, her intentions were to go back to the office, get some work done and leave at the earliest time.

Unfortunately, by the time the elevator doors dinged open on the fifth floor, Sarah rushed to her side.

“Sarah, what is it?”

“Ms. Stryker, remember when I said there was no one here to see you?”

Juliette nodded.

“Well, there’s a lady here by the name of Reina Lewis to see you. I told her you weren’t seeing anyone today and you were out at the moment. I also mentioned I was unsure of your return, or at what time, however she insisted on waiting.”

Juliette looked around the small waiting room of the floor, until her eyes landed on the woman. She didn’t recognize her and since she was already waiting, she thought it would be pointless to turn her away.

“That’s okay Sarah. Send her in the conference room and offer her something to drink. I’ll be there in a few.”

“Yes Ms. Stryker. Right away.” And she was gone.

Juliette walked off with her purse in hand to her office. She gathered the items she needed along with her notepad, and headed to the direction of the conference room. She approached the door with caution. With a hand on the varnish color doorknob, she twisted it in a clockwise rotation and pushed open the door.

“Hello Ms. Lewis, sorry to keep you waiting.”

Juliette always did her job with confidence and vigor. No matter the tone of the client, she always stayed within the control of her beating heart. A steady mind gets the job done.

Reina was standing at one of the floor to ceiling windows staring at the vast beauty of the small town. She was dressed in a white pants suit with a white belt around her waist. She wore a dark purple lipstick, which matched the tone of her caramel skin. Her nails painted in the same purple color and what looked like a 14k engagement ring, on her ring finger. She was stunning and walked with such poise.

At the sound of the open door and Juliette’s voice, she turned away from the window and took a step towards the table sitting in the middle of the room, big enough to seat twelve persons.

“Oh that’s no fault of yours. I was the one who showed up unannounced.”

With a show of hand, Juliette motioned for her to take a seat, and she took the chair opposite, so they can both be across from one another. Thankful to Sarah, Reina was offered refreshments. Now they can get right down to business.

Around the room, at the back, sat a table with water bottles and trays of eateries. At the front on the wall, a 32” flat screen tv was mounted.

“Okay Ms. Lewis--,” Reina cut her off with a hand. “Please, call me Reina, Ms. Lewis makes me sound so old.” She shimmied in the chair.

“As you wish.”

Juliette started off with getting to know what she was hoping to achieve. What kind of home she wanted. Whether it may be; Victorian, contemporary, futuristic or just something simple. As they got deeper into the details, the time passed as Juliette got more and more in depth with the process.

She can already tell Reina was excited about the ideas she was throwing her way. And to her, that was the most important thing. For the client to be happy.

“I do like that very much.” Reina commented on the idea of an indoor pool. Juliette wrote down the ideas in her note book and waited for any indications from Reina as to any further additions. When nothing came, she decided on asking. “Will that be all?”

Reina took a brief moment to think everything over. No matter how many houses she designed, Juliette always believed in giving the clients the final vote. “For today, I do believe so.” She finally replied.

Juliette was astonished at the amount of the work they had done.

“Wow, that was the first time I was able to get so much ideas from one client in such a short time. Usually I’d have to sketch the designs and they confirm or deny them.” Juliette announced with a smile. She felt accomplished of the work they had completed within the short space of time. She didn’t question her abilities or work ethics, but some people can be quite…. difficult.

“It helps when people know what they want.” Reina retorted as she stood about to leave.

“That is so true. Well, it was my pleasure in designing your dream home and it’ll be an honor to work with you for the time being.”

“Same here, Ms. Stryker.” Juliette couldn’t remember giving Reina her name, but she just shrugged it off to the idea that maybe Sarah did. She rose from the chair and outstretched a hand for Reina to shake. Without hesitation, Reina clasped her hand around Juliette’s and gave it a firm shake.

“See you soon.”

“Ta-ta!” Replied Reina and she walked out of the door.