Macy's Corner Cafe

Chapter 18

Looking in the mirror, Macy questions herself about the choice she made to go with John to the dinner. To meet this so-called friend of his. Dressed in skinny jeans, a halterneck top and black jacket with black pumps, she finishes with a natural look and light pink lip gloss. Ready as ever. She can do this.

Doing a once over again, Macy heads for the living room.John is as punctual as ever and at six sharp he knocks on the door. Macy nearly jumps out of her skin. She almost fell asleep when the knock on the door startled her.Opening the door, Macy catches a whiff of John's aftershave. She inhales deeply and her heart starts pounding in her chest.

"Hello, Sweetheart." John say, with a peck on her cheek. "Ready? You look good." He says. "Just good?" She teases as she closes the door behind her. He smiles at her, allowing her to walk in front of him with his hand on her lower back. A shiver runs down her spine at his touch. "I am." She says, smiling up at him.The drive to the mansion is quiet. Each with their own thoughts. Mace glances over at John. Taking in his handsome face, following each fine line. From the laughing lines in the corners of his eyes to the contours of his mouth. Appreciating all his features, Macy's so captivated that she didn't realize they arrived at the mansion. This place looks familiar. She thinks as she looks at the massive house in front of her. The butler, who opens her door even looks as if she knows him. Patches. The name pops up as she takes in the slightly graying hair and calculating hazel eyes.

"Ready to go?" John asks next to her, making her jump. "Relax, you'll be fine." He says, holding his hand out for her to take. She nods, takes a deep breath and interlace their fingers. "Let's do this." She says.As they walk deeper into the mansion, Macy recognizes more and more things from her childhood. Can this be the house where she was born. A hallway lined with paintings catches her attention. Especially one painting in particular.

A masterpiece in it's own right, framed with gold. It's a scene of a young woman sitting in a rose garden. On her lap is a small girl, dressed in pink with two ponytails and beside them stands a boy of about four or five years of age, dressed in blue with ink black hair. They look so happy. All three smiling at the painter.Macy didn't realize that she came to a standstill until John gently pulls her arm. "Hey, you okay? You seem out of it." He asks, looking worried. "I'm fine." She says, giving him a weak smile. Glancing back once again at the painting, before moving along.The butler leads them to a huge dining room.

"The Master will be with you shortly." He states before closing the door behind him. "This place seems so familiar. It's as if I lived here before." Macy says out of the blue. John just looks at her, but doesn't say anything.The opening of the door gets their attention. Mason walks in, followed by Jackson. Macy immediately steps behind John, grabbing his arm tightly. "Macy, it's okay. They won't hurt you." He says, trying to calm her down.

"Let me introduce you. You already know Mr. Jackson Turner. You've met on a few occasions." John states and Macy nods in Jackson's direction.Turning his attention to Mason, John looks him in the eye. A warning not to try anything. "Macy, meet Mason Palmer. Owner of Palmer Corporation and leader of The Black Dragons." John introduces him to Macy. She steps out from behind John, extending her hand for him to shake. She's trembling. Smiling at her, the urge to pull her closer for an embrace is almost overwhelming."It is a pleasure to finally meet the person behind Macy's Corner Cafe." He says. His voice deep and comforting. "Nice to meet you too." She says, pulling her hand out of his. "Well, shall we. The table is set." Mason says and guides them towards the dining table.

Throughout dinner, Macy seems to relax a bit. Maybe the wine contributed. "How long have you been living in this mansion, Mr. Palmer?" She asks. Looking at her, he seem his mother. The hair, the mouth. It's all Ella. "I was born in this house. So basically my whole life." He states, taking a sip of wine, eyeing John. The watchful guard dog.

"Really? Must be something. Living in a place like this with all the luxuries of life. Guards and servants." She says, having a far off look in her eyes. Almost a pained look. "Sorry, I'm just having a moment. When I was smaller, I remember running down a hall towards my brother's room. I wanted to show him a picture I drew. I was three at the time. If I look at these halls, they remind me of my home back then." She says, looking down at her hands in embarrassment.Mason swallows hard. He remembers. She used to burst into his room unannounced. He would hide her pictures from his father. When she disappeared, he would look at those pictures every night. He had them framed. They're hanging in his office at the Palmer Building for all to see.

Mason can't take it anymore. The longing in his heart is driving him to take the next step. "I still have those pictures you drew, Mouse."Macy's eyes goes wide. "What did you call me?" She asks, her voice soft as her eyes fills with tears. "You're still my Mouse, Macy-Grace. Because you're so small." Mason says, his grey eyes softening. He swallows hard, fighting the tears. He gets up and walks over to her chair. Before he can reach it, she tackles him in a bone crushing embrace. "I thought I would never see you again, Mao." She cries, hugging him tighter as her memories of her big brother floods her mind. He pulls her closer to him, gently stroking her hair. Sobs ripping through her small frame.

Jackson gets his attention. "We'll be in the office for a night cap." Mason nods as John and Jackson leave the newly reunited siblings alone in the dining room.