The Maureen Persona

Chapter2

Megan tightened the scarf around her head and removed her oversized sunglasses as she entered the upscale restaurant. She didn’t like going out in public in her Maureen Withers persona, but unfortunately, sometimes it was necessary, especially when meeting with certain individuals.

“Name?” the host asked, looking at Megan with questioning eyes.

“Withers,” Megan responded in a flawless British accent.

“But of course,” the host smiled as he found her name on the reservation register. “Mr. Hunter is waiting, if you will follow me.”

“Thank you,” Megan said as she followed the host to the table.

Megan took a breath when she spotted Salvadore sitting casually at a secluded table in the back of the restaurant. She already had an idea about what he wanted, and she was starting to regret not having Jonathon at her side. Salvadore was several years older than her and was quite the looker. Dressed in a casual business suit, he lifted his glass and smiled when he saw her.

“I must say I'm surprised you agreed to meet with me,” Salvadore Hunter smiled as he brought a glass of wine to his lips. “I thought you were avoiding me.”

“I would never do that,” Megan assured him with a smile and sat in the chair across from him. “I am a very busy woman, but if you must know, most of my time was devoted to finishing the piece for the auction.”

“Jonathon told me you were working on a special piece. I must say, I was surprised when I heard a Maureen original was going to be auctioned,” Salvadore gave her a small smile. “That’s not like you.”

“It’s for a charity that is near and dear to my heart,” Meagan smiled as she took a sip from her own wine glass.

“And what charity might that be?” Salvadore asked.

“CAW4kids,” Meagan responded. “It’s an organization that helps younger students find a love of art.”

“Perhaps I should donate to this charity,” Salvadore eyed her with a questioning look.

“Or you could bid on my piece at the auction,” Megan grinned. “I’m sure if you showed an interest in the piece the bidding could go quite high. I mean a man of your caliber bidding at a charity auction, could create quite the buzz around town.”

“I’ll consider it,” Salvadore said with a sly smile.

Megan knew Salvadore would never bid on anything at an auction, at least not directly. He was a man that felt auctions were a waste of time and beneath him. No, he much preferred obtaining his pieces from private collectors or as a commissioned work directly from the artist.

“I know you did not plan this meeting to talk about my charity preferences,” Megan said, folding her hands in front of her. “What can I do for you, Salvadore?”

“Maureen,” Salvadore shook his head. “How many times have I told you call me Sal.”

“That’s too personal,” Megan shook her head. “This is business.”

“Business you say,” Salvadore reached across the table and placed his hand on top of hers. “What if I don’t want it to be business as usual? What if I want it to be personal?”

“Salvadore,” Megan shook her head. And pulled her hand away, placing it in her lap. “We’ve been through this. I’m not interested in being your latest conquest.”

“Who said anything about being a conquest?” Salvadore studied her eyes.

“Your reputation precedes you,” Megan smirked.

“If my reputation was that bad, why would you agreed to have meeting me?” he asked.

“This is a business meeting,” Megan informed him.

“Maureen,” Salvadore pleaded. “All work and no play make for a very dull life; you need to live a little. Why don’t you come away with me this weekend?”

“What would your wife say?” Megan glared at him.

“Penelope doesn't care,” Salvadore waved his hand. “She has her own interest, none of which include me.”

“Then why did you marry her?” Megan asked.

“It was beneficial to both of us. My marriage to Penelope has nothing to do with love and everything to do with status.”

“And money?” Megan interjected.

“Yes,” Salvadore admitted, “money was a factor. But I assure you I have no love for her, she is like a dead fish in the bedroom. I have needs and I crave excitement in my life.”

“Be that as it may,” Megan took a sip from her wine glass. “I’m not interested in being your sidepiece.”

“You’d be more than that,” Salvadore leaned closer to her. “Much more.”

“Do you have anything to talk about business related?” Megan gave him a serious look.

“Why do you have to be so serious all the time?” Salvadore leaned back in his chair and gave her a smirk. “For once, I’d like to see your playful side.”

“I seriously doubt you’d be able to keep up with my playful side,” Megan licked her bottom lip and gave him a sly smile.

“I would love to try,” Salvadore admitted with a glimmer in his eye.

“I’m sure you would,” Megan took the napkin from her lap and placed it on her empty plate. “But I have no intention of being the other woman in your marriage.”

“Maureen, Maureen,” Salvadore shook his head. “You are reading too much into this marriage thing.”

“Am I,” Megan gave him a questioning look. “Unlike you, I believe that marriage is sacred. I will not get involved with a married man.”

“That’s old-fashioned thinking,” Salvadore shook his head. “You need to keep up with the times.”

“I guess I’m old-fashioned then,” Megan proclaimed. “I’m going to ask you again, Salvadore; do you have anything business related to talk about? Because if you don’t, I’ll be on my way,” Meagan started to stand.

“Please,” Salvadore pleaded as his expression turned serious. “I wanted to talk to you about a piece for one of my offices in London.”

“You’re expanding to London?” Megan’s interest was piqued. “I had no idea your business was going so well.”

“The world of business has many aspects, and I’m lucky to be in the one that is profitable,” he admitted with a smile. “When we open our London offices, I want them to reflect the culture of the area, and what better way than to have Maureen originals hanging on our walls.”

“So, you want several pieces?” Megan asked, to which Salvadore nodded. “I’ve never done a series before,” Meagan bit her lower lip and looked upward. “If I did, that would take up a substantial amount of my time, not to mention it would be costly.”

“I’m not worried about the price,” Salvadore waved his hand. “I would prefer something modern and perhaps controversial.”

“Why would you want something controversial? I thought you’d want to bring clients in not turn them away before you even get started.”

“I’ll have customers banging down my door to see any piece that stirs up controversy, it’s the nature of the beast,” Salvadore explained.

“Interesting concept,” Megan had to admit she was intrigued at the prospect of painting something risqué and out of the norm.

“Are you ready to order?” a waiter appeared with a smile.

“I’ll have the Caesar salad,” Megan answered.

“I’ll have the same,” Salvadore said. “With extra dressing on the side.”

“Very well,” the waiter took the menu and took his leave.

The rest of the lunch was relatively uneventful except for Salvadore’s feeble attempt to caress Megan’s knee under the table. She simply crossed her legs and angled them away after swatting his wandering hand. Ignoring his frown, Megan explained that she would be going out of town, and she would not be able to start until her return.

“Out of town?” Salvadore questioned her. “Where on earth would you be going?”

“If you must know, I have a friend that is getting married,” Megan explained. “I’m considering giving them one of my pieces as a wedding gift.”

“Who is it?” Salvadore asked. “Perhaps I know the couple.”

“Doubtful,” Megan lowered her head. “You and he are in different social circles.”

“You wound me, Maureen,” Salvadore spoke in a lighthearted tone.

“Do I?” Megan gave him a quizzical look. “Tell me, Salvadore, does the name Elizabethtown mean anything to you?”

“The motion picture?” Salvadore looked at her in confusion.

“No Elizabethtown the city,” Megan gave him a questioning look. “You’ve never even heard of the place, have you.”

“Can’t say that I have, I’m sure it is a quaint little town,” Salvadore smiled as he took a sip from his wine glass.”

“It is,” Megan nodded. “I discovered it when I was traveling several years ago. It’s a small town with a big heart.”

“I’ll have to visit some time,” Salvadore said as he emptied his wine glass.

“You probably wouldn’t be able to find the place,” Megan placed her napkin on her empty plate.

“How did you find the place?” Salvadore asked.

“I was looking to broaden my horizons. So, I had the idea of seeing something new and unexpected. I tossed my GPS and went where the road took me. I discovered a rare jewel in Elizabethtown. It’s quiet there, and I can truly focus on my art uninterrupted.”

“That must be the place you go when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of New York City,” Salvadore surmised.

“It is,” Megan admitted with a smile. “It’s a good place to decompress and enjoy life and all nature has to offer.”

“Sounds like a delightful place,” Salvadore said.

“I’m considering purchasing one of the buildings there and converting it to a studio.”

“You should,” Salvadore nodded. “I’m sure it will give you a place to work free of distractions.” Salvadore motioned for the waiter.

“My thoughts exactly,” Megan smiled.

“Yes Mr. Hunter, is there anything you else require?” the waiter asked.

“The bill,” Salvadore responded.

“But of course,” the waiter held out the guest check to Salvadore, but before he could take it, Megan grabbed it and placed her card inside and handed it back to the waiter.

“Maureen,” Salvadore gave her a disgruntled look. “I do not expect you to pay for my lunch.”

“Don’t be that way,” Megan waved her hand. “You’ll be paying me quite a bit once I finish the artwork you’ve commissioned.”

“I’m sure I will,” Salvadore smiled as he took another sip of his wine and gave her a seductive look. “I’m sure I will.”