6

Elodie had never been nervous about meeting anyone new, she grew up accustomed to being introduced to strangers. It was her norm. At only seven her father introduced her to big people in the company, he would take her to his office and even make her sit through some meetings on Friday to ‘groom’ her. She closed her first successful deal with an investor at only fifteen. And so she was used to it at least she was supposed to be very comfortable with meeting new people.

However, for some particular reason, she was jittery nearing their scheduled meeting. Clients didn’t even make her as nervous as she had been the past two days.

She was overly excited to meet Eira no doubt, she only hoped that she wouldn’t make a fool of herself.

‘Come on, you have been doing this your whole life. Just take it as another meeting with the bloody stakeholders and you’ll handle it well. You’re in charge El.’ She pepped herself with encouraging insights.

She had been in a foul mood ever since Micah moved out of their matrimonial bed, she would hear his sounds of pleasure as he fucked random women he brought to her home. He didn’t even have the decency to respect her home, she didn’t say a word to him. They weren’t on speaking terms. After all, how could he stoop so low disrespecting her in her own home?

Elodie contacted her mother about the matter, but just like she suspected she took Micah’s side. ‘You don’t satisfy your man; it’s only fair he looks for it somewhere else.’ That was Elodie’s mother’s response. As absurd and bizarre as that sounded she didn’t expect much from the woman.

Her mother was akin to Micah in some sort of way, they both expressed their shared views about the Biblical expectations of a woman as a servant to her husband. Whereas her mother was faithful and completely submissive to her husband- such that she would lick the sole of his feet if instructed- she wasn’t. And for a good reason.

‘Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord,’ and ‘The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but to also her husband.’ Her mother would quote from the Bible every time Elodie brought up her husband’s unorthodox behavior.

Elodie was exasperated with being taken advantage of, by Micah, her parents, and even his parents. She only had herself and Allegra. Maybe she did need a child to keep her sane. The thought lit her whole face. She was only hours away from meeting the woman who left her smitten beyond anything.

She contacted their family lawyer to prepare all the legal documents they would need for the meeting, she also called Micah’s PA to ensure that he was on time for the meeting. He didn’t spend the night; she was certain he was in a hotel somewhere with a woman.

While she wasn’t religious as such, she did pray that he didn’t do anything reckless that could jeopardize the company’s reputation. The one thing she cared about above everything else.

Elodie paced back and forth in her kitchen while tapping her crossed arms, she couldn’t recall a single day that she’d been that nervous. A sharp sound of the front doorbell startled her causing her to jump in fright. Allegra’s head popped in causing her to release a sigh and clench her chest.

“I brought you coffee,” Allegra announced in a singing tone. Elodie sat on one of the kitchen stools and laid her head on the cold marble counter.

“Ay, are you alright Luv?” Allegra asked placing a coffee and a brown large bag on the counter.

Elodie shook her head and sniffed, “What happened?” Allegra was quick to ask. “Look at me babes, what happened?”

Elodie slowly raised her head, sighed heavily, and chuckled humourlessly.

“Are you nervous about meeting her?” The small nod she noticed caused her to squeal happily and jump hugging Elodie. Elodie rolled her eyes shaking her head, and a tiny smile formed on her lips.

“Bloody hell!! You like her, don’t you?”

“What made you draw that conclusion?” She asked, her eyebrow raised questioningly. She didn’t like how much her best friend knew everything about her. It was as though she could tell her exactly what she was thinking about without saying a word. “I just want the meeting to go well so Micah can back off my neck.” She added and then bit her lower lip.

“Oh, honey we both know it’s more than that. That woman is fucking gorgeous, and you want to make a good first impression.” Allegra wiggled her eyebrows playfully causing Elodie to chuckle softly. She grabbed the coffee and placed it in front of Elodie.

“She’s going to love you, trust me. Now, drink up.” Allegra motioned jutting her chin out to the coffee, Elodie inhaled softly and grabbed the coffee. Allegra grabbed the brown shopping bag and removed its contents. Two lunch boxes filled to the brim, “Mm, that smells so good! Aqsa cooked?”

“Hey! I am a good cook too.” Allegra said defensively, and Elodie rolled her eyes. “Fine, she cooked.” She pouted. She walked to the cupboard and grabbed two plates, she then served them the chicken biryani that Allegra’s wife had prepared for them. Elodie grabbed a spoon and took a spoonful of the biryani, she moaned softly shaking her head.

“I’m so jealous of you.”

“Find a good wife for yourself, honey.” Allegra teased.

The two women shared the meal accompanied by Allegra’s stories, Elodie knew she was trying to distract her from thinking about the meeting and it was working. Until she glanced at her watch and noticed the time, she realised she was late by thirty minutes. Allegra passed her mints and pushed her out of the house, it was a good thing she was always prepared.

She just hoped Eira hadn’t left due to her tardiness, when she reached her car she noticed she had left her phone in the house which made her run back inside to grab it. Unlocking it she saw three calls from their lawyer and her secretary. She called their lawyer and asked him to meet her at the restaurant.

It was located a little on the outskirts of London since she didn’t want anyone following them. She wondered why Micah hadn’t arrived at the meeting place and contacted his PA who said that he was still in a meeting. She suspected that that was the case, but didn’t dwell on it.

Eira had been sitting in the restaurant for about an hour, she almost thought about leaving and assuming they were playing with her when she received a message from a woman informing her that the people she was meeting with were running a little bit late and would be there. She felt guilty about sitting in the restaurant without buying anything and ordered a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

She spent the time looking around, enjoying the serenity the ambiance offered. She loved how green the restaurant was, it was as though they were beneath a forest dome of sorts. She could hear the excited shrill of kids as they played around and occasionally a splash as one fell into the swimming pool. 

Elodie took a deep breath, thanked her driver, and climbed out of her car, she fixed her blazer and then started walking towards the entrance where she saw their lawyer standing holding his briefcase. She signed in at the reception under Eira’s name since she had already checked in.

“Thank you for waiting Edmund.” She smiled at him.

“It’s nothing, Mrs. Gates.” The man flashed his pearly white teeth in a soft smile.

Elodie nodded, “I don’t think Micah will be joining us.”

“What do you mean? I just saw him a few hours ago, he said he’ll be here.” Elodie wanted to raise her concern but withheld the information she knew. She didn’t want to conclude anything and then be wrong. Instead, she smiled and nodded.

The two were guided to Eira who was entirely in her own world, completely spaced out staring into the garden on her right side. Elodie and Edmund stood in front of her staring at her, Elodie felt her heartbeat increase, she could hear the thud loudly in her ears. She suddenly felt her throat go dry, she thought staring at Eira’s pictures was incredible. But standing in front of her, she knew those pictures didn’t do her beauty justice.

Maybe it was the way the sun fell through the leaves and onto her face causing it to glow. How the rays reflected in her eyes and caused them to appear glimmering, or her pink lips that opened slightly and then curled into a smile. It all caused a rush through her body, she felt as though she was staring at a goddess.

Edmund had to clear his throat loudly to grab either women’s attention. Eira, startled, jumped and hit her knee on the table. “I’m sorry.” She exhaled nervously. Elodie couldn’t help a soft chuckle that escaped her mouth, she thought Eira looked adorable blushing and looking away feeling embarrassed.

Eira felt as though a lump had gotten stuck in her throat, she couldn’t swallow. Her eyes were wide open as she stared at Elodie. She tried smiling but it came off as a nervous smile. She could swear that goddesses walked among men, and Elodie was one of them. She couldn’t look away from her face knowing that her eyes would firmly settle on the woman’s peeking breasts. Elodie’s blazer hid very little. She finally forced herself to swallow harshly.

Edmund rolled his eyes smiling, “Nice to meet you Ms. Faez. This is my client Mrs. Gates.” Eira took a deep breath and exhaled.

‘THEE GATES’ She exclaimed in her thoughts wondering why one of the most influential people would be meeting her unless they were the ones seeking her service. She gulped nervously and shook the lawyer's hand. She then took Elodie’s stretched hand in hers and almost buckled as a shiver went down her back. She was met with the softest palms she’d ever held.

She knew she was exaggerating but the woman’s palm did feel extremely soft and gentle. Elodie swallowed harshly, she thought Eira’s touch was heavenly.

“I apologise for keeping you waiting and thank you for meeting us,” Edmund said when they all settled down.