She instantly began searching for him as if by reflex as she entered the fancy Parisian restaurant on rue de Rivoli. She sought him in the many faces of all the strangers until at last her eyes landed on a solo man in a dark blue silk suit and slicked back hair sitting near a corner with a table all to himself. She could recognize him even from behind, so familiar was she with his facade.
“Hello there,” she softly spoke as she walked up to his table.
He looked expectantly up at her with those familiar blue eyes -- the same endearing eyes that she dreamt of for years, though she hated to admit it. He instantly smiled when he saw that it was none other than her. His toothy, white smile always took her breath away. She thought she could reign in on the intense feelings he produced in her, but every time she met him it felt like the first time. Such was the effect he had on her.
“I’m so glad you decided to show up,” he stated with amusement as he stood up and held a chair out for her.
She missed the little things he did for her, things that only a true gentleman would do. “How could I not? Thank you.”
“Send me your finest bottle of chardonnay please,” he told the waiter who had walked by as soon as she had taken her seat.
“You remembered.”
“Oh?” He quizzically said. “I never forget what your libation of choice is.” He finally answered once he figured out what she meant.
“So what have you been up to these days, Tom. Well, besides the usual.” She asked as she folded a napkin on her lap. Though she’d known him for years, it was always awkward to have these impromptu encounters, even if they were once in a blue moon. It wasn’t always this way, but long gone are the days when they were together all the time as only best friends are … or well acquainted lovers.
He chuckled some and replied, “I’m afraid I’ve been too boring these days. You know, filming here and there. Staying busy.” His face started to get red, and he grinned like a shy schoolboy meeting a pretty girl. After clearing his throat, he added, “And you? What about you?”
“Oh, same here. Just keeping busy. I’ve been doing a lot of traveling for sure. But it’s actually fun. I love my job,” she answered coolly. At that moment the waiter arrived with their bottle of chardonnay and wine glasses. They both fell silent as they waited for the waiter to pour their glasses and leave.
“I heard you just closed a very important account in Dubai,” Tom remarked, hinting at the recent deal she cut with the Al Maktoum family. He sipped his wine all the while, seemingly nervous. It had been a long while since they last saw each other in person after all.
“Are you keeping tabs on me, Mr. Cruise?” She playfully replied.
He giggled and shook his head no. “You know I don’t like it when you call me that.”
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Lovers' Redemption
RomanceA love story that took more than 35 years to unfold. They met when they were teenagers in high school and couldn't live without each other ever since. It was love at first sight. With big ambitions and dreams for their future, they moved to the Big...
