A Distant Memory

Chapter 4 - The meeting

I wore a beautiful dress, an original piece. It was bright red and hugged me in all the right places It honestly wasn't difficult for a dress to fit me like a glove because for a twenty six year old I pretty much had an hourglass figure. 

Anyway, I kept my hair down and did light make up. Personally, I don't really like to have a full face of make up, I just feel way too bulky with it on. My blonde hair spread smoothly over my back and shoulders, it was just a little bit longer than my shoulders.

My chauffeur drove me, and when we arrived, he got out of the car, opened the door for me, and helped me out. A few paparazzis swarmed me. The feeling that I know so well resurfaced;

 I want to be normal for once. I want to go out and for people to not crowd me begging for a photo. I want to go out not be scared of paparazzi, I want to say things freely without journalists twisting my words, or twisting entire situations and painting me out to be the bad guy.

People usually say that they would love to be famous, that they would love for everyone to know their name, but you know what they don't tell you about? paparazzi.

My bodyguards quickly got out of the car and shielded me, I lowered my head as we walked into the restaurant, and all eyes were on us. Here goes my dream to being normal.

I got to the reception, there was a young woman in uniform attending people, she seemed awfully tired, and my heart ached for her.

Look at me talking as if I'm a fifty year old hag.

The girl seems to notice me suddenly. Her half-closed eyes trail up from her papers to me, and she gasps when she sees my face, recognizing me instantly.

"Olivia Luxor Rossi" she whispers in awe, as if we had to hide from someone or something. 

"Mhm?" 

"You're like, my biggest inspiration. I'm studying fashion design and I admire you so, so, much" she now spoke hurriedly, as if there was no time left on earth and she had to choke out the words, I simply chuckled.

"Do you mind if we take a picture?" she asked

"of course not" I replied with a bright smile on my face, I observed her as giddy and excitement consumed her, she did little jumps of happiness - which reminded me of Rose - and rushed to my side, she unlocked her phone and quickly put the phone at the range of our eyes, I smiled with my photo-smile and she went back behind the desk.

"You have a reservation, right?" she asked, as she steadied herself

"Yes, for two. Under the name Hayes"

I may sound crazy, booking a reservation under the name of my missing husband. But I learned the truth the hard way; if I book things under my actual name someone will always tip off the paparazzi and journalists. And after I get safely into the restaurant, everyone will know that I'm going and every member of the staff will be aware of that, and I will be the center of attention.

All I want is to be normal, and to have Rowan back. but we both know that that is impossible

"Perfect, follow me" she instructed me, grinning from ear to ear. I did so.

-

I sat down, I waited ten minutes before a waiter approached me with a menu.

"Hello ma'am, are you waiting for someone?" he asked, and I was happy that he was treating me like a regular costumer, not the owner of a famous billionaire clothing brand.

"Yes, he should be here any minute now" I replied, he nodded. "Would you like to order something while you wait?" he asked.

"No, I'm fine. thank you."

-

Ten more minutes went by, I was tapping my foot up and down, irritated.

well, fuck this

I got up, and when I was about to leave, Marko came running and stood in front of me.

"the meeting's over, Mr. Anderson" I informed him, with a cold look on my face.

"no, no please. I'm really sorry that I kept you waiting, my car literally broke down. The uber wouldn't come, I ran here just for the meeting" he was panting

Only then, while staring at him panting and sweaty, I realized just how fine he actually looked.

Unconsciously, I fell into a trance, his muscles were toned perfectly by his suit, his tie was undone and the top two buttons of his dress shirt were unbuttoned.

I noticed that he was also just now taking in my body, his eyes looked full of lust and desire.

I snapped out of said trance, I pointed to his tie and asked him if he needed any help with it.

"that would be great, thank you" he chuckled

his chuckle was deep, but true. That feeling of wanting to know more about him resurfaced, and it made certain wires all around my body do an electrical shortcut. I was unable to move or speak, all by his gaze. Just like in high school, when Rowan first spoke to me, when Rowan first saw me.

I have to stop it. I can not betray Rowan like that

I snapped out of those thoughts and took a step towards him, I was so incredibly close to his face even though he towered over me by half a head. My breathing got uneven, and as soon as my fingers held his tie to start working on it, I grazed his broad shoulders.

god, what's happening to me?

I felt how his body went tense and then relaxed at my touch, I chuckled internally at the fact that I had just met him and that I already had that effect on him. But he also had the same effect on me, because when I started to take in his unsteady breathing, my heart skipped a beat, and I'm not really sure why.

That only happened with Rowan.

He cleared his throat, and suddenly, I felt embarrassed.

"Let's start this meeting now, shall we?" I nodded towards the table, implying that we should sit down. As soon as we do, the same waiter who asked me if I wanted to drink anything approached us.

"Can I offer you folk something to drink?" he asked, "I'd like regular water and a glass of wine, which one would you recommend?" 

"Well, a personal favorite is our famous Pinot Noir" he replied, I nodded in approval, already wishing to taste the most delicious wine, Pinot Noir is also one of my favorites. "I'll have that one, then" I answered with a soft smile, then, the waiter turned to face Marko, "What can I offer you, sir?" he asked, with the same smile plastered on his face.

"Sparkling water, please" He replied with a cold look. The waiter nodded and left.

I cringed at the mention of sparkling water, who on earth could find that good?

"What?" he chuckled, I just scrunched up my nose, "What?" he repeated, but chuckled loudly this time, not enough to draw attention to us though.

"Sparkling water is disgusting, Marko" I cringed, adjusting myself on the chair. 

He was taken aback by my words, I'm not really sure why, "what was that?" his teasing grin made its way back onto his face and he rested his elbows on the table, he then rested his head on his hands, I rolled my eyes.

"What was what, Mr. Anderson?" I asked, 

"You called me by my first name" he teased, his smirk turning to a curious and intrigued one.

"What on earth are you talking about, Mr. Anderson?" I pulled the tall menu open so it covered my face

"uh-uh, don't hide. You called me 'Marko', Olivia. Does this mean that this is no longer a business date?" he teases, as he lowers my menu with his index finger, I roll my eyes.

"Let's start business, Mr. Anderson. Why did you call a meeting with me?" I asked, avoiding his question, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of him knowing that he had an effect on me.

Even though I think he already knows that.