Ecie & Esme II: Another Day Like This

Five

'This looks kind of interesting,' Esme said looking at one of the paintings that hung in the Adagio Gallery. 'I want to buy some of this stuff.'

'You don't have any money,' Ecie said standing next to her sister. 'This stuff would even be out of my price range.'

'This stuff would look good in our apartment though,' Esme said.

'We don't have an apartment,' Ecie said. 'Not yet anyway.'

'We should totally get some really cool art pieces,' Esme said. 'They would look really good.'

'Why don't we worry about that when we actually have a place to live,' Ecie said. 'I just want to relax right now.'

Esme shrugged. 'I'm going to tell dad about this place. I know he'd love it.'

'This place is really cool,' Markus said jotting things down in a notepad. 'Did you know that the Adagio Gallery houses some of the best work? They specialize mostly in southwest and Latin American art on the west coast.'

'That is pretty cool,' Ecie said as Esme walked away. 'How did you know that?'

'I did some research,' Markus replied. 'I think that most of the art work comes from the reservation. These works, I think, are some of the best I've seen on the west coast.'

'Do you prefer east coast art?'

'I don't really have a specific thing,' Markus replied. 'But I can enjoy art no matter where it's from.'

'Excuse me.'

Esme turned round.

'I'm sorry, but you wouldn't have the time would you?'

'Sure,' Esme replied. She looked through her navy Le Pliage Longchamp bag for her iPhone 4. 'It's twelve thirty.'

'Thanks.'

'No problem,' Esme replied.

'Have I seen you before?'

'I don't think so,' Esme replied shaking her head. 'Do you live here?'

'No, I'm just visiting. I'm Simon by the way.'

'I'm Esme,' Esme replied.

'You're staying at the Marriott, right?' Simon asked.

'Yeah,' Esme replied. 'Are you?'

'Yeah,' Simon said. 'That must be where I saw you.'

'Right,' Esme replied. 'Well I'm with friends so I should probably get back...'

'You're really pretty,' Simon smiled.

'Thank you,' Esme said feeling a little awkward.

'I'm sorry,' Simon laughed a little. 'This must be a little awkward.'

'Just a little bit,' Esme laughed a little too.

'I don't want you to think that I'm some creep who preys on girls in art galleries,' Simon laughed. 'I gave that up ages ago.'

'That's good to know,' Esme laughed. 'What made you quit?'

Simon looked around the gallery for a second. 'I've got to go, do you think I can call you?'

'What's wrong?' Esme asked looking around the gallery as well.

There was a light hum in the gallery that hadn't been there before and something in the atmosphere was changing.

'I'll look for you at the hotel,' Simon said. 'See you around.'

'See you,' Esme said slowly as Simon rushed out of the gallery.

'Who was that?' Ecie asked.

'Simon.'