Ashen Silk

Part 2

Lily didn’t travel often. The thought of leaving home and all of its joyous comforts didn’t sound like a vacation to her. At the last minute, she had been chosen as a correspondent for the Attorneys League in Nashville, TN. Now, she was stuck here until the convention ended. She planned on crashing the second she went back to Atlanta. Nothing could compete with the fresh crisp air of downtown ATL, or how the streets seemed alive even in the early hours of morning, or especially how the wind blew in just the right direction.

At home, there was security and the last time she had been out of town, she had needed countless therapy sessions to forget what had happened to her and move on. Finally, she could no longer see the face of her attacker in her dreams anymore. Now, he was just a blurry memory, blocked out and erased.

She felt overwhelmed and underwhelmed at the same time in this primitive claustrophobic southern town. It couldn’t compare. The only upside were the locals. They seemed polite and demure, somewhere between uncomfortable and irritating. Lily found it amusing.

The hotel loomed over her head. A giant skyscraper in what was otherwise an empty plain. Ladies walked about in bright colorful dresses, a cluster looked like a small garden from afar. Their blonde haired, blue eyed toddlers ran in circles about them. Their husbands stood a little farther away, relieved to have a few minutes with the guys and a chance to escape the women’s chatter. They formed a little nation of their own in this small town.

Her phone rang. Her assistant Candice was on the other end, nagging her about yet another issue. She didn’t even bother sounding animated. Some people could mentally fill in the whole conversation on their own. Candice was one of them. Lily entered the hotel, hopped on the elevator to the eighth floor and silently prayed for this dull misery to end quickly.

“Can I get you anything before the meeting?” Candice looked worried.

“No, there’s nothing to get. I’m fine”

“How about a coffee? Maybe, some water to keep you sated. Even some lemonade? The cutest little girl scouts are selling them in the lobby.” Candice gushed on. She tended to get like this when she was nervous. Perhaps she needed the lemonade to cool off.

She entered the meeting room, and walked to her seat. She didn’t like to linger at the door or make small talk on the way. Tedious. Nothing was more dignified than a silence entry. She needed to update her staff. Nodding her head at Candice, she began addressing all of them. Chatter ceased and eyes leveled on her.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m Lily Tokes. Welcome to the fourth annual Attorney’s League. We have a full schedule ahead of us and I want this to go down as efficiently as possible. Lawyers from all over the nation will be joining us, along with a few international guests. Make sure to greet them warmly and answer any questions they have. What you can’t answer, direct to me.” 

"I'll see you all later this evening," she said leaving the room. Her staff could handle this. In the meantime, she needed to relax.

                                                    *******Much later*******

A few hours later, in uncomfortable heels, a gray dress, and an audience of 1500 men and women in a large hall, she wondered if she could pull this event off. Her speech was going to kickstart the program for tonight and Lily was eager to get that underway. She couldn't believe she had to stand in front of all these people and speak to them. She reminded herself this was a chance to earn an extra paycheck. Looking up from her phone, she rested her hands on the podium and began.

“Glad to see you all could make it. It’s become a tradition to host an annual convention to remind us of our priorities as individuals, and as a nation. This also serves as a reminder of where we’ve come from and the many lies needed to get to where we’re headed. Tonight, we have some excellent speakers here to share some words with us. Thank you again for coming and make sure to stay around for the main event: dinner.”

A small murmur of laughter waved through the audience. She looked around the hall. Most were men, successful men in their thirties. One guy in gray looked a little familiar, maybe an old colleague or classmate. Mentally focusing herself, she continued. “It has been an honor to be…”

The event turned out as successful as she hoped. The hall was gleaming all the way from one corner to the next. Not all the guests had been invited for the reception, but a select number had been asked to attend. Her firm, Baxter and Kloud, was at the top of that list. One of the most successful law firms in Atlanta, its partners boasted that it was the best in the south. When it came to Dr. Baxter, no one could contest that in his presence. He was feared and hated by most of the employees, but she had a soft spot for him. He was uncannily similiar to her father, down to the constant criticism, a fact that she assumed, had intrinsically endeared her to him as well. She noted his approach. “I do believe you were stumped for a good minute there, Hayes. I was starting to doubt your ability to make me look good. Take care not let it happen again.”

“No problem, Dr. Baxter. Don’t give yourself an early coronary, this plate right here should remedy that now.” Lily responded. “But then again, don’t we all have a right to feel a little off every now and then?” Stop talking, she told herself. This man could sense fear, anxiety and probably even constipation. Dr. Baxter looked closely at her, “No. I can’t imagine why,” he declared abruptly, walking away.

Her staff was still milling around, righting wrongs here and there, giving her an opportunity to survey the scene. A hand tapped her shoulder, and she heard a quiet cough. “So pleased to finally meet you. I feel like we had quite a connection earlier. Or was that just me?” He looked pleased with himself. She had seen him earlier today. Candice introduced them before the conference. Only small talk ensued followed by a few 

“Let me clarify that for you,” she said, turning to face this presumptuous ass. She stared at him, and an intense feeling of chaos settled in her stomach. All thoughts of what she intended to say shifted out of her head.

“Facts,” he continued. “Ok. You were quite impressive up there and this is quite an event you threw together. Baxter must be proud.”

She nodded as thanks, “It’s too bad we haven’t been introduced.”

“Well, when I first heard your name, I thought, it couldn’t possibly be more perfect for you. Lilies have always been viewed as a sort of purity, a symbol of innocence even. You match it well. Perhaps I’m a little direct, but I find you quite riveting.” His eyes never left her face.

“Do I know you?”

“There’s no excuse for the alternative. Perhaps, I can refresh your memory,” he dictated.

Aggravated, she said, “I need to get back to my guests. I  have no time for a history lesson. I might know you. You seem familiear, but that's about it. Enjoy the food while you’re here.” He looked at her retreating back, all haughty steps and no regret. He hated women like that. Seething with wounded pride, he returned to his table. Perhaps, she did need a refresher after all, he decided. A reminder. A Christmas present. She can’t have forgotten me, not yet, not ever. But as long as she’s pretending to, I can play the game.

Thank you all for reading this new chapter. I was definitely encouraged by all the positive comments I recieved about my first chapter from you guys. Most of all, I'm grateful to everyone who voted and liked my story. I plan to update a little sooner this time:)

Cystlempire