Like a dream

CHAPTER-4. THEN

I am sitting at my desk with our wealthy client Ms.Allison, whose family owns a winery in Napa Valley.
'I heard from Mrs.McQuillyn that you need something modest and regal' I say as I pull out a sheaf of papers from the drawer. I pick the gown sketch I created for her and place it in front of her. It is an off shoulder long sleeve mermaid lace gown with a sequined train and neckline. 'This will accentuate your beautiful figure' I tell her and she smiles at me. I place before her two fabric swatches- one is a Chantilly lace in burgundy and another is in dusty pink. She clicks pictures of the swatches. 'I just can't decide yet. I need my mom' she tells me as she gets on her phone with her mother, after sending her the pictures. Following a brief discussion, she opts for the dusty pink Chantilly lace. 'My mom says it is timeless to wear.' I nod my head and smile at her. 'You can have your first fitting in about twenty days. And Mrs.McQuillyn will be here soon. You can wait in her room to discuss the cost.' I ask a design assistant to lead Ms.Allison to our Director's room.
'Shall we head out?' asks Kathyrn, my junior assistant as soon as I clear my desk. It's half past two and I haven't had my lunch yet. My entire team has been busy throughout the day working through the deadlines. Diana and Sally, who are head tailors of Briana McQuillyn join us for the lunch. It has always been the four of us having lunch together at our usual place, Dazzo Grill House, down the Audley Street. We find this place convenient as it takes only about five minutes from our studio and it also offers the best marinated tiger prawns. We make our usual order after finding a comfortable table. It isn't anything much- chicken caesar salad, pan-fried sea bass, sautéd mushrooms and marinated tiger prawns.
I check my phone for messages and mails from the clients and send replies to the most urgent ones before the food arrives.
'Will's band is playing tonight at Gwayneth's bistro' says Diana as she gobbles down the prawns. Will is her pianist boyfriend, whom she met two months ago when she wanted to try internet dating, just to get through her previous awful breakup. 'And he said we can watch a movie later' she blushes. 'I don't know what to wear.'
'The short pink dress you got last week?' suggests Sally.
'I need something modest.'
'Or the floral dress you bought in Paris?'
'No Sally, I find it too bland.'
Oh! Dian has come up with her usual whining. I stare into the blank, not paying much heed into the conversation that is taking place. I look out through the restaurant's glass front and scan the people passing by the sidewalk. My eyes fix over someone, all of a sudden. I spot him. Is it him? My eyebrows meet each other and I look more closely. Yes, it is him. Oh my God! He is coming closer and closer. And to my shock, he enters our lunch place. My heart is pounding loud, as if it may pop out any minute.
Nick finds a table in the front. Luckily, he doesn't spot me. I don't want to meet him with Diana after our embarrassing night, a week ago.
I simply gaze at him as he goes through the menu. As long as he doesn't spot me, I am good. Suddenly he looks up from the menu and sees around, probably looking for someone to take his order. And in no time, he catches me staring at him. I'm mortified. He smiles and waves at me. A wave of embarrassment passes through my body as I wave back. Kathyrn, who is sitting by my side, notices what is happening and asks me, 'Who is this eye-candy?' Immediately Sally and Diana turn back to see who we are talking about.
'Isn't he the guy from the party last weekend?'Diana asks me. I nod my head. 'He's the one who gave a free ride to a drunk girl' I retort. 'And he is Ms.Kayla Miller's brother' I add.
'So what is he like?'Dian asks excitedly.
'What does that mean?' I give her a sharp look.
'I was drunk the entire night. You were the one who spent time with him' she sneered. 'Should we invite him here?'
I glare at her. 'Only if you want to' she adds.
'I think it is better to leave if we are done eating' I say and she nods.
Sally pays the bill and then we make our way to the exit. We are about to cross Nick's table and I'm quite nervous. I see him sipping his smoothie and looking at his phone. Maybe I should just tell him bye, I think! That would be proper etiquette! I rehearse it and I pick up all my courage to greet him. As I come near him, what I expected isn't happening! Instead, he greets me. 'Hey, Leila!'
Oh my God! This is the first time he is calling me by my name and my name hasn't sounded so special before. 'Hey, Nick!' I say in response.
He glances at my friends and I introduce them to him. 'I remember the drunk chic from Kay's party' he says as I introduce Diana. 'Thank you for the safe ride!' she tells him. He shakes his hand as if to mean it was nothing.
'I heard from Kay that your studio is nearby' he says.
'Yeah, just a few blocks away' I reply. 'And you're here for work?'
He nods his head. 'I'm doing a show tonight at a club nearby. I just came to collect the guest passes.'
'Oh! That sounds great!' I say, trying to sound excited. He smiles. Maybe I seemed too fake.
'We have to leave. It's getting late' I tell him.
'Leila, are you free tonight?' he asks me. It sounds really simple, right? But those words coming out of his mouth makes me feel overwhelming. His eyes are eagerly looking at me. I nod my head after a few seconds.
'Then would you like to come to my show? I've got two passes' he says as he pulls them out of his jacket and holds it in front of me. I hesitantly take them from his hands without actually replying him.
'What time does it start?' I ask him.
'At nine.'
'Then I'll see you later. Bye!'
He waves at me and my friends as we leave.