Representative

The First Greeting

23rd April 2023

Laurence : 2:21pm

I had stepped off the flight to Belgium at exactly 12:34pm. Passing through security had not been an issue, as I had personal access to private services, meaning long queues were not a problem. The place was different to Britain. Even if I was not dressed for such a formal occasion, I doubted I would fit in. I was carrying a brown suitcase with my belongings. Most of it was paperwork to do with the project. I kept on walking down the street, putting my hand out to hail a taxi. My business partner would be joining me the next day. I sat down in the taxi's backseat, ready for the journey ahead, and the two weeks I would be spending with some of the most brilliant international minds.

The journey was short, exactly 34 minutes long on my watch. We had been going fast and some of the jolts had been unexpected, causing me some trouble as I tried to read the newspaper. Car sickness had never been a problems for me. 2:12pm was the exact moment I saw the city fade into fields. There was an occasional tree in the distance, but apart from that just fields. I could not identify a specific crop that could be growing there, but I wondered how long until the city just swallowed the farmers land whole. 2:21pm, I pulled into the gates of success, showing the guards an identity card. I must admit, I was glad they did not search the car. I had nothing of value, but my privacy was something I clung dearly to.

I sat down on the seat at the rounded table, my luggage beside me. Some people had already arrived. A pretty girl with brunette hair, twisted strands of it loose in front of her ear. The rest was neatly tied back in a bun. She wore a white shirt, with a blue and green striped tie. I could just about see the top of her black pencil skirt. Her blazer was on the back of her chair, along with a puffy black coat. She started speaking to me, talking with interest, "Was your journey here good?"

Without missing a beat, I knew it was my turn to respond to fit in with the gentleman characteristics she was accustomed too, "Ah, yes. The weather treated me well too, I missed the spot of rain on the flight."

"British, I see. I've always loved the accent."

"Thank you, yours is very beautiful too."

"The trip was rather long by train, but being here is worthwhile. It's such an amazing opportunity and experience. Our Belgian host was here a minute ago, I think he went to take some calls"

She looked back at a door; I followed her gaze. Perhaps there was some sort of connection that I was not aware of between them, for her gaze looked longingly.

"There is no rush. No one else seems to have arrived yet. I do hope everything goes well, as extra funding may be given. We may all be here for longer than two weeks, or more specialists may be joining us," I replied, as she looked back at me, acting as if nothing happened although my curiosity was peaked. I would have to find out later on, but for now paid my attention to what she said next, "The facility is beautiful as well.. I had a look at the greenhouses on my way in. They yield so many crops and bright flowers."

"Is that so? I'll probably go and see them soon."
"I'd love to join you. This place is luxurious.. It's like an extra fancy holiday resort."

I gave a small chuckle at her excitement.

"Am I interrupting something?"

I turned to look at the man who came in. He was tall, with an elegant suit much like my own. I could tell it was tailored to fit perfectly, cleaned recently. He was well groomed, with some stubble that had been purposefully left to make him look older. I may have placed him in early 20s without it. The French lady replied almost lazily,

"No, please come and join us. We were just discussing the greenhouses"

"Scientists calculated the best way to avoid limiting factors and get the most magnificent yield of flowers. I do hope it satisfied your tastes," he replied in such a way to match the elegance of his looks. It would be courteous of anyone to do so.

"The flowers are wonderful. It's done very well. Perhaps you'd be willing to share with me?"

"Perhaps, my friend"

"Ah," I said, not wanting to be silent for too long, "I never caught your name, ma'am"

"There is no need for such formalities here. We're all colleagues, please, call me Evelyn. Our host here is Adrien"

"It's nice to meet the both of you while we wait for the others, my name is Laurence"