The first time Luca met Claire, she wore a sleeveless white blouse with a navy blue skirt. There were no stockings but her pale legs were smooth and her feet were clad in suede court shoes that matched her skirt. As impeccably neat as she was, her shoulders were slightly hunched and she held her clutch with both hands in front of her. The friendly smile on her face did not quite reach her eyes.
"My name is Claire Walker. I'm looking for a Mr. Davies."
Luca took a step back and held the door.
"Please come in."
She hesitated for a moment and took off her shoes before stepping in. He led her to the coffee table near the balcony where two ornate tea cups, one empty, one half filled, sat. After they both sat, Luca moved to pour green tea into the empty cup across him. He could hear her sweeping her loose auburn hair to one side and inhaled something sweet but subtle. Looking up, he noticed her wary eyes, a shade darker than the emerald green teardrop earrings dangling from her ear lobes.
"I came to apologise for wasting your time. My friends signed me up for this without letting me know and I…," she looked away as if to recompose herself before staring straight into his eyes, "I do not want to do this."
Ah, her friends. He had heard all about her twenty-odd-year history. Narrated by her best friend Rafael and exaggerated by her other best friend Kristine, he painted a picture of a rejected woman, whose lover has absconded at the first chance of reprieve, struggling to rebuild her life. Convinced that Claire needed to get out of the monotonous routine she had set upon herself, the two friends had cajoled him to sign her up as the subject of his latest project. After all, what was more befitting than an actual blossoming belle rose?
Luca nodded and leaned back against his chair.
"Please drink."
She seemed stunned by the request but leaned forward to take the cup with both hands. Neat square-trimmed nails although the unpolished nail beds were an unhealthy glow.
"It's delicious," she said cautiously after the first sip. Luca nodded before leaning forward. Clasping his hands together, he began his mission to woo his sitter, "Perhaps I shall explain this project of mine..."
