Butterfly and Flame - Alina and Evan

My Hometown-Ash

Alina had come down for dinner early and was walking around the formal living room. It was grand and everything was immaculate and placed just so. She saw what must have been photographs taken by Evans father and then those taken by him. They were incredible. He was talented beyond belief. She walked around the piano and toward the built in library shelves and marveled at all the books, reading their titles on the spines as she moved along. She stopped in front of a family portrait of a man and a woman. The man seemed much older than the woman but she couldn't help looking up at the portrait. It was something about the woman that seemed familiar. She assumed that it was Evans grandparents and that the woman was the grandmother that had raised him. The next portrait proved her right as this one showed the same woman with a younger couple and what looked like a four or five year old Evan and a toddler Christian. These were their parents who had tragically died. She picked up some picture frames that showed their birthdays, riding horseback, swimming , graduations and then those of various trips to London, Singapore, Dubai, Paris. Turning toward the far wall she saw a painting done of a young couple, these were obviously their parents when they were married. They looked so in love in their wedding attire. The last picture was of their father Christian, Evan's brother bore a strong resemblance to his father along with being his namesake. It was clear that these boys had been deeply loved and she felt grateful in knowing it. Alina hadn't heard the doors open as she was intently staring up at the portrait of Christian.

Olivia walked into the room carrying with her a vase filled with fresh flowers to set them down on the consul table. Neither woman saw each other until Alina spoke causing Olivia to turn around "Hello, You must be Oli..." Both women looked at each other in surprise as Olivia dropped the base onto the marble floor below. Alina rushed to her "Im so sorry, I startled you, forgive me. Are you alright?" Olivia was in shock starring at Alina with her mouth slightly open and pale in the face. She mumbled something but just then Evan walked in. "Oh I see you too have met....... woah what happened?" Evan looked around him as Alina replied "it's my fault she didn't see me in the room. I'm so sorry. I'm Alina and you must be Olivia. Evan has told me all about you!". Olivia was still in shock but recovered quickly now as Evan was moving her away from the broken glass and inspecting her hands and legs for any cuts. "Olivia, are you alright? You looks as though you've seen a ghost. It's just a vase. Grand has dozens I'm sure". Olivia looked from Evan to Alina and back again. "I'm fine Evan, just a little startled". Turning to Alina she said. "Alina, the pleasure is mine. I'm sorry about the mess and well I'm not sure what happened. It just slipped out of my hand". Evan walked both women from the room and into the foyer. "I'll have Johanna come too clean up you too go to the sunroom and I'll be right there". Olivia was about to protest but Evan had already left. She looked up at the young woman and a dread spread all over her body that she just couldn't shake. "Alina, this way. The sunroom is beautiful this time of day".

Christian and Miranda had returned from an evening of pizza and beer. He was thrilled that she hadn't left and that she had given him another chance to make amends. He apologized several more times to make sure she was comfortable and that she really believed him when he said that he had no ulterior motives to his surprise. She said she did. When they had come back into the house she accepted one outfit. She then proceeded to pick out a couple of pairs of jeans, t shirts, a coat, a couple of sweaters, one dress and a pair of heels. She tried on the jeans and sweaters and came out twice to view herself in the large mirror in the entry way, but nothing more. Of the lingerie items she selected some basics and some pajamas. She asked for him to get the bill and she would pay for them herself. He knew better than to try to convince her otherwise. He called his friend and explained and she provided Miranda with the total bill. At first she questioned all the items twice, saying the brands could never be this cheap to make, much less to sell; but his friend replied that these items were gifted to her by all the brand lines for photo shoots. Since they were not in her inventory she was simply charging a nominal fee. As it was they were last seasons campaigns and she would never use them again. Typically she would give them to models who were just starting out in the industry. Finally, in Christians opinion; she accepted her explanation and provided her credit card for payment. "Christian, thank you. I'm sorry I over reacted. This was really nice of you. Actually it was more than nice it was wonderfully thoughtful. I'm embarrassed now at my reaction." She looked at him directly and then lowered her gaze to her tennis shoes. "Miranda. I'm sorry. I'm glad you don't think of me as some perv but you don't need to apologize. I see now that you were completely right to question my motives. Can we just call it even and forget we lost our cool?" She looked back up to him and nodded her head in agreement. "One things for sure, you have all the right connections. In a million years I could never afford any of this" she said as she motioned with both her arms around the room. "Good thing I know people who know people" she said and they both chuckled. He smiled at her and reminded himself to thank his friend and send her the balance of all the pieces Miranda elected to keep along with the black mini dress and white satin floor length sheath. He would give those to her as his gift, or apology or something he would dream up. She was proud and he couldn't deny her that but what good was having all the money in the world if he couldn't spend it on the people he cared for. He walked Miranda back to her room and told her he'd be going into the city in the morning but would love showing her around their galleries later that evening if she was up for it. She agreed and said goodnight. She closed the door and as he was about to leave she opened it again and called to him "Christian. The pizza and beer were perfect. Thank you for everything. I had a great time." She moved toward him to hug him and he readily took her into his embrace holding on to her a little longer as he said "Thank you Miranda. It's been a long time since I've had so many laughs and such good company." As she pulled away from him he leaned in and kissed her temple. Smiling at her as he backed away saying goodnight. Miranda closed the door and leaped into her bed and proceeded to jump on it like a little kid. He kissed her. A sweet kiss. He smelled amazing and his arms and chest were so strong she felt herself get giddy at the thought of it. Somehow when she least expected it she realized that she liked this man a lot. It had been a long time since she had gone out with a man. Actually it had been since before the accident when she had broken it off with her on again off again boyfriend. It had been for the best as they were great dance partners but not so good at being a couple. He had been her only real boyfriend even though she had gone out plenty of times but it never felt right. Tonight it felt so right with this gorgeous hunk of a guy. She laid on the bed and reached over placing her hand into the box of lingerie she had chosen. She pulled out a black lace bra and thong to match and giggled at the days events. She had no idea where this would all lead to but she was game for the ride.

Olivia watched as Alina walked around the sunroom enjoying all the plants and flowers as well as commenting on the photography on the wall. It was as if though she had gone back in time fifty-seven years. The physic, the hair, the face and the eyes. She could have been her body double. Olivia offered Alina a beverage but Alina accepted only if Olivia were getting one for herself as well. They chatted for a little while and then Olivia couldn't help it any longer "Alina, where did you and Evan meet. Was it on one of his safaris perhaps?". Alina laughed and said "oh no, nothing so exciting. I'm a a writer and I needed an illustrator. I found his page and so I googled him. He flew out to meet me and my publisher". Olivia realized then that she was holding her breath and so when her words came out of her mouth she held her hands clasped on her lap waiting for the reply that would serve to convince her one hundred percent. "At your home. He flew out to your home?". Alina replied without concern, and said "yes! He flew out to meet me in my hometown of Ash".