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I nod as a sign of accepting her greeting. Bile was gathering in my throat, and it made it too difficult to respond to her with words.
She bats her eyes as if fighting back tears. Or was I just imagining it?
“Mr. Lorenzo sent another project brief and an excellent review of the last project.”
“That’s great,” I struggle to say.
This was exciting news for me and the company. With Lorenzo’s media platforms, our project would be on the news all over the world, which would mean more clients and more prominent ones.
“However, he says he needs to meet with you as soon as possible as he has a flight to catch before three this afternoon. I came to inform you personally, as you have not opened the email I sent earlier today.”
My laptop was open right before me, but I had gotten no work done. I kept staring at pictures from the night we went bowling, trying to figure out a solution to dissolve this wall between us.
“Right. Err mmm. I was preoccupied with something else. I will check the email for further details. Thank you for the notice.”
“You’re welcome,” Lea says abruptly and turns to walk out briskly like a soldier dismissed by her commandant.
Just before she shuts the door, I call to her, “Lea…”
She takes a few seconds to contemplate whether or not to respond to me. Her mind ticks the decision it wants to make.
The chosen option is not to respond, as she shut the door as though I had never called or she had never heard.
“Dear Mr. Stone. I must say, I am now fully convinced that you are the best in construction and interiors in the whole of Los Angeles. I dare say in the whole of the United States of America. You perfectly executed the project, and the owners have only positive remarks. They have decided to hand over another project to your company, and I would need to meet up physically to discuss this with you.”
I read Mr. Lorenzo’s email repeatedly until my mind memorized the words. The venue and time for the meeting are stated in the other details below.
Based on this information, I have less than an hour to get to the meeting venue.
I gather my phone, car key, and other essential documents I need for the meeting.
On my way out, I stop at Lea’s office and peep in to see her staring into space. Her eyes looked wet with tears, and they dropped slowly from her eyes.
Why did we both have to hurt this much over something we could discuss? Whatever the case, there would be a solution when we speak about it and not this Great Wall of China that was standing between us.
I struggle to keep my mind fixated on the road as I drive. My mind struggles to keep up with the various reasons she acted this way. Was this a stage of grief, too? Was she shutting her heart out from receiving any form of love?
The honking of cars fills my ear as I realize that the traffic light has turned green while I struggle with my Lea-thoughts.
I move forward as other drivers move past me, but not without giving me looks of disgust.
None of that mattered to me more than the woman I love, who had all my heart shutting me out of her life and her thoughts.
I arrived at the Boulevard according to the description in the email.
Mr. Lorenzo instructs the butler to welcome me in, leading me to the lounge where Lorenzo is seated.
A bottle of Old Italian Grape wine is set before him with two wine glasses.
“My good man, Stone. It’s lovely to meet you again.” He says in his undiluted Italian accent.
“It’s nice to meet you again, Mr. Lorenzo.”
“Your staff are super efficient. How do you get them to work that way? There was no hassle for them to get the job done. They did such an excellent job with the project.”
“Everyone understands the vision at Selware and the need to always deliver a perfect job. My staff understands the assignment.”
“They truly do. I am glad I got to work with you.”
