Draw Me A Picture (35 page)

“I’m glad I found you,” he said, sincerely. “I feel bad for having not been there when you needed family most. You did alright, but... I’m just glad you’re not holding it against me.” Michelle did let a few tears out as she drew back a step. Her uncle suddenly appeared a little more human.

Oscar signaled for a cab, and gently directed Michelle into it, not listening to her protests about walking.

“Not if I can help it,” he said, trying to look severe. Getting in the cab, Michelle rolled down the window.

“I really would like you to meet my fiancé, Uncle,” she said, looking up at him. Oscar grinned, a little sheepishly.

“Well, that probably would be a good idea,” he agreed. “I have Friday free for dinner. What about you both meet me here at Marco’s at… say, seven?” Smiling, Michelle nodded.

“That sounds wonderful,” she said, gratefully. “I think you will really like him; he’s a good man.” She rolled up the window as the cab drove off. Watching it drive away, Oscar smiled.

“I hope so,” he said, to himself.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Michelle called William the moment she got back to her hotel room. It rang several times before going to voice mail. She didn’t know the man’s phone was in his briefcase.

“Hello William,” she said, after the ‘beep’; she smiled at the thought of him listening to the message later. “I just got back from lunch with my uncle. He’s anxious to meet you; he has Friday dinner free and wants to take us to this Italian place we went to today. It so good, really the food’s incredible.” Michelle paused, formulating her words; she did not want to leave a ‘brainless' message on William’s phone. “I hope your day is going well; I miss you so much... as if I haven’t seen you in weeks.” She laughed a little at this. “My uncle told me he’s paying for the wedding; I was really surprised at the offer. Actually, it was more like a statement than a question but I am relieved, I must admit. It will still be very simple, don’t worry and no, you won’t be dragged around to look at stuff. I promise. Oh, gosh I’m rambling again. I love you, I miss you. I’ll be here for the rest of the day. ‘Bye.”

Hanging up the phone, Michelle it her lip and smiled; she felt like waiting by the phone for his response, but wanted to take care a few details. Dialing the number of the hotel manager, Michelle spent a few moments confirming her request to reserve the reception room; Michelle told Mr. Chan who her uncle was and the poor man nearly dropped the phone in surprise. He informed his accountant/guest that he’d been trying to get Mr. Maclane to hold his business dinners at the hotel with no success.

“I’ll let you have the reception hall for free...” he said, enthusiastically, “... and we’ll decorate it... and throw in catering service, and valet service for your reception if you can get his firm to come here for all their business gatherings. That would be a great account to have.” Michelle inwardly chuckled at the man’s desperate tone. She knew however it would be a large account for him; she planned to ask her uncle about it, just to please Mr. Chan. He really had treated her politely in spite of her unemployed situation; it was the least she could do. Michelle had no intention of taking the free services he’d offered; her Uncle Oscar would probably insist on paying full price, anyway. He was just that kind of guy.

The shower beckoned. Michelle left the bathroom door open so she could hear the phone if it rang. Drying her hair, she thought of the conversation with her uncle at lunch and smiled. Cinderella’s fairy godmother had nothing on Oscar, she decided. The man was calculating and sharp but possessed an admiration of good character and liked to test people. She figured he’d like her fiancé very much; William would certainly be able to respect a man like that. Dressed in her pajamas, Michelle sat down happily with her wedding noted and wrote several more, a sweet smile on her face.

A few minutes after 6pm Michelle’s phone rang; she picked it up at the second ring.

“Hello?” she said happily. A familiar chuckle sounded on the other end.

“Waiting around the phone for me to call, eh?” William asked; he sounded amused. Michelle blushed.

“A little,” she admitted.

“Well that’s a giant boost for my ego,” William said, with a bit of a tired sigh.

“Long day?” Michelle ventured, hoping that wasn’t too obvious; her man definitely sounded spent.

“Indeed,” came William’s reply. “My firm was taken over by a rival company in my absence.” Michelle gasped, but didn’t interrupt. “The whole firm is being remodeled...” William continued, sounding as if he sat down heavily on a chair. “One floor’s already done. Bloody fast work....”

“Wow,” Michelle said, a little awed by the news. “I assume people are working around the construction?”

“Correct,” William replied. “It’s actually a vast improvement; they are really doing a professional job.”

Michelle desperately wanted to ask if a bunch of people had been fired but did not. William was the type to eventually give out the information, if one was patient.

“Sounds like they are doing what your former bosses weren’t willing to,” she said, gently.

“Exactly,” William agreed. “They also fired about half of the staff, trimmed a lot fat and brought in some new blood.”

William’s thoughts turned to his new boss and closed his eyes; he sat in the men’s room still wearing the denim jump-suit. He was no stranger to polishing furniture, having done so to the pieces he built, occasionally. A whole floor of hundreds of pieces was a different matter, however. He felt very tired, sore and sweaty, and yet content in that he’d worked hard. William wasn’t about to give his half-mad employer the satisfaction of firing him over poorly-polished desk chairs.

“My new boss is insane.”

“Insane?” Michelle repeated, not sure if she’d heard him right. William sighed.

“Mildly, but definitely off his rocker.” He briefly described the scene in the man’s office. There was silence on the other line for a moment.

“A watermelon,” Michelle said, quietly. “… On his desk? That’s so… weird.” William chuckled. At least someone else found it odd. He wasn’t sure if his fiancée would even believe him; William almost didn’t believe it himself and he’d been standing right there. “Doesn’t that violate some OSHA regulation?” Michelle continued. Laughing tiredly, William ran his hand through his hair.

“Possibly,” he said, smiling. “But, I think the man can do as he likes in his own office. As I walked away from his door, I could hear him singing along to ‘Copa Cabana’...” Michelle laughed; the sweet sound of her merriment washed over him like balm.

“Wow, what a nut,” she said, smiling. “I hope he didn’t threaten to fire you or anything.” William smirked, leaning back against the chair; it was actually comfortable seat and he was enjoying sitting in it before attempting to wash away some of the grime adhering to him.

“Oh, he definitely inferred it as a real possibility,” William said, yawning. The prior evening’s lack of sleep appeared to be fast descending upon him. “He had me polish furniture on the renovated floor, all day.”

“You’re kidding,” Michelle said; her voice sounded incredulous.

“No, I am not,” William said, still smiling; he rested his head back on the seat and closed his eyes. “I think it was some kind of test, you know... as if to see if I’d balk at the idea of manual labor.”

Michelle laughed, softly.

“He obviously doesn’t know you very well,” she said, amused. “I've only known you a short while and I know you're far too stubborn a person to resist a challenge like that.” William chuckled, liking the teasing tone of Michelle’s voice.

“One knows another, you little minx,” he said.

“You sound really beat,” Michelle said, sympathetically. “You probably want to go home and sleep on your comfy couch.”

At this, William opened his eyes and sat forward a little.

“Oh, no you don’t...” he said with a grin. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing you all day. I would have to be half dead to put you off; even then you’d have a time convincing me to stay away.”

“If you were half dead, I’d be there taking care of you,” Michelle returned, earnestly. “Alfred couldn’t keep me from helping, either, even with all the lifts of his disapproving eyebrow.” William laughed.

“Sweet girl,” he said, chuckling. “I’m lucky to have you. Let me clean up a bit then I’ll swing by and get you.” Michelle thought a moment.

“Do you want to eat here?” she inquired. “Then we wouldn’t have to go anywhere else. I’ve heard the restaurant here is very good.”

William blinked.

“You’ve never eaten there?” he asked, surprised. Michelle smiled.

“Nope,” she said. “We could go somewhere else, if you don’t like it. There’s a great Chinese take-out window not far from here that I go to all the time; they really have great food. They actually use fresh ginger.”

“The Waldorf has excellent food my dear,” William said, shaking his head in mild astonishment. Two years living at the Waldorf hotel, and she’d never partaken of the food. It occurred to him that Michelle was not the type of person to take full advantage of her situation; instead of milking her connections for all they were worth, she was content with apples and take-out. “Not that I’d mind Chinese, but I think you should eat at the hotel in which you reside… at least once. I went there for a business lunch and with my mother again for tea. You’ll like it very much.”

“Well, alright then,” Michelle said cheerfully. “I’ll get dressed in something other than my robe and bare feet.” Chuckling, William smiled.

“Silly minx,” he said, sighing again. “I shall meet you in the hotel lobby, in about forty minutes.”

“I’ll be there!” Michelle said, happily. She bit her lip and decided to say what she’d wanted to all day. “I love you.” Just saying it made her eyes a little moist. William closed his eyes, a small smile decorating his
face. His fiancée's words and gentle voice revitalized his tired brain and body.
 

“And I love you, Michelle,” he said, meaning every word. Michelle swallowed and bit her lip, smiling wide.

“See you in forty,” she said.

“Yes, you will love.”

Shutting his phone William sat, enjoying the moment for a few seconds. He felt lighter, a little more able to move and function now that Michelle was waiting for him to show. He could imagine the sweet, excited look on her face as she prepared for dinner with him. Unconsciously, William whistled a tune as he got up and ran the hot water. He stripped to his waist and spent a few minutes washing.

“No good showing up smelling of ‘Old English’,” he thought, chuckling; he scrubbed away at his arms and hands with the liquid soap, unaware of his own happy expression.

THIRTY-SIX minutes later Michelle sat on one of the lobby chairs, with a clear view of the door; she wore her gray suit-dress and garnet scarf once more. William seemed to like that particular outfit very well and it wasn’t too dressy; she’d considered wearing the pink gown, but thought it a little much. It was so nice to once again have clothes to look at and ponder which to wear. A little makeup adorned her face; her hair down in her usual manner.

Michelle made a sweet picture sitting so on the beige damask divan, especially with such a happy look of anticipation her face. For once, she didn’t care about how she looked or seeming too eager; she wanted to see William more than anything in the world. Besides, she had a small surprise for him after dinner and wondered if he’d like it; before coming to the lobby she'd paid for a short massage session for William at the hotel’s spa. On the phone, he’d sounded so tired and sore; Michelle hoped he’d like that sort of thing. On the spa brochure she’d seen the masseuse available was touted to be one of the best in the city. She’d been lucky to get a slot, even it was only for thirty minutes.

The door opened and William walked in; his presence made Michelle's face light up. He spotted her immediately; ambling over he returned her smile. Michelle stood up as he came closer. Catching his fiancée in a fond embrace, William stood still for several seconds, inhaling the sweet smell of her hair. He hoped he didn’t smell too bad; if he did, Michelle didn’t notice. She rested her head against his chest and sighed contentedly. Drawing back from her, William looked down into her pretty face and leaned down for a quick kiss.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he told her. From the look in his eyes, Michelle had no doubt he meant it.

“You don’t look half bad yourself,” she said, softly, her tone teasing.

“Minx,” William said, smiling. “I called ahead for a reservation; we can go in now, I think. You’re really going to like the food.” Michelle smiled up at him.

“If you were with me, I’d like anything... even if they served SPAM,” Michelle said; her eyes were bright with amusement. William laughed and offered her his arm.

“I had to eat a whole can of that stuff at university,” he admitted as they walked towards the restaurant. “I lost a poker hand and we were betting dares.” Imagining the scene, Michelle laughed softly.

“I can think of worse dares,” she said, looking up at her fiancé.

“Yes, well, one of the lads had to strip off and run through the halls,” William told her, smiling. “Wouldn’t have been bad if he hadn’t run into the dean; we were roommates with the Dean’s son, so we all got chastised for that one.” Michelle laughed at the notion. She wanted to ask if William had ever had to do anything similar but courage failed her.

The reservation appeared good and a very arrogant Maitre’ D led them to a small, cozy table close to a dais, on which a string quartet played. The room seemed nearly full of patrons; the décor seemed both relaxing and intimidating in its luxury. Michelle found she liked ‘Marie’s’ look better, being more intimate and comfortable, however, she was grateful just to be out with William. Finally seated, she let her fiancé order for them, since he knew what the menu looked like.

“Do you like steak, Milady?” William asked her, smiling. Michelle sat up a little straighter.

“Who doesn’t?” she asked, pretending to look askance. Chuckling, William ordered the fillet mignon with mushroom sauce and a green salad for both of them. Inhaling various scents of good food floating around the room, Michelle looked forward to eating despite the haughty surroundings.