Abel Wilson, a businessman, left out of a meeting room in order to have some space from the bickering of officials, and told his partner, Erika Gabisa, to cover for him while he was in the hallways of Ophelia’s to take a break. The hallways were dimly lit from the light fixtures, authentic paintings on the ceilings and walls with the floor made of marble. As Abel was walking down the hallway, admiring the architecture, he spotted a woman who ran across the hallway perpendicular to the one he was in. She darted so quick across; Abel only saw a black blur. His curiosity struck him to where the woman looked familiar. He followed her in the hallway and catches up to the woman as fast as he could.

“Pardon me!” Abel shouts to the woman; making her stop.

Abel straightened up his all-black suit and sunglasses and walked towards her; the woman kept her back to him. He was observing how she looked. So far, he knew she had milk chocolate skin, long flowing black hair that reached her lower back, and wore a long flowing white dress. Abel was now a few feet behind her.

“Could you turn around please?” Abel asks.

The woman turned around showing her face. Abel saw her luscious, glossed lips and her fair round face which looked beautiful to him. Her figure was of a skinny pear shape with a medium bust and with medium sized hips which, to him, looked good in the dress, but there was something about her eyes. Abel was focused with her eyes as if he was hypnotized by them. Her eyes were a pure lavender hue, and they were not contacts.

“May I ask why you were following me, sir?” The woman asked him in a proper accent.

Abel snaps out of his daydream and clears his throat.

“…My apologies. Where are my manners? My name is Abel. Abel Wilson.” He introduced himself. “I also apologize for following you.”

“Nice to meet you, Abel Wilson. My name is Marlene. Marlene Rosa.” She replied. “Again, may I ask why you were following me?”

“…You looked familiar of somebody that I used to know, and I thought you were her. My apologies for startling you.”

Abel extends his hand wanting to make things right between them. Marlene, out of kindness, decided to grasp it.

“Apology accepted.”

When their hands touched, Abel felt how soft hers was, but showed no expression. Marlene had a gentle smile on her face and let’s go of his hand.

“So…” He speaks. “May I ask what’s going on in this side of the building?”

“I was on my way to my recital in the theater room which is happening in…FIVE MINUTES?!”

Marlene was looking at a clock on one of the mural walls, making her turn around back to the giant golden theater doors down the hall.

“I’m sorry, but I have to hurry and tune my instruments. Good day, Mr. Wilson.”

She began to run from Abel to the doors.

“Hold on a minute!” Abel shouts.

Marlene stops and turns to him.

“Let me come with you. As… a token for inconveniencing you, I would like to see you perform.” He explains.

“Hmm. I could say that’s fair…”

Marlene nods and Abel follows her down the hall to the doors that leads into the theater room; The room was nearly full of people finding seats; the recital was about to begin.

“This is a ticket only event.” Marlene explains. “So, if you don’t want to get caught, I suggest the balcony seats. No one will be up there; not even security.”

Marlene then goes backstage to get her instruments ready while Abel was finding a seat in the balcony. He was able to go upstairs to his right with no one seeing him and found a seat with a good view of the stage. When the rest of the audience found seats, the recital began. Everyone started cheering when the curtains opened to reveal the stage and the people on it. Abel spots Marlene sitting in a chair holding a cello and sees someone sitting near a piano that resembled Marlene.

‘She is a twin?’ He asks curiously in his thoughts.

‘It seems like it.’ Abel’s inner self answers. ‘But let’s think about it later and enjoy this free show.’

All performers took their places on the stage with their instruments and were ready for the instructor’s orders. They start to play classical music from Mozart to Beethoven, to modern music like V.K. and Scott Buckley; they all were in sync, and no one was off key. As Abel was paying attention to Marlene’s cello skills 30 minutes in, he got a text message via watch from his partner, Erika, stating:

‘Update. They are willing to consider our financial needs for our plans, so we must wait for several weeks for confirmation. Also, you’ve been gone for over 30 minutes. Where are you?’

 Abel replied via text:

‘Something came up. I’ll be coming back soon.’

After sending his message to Erika, the crowd began to cheer after a great performance after 6 pieces of music. As the crowd calmed, a most of the musicians began to leave off the stage leaving a total of 7 musicians, which included Marlene and her twin. Before they could start, the instructor went to the microphone.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” He speaks with pride. “I present to you my elite musicians who have done two pieces on their own that will put this show to a close. Please, enjoy!”

The crowd applauded after the instructor’s speech. The instructor sits down on the stage’s side as the performers were getting to start their pieces. Their first piece was a rendition of ‘Anthem of The Angels’. Their second and final piece was a rendition of ‘In my Soul’. As the pieces were finished, the audience gave them a standing ovation. Abel was amazed at Marlene’s performance which made him chuckle with amusement. As the curtains closed, most of the crowd began to raise from their seats and disperse. As Abel came downstairs from the balcony, Marlene and her twin came from backstage. Abel managed to spot them and walks towards the two.

“Well, I must say, Ms. Rosa,” He speaks. “You have an outstanding talent for playing the cello. A very good performance.”

Marlene began to blush at his compliment.

“Why… Thank you, Mr. Wilson.” She replies bashfully.

“You’re welcome, my dear.”

Marlene’s twin was surprised when she saw this interaction between them, she puts her hands on her hips, raising her brow at Marlene. Marlene almost forgot about her sister and introduced her to Abel.

“Oh, sorry.” She speaks. “Mr. Wilson, this is my twin sister, Nikita. Nikita, this is Mr. Abel Wilson—”

“Please, call me Abel.” He interrupted.

Nikita slowly strutted over to Abel and shook his hand with a smirk on her face.

“Well, well, well. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Abel.” She speaks in a smooth tone.

“A pleasure to meet you, too, Ms. Rosa.” Abel replied, returning the favor.

“Please, call me Nikita.” She adds, winking.

Marlene noticed Nikita was lightly flirting with him and decided to speak.

“…Well, Nikita. Shouldn’t you be trying to find our sisters?”

Marlene tried to not sound impatient, but Nikita did not seem to notice.

“Oh… Yeah. Don’t worry, I will.” Nikita replied. “I’ll be outside, okay?”

“Okay, that’s great. I’ll be there.” Marlene replied impatiently.

Nikita ran off in the back of the theater with a group of girls, leaving Marlene and Abel by themselves. Marlene looks to Abel, embarrassed.

“I apologize for my sister. She’s very… outgoing.” She spoke uneasily.

“It’s okay.” He replied while chuckling. “Well, if you still have time, would you like to accompany me to the front of the building?”

“Sure.”

.   .   .

As they walked in the hallways, Marlene slowly looked at Abel who was looking straight ahead with an emotionless look on his face. She felt nervous because of his expression, but was able to start speaking.

“So, Abel. What made you come here exactly?” She asked curiously.

“Well, I’m here on business which is in this room.” He replies.

He points to a door with a sign that reads ‘W&G Meeting Room’. Abel opens the door and looks into the room to see the meeting was close to ending. He turned to see Marlene standing near the doorway.

“Is it okay to come in?” Marlene asked.

“It’s okay. It’s almost over.” Abel assured.

As he walked to the table of 12 officials and his partner, Erika, Marlene decided to come in but stay near the doorway in order to not listen in. Abel sat down next to Erika. The room was lit, fitted for meetings with a rectangle table in the middle of the room.

“Ah, Mr. Wilson.” One official speaks. “I see you’ve come back to join us. You’ve missed a lot of important details we’ve all talked about. You should consider yourself lucky your partner was here to cover for you.”

Abel held his hands together and locked eyes with the official, glaring at him.

“Hm. Luck. It doesn’t fit with me. Most of my ideals and what I’ve done are not based on luck.” He counters.

“Regardless, Erika was here, you weren’t which is unusual for you. Anyway, we concluded. We will consider giving you funds for your work. We will give you notice in few weeks’ time.”

“She’s told me that already when I was out. So, I-- we accept the offer.”

“Noted. All is in order until five weeks from today. Meeting adjourned.”

The officials were getting up from their seats, putting their papers away in their briefcases and headed to the door, before glaring at Abel. Abel and Erika got up from their seats; Erika looks at Abel; upset.

“Where the hell were you?!” She exclaimed quietly in an Italian accent. “You know it was impolite to keep those men waiting! I had to vouch for you and make the proposition!”

“First, It’s best to not worry about my whereabouts, Erika.” Abel retorted. “Second, you knew what to say to the officials, so you did well without me. Lastly, however much of a grant they’re giving us, think of it as… leftover money.”

Erika looks to him confused.

“Leftover money? What do you mean by leftover money?”

“Did you really think I was running out of funds and in dire straits for this plan? Think of it as severance pay from those fools.”

Erika at first was shocked at what he said, but then impressed about his sly plan and got close to him.

“Well, Abel. You have a lot of tricks up your sleeve. I must remember not to underestimate you. So, what are you planning on doing after this? I was hoping maybe you wanted to have a recap tonight.”

Abel growled quietly at Erika flirting with him, but then looks to Marlene who was waving goodbye at the officials with a kind smile. Abel’s expression softened when he saw the smile on her face. Erika looked at who Abel was staring at, glared at Abel, and walked away from him to the door, not before glaring at Marlene when she left out. Marlene looked at Erika as she walked by, observing her by detail; Vanilla mocha skin, black hair in a bun, grey/green eyes, medium sized glossed lips, oval shaped refined face, skinny hourglass shape with a large size bust and medium sized hips in a revealing office mini silk dress with large, hooped earrings, matching necklace, and wearing open toe high heels. As Erika left out to the exit, Marlene turned to face Abel who was walking up to her, she was confused.

“What’s wrong with her?” Marlene asked. “She looked very upset. Personally, at me.”

“Well, she’s going through a… personal problem. No need to worry.” Abel assured her.

“Is… she your business partner?”

“Yes…”

Abel made eye contact with Marlene once again, something within him started to wake up and he could not understand why. His chest felt heavy to where his palms began sweating.

‘She’s not like any kind of woman we’ve come across.’ His inner voice spoke. ‘Your heart is pounding. It’s never done that before. Is this desire we’re feeling?’

Marlene saw Abel’s grey eyes glow through his sunglasses. She looks with surprise; Abel then looks away from her, hoping she did not see them.

“Your eyes… They’re… like mine.” Marlene spoke in awe.

Hearing her words, Abel stood still like a rock. His heart started pounding more and feeling a fire within him, still not facing her.

“Abel?” Marlene called to get his attention.

Abel snapped out of his stupor and looked to her.

“Sorry, but I need to leave, Ms. Rosa. Good day.” Abel spoke.

Marlene moves out of the way as Abel walked past her to the exit.

“Wait! I’m sorry. Was it something I said?” She asked worriedly.

Abel stopped near the building’s front door and looked at Marlene.

“No. I just have some business I need to take care of. I’m sorry, but I must leave. I bid you farewell.”

As Abel was leaving out the front door of Ophelia’s, he takes out a small card and a pen from his inside jacket pocket and starts to write on it. His inner voice grunts, annoyed.

‘Imbecile! What are you doing?! Turn back around and talk to her!’

‘You talk too much! Shut up!’

Marlene went out after him running as fast as she could in her heels.

“Abel, wait!” She shouts.

Abel stopped and turned to see Marlene running to him, but she tripped over gravel and was about to fall forward. In a split second, Abel caught her from hitting the ground by her shoulders; making his sunglasses fall off his face. When Marlene looked up to see him, she was introduced to a pair of silver glowing eyes. They both were staring into each other’s eyes as if they were in a trance; her eyes glowing along with Abel’s, until Abel broke the line of sight by closing his eyes.

“You… should be more careful when you run in heels.” He spoke.

“I… I’m sorry.” Marlene apologizes, standing straight. “It’s just…your eyes… they glow like mine.”

Abel decided not to respond as he opened his eyes. He picks up his sunglasses, brushes them off, and puts them back on his face. He then slipped the card in Marlene’s hand.

“See you soon, Ms. Rosa.”

He walks away to his car that was a black BMW. As he left in his car, Marlene walked back to the building confused. She looked at the card which had a note on it reading:

“You are a very interesting young woman. We should get to know each other a little more. I plan on seeing you soon.”

On the card was Abel’s full name and his phone number.

.   .   .

Marlene was sitting in the back of her young sister, K.C.’s SUV, along with Nikita, and their other five sisters. As the other sisters were talking to each other, Marlene decides to call Abel’s number on her phone. Her phone was ringing; seconds later, someone picks up.

“Well, hello, Ms. Rosa.” Abel greets smoothly.

The sound of his voice made Marlene’s heart skip a beat.

“H-Hello, Mr. Wilson.” She greets giddily.

“Just to inform you, I am making arrangements for the both of us to go to a restaurant.”

Marlene felt surprised when Abel stated that.

“Do you mean… a date?”

Abel chuckled over the phone.

“Yes, a date. The restaurant we’re going to is a secret. The day for us will be… on the 14^th of June. I’ll come where you live around 8:00 pm. Give me the address whenever you can. Also, dress nice. I will see you soon.”

“Okay. See you then.”

After the conversation, Marlene typed down everything in her phone, so she wouldn’t forget and sent her home address to him. As she looked out the car window, she was looking forward to the date, with a smile on her face.