ROMANCING LAURA - CHAPTER 2

She had almost worked up the courage to ask Watanabe san, about where they were going, when the car pulled into the Getty Center. Watanabe San got out and opened the door for her.

“ Ms. Laura, please take the train up the Museum. Here is a map. Mr. Alex said to go to the Museum Store and buy a book on art ” he said handing her an envelope with a gold seal.
“ What type of book?
“ Mr. Alex said whatever you want. But you have only 15 minutes to decide, ” he said bowing slightly
“ What is this? ” she asked pointing to the envelope in her hand.
“ For the book ” he replied with a smile.

She walked over to the train. She had heard so much about the Getty Center, but never visited it. Never had the time or the opportunity. Someone to take her, hold hands. Stand next to each other and gaze at a painting made three hundred years ago. I wonder whether we are attending an art show, she thought to herself. But then why am buying a book on art?

The train arrived a few minutes later. There were not many people around, but then again, it was almost six. There was still light. The golden glow of the California sun still lingered. Slowly the train wound itself around the mountain. It was quite an experience. She could see the traffic on the 405 from the train. Wonder why they built a train? Was it to make visitors feel special? It certainly felt special.

Before she knew it, the train doors opened. She was there. Her heart skipped a beat. Where was the Museum Store? She looked at the map. It was inside the entrance hall. She followed some of the other passengers, climbing a flight of stairs to the main entrance. The place was beautiful. Modern without being cold. An ambience that was just nice. The attendants were friendly. There was a flush of excitement in the people milling about. Discovering. Exploring.

With all the focus she could muster, especially with the champagne still buzzing in her head, she selected a book. She paid with the money in the envelope. The phone rang just as she walked out into the Museum courtyard.

“ Hello ”
“ Look inside the bag ” the caller said
“ What? ” Laura asked, confused
“ Look inside the bag ” the caller said again and hung up.

There was a pair of beautiful, very fashionable Italian eye glasses, an orchid, a hair clip and a note, in the bag that she got from the Museum Store.

The note said “ Meet me at the water fountain. It’s marked with an X on the map. Alex ”

How did the note get in the bag? Oh yes, she realized. The cashier was in on it. I am going to strangle you Mr. Alex, when I get a hold of you, Laura thought herself with half a smile. But she was enjoying all the cloak and dagger stuff. She walked to the water fountain. The phone rang again.

“ Hello ” Laura answered the phone.
“ What book did you buy? ” Alex asked
“ Alex! Where are you? ” Laura exclaimed
“ Could you do me a favor? ” he said
“ What? ” she asked
“ Put on those glasses. ”
” I can’t see without my own glasses ” she said
“ Don’t worry, they have been made for your prescription “ he replied
“ But how did you.. ” she stammered
“ Get the prescription? ” he asked
“ Yes “ she replied
“ You told me last time ” he replied
“ Where are you? ” she asked smiling at the thought. She put on the glasses. They were a perfect fit. How could he have got it so right?
“ Close by. Can you also pin the orchid onto your hair? On the right hand side ”
“ Not unless you come and get me right now! ” she replied
“ I will. Now hold the book with just your left hand. Press it gently against your left chest ”
“ Alex what you doing? ” she asked, as she held the book against her.
“ I am taking a photograph of this amazing girl with glasses. Quite cute too. Stand still. Don’t move ” he said

All of a sudden she felt very self-conscious. She looked around. There was no sign of Alex. Where was he? She stroked her hair. Something she did when she felt self-conscious. The Orchid fell off. She bent down to pick it up with the phone still to her ear.

“ That is perfect. You even pick a flower with the utmost grace ” Alex said
“ You better come out now! ” she said
“ I love the way you flick your hair. Can you do that again? Put the book on the floor and run your hands through your hair.
“ Anything else? Pick me up!! ” She almost yelled but followed his directions nevertheless.
“ In a moment. First go and pick up that glass of wine. Do you see? Turn left; see that narrow pathway between the water? Walk along that to the end. There is a lonely glass of wine. Waiting for you. ”
“ I am not going to pick it up, “ she said firmly
“ Last thing I am asking you to do. After that it’s your turn ”
“ I don’t think I am allowed to go there. Besides there is a security guard watching me and I might fall into the water ”
“ It’ OK, the guard is the one who put it there for me. Besides I am hoping you might fall in, so I have an excuse to come and rescue you. Wouldn’t you like that? ”
“ Maybe “ she replied coyly.

The guard grinned at her with a wink, making a slight wave of his hand, gesturing for her to go get the glass of wine. She took a few steps. The water wasn’t deep, but she didn’t want to fall into the water. Maybe if she had a swimsuit but not now. Not with her painful foot, a tight full length dress and a phone pressed to her ear. She put down the bag and slowly took a few steps down the pathway, raising one hand to maintain her balance.

People were looking at her now. Looking at where she was going. Smiling and nodding encouragement, when they realized where she was going. She felt scared, self conscious, silly even, yet special. The center of attention. The pathway wasn’t particularly narrow. It just felt like something that was forbidden. Frowned upon. Finally she reached the wine glass. She wanted to run back, but she kept her composure. Walked back calmly. A round of applause from some guys, an old man and a Chinese lady with a toothy grin who was seated on the other side of the fountain. Laura gave her best gracious smile, bowed to say thank you and took a sip of the wine. Her beautiful skin flushed a deep red and her knees trembled with nervous energy.

“ You are going to love these pictures ” Alex said
“ Alex I am going to strangle you, when I get a hold of you ” she said, barely able to breath. She took another sip of the wine.
“ One last favor ” he said
“ It’s going to cost you, ” she said
“ You are worth it ” he replied with a chuckle
“ What? ” she asked
“ There is a hair clip in the bag. Pin up your hair. You might want to put everything down. I’ll wait ’ he said
“ Is that good? ” she asked after pinning up her hair.
“ Perfect. Turn 15 degrees to your left and then turn your head slightly to the left ”
“ Why? ”
“ So the sun will catch the profile of that beautiful face ” he replied
“ Flattery will get you nowhere Mr. Alex ” she said mimicking Watanabe San.
“ Now hold the glass up to your chin and look at the top of the North Pavilion ”
“ No! ” she said defiantly.
“ You might miss something terrible important ” he replied calmly

She looked up. Was he there? Maybe he was inside? The glass was too dark to see inside.

“ Alex, please come out, ” she said getting a little antsy.
“ Right behind you ” Alex said, giving her a slow lingering kiss on the neck.

He gently grabbed her hand from behind, interlocking them with his, resting her back against his chest, so she couldn’t turn around. But she knew it was him. The smell of him was unmistakable. The touch of him was intoxicating. She tilted her head up slightly, resting her head on his shoulders, too exhausted to fight him. Enjoying a moment of silence while his fingertips firmly caressed the contours of her a body. Nurturing it. Kneading it. Feeding it with electrifying energy. Communicating without words. Just touch. And smell. Slowly he turned her around. He kissed the underneath of her chin. Exploring the arc of her neck from shoulder to chin. Then the outer lips and finally the lips. A slow, gentle unhurried kiss. Then a harder kiss while he pressed her firmly against him. A kiss worth a million dollars, maybe more.

END OF CHAPTER 2
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