SEVERAL WEEKS AGO…
-Ma’am? Here is your correspondence and the news paper. Is there anything else you need?
-Yes please Charles, I would like some more tea.
-Right away ma’am.
-Thank you
She stared at the envelopes and revise them one by one. “Not the news I’m expecting ” she thought.
The view from the Hotel’s balcony distracted her and she lost herself in the beauty of the garden. She had missed this air so much. It was a mid-autum day. The distinct glow of the morning sun in the southern Buenos Aires countryside transported her back to her childhood. Ever since she had been in the mansion, these ghosts from the past disguised as memories, have caught up with her. And the lily has haunted her hopes every minute since then. Before she left that day, she placed a note over the lily. Surely he would find it. He must have found it, she was telling herself when...
-Excuse me Milady -. A shy hotel maid said with a smile, looking at the silver tray, afraid to spoil the tea.
-Oh yes, sorry, thank you dear-. She answered putting the letters away.
-There is a gentleman at the lobby to see you Ma’am. He said you are waiting for him.
-Oh yes please let him join me here. It is a beautiful day. I wouldn’t want to go in.
Moments later the butler came in accompanied by a fine gentleman. He showed the gentleman to where the Countess was and waited by the table.
-Señor Bustillo, thank you for coming, it’s a pleasure meeting you-. She said raising and extending her hand.
-The pleasure is all mine Ma’am- He answered taking her hand and kissing it.
-Would you like some tea?
-No, thank you; very much.
She nodded to the butler and he left bowing.
-Afraid we may spoil some tea on the blueprints?-. She asked with a naughty smile.
-Well, you know how tidy we architects are. We prefer not to mix food and beverages with plans in the same table!-. They both laughed at the silly joke.
-Tell me Sr. Bustillo, how is everything going?
-Well Ma’am. Everything is fine, and just ready to start. All had been schedule and people are waiting for instructions. I brought you some blueprints for you to look at and approve…
-I don’t need those, I trust you completely. You know the house and you know I want it exactly like it was when we lived there. Money is not a problem, you know that too. I might need some expansion later but so far I want to see the house exactly as I see it in my memories.
-Ma’am you honoured me with your trust, but I insist. I prefer you take a look…
-Sr. Bustillo-, she interrupted. - You’ll do fine. How long do you think the whole remodelling would take?
-I would say between five and seven months.
-Perfect. I’ll spend the spring and probably the summer in England. You know where I’ll be staying. Please send me a report every 2 weeks. I want to know how all develops.
The butler came back a little agitated. It looked like he had hurried up there.
-I’m sorry to interrupt Ma’am, but this has been left for you at the front desk. We don’t know who left it but as it says “urgent” in red ink, I hurried here.
He handed her a dirty note. She took it nervously. Her hands were slightly shaking but she tried to seem calm as this was nothing out of the ordinary, though that paper could make a world of difference. As soon as she saw the handwriting she knew! “Yes!” She thought with internal jubilee. Finally! She stood up elegantly and the architect raised after her.
-I’m very sorry Sr. Bustillo, we must end our meeting now. There are urgent matters that need my attention.
-Don’t worry Ma’am, I hope everything is fine. We will be in touch-. He said kissing her hand again before leaving the terrace.
When she found herself alone she turned her view to the garden and for an instant she stared at the magic glow of the morning sun. Or was it the note that brought that glow?
So… she opened it.
“Meet me tonight at the old shed. 7pm. Make sure no one follows you. T.”
