The Lady in the Red Dress

Volume 1: The Lady in the Red Dress

 

REGENT PARK,

CHESTER ROAD, LONDON

 

It was Spring, the buds had blossomed and the air was clear. The sun shone but was so gently on the skin. An old man knelt on the grassy fields of the Park. Looking around they were not many people, and the few that were there some lay on cloths and others on sun lounges basking in the soft spring sun. It was a bit chilly, but that was British weather for you – it was the best you can get.

"You know, the best part of being a grandpa, is you get to see your grand kids and hand them little critters back. I think I prefer the latter though." He smiled

"I heard that!" A 5-year-old toddler with rosy cheeks shouted. " I'm not a crater." He shot back.

"Would you hand me that cloth?"

The toddler laid a cloth upon the ground in front of the boat lake

He eased his aged frame down sitting on the cloth. The boy laid down, resting his head on old man’s his laps and with those rosy cheeks he said. 

"Tell me the story again. You always told me before bed but I'll fall asleep before you finished. Tell me the whole story again." He toddler begged

He leaned in kissing him on the forehead and then he begun the tale…

 

BLACKWOOD ESTATE

BISHOP AVENUE, LONDON

 

The first time I saw her, it was at a gala, a gathering of big shots from across England in one of the wealthiest families’ estate in England – the Blackwoods. I was in my late twenties. I managed to land a big merger between two huge rival companies.

"Jason, meet the president of Wonder Enterprise, Michael Wong."

There I was standing in front of the man who made this merger seem almost impossible. His famous words were "You're talking nonsense." Literally the man of steel. I had flown multiple times to Beijing, Hong Kong trying to get this man on board.

I remember when in Tokyo I finally managed to secure a full 5 minutes to present my case on the merger - talk about rough- he listened and I waited for his reply. I swear my heart was beating so fast I thought someone slipped something in my black coffee. I waited for his reply – felt like an eternity –  He opened he's mouth "Yo-"

"Please no, not his famous words." I thought to myself.

I ran my hands through my short blonde hair. 

"You've impressed me, I'll be in contact to discuss further details." I almost heard nothing he said. I didn't know if it was the black coffee or his thick Chinese accent.

I've being off black coffee for a while ever since then.

Now the five foot three inches’ man of steel was now right in front of me again with an open countenance, reaching for a hand shake.

We shook hands and exchanged words.

“Good evening sir. I hope you are enjoying yourself” 

“Hello Jason, Of course.  I will be a fool not to attend Blackwood’s extravagant get-togethers.”  

Martin Love, President of NX incorporated – Wonder Enterprises’ rival company- I thought the world would explode but to my surprise they got along. 

exchange pleasantries and walked off in the distance in talk.

“Hello there Michael. How was your trip from Beijing? Martin asked

“It was very pleasant,” Michael replied. “Speaking of which I have a business proposition for you.” 

They both walked off in the distance in talk.

"Good job Jason, see me tomorrow for that promotion." My boss spoke with his soft Scottish accent.

"Yes sir." I smiled. 

 

The whole gala was filled with talks about this successful merger, I could hear my name being brought up in conversations. I was literally the talk of the town. In this case, the whole of England and Europe.

A waiter handed me a glass of wine.

"Can I have a glass of water instead please." He poured me a glass.

“You sure are famous sir.”

"Thank you."

I went to balcony, the moonlight dancing in the night sky. 

Honestly, I just needed a breather. 

I grabbed my chain pendant, a stainless-steel sliver tone dog tag and cross pendant in my hand – it never left my side – bringing it up toward my lips. I was lost in thought, I had been through a lot of hardest moments in my life, only in our weakest moments do we see clearly, but there were humorous moments, I remembered trying to figure out which side does the paper come out from, from the printing machine at my first ever Job as a freelancer. 

This moment was just the first pages to a novel. There was show much in store - great joy and great pain.    

I looked up

"Thank you"

I went back through glass doors back into the gala and as if the whole congregation stopped staring transfixed at the figure coming down those red velvet steps. With each step the whole congregation watched her still transfixed. Her hair bouncing ever so softly, and then we caught each other’s gaze. 

On marble steps under the glimmer of the diamond chandelier, there she was. Her milky skin in an elegant red wine dress, her raven hair falling passed her shoulders. As she grew closer with each step my heart began to race. The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was the one. 

 

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“A dance, my lady?” as I reached out my hands to her.

A loving smile was her response as she placed her soft hands in mine, and in that instant the chamber orchestra began to play and sing as if they waited on us.

She smelled of roses and as we danced – a simple waltz – it was as if it was just us two alone enjoying each other’s company. 

I can vividly remember the song sung:  

 

The flowers fell on that day

Slowly but surely

My mind is filled with thoughts to say

Spring came so fast on that day

Wind, wind bellows

My heart beats

I saw you on that spring day

 

The snow fell on that night

You cloaked in fur

I shivered grasping you tight

My mind filled with you, the light

Snow fell so fast on that day

Snow, snow bellows

My heart beats faster

I fell in love in snowy banter

As you took my heart in England’s Winter.

 

We spoke no words but everything we said was heard.

 

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The song was finished as we stared into each other’s eyes as I held her, the chamber orchestra abruptly stopped as Henry Blackwood, one of England’s richest men and former CEO and now majority shareholder of the company I work for, Wintour International or Wintour for short walked forward. 

He held a microphone in one hand and a wine glass in the other.

“Thank you all for coming, for this is a wonderful celebration,” he spoke in Queen’s English “this merger between NX incorporated and Wonder Enterprise is unheard of and some may say impossible, bridging the gap between Technology and Healthcare leading to unprecedented innovations that will benefit the masses and this beautiful blue planet.” He paused then looked at me, “And all of this was spearheaded by Jason Jarsdel of Wintour International. I see a bright future for you, young man.” He raised his glass towards me and the whole gala applauded. He continued to speak.

When I turned backed, she was gone, vanished.

 

“So, what happened to her grandpa?” the toddler asked.

“She disappeared, I looked around for her throughout the night but she was nowhere to be seen.”

“She’s like Cinderella,” he said with those cute rosy cheeks while smiling. “but she didn’t leave a glass slipper?”

“No” the old man replied, “but…” he said continuing the tale.

 

Leaning on the railings in the balcony a waiter approached me 

“The lady you were dancing with left this behind,” the waiter said to me handing over her possession.

 

“What was it?” the toddler asked.

 

A Mon Chere Diamond Heart Pendant – a diamond set in white gold.