Volume 2: Memories
THE SHERWOOD
SHERWOOD STREET W1, LONDON
Jason lay shirtless in deep sleep, his blond messy hair over his face lying on his chest with a blanket over him. His left arm underneath his pillow and the other, stretched across the bed. The sun rays coming in through the open velvet windows.
His alarm went off, he stretched out his left arm over his smart phone on top of his bedside table grabbing it, bringing it towards his person as the soft cotton blanket slowly slid down his back. His pendant round his neck. His messy wavy blond hair barely covering his blue eyes as he swiped right turning off the alarm and the time became visible.
09:01
He jolted up in his white Calvin Klein boxer briefs.
“I overslept, I overslept” he said continuously as he moved from the bathroom to the wardrobe simultaneously brushing his teeth and putting on his trousers.
He paused, staring at the Mon Chere Diamond Heart Pendant on a wooden dark oak table next to the window – the “glass slipper” – left behind by the raven-haired beauty last night, without thinking he grabbed it placing it inside his front right pocket.
WINTOUR INTERNATIONAL
GREAT WINCHESTER STREET, LONDON
Wintour International, UK largest professional services company, 41 stories, 180-metre-tall glass building.
Embracing folders filled with work related documents Jason road the elevator to the 38th floor. His slim muscular build in a Harrod suit.
The folders fell as Jason struggled to hold on, the elevator doors opened as Jason knelt down quickly trying to pick up the folders.
“Jason!”
Jason looked up with folders in hand getting on his feet to see his boss, Diarmid Smith.
“I know, I know, I’m late,” he continued, “My alarm rung late, and, and,” he shuttered.
“Jason! My boy, you’re on holiday, I gave you the week off, after the great feat you accomplished, it is much deserved. I told you at the gala last night when the event was closing.”
Jason pushed the arched bridge of the John Lennon thin round metal framed glasses adjusting it clearly embarrassed as he recalled that moment.
“Enjoy your holiday.” His boss smiled
Diarmid reached into the elevator pressing the ground floor button.
“Oh! And will talk about your promotion after you’re back all refreshed my boy.” He grinned as the elevator doors closed shut.
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THE KLMA MUSIC STUDIOS
MARYLEBONE LANE
LONDON
My closest friend Jeremy Rose, a curly black-haired heartthrob was recording a song for a new album, his previous album went double platinum, it was an instant hit. His been busy ever since his career skyrocketed – “busy” is an understatement here. Anyway, I was in the room next door, he always lets me use this room to play my violin while he records, and I actually played my violin for him on one of the songs for this upcoming album.
Jeremy shoots into the room with his usually bubbly expressions.
His slim muscular build in a denim folded sleeve shirt tucked in his chinos capped off with boots and his smile that makes the women’s heart swoon.
“Yeah bro!” he said giving me the biggest hug then looked at what I was wearing – a simple cashmere sweater, chinos and some formal suede shoes.
“Looking good bro!”
Then looking me dead in the eye. “Sorry I couldn’t make it to the gala for your big celebration, I’ve been so busy bro.”
“It’s okay, it’s fine, I understand”
We both sat down on the wooden oak floors and continued
“So how did it go?”
“Really well…”
“There’s something you’re not telling me Jason.” He said with an analysing expression.
“There was this lady in a red dress.”
So, I told Jeremy, the story of the lady in the red dress.
“So, all she left was the pendant?” Jeremy asked.
I nodded.
“Ok I’ll have my people look into it and find--“
“No Jeremy, it’s fine.”
“Alright bro, if you say so. Got any plans for next week?”
“Nah, my boss gave me the week off.”
“That’s great!” he smiled. “Come over to the O2 arena, there’s a concert there performed by all the big and upcoming artists including yours truly.” He grinned.
“And be suffocated by the sometimes-lunatic fans, no thanks.”
“I still remember the time backstage, a fan somehow evaded the security guards, full speed at me, and they knocked you out of the way. You landed hard on the ground and was out cold.” Jeremy paused recollecting that moment. “Good times, good times.”
We chuckled.
“Look at you, the man that ended the feud between NX Incorporated and Wonder Enterprises, and now Henry Blackwood, one of England’s wealthiest business men has you in his sights.”
He then brought out a folded Forbes magazine from this back pocket.
“And now Forbes most influential men,” pointing to a page in the magazine with my full body picture they had taken during a photoshoot.
“And look at you, Grammy nominated, award winning breakout artist.” I then brought out a Vogue magazine. “Now on the cover of the latest issue of Vogue magazine.”
We looked at each other for a moment then broke out in laughter, lying on the dark oaked floor next to each other.
“We’ve been through a lot, but we’ve come a long way bro” he said staring at the ceiling
“Yeah.” I replied.
Deep in thought, as we laid on the oaked floors, I couldn’t help but remember our time at University, laying on the freshly cut grass as we joked and laughed. Jeremy was the opposite of me, blusterous, outgoing and had a certain charm to him. Laying on the grass we made a promise…
Back then we were three…
“How’s Oliver doing?” I asked.
“The doctors said he’s doing better and might be out of the hospital in the coming months.”
Before I knew it, Jeremy placed a gift wrapped rectangular box on the floor next to me.
He gestured to me to see what it was, I sat up tearing the wrappings and, in my hands, was an acoustic guitar with a high quality antique finish.
“He would have… “he paused “keep playing” he smiled.
Looking back at Jeremy I replied with a simple “Yeah…”
Jeremys beeper went off.
“It seems they want me back. We’ll talk later okay.” He said punching in numbers to the keypad next to the door.
He opened it, looking back at me, “Love you bro,” he winked.
“Love you too.” I replied then he left.
Placing the guitar back into its box I noticed that Jeremy had inscribed my initials “JJ” on it
WELLINGTON HOSPTIAL SOUTH BLDG
8A WELLINGTON PLACE
LONDON
“Mr Jarsdel! Mr Jarsdel!” a nurse said as she tried to get the olds man attention.
“Oh, I’m sorry.”
“You drifted off when you were telling me about your friend. You seemed peaceful, must have been a good memory” the nurse smiled as she took his blood pressure.
“Yes,” he paused “it was” he smiled.
“Thank you sir, we have your details in the system, and we’ll send you the results when they are ready and contact you if need be.” The lady behind the reception desk said. “Have a wonderful day, Mr Jarsdel” she smiled.
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05/22/2020 282016
