CHAPTER II
After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, but actually only about 15 minutes have passed, her cell phone rang. It was Lyn Johnson, the business partner she has been waiting for, calling to say she was sorry she couldn't make it because her 4-year old son was running a high fever. She and Lyn Johnson met 4 years ago at an art exhibit near the beach's boardwalk. Lyn was one of the artists featured and she was admiring one of Lyn's artwork that was made from charcoal. She did not know that she was already talking to the artist herself. After the showing was over, Lyn invited her to talk some more over a cup of coffee. Because of the things they have in common, the bonding was immediate and from there a close friendship blossomed. Since they both share a passion for the arts, they decided to venture into a graphics design business. Now 3 years into their business, Central Graphic & Design Studio (or CGD) is the leading graphic design agency on the island and other neighboring islands in The Bahamas.
Knowing that she couldn't start on this current project without first discussing it with Lyn, she decided to head down to the beach and finish one of her other hobbies.
On the side, in order to fill her time, she often does sketches, mostly of landscapes and seascapes. But now her hobby became another source of income for her. For some select clients, she also does portraits but she never meets her clients face to face. She kept a low profile despite her success. It has been their standing policy that Lyn would be in the forefront - dealing and negotiating with the clients, while she would do most of the backroom and graphic design work. This policy also holds true when she does sketches and portraits. The clients would deal with Lyn, leave a photograph and receive the finished product without ever having to see the artist. Even with her works of arts she does not sign her name, she just marks them at the bottom with a bold and flowing TLS.
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On the beach with still around 2 hours to spare before it becomes dark, she removes her sandals and armed with her sketchpads, pencils and other art materials she settles comfortably on the sand. Taking it all in - the fresh air, the calm blue waters of the ocean, the fading orange sun, the quiet beach and the lush greeneries in the surrounding islands - she starts sketching. She was so engrossed in her work that she did not notice the man looking down on the beach from the bar's terrace only a stone's throw away.
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Stiles was also deep in thought nursing his 2nd beer. But not too deep not to notice the gorgeous lady, with the cinnamon brown hair wearing the blue & yellow dress that showed her body to full advantage, passing by the bar towards the stairs leading to the beach. What red-blooded man wouldn't? Even if he only got a glimpse of her back and a sniff of her subtle but intoxicating perfume, he could tell that she had a beautiful face to match her equally stunning body. She walked with such grace and confidence that she could easily ... shaking his head as if to clear his mind.
If he did not know any better, the texture of her hair, the way she walked, the way her hips swayed, even the way she touched her hair, she could easily pass for Terri. 'Hmmmm, Terri, damn it', he thought to himself. Why after all these years could he still not forget Terri? She has ruined him for other women. No woman could hold a candle over Terri. Why could he still not shake the feeling that Terri was alive and well? Without any second thought, he paid for his drinks and followed her outside.
When he saw that she was headed to the beach, he decided to just observe her first from the bar's terrace which had an excellent view of the beach. He did not want to scare the lady or act as if he was hitting on her. As a covert agent he had been trained to be invisible, to watch without being seen and to know his prey before going for the kill. She piqued his curiosity. He needed a distraction. Getting to know his mystery lady was going to be his next mission. And that brought a smile to his face, something he hasn't done for a long time. For once, this 4-weeks forced hiatus did not look so bad, not bad at all! Little did he know that this mission would be his most perilous because it will involve his heart.
After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, but actually only about 15 minutes have passed, her cell phone rang. It was Lyn Johnson, the business partner she has been waiting for, calling to say she was sorry she couldn't make it because her 4-year old son was running a high fever. She and Lyn Johnson met 4 years ago at an art exhibit near the beach's boardwalk. Lyn was one of the artists featured and she was admiring one of Lyn's artwork that was made from charcoal. She did not know that she was already talking to the artist herself. After the showing was over, Lyn invited her to talk some more over a cup of coffee. Because of the things they have in common, the bonding was immediate and from there a close friendship blossomed. Since they both share a passion for the arts, they decided to venture into a graphics design business. Now 3 years into their business, Central Graphic & Design Studio (or CGD) is the leading graphic design agency on the island and other neighboring islands in The Bahamas.
Knowing that she couldn't start on this current project without first discussing it with Lyn, she decided to head down to the beach and finish one of her other hobbies.
On the side, in order to fill her time, she often does sketches, mostly of landscapes and seascapes. But now her hobby became another source of income for her. For some select clients, she also does portraits but she never meets her clients face to face. She kept a low profile despite her success. It has been their standing policy that Lyn would be in the forefront - dealing and negotiating with the clients, while she would do most of the backroom and graphic design work. This policy also holds true when she does sketches and portraits. The clients would deal with Lyn, leave a photograph and receive the finished product without ever having to see the artist. Even with her works of arts she does not sign her name, she just marks them at the bottom with a bold and flowing TLS.
=================
On the beach with still around 2 hours to spare before it becomes dark, she removes her sandals and armed with her sketchpads, pencils and other art materials she settles comfortably on the sand. Taking it all in - the fresh air, the calm blue waters of the ocean, the fading orange sun, the quiet beach and the lush greeneries in the surrounding islands - she starts sketching. She was so engrossed in her work that she did not notice the man looking down on the beach from the bar's terrace only a stone's throw away.
===============
Stiles was also deep in thought nursing his 2nd beer. But not too deep not to notice the gorgeous lady, with the cinnamon brown hair wearing the blue & yellow dress that showed her body to full advantage, passing by the bar towards the stairs leading to the beach. What red-blooded man wouldn't? Even if he only got a glimpse of her back and a sniff of her subtle but intoxicating perfume, he could tell that she had a beautiful face to match her equally stunning body. She walked with such grace and confidence that she could easily ... shaking his head as if to clear his mind.
If he did not know any better, the texture of her hair, the way she walked, the way her hips swayed, even the way she touched her hair, she could easily pass for Terri. 'Hmmmm, Terri, damn it', he thought to himself. Why after all these years could he still not forget Terri? She has ruined him for other women. No woman could hold a candle over Terri. Why could he still not shake the feeling that Terri was alive and well? Without any second thought, he paid for his drinks and followed her outside.
When he saw that she was headed to the beach, he decided to just observe her first from the bar's terrace which had an excellent view of the beach. He did not want to scare the lady or act as if he was hitting on her. As a covert agent he had been trained to be invisible, to watch without being seen and to know his prey before going for the kill. She piqued his curiosity. He needed a distraction. Getting to know his mystery lady was going to be his next mission. And that brought a smile to his face, something he hasn't done for a long time. For once, this 4-weeks forced hiatus did not look so bad, not bad at all! Little did he know that this mission would be his most perilous because it will involve his heart.