Author's Note: I'm back! Yeah, it's been a long time, but after writer's block and actually experiencing love and loss, I'm back. Enjoy! Also, I forget what month I'm placing this story in, so I'll just go with late summer.

A Week Later

The mountain of papers covering Christian's desk seemed insurmountable. As soon as one was looked over, another one seemed to appear out of thin air. Removing his spectacles, Christian rubbed his weary eyes and stole a glance at the clock on the wall. He'd been working non-stop for the past five hours, and the afternoon sun peaked happily through a break in the heavy velvet curtains of his study. He spent most of his time in this room, mostly to escape his wife, but also to lose himself in the life he left behind. He often found himself sifting through the box that contained his most treasured items from his stint in Paris.
Christian's gaze slowly drifted over to the safe that contained the box of memories to which only he held the key to. Reaching into his pocket, he began to withdraw the key from it when a loud bang on the study door straightened his posture and forced him to get up.

One of the new housemaids, a petite young thing, was standing on the other side, and her face burned with embarrassment when Christian abruptly opened the door. With a curtsey and a mumble of "Excuse me sir, this is for you," she handed him an envelope and then walked away. Turning the envelope in his hand, Christian closed the door, locked it, and tossed the envelope on a nearby chair, telling himself that it was another bill and he'd get to it later.

Shaking his head, Christian removed the key to the safe from his pocket, took a deep breath, and stared at it. He had been cooped up in this room for too long without a break, and although he wanted nothing more than to dive into the world of feathers, sequins, and his true love, he convinced himself that fresh air was most important at that time. Shoving the key back into his pocket, he grabbed his hat off of the corner of his desk and headed for the expansive yard behind his house.

Meanwhile, somewhere not too far away…

Satine's carriage pulled up to a posh hotel in the heart of London, and she exited swiftly and stood in awe of the city. Her last visit to the city had been short, a short stop between France and New York City, and before any of the pedestrians walking by could recognize her internationally famous face, she floated into the hotel and was in her room before too long.
Unpacking, her hand brushed against a blank sheet of parchment paper, sending her back to just days before when she had written what was the hardest letter of her life. Every step from her stateroom to the telegraph station on the ship felt heavier than the last, but once the task was over with, all she could do was wait.

Sitting on her bed and brushing out her luscious red curls, Satine breathed deeply and peaked at her suitcase that contained the outfit she would wear that day. It was simple enough – a rich blue dress that accentuated her curves and complimented her hair and eyes, but she could only hope it would serve its purpose of making her upcoming meeting one that neither party would ever forget. Rising from the bed, she began to change, and not long after was down in the lobby, waiting for her transportation to the cafe where her telegraph had indicated she would be at for the remainder of the day. Heaviness in her heart, she gazed longingly out of the lobby window, hoping that the message had been delivered.

Arms outstretched and his eyes closed, Christian stepped out into the welcome sunlight and breathed in deeply, taking in the scent of the blossoming flowers in the garden. It had been far too long since he had truly appreciated the sunlight, and he had not acknowledged it since the death of his beloved. Shuddering, he thought back to the numerous times the sunlight would pour into his room as he held Satine in his arms, stroking her porcelain skin and kissing her forehead and never wanting to let go. A tear rolled down his cheek, rivers of fiery pain ran through his veins, and he turned back to go into the house. With a sigh, he locked himself in his study and retrieved the envelope he had discarded not too long ago. Opening it, he gasped but continued to read every word.

"My dearest Christian, it has been far too long that you have gone without knowing the truth. I'm not trying to trick you or anything. I promised to love you until my dying day, and since that time has not come yet, I am sticking to that promise. If you would meet me at the Tudor Café on August 12, I will be there all day waiting to tell you the truth. Yours truly, Satine."

Back at the café, Satine sat in the middle of the room, quietly sipping a cup of tea and watching the other patrons. She was willing to wait a lifetime for him, and was ready to explain her world to him…
"Maybe I've been away too long," she thought to herself, "I know I'm not always right but that's wrong."
Sighing, she stirred her tea and took another sip. "They say there's nothing I can do, but talk to strangers and wait for you."

… To be Continued

Song credits: "Please Don't Die" by Robbie Williams