The Eyes Have It

Chapter Two – That Laugh

A few days later, John was touring University Hospital. He had been asked to become a member of the Board after he made a very large donation for the new Children's Wing. John knew that Marlena worked at the Hospital and he was hoping to bump into her. He wanted to see if she was really as beautiful as he remembered. So even though he was running late for the board meeting, he made a point of walking by her office but unfortunately she wasn't in.

John entered the board room and was surprised to see Marlena standing at the head of the table speaking to the Board members. John apologized and quickly took a seat. She gave him an irritated look and continued speaking. She was talking about the importance of the new Abused Children's Center and about the funds that they needed. She was quite animated and obviously very passionate about the subject. John enjoyed seeing her like this…. actually interested in what she was talking about and yes, he decided, she was as beautiful as he remembered, even more so. Her blonde hair was down and framed her face, that beautiful perfect face that he remembered. She was wearing a black jacket with white trim and a matching skirt. She looked very elegant and professional, but sexy as hell. "How does she do that?" John thought to himself. Most of the women he knew were either one or the other. They were either professional business women in suits or attractive sexy models, but very few of them had been able to pull off both and none at the same time.

After the meeting, John approached Marlena and complimented her on her impassioned plea for the Children's Center. He let her know that he was quite moved by what she had to say.

"Thank you Mr. Black," she replied without really looking at him.

She gathered up her files and then said "I didn't realize you were a member of the Board." She looked at him with that cold, professional look again. She had reverted back to the closed, hard woman from the other night.

"I was asked to join after my rather sizable donation for the new Children's Wing." John informed her.

"You are very generous I'm sure," Marlena replied rather coldly. There it was….trying to impress her with his money. She was so tired of men like this.

"I enjoy helping where I can, Dr. Evans," John answered. Wondering what the hell he had done to piss her off.

"I'm sure the hospital greatly appreciates your contributions. Good afternoon," and with that, Marlena picked up her briefcase and walked out.

"Man, what is wrong with that woman?" thought John. "What happened to that animated, passionate woman that I just saw speaking about the needs of the abused children?"

John was now more determined than ever to break through that cold wall surrounding Dr. Marlena Evans.

Marlena returned to her office. She was fuming that no one had told her about John Black joining the Board. He was the last person she expected or wanted to see. She hadn't been able to stop thinking about him and his damn blue eyes ever since she met him at the Penthouse Grill and that was annoying her to no end. Now today, he had to walk in when she was speaking about a subject close to her heart and she became so nervous and flustered that she didn't even know what she was saying.

"Damn it Marlena," she said to herself under her breath. "Get over it. He may be handsome, but he's just like all the rest, bragging about his sizable donation today, trying to impress you. He just wants to make a conquest, like all the others."

Marlena tried to forget about John Black and busied herself by diving into her patient files. She had been falling behind on her paperwork ever since she took on the Children's Abuse Center project. Marlena worked for several hours and was happy with the progress she had made. She looked at her watch and realized that it was almost dinner time. She was meeting some of her friends at Blondie's. She was looking forward to this evening. She was dining with her old friends Eugene & Calliope. They were crazy and hysterical and she loved them dearly. They had known her for years and had seen her through a lot of difficult times. She packed up her briefcase and locked up her office and then headed straight over to Blondie's.

John was on his way home after work and decided to stop into one of the local nightclubs for a drink. He was still checking out Salem and getting to know the various hot spots. Several people had told him to check out Blondie's so since it was on the way home, he thought he'd try it out. When he walked in, he was pleasantly surprised. The place was very elegant. There was a spacious foyer which led into a large dining area with a small dance floor and over to the right was a good sized cocktail lounge with a view of the dining room. John walked into the lounge and took a seat at the bar. He ordered a drink and just sat and watched the people coming and going. He decided that he would definitely come here for dinner on another night, maybe even with Marlena if he could ever get her to actually talk to him.

As he was sitting, enjoying his drink, listening to parts of various conversations going on around him, he heard a very distinct laugh. Someone was having a very good time and their laugh was contagious. It made him smile just to hear it. He turned towards the dining room to see who was having so much fun and he couldn't believe his eyes. Sitting at a table in the middle of the room, with two people that he didn't recognize was none other than Marlena. All three of them were laughing and talking and obviously having a wonderful time. He loved Marlena's laugh. It was captivating. He couldn't believe that this was the same woman who had been so rude to him just this afternoon. For a brief moment John actually considered walking up to her table, but then decided against it. He was pretty sure that she had no desire to see him tonight. John finished his drink and walked out of the restaurant before Marlena could see him. He drove home and wondered the whole way how he was going to get this side of Marlena to come out for him.

That night John dreamed about Marlena. He dreamed that they were having dinner at Blondie's and that he was the one sitting at the table making her laugh that infectious laugh. Then after they ate, they began to dance. He was holding her close. He could feel her body next to his and her breath hitting his neck. He looked into her face and then down at her luscious lips. He began to move his mouth closer. He was just about to place his mouth on hers when….his alarm went off.