Chapter 29: ZaraTrue

She held her brand opening at the park that overlooked the Manhattan River boarded by a balustrade.

The glass and gold painted chairs were orderly arranged as though it were a wedding. Tall, block letters with balloons loomed above ZARA TRUE.

There were displays of her previous work. The green dress with a dramatic flair at the sides which she wore at Nat’s Ball.

There was also the white dress with rows of pearls neatly sewn into the collar region.

She wore a simple plain white dress that had fluffy flower curls at the tail, lightly gracing the floor as she walked. She looked like royalty.

Zara bloomed with a tall wine glass among greeting, complementing visitors.

“Congratulations” it came from her old friend at the club, Zoey.

“Thank you” she said

“Damn! you look good”

Zara flared her hair to the side and blushed. Her face, painted with heavy foundation and a charming seductive red lipstick.

“You really cleaned up, didn’t you” Zoey said

“Leaving the club to start this. It can only be God”

“Thanks Zoey”

“How about Keisha and Body. They still be doing their things her tone was a lilt of mockery

“Of course yes, like the have anything better. Those lame ass local champions” Zara said as they clinked their glasses and laughed.

Scott appeared out of the blue.

“Zara!” he called out.

“Excuse me” she left Zoey.

She was startled.

“Hey! sexy?” he said.

She looked round to see if any was watching, then widened her eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“Here for the obvious reasons. To see that beautiful face and tap that ass again. He rubbed his palms and licked his lips. His dark shades and ice tooth grill, and his tattooed hands made him look like a trap star.

She turned away from him, heavily irritated. Then turned back.

“Who invited you here? I don’t remember telling you anything about my launch or giving you a card, did I?”

“Who needs an invite for Scott Garrison”

“Okay, bye. You better behave yourself”

She hissed and wondered how she had crossed paths with this deranged animal.  

Now, there was a police officer that was requesting to see the host. A bald headed man with a Walkie-talkie on his uniformed pocket. He was grinning now.

“I’m sorry but your times up” he said to Zara.

“Time up?”

“This is a public location. You barricaded entrance to citizens so you can have your events for 2 hours as we agreed. It’s been exhausted”

Zara had forgotten she had a time limit. She was too busy swirled by the wine and carried away by the chatter of guest and their compliments. She should have held it at an inside space but she wanted the view of nature, her knack for the riverside buoyed her choice.

“Please can you extend it” she humbly beckoned on him”

“I’m sorry” he said. “I can’t”

“You might have to start leaving now”. Then came, Nat Wolfe. He looked dapper in a suit and hat.

“What’s happening?” he burst into their conversation. He saw her distressed face before the police officer.

“Ah! a good day to see you Sir. The grinning office suddenly melted into a smiley faced man at recognizing him. Pleasure to meet you”

“Same here” He shook hands.

Zara, excuse us please. He talked to him for a while until they reached an agreement.

“Two more hours max” they settled and agreed..

Zara was helplessly grateful.

She felt turned on sensually and emotionally. It wasn’t just his action that moved her. It was something else: Power. Naked power like Dracula.

Nat Wolfe was indeed a Wolf. The man who would burn bridges in her part and clear the roadblocks for her.

“Nat, thank you”

He brushed it off.

“Anytime. It’s nothing”

“I suppose you should begin right away. Get the times worth”

Her eyes lingered on him for a suspended second of gazing.

“Go on!” he beckoned on her. She was swept aloft by him.

And so, she mounted the podium and began her speech. She shared her history how she lost her parents when she was just young and her motivation for the brand. It was a heartfelt message. The audience was nearly moved to tears, clapping and smiling with hands on their chest.

“Okay, it’s now time for a crucial part of the afternoon. Donations. If you have any I’d like you to identify”

“I’d like to make a donation” came Nat.  

“Please accept this simple cheque of $500,000 dollars”

The audience roared in applause, charged with admiration. Some raised their phone to capture the moment. He walked up the stage up to the podium. They looked at him in awe.

Some recognized him and the began talking.

Zara humbly took it. Voila! he had won her heart, again and again.

“Thank you” she said, trying her best to hide her emotions.

“Okay, now please go on and enjoy the rest of the day”.

She met Nat afterwards. The sun had gone down,  the air was cooler now and the rental company had taken back their decor and their chains.

“Hey! Zara. I’m sorry” he said right away.

“I was going to tell you. I just didn’t want to ruin the connection I felt with you. What we have, it’s real. I don’t want to loose you for anything” he said doleful and pitiful.

“Nonsense”. She gave a frown and turned towards the river and held her hands on the balustrade. She saw her reflection ripple in the water.

He dropped to his knees.

“What are you doing?”

“I wanna propose to you” he said.

She mopped at him like a stature.

He laughed. “Okay, I’m kidding. Not just yet”

She took a deep breath.

“I know I have caused you terrible pain, made you feel lethargic but I swear I  would never do that again”.

He spoke English using words like “lethargy” and “terrible pain” to convince her. But beneath the smooth talk was a sincerity that was undeniable. He was truly sorry.

“What about your ex, Nina or whatever her name is?”  

“Don’t worry about her. Like I said she’s just the mother to my son. No strings attached. She can be crazy at times but it’s nothing serious or to worry about”

“I’m sorry”

He took a step closer hoping for a hug and when she didn’t retract, he folded her into his arms.

She inhaled his perfume: a dark Oud Wood and Cedar scent. It smelt woody and expensive. She imagined the bottle case; expensive glass, a dramatic cover, the logo coated in gold, engraved with the name of the brand company.

Still on his arms, then as if on cue, the sun began to rise. Tremendous light sparkled over the thousand daffodils clustered around them. Golden daffodils in the sun. Everything glowed.

“I love you, Nat” she said on impulse.

“I confess I slept with someone. I was ruined by what happened. I did what was almost abominable”

“I understand” she said.

“I went out on dates with a few men but none of them could take your place. Colonize me, Nat” she whispered softly.

“I don’t wanna ever leave. What was I even thinking?”

“Don’t ever leave me again” he said too.

She took a deep breath. “Only on one condition”

“What?”

“Never betray my trust again”

“You have my word” Nat declared.

They shared a kiss, he led her to his Lamborghini, orange with falcon winged doors and drove the way into a new dawn.