The Encounter

Everyone wondered what Henry saw in Isabella. An average girl with a carefree attitude.

Many may not necessarily consider her as drop dead gorgeous but there always seemed to be a some pleasantness about her facial structure.

Let's say she could be very beautiful on the days she decides to give two hoots about her appearance.

Isabella, who most people refer to as Bella, never considered herself even average among the girls.

This is probably why she lived her life in her own little bubble, finding happiness in things like nature and her wild imagination.

But when Henry Steven-one of LA's most successful businessmen- fell in love with this "simple" woman, people in her small town of Spring Lake Jersey couldn't accept that it was the real thing.

In fact, rumor has it that she had returned to her birth country Nigeria, and cast some kind of spell on this man.

You know what I'm talking about? Those foul smelling, bush boiling, chicken beheading, I write your name on parchment paper kind of spells.

People eventually found out later, that this was not why Henry fancied her.

You see...Henry and Isabella met during a marketing conference in Newark and because of her low self-esteem; she always kept to her end at social gatherings. Yes. Even at church.

"Why are you standing here alone?", she heard this deep voice whisper as she leaned against the entrance door of the conference room, watching everyone on the dance floor having fun that evening.

"Talking to me?", Isabella replied hesitating.

"Who else could I be speaking too", he replied, saying "I am Henry".

His tall slender figure made him look so astute in that black suit he wore that night.

Dark eyes, dark straight hair, light skin and just so handsome.

A man like that would never look upon a girl like me twice, she thought. But to her surprise he kept on looking at her.

For a moment she felt awkward in a good way. A feeling that Bella don't recall having for a very long time.

"Care to share a dance? he asked softly. Her mind screamed no way but her lips said "yessss".

Henry held Isabella's soft but firm hands and walked her down the dance floor.

All the time she was pinching her thigh.

The closest thing to reality was that she thought this moment was a dream. An unrealistic dream.

She quickly pinched herself again and the pain made her twitch her mouth.

Bella could feel eyes piercing her back, as Henry held her close and danced with her slowly.

Silly woman couldn't recall what song was actually playing, as she had lost all senses that very moment.

He danced with her like he knew her. Like they were an item from long ago. The smell of his cologne made her bury her head in his shoulders.

It was a masculine cologne but very mesmerizing. And like a dog she just kept sniffing the man's shoulder.

"So, tell me a little about yourself", he whispered softly.

She didn't reply. Instead, Bella just wanted to enjoy every moment of this dance; a dance she knew would most likely end very soon.

Applauds from the audience slapped Bella back to reality.

They were cheering at the live band.

It didn't take long for the stranger to let Bella go.

Bowing slowly and kissing her hands, "Thank you", he said, "maybe you can tell me your name now".

She smiled and said "Isabella".

He said "nice to meet you Isabella?".

"Isabella Blake...that's my name but people call me Bella for short", she said nervously

He leaned over and kissed her cheek softly before saying "thank you for the dance...see you around".

He left without saying a word and vanished in the crowd. "What on earth was that?.

She looked around for minutes to see if he would return but he never did.

About almost an hour later, Isabella left the social event taking a taxi back to her hotel.

She was on the first flight to Spring Lake the following morning so she didn't have much time and as she jumped into the big yellow taxi, she kept replaying the dance in her mind. Over and over and over.

Even though she may never see this man again, the 2 minutes 15 seconds dance (yes, she was clocking), was enough to last a lifetime.

Her imagination went wild. Who was this man? Oh, I could have had this dance forever. Hey....a girl can dream.

The next morning, Bella was packing her bags to get ready to head to the airport.

She was disappointed that her night in Newark was ending.

If she had her way she would go around the city and find that mysterious man.

She laughed at herself for being such a stupid woman.

On the flight back to Jersey, she closed her eyes and danced with Henry so many times. How pathetic!

************************************************

It was 7:45 a.m on Monday and for some reason Bella didn't hear the alarm clock go off.

Too much dreaming about Henry I guess.

She was definitely going to be late for work.

She is a marketing agent for Runaway, an major real estate enterprise.

Isabella loved her job and today of all days she could not be late because the staff were expected to be introduced to the new Chief Executive Officer.

Everyone was nervous and prayed that this person would be as kind and compassionate as their previous boss who passed away two months ago from an underlying condition.

Bella jumped into the shower, put on the only pair of trousers that looked professional and a blouse that didn't need pressing.

She threw a jacket over her, pulling her hair in a poly tail, grabbing her bags and car keys. Bella was rushing because she was late.

The traffic to work was ridiculous... 8:12 a.m. she clocked in.

Everyone looked sharp. Awaiting the new C.EO.

When the previous owner died the company was sold to a wealthy businessman who had chains all over the US.

Bella was nervous because she would have to be working alongside whoever was taking over the new position.

"I bet he looks like a big bad wolf with a hefty pot belly", Gem giggled, while others in the cubicle shook their heads at her negative comments.

Gem is always like that. Always negative!

"Everyone, make your way to the conference room, the new CEO is already there waiting to be introduced to the new staff," Mrs. Dominque, the acting Director of Runway Corporations said.

Most of the staff were already seated when the last five of them including Bella walked in.

Bella was almost out of breath. That's what you get for not taking the elevator.

She was into this counting steps craze, although she never lost one pound from doing it.

As she walked closer to the doorway, a familiar smell clouded the area.

The smell of her mystery man. The smell of his perfume.

She thought at first that her mind was still in replay mode like it had been for the past several hours.

But when she entered the room, crowded with Runway staff, there he was.

Sitting in the CEO's chair, looking so smart. What on earth?

He glanced at Isabella showing no emotion.

He pretended like he had never seen her before.

She looked back and immediately felt like fainting.

But she folded her arms and stood for a second looking at him with total and complete surprise.

She was expecting him so say hello or give her even a nod, but he said nothing.

"This is Mr. Henry Steven ", the new CEO of Runaway. He has worked all over the world and his expertise in this line of business is second to none", Mrs. Dominique said during her introduction.

The entire room went blur. Bella could see mouths moving but she couldn't hear or understand anything.

"Are there any questions for Mr. Steven?", Mrs. Dominique asked.

When Bella checked the clock over 20 minutes had passed but it was as if she wasn't there.

Several of the other employees asked questions. Bella didn't'... well couldn't ask any questions.

Poor young woman was in a daze and lost all hearing ability.

"Isabella...Isabella....Earth to Isabela," Gem kicked her under the table.

"Wake up woman...You didn't ask any questions. You look dumb", she said in her usual obnoxious voice.

As for Bella, she just wanted this meeting to be over. She wanted to go into the bathroom and cry.

Everyone was getting up from their seats and Bella followed.

This man never even said hello to her.

What kind of person is that? Now he is the new CEO and she must pretend that she doesn't know him.

Like their encounter didn't matter. Or never happened

When the staff returned to their little office spaces, everyone was gossiping about how handsome the new CEO was and how he smelled really nice and all the nonsense women say about men.

They noticed that he was wearing a ring. Bella didn't notice that two nights ago.

"What a womanizer" she thought, biting her bottom lip.

Bella's office phone rang and it was Mrs. Dominique.

"The new CEO would like to speak with you", Mrs. Dominique said, not leaving any time for her to reply before handing up.

Bella fixed her hair. Straighten up her blouse and took the elevator unto the third floor where his office was situated.

With anxiety in her eyes, she knocked the door and Mrs. Dominique opened, leaving the room to Bella and the new boss only.

"Good afternoon Mr. Steven", Bella said with sweaty hands and a heartbeat so fast that she thought it was visible through her chest.

Whenever Bella gets nervous she folds her arms.

So she pretended to be all professional avoiding the fact that she was hurt by the earlier encounter.

"Ms Blake, nice to meet you again", he said emotionless.

"I need you to prepare a marketing strategy for the promotion of a new product we are going to launch," he said while handing over a thick file.

"That would be all", he said in a cold manner and buried his head in some documents on his desk.

For a moment Bella stood still, not knowing what to do or think.

She was shaking like a leaf in the wind. He raised his head and asked "Is there anything else?".

Gulping down saliva, a shaken-up Bella replied pitifully "no sir. No... nothing else". She walked away shamefully. Disdained.

Tears built up in the corner of her eyes. She had to remind herself that she was not average.

Far from it. Just a silly girl that no man would ever take seriously.

Henry stood up and looked as she walked away.