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"Chapter Nine: Happy Ending?"
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Ring.....ring.....ring.....
"Starwind and Hawking Enterprises, this is James Hawking speaking. How can I help you?"
The sun shone brightly over Sentinel III, it's rays illuminating the spacious building. Three floors, the first was for the office, while the top two were apartments. Jim and Hilda had found the place on a tip from Fred Lowe, and after a few payments, it was their's. And business had been booming. Jim suspected that it was because Hilda was the one who did all the advertising. Apparently, the people on Sentinel III were more inclined to hire a woman.
It had been almost two years since Hilda's visit to the Leiline. Things had returned more or less to normal. They didn't travel space as much as they used to, but now that Hilda had more or less settled down, the outlaw life didn't seem to be of too much interest to her anymore.
"Missing person? Yes, we can do that. Just give me some of the particulars."
The office was well furnished and comfortable. It held two maroon sofas and a wide screen, wall television. There was a small counter on the other side of the office, where coffee stood fresh, and a basket of fresh bagels sat.
"That'll be three thousand wong. All right, thank you very much." Jim took the piece of paper that he had written on and shoved it in his pocket, then left a small note for Hilda. Aisha and Hilda wouldn't be back for a couple of hours. Women and shopping, I'll never figure it out, thought Jim, rolling his eyes. He grabbed his coat and ran out, locking the door behind him.
Z
A few hours later, Hilda unlocked the door and stepped in, happy for a chance to drop her bags. She hung her jacket on the rack and collapsed on the couch, a sigh of blissful relief escaping her lips. Shopping was hard work.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Hilda moaned. Not now! With an annoyed grunt, she pushed herself to her feet and walked to the door, hoping she looked more presentable than she felt. She hated making a bad impression on a customer. She grabbed the door knob and pulled the door open, putting on her best smile. "Starwind and Hawking, how may I help you...?"
There was no one there. She glanced down and saw a bouquet of red roses, with a small envelope on it, bearing Hilda's name. She stepped out onto the street and glanced down both ways. It was empty. No one there. Still glancing around suspiciously, she picked up the flowers and envelope, stepping inside quickly and slamming the door behind her.
She laid the flowers on the counter and examined the card. It seemed innocent enough. "It doesn't look like anything dangerous." She opened the envelope and slipped the card out slowly. She read the contents of the card aloud, even though there was no one to hear her. "Hilda, meet me at the Starlight Restaurant at eight o'clock. Come alone, and dress nicely. It is a special occasion. Signed, a grateful and secret admirer." She tossed the
card down on the counter and lifted the roses, smelling them. "A 'grateful and secret admirer' huh?" A slow smile slipped across her features as her eyes traveled to the bags she had dropped near the door. "I'm glad I went shopping."
Z
Hilda sat in the fancy restaurant, feeling a bit out of place. She had pulled her crimson hair back in a ponytail at the nape of her neck, and it reached to the middle of her back. She was dressed in a newly bought black dress. It was sleeveless, and a bit short, belling out at the bottom. Her shoes were also new, a pair of two inch heels with straps that went around the ankle.
She nervously crossed her ankles as she glanced around, hoping to get a glimpse of whoever might have sent the note. It seemed though, that every guy there had a date. Hilda sighed softly and ordered another drink for herself as she watched the couples dance. The Starlight Restaurant was a notorious couples spot for dinner, dancing, and later on, well there were rooms to rent, so inferring what else went on wasn't hard.
She checked her watch, then glanced around again. It was eight twenty. Where was that guy? She was beginning to think the guy wouldn't show. "It's probably some stupid trick that Jim is playing," she murmured to herself as the waiter brought her drink. She sipped idly from the wine glass and watched the couples dance.
"I'm sorry I'm late," said a voice from behind her.
Without turning around, she knew who it was. "Why are you here?" she asked, in a cold voice. She kept her frame rigid as she spoke.
Harry McDougall walked around and sat across from her, offering her a single pink rose. He placed it on the table, slightly disappointed at the fact that she didn't take it. He was dressed in something different from his trademark vest and tight pants. Tailored khaki pants and a navy blue polo shirt replaced them. He did look handsome. "I sent for you because I want to thank you. The wish you made...was something that I never expected."
She continued to stare at him, not sure what to think. Over the past two years she had been working to put her feelings for him behind her. In the past few months however, she'd found her thoughts returning to him more and more, then, out of the blue he appears.
"I came because I am grateful, and because...well..." he trailed off, unsure of what to say.
Hilda sighed and closed her eyes, resting her face in her hands. She was too tired to deal with anything. She glanced up at him and saw the imploring look in his eyes. She suddenly had the feeling that he had been struggling with the decision. Whether or not to come, to see her. He was putting himself in her hands, to do with what she pleased.
Hilda sighed and smiled, standing up. A slow, romantic song came up on the speakers and walked over to him and took his hand, motioning towards the dance floor. "May I have this dance?"
He looked up into her eyes, and what he saw made him smile. Forgiveness and cautious acceptance -- it was more than enough for the begining of a happy ending.
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