Chapter 38: WHEN LOVERS MEET

When Isabelle suddenly noticed all the hullabaloo happening around her and noticed Melody on the ramp with her ball, she got into action.
Melody started smiling at the models and waving to Kenji who was doing the photography of the event and then did a little walk down the fashion runway unintentionally.
The guests and media photographers covering the event were quite amused and had a good laugh about it. Clearly, their attention was focused more on Melody with the ball rather than the chic couture being showcased.
But well, such is life !
It wasn't the eye-catching outfits that were on everybody's lips. It was more about Melody posing with her hands on her hips before Isabelle pulled her back.
The show was excellently choreographed and was summed up with a dance performance by young boys and girls who were battling cancer.
After the fashion show, Dmitri came to pick up the kids while Rachel went to the hotel to leave Alex with the reliable and trustworthy babysitter provided by them.
Rachel was relieved that the hotel provided a dedicated person who wouldn't only pamper Alex, but also take care of him in a responsible manner as she went out to attend the networking dinner with Audrey.
All guests were invited to the after-party to enjoy complimentary hors d"oeuvres and desserts from local purveyors, cash bar and more pop-up shopping fun.
The networking dinner took place in a well-known nightclub which opened its doors for the evening to host this magnificent event.
Once inside the club it was possible to go through several stands where several local artists played live to liven up the atmosphere.
It was incredible and gratifying to see how despite the disparity in economic and social situation of the people there were still people willing to help and collaborate with what they could. The place was full of people at all times, people came and went with the excitement and the desire to collaborate with this noble cause.
Audrey and Rachel were just engrossed in sharing their stories with each other and enjoying the night out, when Rachel saw Leo in the same vicinity.
"Audrey, I just saw Leo looking at me and his face lit up," Rachel whispered as she panicked.
"Must be someone else. All men look alike in these dim lights," Audrey replied in humour.
"Darling ! I know that face by heart," Rachel said to Audrey as she looked away, pretending to dig through her purse. "I can feel all sense and rationality leaving my body," Rachel added in fear.
"So what brought him to the show ?" Audrey asked.
"I saw many hoardings with the sponsor's name throughout the day and read 'The Emerson Group' also but I was of the opinion that it might be one of the campaigns their company is supporting. So, I just didn't bother to expect him here," Rachel replied.
"Do you remember that you met Leo for the first time in one of these charity events only ? So you should have guessed that like us, he's quite fond of being part of community service events," Audrey remarked.
"Of course ! I know that he has always been keen on attending these events but I thought that now he being a family man with a wife like Valerie and a child wouldn't travel this far to attend a fundraising event," Rachel revealed.
"But you were wrong ! Now, don't worry ! Stay calm and stay put otherwise you'll just fan his suspicions about Alex's parentage further by running away," Audrey suggested.
"Yup ! It seems my vacation is going for a toss," Rachel grumbled while worrying about the secret of his son being disclosed to him.
"Let us just have dinner and make our way to the hotel. Let me inform Mr. Hughes that we're leaving," Audrey said as she saw Calvin approaching them.
"Hey Calvin ! We're planning to leave early as it's past Alex's bedtime and Rachel needs to be with him. You can continue with your socialization. See you tomorrow !" Audrey said.
"Sure, you guys have a good night ! Let me know if you require anything. Actually I've just met my college friend, Kenji, a photographer, who happens to be married with my dear friend Dr. Isabelle, so I'll spend some more time here and then leave," Calvin Hughes informed.
"Great ! You catch up with them. Seems like a college reunion is going on. Many college sweethearts are having surprise encounters," said Audrey with a wink while looking at Rachel.
"Sure ! Good Night ! See you tomorrow gorgeous ladies," Calvin said as he turned towards the table where Kenji and Isabelle were sitting.
"Hey! It's great to know that you're getting promoted in your company and are relocating to our small town," Kenji said.
"Thank you, buddy ! Sometimes fate separates and then brings us all together again like our college days," Calvin remarked and glanced at Isabelle before quickly averting his eyes.
"So, Calvin, you're still enjoying your bachelor days ?" Kenji asked with a grin on his face.
"Courtesy you, man ! I'm enjoying my forced bachelor days. You ran away with my heartthrob," Calvin commented after which there was an awkward pause.
"You were too ambitious and chose your career over love, so don't blame Kenji," retorted Isabelle before rolling her eyes behind the glass as she drank the last dregs of her drink.
"I was just pulling your leg. Tell me, how are the kids ?" Calvin remarked after sensing some awkwardness in the air.
"The kids are doing great. Ethan will be 5 years old tomorrow and we're throwing a small birthday party so you have to positively come and attend," Kenji invited Calvin.
"Ask Mrs. Kenji before inviting," Calvin said as he could feel discomfort in Isabelle's expressions.
"Calvin, you're most welcome to attend the party and bless our kids," Isabelle replied. "Now we should make a move, honey. The kids must be waiting," she added.
"Sure ! See you then at the party, Calvin. I'll give you the details on the phone," Kenji called out while Isabelle gathered the kids.
"Ok, sure ! See you guys tomorrow," Calvin bade his best friend and former love goodbye before they moved out of the venue.
Kenji and Isabelle were quite taken aback after seeing Calvin after so many years and so did Calvin. After all, he was Isabelle's old flame, her first love. Not all first loves are destined to end in forever, for sure.
"Did you enjoy your day with the kids, Isabelle ?" Kenji asked to break the awkward silence in the car.
"Of course ! These are beautiful moments I'm collecting in the treasure box of my life. In my demanding profession, I hardly get this precious time to be with them and moreover it was definitely a new experience for the kids. They had a lot of fun," Isabelle commented.
"I was so busy with the photography of the fashion show, I hope it was a great experience for you," Kenji asked while holding Isabelle's hand.
"I loved it, dear ! I wasn"t sure what to initially expect as I had never attended a fashion show before. I guess I expected models showcasing designer clothing, an upbeat and exciting venue as well as a night full of glamour and fun," Isabelle commented. "You know what ? I experienced all of that and much more," she added. "Thank you for bringing us along with you, hun," she kissed him before they carried three sleepy kids inside their home.
* * * * *
Next morning ...
"I'm surprised with all the media attention that has poured in on
Melody and this top brass model after the runway walk," Kenji expressed his surprise as he read the newspaper with a cup of coffee.
"I can't believe the stark resemblance between Melody and this model. No wonder the headline in our local newspaper says, 'Mom and daughter on the runway together'," Isabelle pointed out.
In the hotel room ...
"Why is there all this fuss about Audrey and this child ?" a confused Calvin asked Rachel.
"They shouldn't make a drama out of it." Rachel responded nonchalantly as she kept the phone down to pick up the newspaper before her eyes nearly popped out.
With the phone forgotten behind and the newspaper in hand, a barefoot Rachel hurried down the hall and without any cursory warning barged into Audrey"s room.
"Audrey, get up ! Get up !! See this newspaper !" Rachel shook her friend frantically who groggily complained that she could wake up the dead with the ruckus she was causing.
Audrey turned over, her back towards Rachel and put the covers over her ears to go back to peaceful sleep.
"Oh god, Audrey ! Stop ignoring me ! This is important !!" Rachel shook her friend from the other side this time.
"I am up, I am up !" Audrey shrieked, desperately trying to keep the covers on her and played tug-of-war with it with Rachel as the latter resorted to the last trick that worked in the college days, and apparently even now. "What happened, Rachel ? Hope the earth didn't go flat !" Audrey hissed, rubbing her eyes as she woke up.
"Sorry but not sorry. Read what is written on your pic ! You have to see to believe this," Rachel urged and Audrey sat up straighter and took the article of attention in her hands which had caused so much buzz and commotion.
However, the words danced in front of a groggy-eyed Audrey.
"Stop talking in riddles. Let me wash my face. Give me two minutes and I hope you're not pranking to wake me up," Audrey chuffed out.
"I am not, silly and you better hurry ! I can"t wait to see your face when you see this !" Rachel replied.
"Fine, fine," Audrey mumbled as she headed to freshen up before she was jumping out of her socks when she finally saw it.
"Oh God ! I can't believe it ! Such uncanny resemblance !! I need to meet this child !"