Two ladies, their secrets and an afternoon off.
That afternoon Mariel was waiting to be taken to the table she had previously reserved at the exclusive Ailes Doré, where she would have a business meeting and lunch with an important local businessman. Mariel was distinguished, above all, by her punctuality, her affable character, her very formal and attentive personality for the fulfillment of her duties and commitments.
Besides being a beautiful woman in her 40s. It was commendable; her impeccable presence endowed with a great natural elegance that stood out with her undeniable sense for good dressing. As was to be expected in a lady of her status.
Mariel arrived with precise punctuality to such an important appointment, for this occasion; she was dressed in a black one-piece dress, which soberly highlighted her stylized feminine forms. Her beautiful black hair rested on her delicate shoulders.
Somehow; she always illuminated with her presence wherever she went. She secretly liked to stand out among the glamorous parade of beautiful ladies that gathered in that exclusive establishment to enjoy the best international cuisine.
She was extremely careful about every detail of her personal appearance and loved to complement her attire with a matching purse.
The Maître d' appeared a couple of minutes later; to deliver the letter and an urgent message from Mr. Thomas Connolly, with whom Mariel had the aforementioned business appointment. She was a little disappointed by the announcement of Mr. Connolly's sudden absence, who complemented his apology with a promise of a substantial donation, to be delivered the next day, to the foundation that Mariel represents. This meant that at least she got the main purpose of the luncheon.
A Little before Mariel resigned herself to being alone during lunch, a dark-haired woman with an elegant appearance and a beautiful face came towards her; she recognized her instantly and now she was in front of her, greeting her with a smile.
Mariel was delighted by the presence of Melina Cutler, a talented and distinguished architect who was actively involved in many charities, and whose material donations and participation filled the various activities of the foundation. This had made the two women, have great empathy for each other.
"Would you like to join me for lunch, Melina?"
Were Mariel's words, to which Melina agreed instantly. She too had been abandoned that morning and found that invitation very timely.
As the lunch developed; the conversation evolved from some details of the latest professional activities of both, and things became more intimate, when without either of them being able to realize it; Mariel's divorce came up in the conversation and this; led Melina to talk about the separation she herself was going through, since 3 months ago and which; she was facing with a certain addiction to her work.
After having a few glasses of cognac for digestion, and once a certain barrier of social formalities had been broken, Melina invited Mariel to continue the conversation in a picturesque bar, which she had not frequented for some months. Mariel agreed immediately, as she somehow felt the need to get out of her work routine. And it was obvious that she was enjoying Melina's company.
Of course, the idea of sharing a few drinks that day was extremely tempting as soon as Melina mentioned that the bar was frequented by very attractive men.
Mariel had left her car in the parking lot of the foundation, which was located a couple of blocks from Ailes Doré. Melina had done the same by leaving her car in the parking lot of her office. Therefore, the most practical option was for both of them to take a cab to the bar and somehow they thought it would be wiser not to drive, after having a few drinks.
Secretly, they both harbored some illusion that some gallant gentleman would take them home and perhaps something else might be offered on the way back. After all; they were both free women and wanted to enjoy the pleasures that bachelorhood can bring to two portents of feminine beauty like them.
The two beautiful middle-aged women were like a bright flash when they arrived at that bar, they were immediately installed at a table and attracted the attention of some diners, who by that time were already very well accompanied.
The first rounds of drinks arrived and the helpful waitress made sure that they continued to arrive while the two women, who were now enjoying an atmosphere of greater trust between them, continued to talk, until they reached a somewhat delicate subject for them, which was the annoying feeling that could be said; it was a little stormy to admit. It was about their personal insecurity, which they felt when they were over 40 years old.
None of them confessed to being over 42 years old; which was true! And it was also true that in the last few years, neither of them had left a certain place of comfort. Both remembered their 20s when casual sex was practically a daily affair! Those spirituous beverages brought out some spontaneous confessions about those naughty and secret truths, which made them blush with a lot of nostalgia for those distant and ardent mischiefs that marked their youth.
Mariel left that activity after she got married and by the time of her divorce, there were issues like AIDS. That new and unknown disease, which came to change many things that were part of the sexual revolution, especially when some of her friends fell prey to that terrible disease. In addition to her duties as a mother and, of course, her foundation focused on the development of women in adverse situations, she remained in the shelter and comfort provided by her small group of lifelong girlfriends.
The conversation was bringing them closer to the point where they could feel safe to touch on certain topics, which otherwise; they could never dare to discuss.
"Things sometimes seem to be against me, men of our age; they start dating young girls and the few who want to be intimate with me; they don't last long by my side! Apparently, a self-sufficient woman; gives them allergy and a mysterious terror." -Said Mariel with some bitterness.
"Something very similar happens to me, you know; there are days when I can feel; how I burn inside! I think at this point; We can trust each other with certain things." -Said Melina.
Mariel blushed! For an instant; she felt a deep connection with Melina. It was as if somehow; fate conspired the events of that afternoon, so that they could get closer and share a little of the things they each; kept in their intimacy and found so hard to confess to another person, they both wished to tighten the bonds of what was showing signs of being; a budding friendship.
