Chapter 2
The conference room was full, but quiet, waiting anxiously. Tense faces flipped at notebooks, other's perpetuated their notes in silent mumbling.
The double-doors swung open as Jason strode in, his body exuberating confidence. This was his home field, his court, his rules - they were here to eat from his hands, and eat they would.
-"Gentlemen let me be the first to congratulate you on the finest business decision you've ever made -"
Jason looked up to acknowledge his audience, but in amidst the grey-haired suits sat a figure that stunned him - a girl of stark contrast to the surrounding monochrome decor and near-death guests, dressed in all the colors of spring, her hair was a tide of dirty blonde, with waves crashing against a fresh, heart-shaped face - an island one might find themselves stranded on - as Jason was in that moment, stranded.
-"I..."
Recovering himself.
-"I...I assure you, this will be the greatest investment of your careers, we're talking a marketing campaign to make-"
The words floated behind him now, he was on autopilot, his thoughts rushing down a line of memory at 8 years a second - to that night, with her... What was she doing here?
She looked through Jason with eyes that could've been his Mother's - knowing everything about him in only a glance. Yes, it had to be her, Vanessa Heath - and as he remembered her name she widened her stare, as if orchestrating his nostalgia.
The pitch rolled on to its conclusion, much of it a blur in retrospect, but Jason was grateful to have it over with. One by one the corporate gentlemen left - they seemed a bit disappointed - which on any other day would've torn at Jason's guts - but not right now, right now his only concern was Vanessa, and by the way she held her glance, he was hers too.
The doors drifted closed, and like a piece of well composed music - the motions of two abridged lovers began to flow. Slowly at first, they met in the room's center - not a word spoken - the surreal nature of the occasion had swept Jason away and into this woman's breath. Their lips met, gently, reminding themselves of old sensation - then furiously they parted and rejoined , now lapping fire with their tongues. This was all moving so fast - Jason was lost, his mind missing in her eyes, hands running away beneath the folds of her clothes, senses all given away - where had she been, where ...
-"Jason, hey! How'd it go?"
Jason snapped back to the world, startled at Sally's amplified intrigue. He shook his head, gathered himself. Behind Sally, down the hall, an elevator was closing - her silhouette escaped behind its sliding doors .
-"Hey, what's up with you? Was it that bad?"
Sally's face invaded Jason's view, prying for an answer.
-"No, not the best - I mean, I'm not sure, actually."
Jason tried to remember the pitch, but the passed 30 minutes of his life were muddled in fantasy and confusion.
-"Well, I'll wait a few hours and send a follow-up, maybe offer them tickets to-"
-"Sally, I think I'd like to be alone for a while."
Sally cocked her head at Jason's request, as if she had just been pinched in the rear.
-"Um, sure, no problem." She replied before leaving the room.
Jason sat alone with the quiet remains of his illusion - it had all felt too real to forget, and yet somehow he had.
Thank you for reading Part 2 of The Reminder - A short story about lust, death, and the unfinished stories of passed lives.
Please like, share and follow if you enjoyed the read, and look out for the next installment in a few days, be sure to read Part 1 if you missed it. :)