Allen agreed and gave her the directions and address to his place then asked what would be the best time for her. She told him that 7:00pm would be best for her because it would give her enough time to get through any lingering Monday evening traffic. Allen asked if there were any special requests that she had for dinner or if she trusted him. She told him that she would trust him and asked if she should bring anything. Allen told her that he didn't think she would need to, but if she felt the urge to do so, it would be fine. Again, they confirmed the time and ended the call.
Allen sat silently and bathed in his new friendship with Gwen. He
reflected on the day he first saw Gwen and remembered how he thought
he would never see her again. He thanked GOD as he returned to the
business of getting Mitchell to LA and looking over the financial reports.
He called Mary and instructed her to contact Mitchell in the Orlando
office and inform him to prepare for a trip to LA.
He recommend she
contact the airlines and make flight arrangements for him before calling,
that way he would insure his arrival. He also instructed her to send
some type of thank you sentiment to Cochran Matthews and Associates
for their work on the case. Mary took in all the information and assured
Allen that it would be taken care of.
Allen set the table as he awaited Gwen's arrival. He set the mood by
lighting candles around his lamp lit living room and dining room. In his
bedroom where candles also burned, he played an oldie but goody Luther
Vandross CD. He wondered if the setting was sending the wrong
message and if he should blowout the candles, turn off the radio and just
turn on the television. As he thought, he heard soft knocks at his door.
"Well I guess this is the right mood," Allen said to himself as he
walked to let Gwen in.
Allen opened the door to find Gwen standing beautifully dressed in a
navy blue pin stripped pants suit, white collared shirt and all smiles.
She held a bottle of sparkling apple cider which she presented to him.
"I didn't know if you drank or not, so I thought I'd be safe, but
daring."
"Thank you," Allen said as he welcomed Gwen in and relieved her of
the bottle. "And by the way, no I don't drink. I've never had a drink in
my life."
"That is unbelievably impressive," Gwen said as she entered Allen's
home.
"Thank you," Allen said as he helped Gwen to remove her sports coat.
"I hope it isn't too dim for you in here?" Allen said as he hung Gwen's
jacket in the closet. "If so I can turn on the lights."
"No this is perfect." Gwen said. "It is the right mood to relax and get
to know the personal you. Besides, how could Luther be the wrong
mood?" Gwen smiled.