Chapter 13 Chapter Twelve

From the moment people heard the news of Mark's death, Kelly Harris was overwhelmed with phone calls, bouquets and emails. The first to call was Sam Meadows, a colleague and close friend of Mark's. "Kelly! My God. I can't believe it! I—I don't know what to say, I'm devastated. Every time I turn around, I look forward to seeing Mark standing there. Kelly—I can use it Is there a place to help?" "No, thank you, Sam." "Keep in touch. I want to help you in any way I can..." Since then, a dozen friends of Mark's have called, along with models who worked with Kelly.

Bill Lerner, the owner of the modeling agency, called.He first offered his condolences, then said: "Kelly, I know it's inappropriate to say this now, but I think it's good for you to get back to work at the moment. Our clients are blowing up the phone. When do you think you can recover? Work?" "When Mark came back to me." She hangs up. At this moment the phone rang again.Finally Kelly picked up the phone: "Hello?" "Mrs. Harris?" Is she still Mrs. Harris?There was no more Mrs. Harris, but she would always, always be Mark's wife. She said firmly: "I am Mrs. Mark Harris."

"This is Tanner Kingsley's office." Mark worked for—someone who worked. "What's up?" "Mr. Kingsley would very much like you to meet him in Manhattan. He would like to meet you at corporate headquarters. Do you have time?" Kelly has time.She has told the agency to cancel all her appointments.But she was still surprised.Why did Tanner Kingsley want to see me? "Have." "Isn't it convenient for you to leave Paris on Friday?" There will be no more convenience after that. "Friday. OK." "Okay. There will be a United Airlines ticket waiting for you at Charles de Gaulle Airport." He told her the flight number. "There will be a car in New York to pick you up."

Mark had talked to Kelly about Tanner Kingsley.Mark had met him and thought he was a genius and a very good boss.Maybe we can share memories of Mark.The thought cheered her up. Angel ran in and jumped into her arms.Kelly hugged her tightly: "What will you do while I'm away? Mom can adopt you, but I'm only away for a few days." Suddenly Kelly knew who to watch the puppy. Kelly walked down the stairs to the building's superintendent's office.Workers were installing a new elevator, and Kelly felt palpitations every time he walked past them. The administrator, Philip Sandel, is a tall, handsome, and warm-hearted man, and his wife and daughter always take the trouble to help others.They were all devastated when they heard the news of Mark.Mark's funeral was held in Pere Lachaise Cemetery, and Kelly invited the Sandors to attend.

Kelly walked to the door of Philip's apartment and knocked.Philip opened the door and Kelly said, "I have something to trouble you." "Come in. Do your bidding, Mrs. Harris." "I have to go to New York for three or four days. I wonder if you mind if I help babysit Angel while I'm away." "Mind? Ana Maria and I are both happy before it's too late." "Thank you. I'd appreciate it." "I promise you, I will do my best to pamper her." Kelly laughed. "It's too late. I've spoiled her." "When do you plan to leave?"

"Friday." "Okay. I'll take care of everything. Did I tell you that my daughter was accepted to the Sorbonne?" "No. Great. You must be very proud of her." "Yes. She starts school in two weeks. We're all excited. A dream come true." On Friday morning Kelly carried Angel downstairs to Philip Sandel's apartment. Kelly handed the administrator a few paper pockets: "Here are some of Angel's favorite foods and some of her toys—" Philip took a step back, and Kelly saw a whole pile of dog toys on the floor behind him. Kelly laughed heartily. "Angel, you've met someone good." She gave the puppy a final hug. "Goodbye, Angel. Thank you very much, Philip."

On the morning of Kelly's departure, Nicole Paradis, the receptionist at the luxury apartment complex, stood at the gate saying goodbye.She was an impassioned, gray-haired woman, petite, with only the top of her head showing when she sat behind her desk. She looked at Kelly with a big smile on her face: "We will all miss you, ma'am. Be sure to come back to us as soon as possible." Kelly took her hand. "Thank you. I'll be back soon, Nicole." A few minutes later, she was on her way to the airport. Charles de Gaulle airport is as crowded as ever.It's a surreal ecstasy of ticket counters, shops, restaurants, staircases and giant escalators that climb up and down like prehistoric monstrosities.

When Kelly arrived, the airport manager escorted her to a private departure lounge.Forty-five minutes later, her flight was called to depart.As Kelly started walking toward the gate, a woman standing nearby watched her pass.As soon as Kelly's figure disappeared, the woman picked up her cell phone and made a call. Kelly sat in her seat on the plane, thinking of Mark, unaware that most of the men and women in the cabin were secretly watching her. What was Mark doing on the viewing platform of the Eiffel Tower in the middle of the night?Who is he going to meet?Why?The worst of them all - why did Mark kill himself?We are so happy together.We are so in love.I don't believe he committed suicide.Mark won't...Mark won't...Mark won't.She closed her eyes and let her thoughts drift back...

That was their first date.She had worn a proper black dress and a high-necked white shirt for the evening, and it never occurred to Mark that she was trying to seduce him.This will be nothing more than a casual, friendly evening.Kelly found herself tense.Because of the unspeakable incident that happened to her as a child, Kelly never socialized with any man, except for business reasons or incognito charities. Mark wasn't really a date, Kelly kept telling himself.He and I will be nothing more than friends.He could be my escort in town without any romantic complications involved.Just as she was thinking about it, the doorbell rang.

Kelly took a breath of hope and opened the door. Mark stood at the door, grinning, holding a box and a paper bag.He was wearing an ill-fitting gray suit, green shirt, bright red tie, and brown leather shoes.Kelly almost laughed out loud.She had known too many men who equated their respectability with what they considered elegant. "Come in," Kelly said. "I hope I'm not late." "No, not at all." He was twenty-five minutes early. Mark handed the box to Kelly: "For you." It's a five-pound box of chocolates.Kelly has received diamonds, furs and luxury housing over the years, but never chocolate.Just what every model needs, she thought, with a good deal of glee.A smile appeared on his face. "Thank you."

Mark handed over the paper bag: "This is for Angel." Seemingly in agreement, Angel hopped into the house and ran to Mark, wagging her tail non-stop. Mark picked up Angel and patted her: "She remembers me." "I really want to thank you for her," Kelly said. "She's a great partner. I've never had one before." Mark looked at Kelly, and his eyes said it all. It was an unexpectedly happy night.Mark was a charming companion, he was visibly thrilled by being with her, and Kelly was moved.He was smart and easy to talk to, and the time passed much faster than Kelly had expected. At the end of the night, Mark said: "I wish we could do this again." "Okay. I'd love to." "What's your favorite thing to do, Kelly?" "I like football. Do you like football?" A bewildered expression appeared on Mark's face. "Oh-er-like. I-I like it." He can't lie, Kelly thought.A mischievous thought flashed through his mind: "There's a championship game Saturday night. Do you want to see it?" Mark swallowed and said timidly, "Of course. Great." When the evening was over, they returned to Kelly's apartment complex. Kelly found himself tensing up.At times like this it is often said: How about a kiss goodbye? ... Why don't you invite me in for a while and we can have a drink... You don't want to spend the night alone... Showdown... When they arrived at Kelly's door, Mark looked at her and said, "You know what I noticed about you in the first place, Kelly?" Kelly held his breath.coming soon: You have an amazing ass... I like your plump breasts... I want your long legs around my neck... "I don't know," said Kelly dryly. "What did you notice in the first place?" "The pain in your eyes." Before she could answer, Mark had already said, "Good night." Kelly watched him go.