Chapter 9 - A discrete one-sided affair.

As Jia waited in the lobby, an elderly lady went around and greeted all the clients.

Jia tilted her head and fixed her gaze on her and thought, "She is elegant in her composure and sophisticated in her presentation. She seems to be in her late sixties. Her dressing sense is very refined."

She intensely pried the senior citizen and observed, "Her well-set streaks of silver and white hair neatly set, with some of those wise strands falling over her forehead, looks classy. She is very refined in her conversation. It seems, that she is well accustomed to the needs of most of the clients. Every opinion of hers is valued, and given thought to by the staff in charge."

As the elderly lady was discussing some details with the staff at the reception, her eyes suddenly caught the attention of two young entrants to the hotel. They looked great together. The young man in question was tall and fair with curly black hair and deep blue eyes. He had the personality of someone of Chinese and American mixed descent. The lady in question was an American by all means. She was tall, bold, and beautiful. Her deep blue eyes, dimpled cheeks, and brunette curls were a feast to the beholder.

As they entered, the elderly lady walked forward and welcomed the guests and said aloud in joy, "Welcome back Dr. Wu, and Dr. Jones. It's nice to have you back on our turf."

She turned around to the lady, and said, "You look lovely as ever, my dear. It's nice to have you both back."

As they were completing their check-in formalities Jia heard, that they were Dr. Henry Wu, and Dr. Julian Jones.

After they had checked in, Dr. Wu turned back at the elderly lady, and said, "May I take your leave, Mrs. Altermatt, it's been a pleasure to meet you. I need to freshen up. It's been a tiring week of back-to-back conferences."

"Oh Sure! Dr. Wu. We'll catch up with each other later." Mrs. Altermatt responded with a comforting smile.

He picked his swipe card and moved to his room while Dr. Jones kept talking with Mrs. Altermatt.

Soon an elderly man joined their conversation. As he approached them, Dr. Jones smiled, took his hands, greeted him, and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Altermatt, and it is a joy, coming year after year to your resort. I have always felt at home here with you both."

Mrs. Altermatt bent down to her ears and said, "Did you tell him?"

Ms. Jones shook her head and replied, "No, not yet."

She looked down, fiddled with her finger ring, and said, "We have been too busy, and I am not sure of his feelings."

Mrs. Altermatt raised her chin, bent down lovingly with a smile, and asked, "When are you going to tell him? Is it after you lose him, to some other elegant lady down there? Remember, time and tide do not wait for anyone."

Ms. Jones turned to her and whispered, "I heard he is planning to propose to her, as an arrangement made by the families."

Mrs. Altermatt shook her head and replied, "But they are not made for each other. I agree that the families are very close, and, that they grew up relying on each other. You know couples, that are meant to be together, are the ones who go through all the tough times together victoriously. Though those tough times are supposed to tear them apart, however, they end up bringing them closer and stronger."

"They are supposed to be best friends for life. Love is not about gazing into the deep blue eyes of each other, but it is about looking forward in one direction, with one purpose to build, and strengthen the bond they share."

Ms. Jones looked up with tears swelled in her eyes and replied, "What if he feels the same for her?"

Mrs. Altermatt took both of her hands in hers and said, "I don't think so. I do not see any joy or sparkle in those eyes when they look at her. I only see affection based on responsibility like that of an elderly brother. You have been the one, who has stood by him through thick and thin. He looks forward to you for everything. There is affection in those eyes wanting you to respond to them, with fear of losing you."

Ms. Jones tilted her head, swallowed constantly, and replied, "What if those affectionate eyes are prying friendly companionship and not an intimate one?"

Mrs. Altermatt brushed her hair with her hands and replied, "The responsibility of being accountable for someone's well-being cannot be counted as love. How would you know, if you both do not try to explore, what kind of feelings you have for each other?"

Ms. Jones looked up and asked, "What if it fails? We are medical counterparts who need each other daily, and in emergencies, we cannot allow our emotions to control us."

Mrs. Altermatt cupped her face with her hands and replied, "Come on sweetheart, now don't tell me, that both of you are not matured enough to handle rejections. Moreover, I think he is too late for the proposal, and she is already taken away."

Mrs. Altermatt bent down and whispered, "Well, I have heard the staff whisper, that there has been an elite client of our resort, who has been pursuing her and was supposed to confess to her three days ago. He had used the services of several in-house staff, to help him with the arrangements in his Villa in Cervinia."