gentle mother

Taking a long drag from the joint she'd prepared, Chloe sat curled on the chaise lounge with the mysterious journal Charlie had gifted her spread open in her lap.

"What a curious book," she mused out loud, knowing there were none about in early afternoon to hear her. It was her time, set aside out of her busy schedule to take time to breath and relax between bouncing from shop to shop, cafe to restaurant to bar. Perhaps tomorrow, Chloe would find time to sneak off to the beach; something she longed to do that day to lessen the hold of the humidity but she was at Mr. P's beck and call. Ah, the life of a CO looking to expand her fortunes.

It was just as well, however, as it gave the petite blonde plenty of time to peruse the journal. One more hit and she began to write.

Beautiful day to solve a puzzle.

Since my dearest Charlie continues to play the fool and claim no knowledge of this lovely gift, or how all this writing has appeared in it, I'm going to play along. For now.

Just how does this thing work? Do I introduce myself or get wishes or something along that line? I'm afraid I'm not quite sure what I am to do with this journal.

Chloe's dreams were not things that could be described as dull.

Not with colors so intense. Vivid. Fields of the warmest greens that flowered blossoms of every shade imaginable. Passionate reds and cool blues. Perky pinks. Sunshine yellows. Electric violets. The palate went on and on and one as far as she could see.

Not with action so intense. Exhausting. Long, tiring treks through mountain passes. Endless battles that made her stomach turn as family and foe fell. Intimate encounters, some pleasing, others far more disturbing.

And the one nightmare that came to her over and over.

Chloe put the now-empty water glass back on the desk, her hand still shaking. The trembling, she hoped, would not interfere with the legibility of her entry.

She comes to me so many nights now and each time it breaks my heart. I know it's not my fault, losing her, but after all this time, I wish she wouldn't haunt me like she does. I've tried so hard to put that part of my life behind me and only Charlie knows the truth, about what happened that night, but God! She wasn't really mine to begin with, not really. So why, why am I dreaming of her again? Why here, why now??

I think I need another drink.

The suite was absolutely divine.

After her long flight - complete with a quick layover turned impromptu shopping trip in London - there was nothing more that Chloe had wanted to do than take a quick dip in the stunning roof top pool or a spend a few hours relaxing under the hands of a gorgeous Greek man at the spa. Of course, neither of the had happened. It was off and running in Athens with barely enough time to see her bags dropped off before she was whisked from one site to another, just for glimpses of places she'd investigate deeper throughout her trip. Restaurants mostly, of course, some even interesting in selling, or so her agent informed her. New frontiers to explore, to conquer and expand into. Take Chloe's Kitchen Inc. and make it a global empire because, after all, it wasn't just Americans who were crazy for the health and green movements.

It had been a whirlwind of an afternoon and evening and still spinning, she finally had time to crash. A long, warm shower loosened all the muscles she vowed to have one of those Athenian hunks tend to sometime soon but for now, it was enough. Wrapped in a sinfully soft robe, Chloe scaled the monstrous bed - thank the sweet Lord no one was around to witness the flying leap it took to get onto the mattress - and practically melted onto the duvet. It was one of the things she couldn't get used to no matter how many times she tried. The decadence, the luxury that came from all her hard work and effort continually surprised her. When Chloe looked in the mirror, she still saw the little down home farm girl and not the up and coming CO/Author/Guru/Minor celebrity (in some LA and Hollywood Circles - who would have thought!?) that the rest of the world watched. Talks about a television show were in the works and now possible foreign pursuits??

Chloe chuckled to herself and flicking on the television - satellite meant English programs - nestled deeper into the pillows. However, she was surprised to find a hard edge poking her in the rib.

"Well, ain't that all 'princess and the pea,'" she murmured to herself and drew out the offending object only to find it was a journal. With a frown, the little blonde opened the cover, blinking at her name. "That's a silly place to leave a gift," Chloe continued talking to herself and fanned through the pages which she found had already been written on, and by several different people. "How odd. Oh well."

Not having time to read, she fished a pen out of the night stand. Yes, she should probably use the Blackberry Charlie'd insisted on for note taking and list keeping, but Chloe always preferred books, even if they were old and outdated. And used. No sense wasting paper, however.

What a curious little book.
A gift? From who? Charlie? - ask tomorrow
Found: June 18th, a little before midnight

Nothing too eventful today. Business as usual, I suppose. Hotel is one of the best I've stayed in. Staff - friendly. Very happily surprised that most encountered speak English.

Itinerary for tomorrow
- Orient self to Athens and Greek culture
- Preliminary meeting with head chef of restaurant
- See the Acropolis
- Lunch - find out from Charlie where and name of owner
- Tour of Plaka
- Wine tasting
- MASSAGE!!! (should time permit - fit in ASAP; ask for man with wings tattoo. Yum.)

CRM

The little flourish of initials made her smile and think of the countless diaries she'd kept as a child. Ah well, what was one more to document her trip to Greece? It was material she certainly could use for a travel guide or even a memoir if she ever got talked into writing one of those. Pleased, Chloe closed the book and reverently left it along with the pen on the nightstand then turned her attention to the flickering light of the television.