I am leaving the gorgeous 5-star hotel lobby and crossing the beautiful and well-cared for garden and terrace restaurant. The weather is lovely, I am wearing a light jacket and a smile on my face that shows my meeting went well. I just signed a new client! And this kind of client, the kind that stay in this kind of hotel, is the career changing kind.
I stop and smell the sun, so to speak. I’ve always loved doing this. I remain still, looking towards the sun but with my eyes closed, and arch my neck as much as possible. I stay like this for a little while, just enjoying the heat on my skin until I hear some footsteps approaching and open my eyes. Was I in the way? I start to move and mumble “sorry” but stop dead short.
You look directly into my eyes and put a hand out.
“Would you please join me for lunch?”
There is nothing sexier than gawking and shaking your head in surprise. And that’s what I was doing. Great.
“I’m sorry?”
“I asked you if you would like to join me, at my table, for lunch.”
“Are you confusing me with someone else? Or do we know each other and I don’t remember? Because if that’s the case I am really sorry, I have a terrible memory and-”
“We don’t know each other. This is the first time I have seen you. You can relax.”
“And you want me to join you for lunch?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Why not?”
Why not indeed. I smile and take the hand you were still offering. You guide me to your table and help me sit. Two new experiences in less than five minutes: a man I don’t know asks me to join him for lunch and he pushes in my chair just like in a movie? And I’ve signed a new client, too? Was I on the nice list or something of the sort?
He sits in front of me and I take off my sunglasses. I’ve always thought it a bit rude when you are talking to someone and they keep their sunglasses on. But I guess some people need to keep them on. He gives me the menu he was looking at and tells me to order anything.
“Do you like champagne?”
“Yes. Yes I do.”
“Good. I’ll order a bottle, then.”
While I look at the menu and discretely at him, the waiter comes with an ice bucket. Did he know we were ordering champagne? Or maybe he overheard us? Is he that good?
“My name is Jean-Luc, by the way.” He says when he has ordered the bottle (one of my favourites) and the waiter has left.
“Right. Sorry. Of course. Enchanté, Jean-Luc. My name is Aurore.”
“Enchanté, Aurore. Thank you for joining me.”
“Thank you for asking. I am curious as to why, I have to say.”
“I am sure you are. You seem like a curious person.”
“May I serve?” The waiter asks.
Perfect timing waiter. I think that to do this profession they must take a test as to when give the necessary air to a conversation that isn’t even theirs. Not all of them excel at this, though.
I blush as we toast and our eyes meet again. They are brown. A sort of rich, deep, dark brown. I have always liked brown eyes – maybe because they are an underdog. I’ve always loved an underdog.
The waiter comes back to take our order and I finally get a good look at you. Even sitting down you can tell you’re tall. Tanned but not in a tacky way, dark hair with white spots on the sides (my favourite) and a beautiful smile with perfect teeth. Impeccably dressed and shaven, too. You look like you are of Greek descent. The good looking kind.
We start chatting and immediately there is a naturalness that makes us feel completely comfortable sharing anything. Soon we have covered the basics and even a little more. We talk about our passions, our likes and dislikes, our dreams, even. Quickly I find myself dreaming about a life with you.
“Is something the matter?”
“What? Oh, no. Sorry. I guess I left for a little bit but I was listening. You were telling me about your childhood vacation in Greece. Is it as beautiful as I imagine?”
“It is. I’ll show you one day.”
I must’ve opened my mouth again because you laugh.
“Although first I want you to meet me in Venice.”
“Venice?”
“Yes, Venice. I have to attend a ball – yes, they exist and yes, I have been to a few – and would like for you to join me there.”
“But I don’t know you. And you don’t know me!”
“Perfect way to get to know each other, then.”
I’m stunned. I mean, he is right and I was just daydreaming about spending more time with him so why was I hesitating? Because I was scared stiff, that’s why. These kind of things do not happen to me – or anyone!
“Could you please stop looking so scared?”
“Aren’t you?”
“Yes, but I love you so I am all in.”
“Wait. What did you just say?”
“I said that I love you.”
“I don’t mean to sound dumb here but what?”
“There is no way around it. When I saw you standing there, taking in the sun with your eyes closed I knew. I was hooked. It’s like a drug, you try it once and you’re a goner.”
“Did you just compare me to a drug?”
“Yes. And it’s appropiate, too. I love you. That’s it.”
I take a breath and pause for a second. Dare I dream I was hearing him right?
“Okay, yes. I will go.”
“Great. I was hoping you would say that. I am leaving tonight for Canada but I will meet you there. I will send you the information and we will work out the details.”
“That sounds good, yes. What are you writing down?”
“All of my information so you can contact me.”
“Oh, alright. You don’t want mine?”
“You can give it to me in time. No rush.”
You hand me a sheet of paper. It has all your information. And I do mean everything.
“Jean Luc, you have given me all of your personal details. These are codes to your apartments in Montreal and Paris and your London address. Three phone numbers, just as many email addresses and are these your allergies and blood type?”
“Yes. I will give you the keys to my place in London when in Venice so you can have that too and I didn’t put my work emails, my personal ones are the ones you cannot find on the internet.”
“But this is too much.”
“You don’t need to give me all of yours, don’t worry, but you do need to understand – I don’t do this. I have never done this.”
“I wouldn’t think so, no. With this piece of paper I can go and stay in your apartment in Paris.”
“And you can. I would prefer to take you myself, obviously. But like I said: I’m all in.”
“I would never go to your place without your permission.”
“I know. I trust you. It’s why I am giving you everything. And before Paris I would rather take you first to Greece. It’s beautiful this time of year.”
“Greece?”
“Yes. But first Venice. We have time to go to Greece afterwards. I want to show you this incredible little spot with views so beautiful it will touch your soul. What are you doing on your phone there?”
“I am texting you my details. There, you should have it.”
You look at your phone and smile.
“I don’t have as many addresses as you but there it is.”
“I see. So you aren’t scared anymore?”
“Oh, I’m petrified. But I’m all in as well.”
Now you’re the one that opens your mouth in shock.
“I thought you would be happy.”
“I am, my love. Sorry. I am, of course I am. You have made me very happy.”
“Right, you need to get ready for your flight and I need to buy a dress so we better part ways. But only until Venice.”
I stand on tiptoe and kiss you. You quickly embrace me and kiss me back. It’s as if we are melting into each other and I have never felt so alive. You lift me a little and exhale heavily through your nose as if relieved and utterly happy.
You let me down gently and break into a smile when we break the kiss. I think I am already in love with that smile.
“Until Venice. Can’t wait.”