It was an ordinary day. Much like any other until she got the phone call. She was surprised that "He" would call her. They had spoken only once in passing at a coffee shop where she dropped her business card in a bowl for the weekly drawing of a free coffee with choice of a tart, a scone, a doughnut or a fruit and yogurt cup. He has said "Madmoiselle? Hello. Please go ahead of me." So, this she had done in the line up which had 15 people ahead of her were she to wait. This way she had only 2 people in front and a much shorter wait.
He introduced himself to her briefly as Pierre De la Cruz, and she gave him only her first name, Angela, and shook his hand when he offered his. The handshake alone was enough to make her look at him twice, it was as if they had set off an electrical charge when their fingers touched.
But then he lifted her hand and kissed the back of it and then turned her hand and kissed the wrist spot sending shivers through her arm to the rest of her body. Charming manners and an absolute gentleman but oozing with sensuality in every look and gesture. She grabbed back her hand, fumbled, blushed and turned away to order her coffee to go. No sweets for her that would just delay her. She got her Mocha latte with no cream and one packet of Splenda and rushed from the shop on her way to her work.
She was the manager-owner of her own beauty salon and was determined to forget the encounter. He apparently had other ideas. When the phone rang she did not check who was calling. That alone was unusual. How ever that day she was very busy in the shop and had just put the phone to her ear and clicked accept. She heard his deep voice and instantly her hand trembled as if he had caressed her.
How had he acquired her phone number?
She was not sure but it was a question that she would ask him. He called asking to meet for "a short luncheon" as he put it. Innocuous enough. Nothing too threatening there. Public place, lots of people, and so she agreed. She did tell her best friend Vicky about it though giving her the name of the place they were meeting and the time they were to meet. Just a precaution so that she would have back up if needed. Her own reaction to his touch and his voice however; that was what really had her bothered. It could mean only one thing, TROUBLE with a capital T.
They met on a sunny Wednesday at a local restaurant known for serving good food with great service. She was nervous. She had changed her clothing five times before deciding on a white silk above the knee straight skirt with a slit up the back to mid thigh and a sleeveless white silk blouse with delicate ruffling around the V neck. She finished her look with white and gold hoop earrings and white and gold buckled sandals. Her toe nails were painted a soft pink. Nothing showy. Just clean, fresh and delicately feminine. Very understated but with an elegance that showed through.
Why was she doing this? She had arrived early and pondered this very question. She was beginning to wonder if she had lost her mind when he walked through the restaurant door. He was simply too good to be true. Who even looked that good? She was sure she was dreaming. Then he approached her and all thought seemed to cease. He stood before her just looking at her eye to eye, for what seemed like eternity. She looked away, blushing beautifully. He took her hand, kissed the back of it and then turned it to kiss her wrist. This had her thinking she should have worn gloves. She had no control over her own body. It seemed to have a mind of its own and this was terribly inconvenient when she was trying so hard to look unaffected and poised.
She was mortified to discover that not only did she blush but coherent sentences seemed far beyond her for the first time in her life. He took her elbow and led her to their table being charming and attentive. She just nodded and sat where he pulled out the chair. It was almost as if she was under some kind of spell.
He smiled at her that bone melting smile, and spoke of things in general and then of things around them commenting on the lovely day it was and the beautiful flowers in the planter boxes under each window of the restaurant and the doorway. "None of them, however, are as beautiful as you" he said. This got her attention as he took her hand and kissed the palm.
Surely she could say something? But somehow all she said was "Thank you." Whereby again, she blushed and her mouth went dry. She felt like an inexperienced teenager. She slowly licked her dry lips and tried to pull back her hand fumbling with the menu as the waiter had just stopped by their table and put two menus down along with 2 glasses of water with ice. She set it down and took her water glass in hand, still trembling she noted with some disgust and sipped a few times before setting her glass back down. She again picked up the menu and tried to concentrate as the waiter stopped back by a few minutes later asking if they had decided on what they wanted to eat.
His voice was mesmerizing and sounded European if the accent was anything to go by. He looked at her, smiled again and simply took over ordering their meals for them. The waiter looked at him with awe and then said "Of course, Sir. Very good. Would you like some wine from our menu?" and the response was "No thank you. Not at this time." The waiter hurried away as if this order was of utmost importance.
The next hour went by quickly. She couldn't even know if her responses to his questions were helpful. In fact, she was dumb founded at how her own brain seemed to have reverted to another era when she was still discovering herself and the male species.
