I had just completed a daylong seminar and was preparing to go home. My butt was dragging form sitting all day listening to how to project my image in a group setting. It was one of those human resource things. You know the ones that large corporations make their employees attend.
It was seven in the early evening, in the hotel parking ramp. I was bending over, under the hood of my car; not knowing anything about the engine that I was looking at.
A male voice startled me by asking, "Troubles miss?" Fear overtook my body. I could barely utter, "Yeah."
I lifted myself back out from under the hood and was looking at a man of pure muscle.
"What seems to be the problem, miss?"
"Well it turns over but will not run."
"May I see if I maybe can diagnose the problem or do you prefer to call for other help?"
I saw that he was immaculately dressed in a business suit and holding a brief case. I decided to make use of his generous offer since the alternatives would be more time lost.
I relaxed a little and said, "Yes, that would be so kind of you. Maybe I can get out of here sooner that way instead of waiting around."
"Hop in the car and get ready to start it when I tell to you."
As we passed each other switching positions, his cologne got my attention. It was very appealing. He placed the brief case on the hood of the car parked next to mine, opened it, took something small out, leaned under the hood and after a minute said, "Try it."
It turned over a few times and I stopped when the engine did not start.
The guy backed out from under the hood and said, "Well you have no spark. You will need a tow to a shop so they can diagnose the problem. I checked all the wiring and it appears to be fine. We know you have battery power."
My heart sank as the impact of hearing 'tow' hit me.
"Do you have a number to call or shall we walk into the front desk and ask who they use?"
"I prefer to call daddy. The guys at the front desk have favorites."
"Sounds like the beginning of a plan."
I called my father and he said he would call me back.
"Daddy is going to call me back. Thanks for your help."
"I'm John by the way and you are?"
"I'm sorry my mind is not focused. I am Heather."
"I wish the circumstances to meet you Heather were more pleasant. Do you mind if I hang with you until your father calls back? I might be able to assist you more, depending on what he says."
"No not at all John, I will feel more secure with a man here in this ramp at this hour. By now all the tension that was in me when first hearing his voice was gone."
We were doing minor getting to know you chatter. I was looking him over at the same time. Maybe 6 foot or better, about 190 to 200 pounds, black skin, shaved head, immaculate clothes and fingernails. It was obvious he worked out with no overweight in evidence. He was all pure muscle. My cell interrupted the chat and my sizing him up.
"It's daddy. Yes, Dad, Okay dad. Yes, I am fine. I will wait until the tow truck comes and ride with the guy to his shop and you can meet me there. I will call you from there then so you don't have to sit around and wait."
"Heather, I am sorry I over listened but after the tow is here how about you and I having some dinner. It's late. I would enjoy the company and then being it's a hotel, there will be hundreds of taxis. I will pay for the taxi fee just for you having dinner with me. It will make my meal so much more enjoyable believe me. Please join me."
My mind clicked into gear. I was hungry and tired. It would be late by the time I would be home. Even after the tow, it would be another thirty-minute ride with dad.
"John, since you helped me out I will accept your offer to make your dinner more enjoyable."
I picked up my cell and called dad. "Dad I met a friend and we are going to have dinner and then she will take me home. I will wait for the tow. Oh, he is pulling in now. Thanks Dad. Talk to you tomorrow."
The tow pulled up and the driver asked if I was Heather. I handed him the keys. He walked to the front of the car and pushed the hood down. I heard, "Heather, I am going to push the car into the aisle. When the front end clears the parked cars, turn the wheel as if you were lining it up to go forward. I will then back into the front end and hook up. He handed the keys back to me."
I followed through as he advised.
When he had my car secured he said, "Hop in lady and we will get you and the car to the shop where your dad can pick you up."
"Thanks but to save a lot of people extra effort, I am going home in a taxi, thanks anyway."
"No it is thank you, Heather. I can take the car home then and drop it in the morning on my way to work. Thank you sweetie. I wish all broads were as understanding and sweet as you."
I stood and watched as my car disappeared, walked to John and said, "I'm starving."
He grinned and said, "This place has suburb food on the upper level. Have you ever been up there, Heather?"
"No, John this will be my first time."
"Good, this will be a real treat for you."
We took the elevator up and step into a luxurious restaurant setting. The hostess looked our way, ignored others in line, and approached us. "Good evening Mr. Boston. So nice to see you again and with a guest. This is a memorable occasion. We have never had the pleasure of seeing you with anyone. You are always solo. Permit me to seat you at your special table and we will then place another setting."
I was aglow listening to her. The stares of other customers, particularly the females were of hatred and from the guys, jealousy.
This caused me to wrap my arms into John's arm and to lift my chest up as she escorted us to his table. The purpose of the seminar was to help me to project my image, so I was practicing my lesson, right. I was stunned at the view of the city lights. I froze in my steps. I heard, "Heather, enjoy the view. I am going to my room to drop off this brief case and be right back."
I looked over the city lights below me. I was startled by, "Your drink miss."
My God, John remembered my favorite drink as we were talking at my broken down car.
A menu was offered to me. I was looking it over. My jaw dropped when I saw the prices. To me they were astronomical.
John then appeared and sat. He was in a long sleeve silk black shirt and trouser. He had a beautiful gold necklace. He had the shirt open, down three buttons. I was looking at a fine specimen of a man.