The limo stopped in front of Liberty Hotel. My heart would burst anytime soon. I have never felt so nervous before. What if he won't be happy to see me? What if tonight will be the first and the last time I would meet him? At the same time, I also feel excited. This is the first time I would go out on a formal date. I will finally be able to meet him, the man who has taken care of me for the last two weeks, the man who gave a me a roller-coaster kind of emotions, some days full of sadness but most of the time, full of excitement and happiness.
A man in his early thirties welcomed me at the entrance. "Good evening, Miss Myers. Our boss is now waiting for you in the rooftop. This way please." He bowed while leading the way using his right hand.
I followed him towards the elevator. As I entered, the man said. "Enjoy your evening Miss Myers"
"Won't you be coming with me?" I asked.
"Someone will assist you when you reach there, Miss Myers." He said smiling.
"Thank you." I almost whispered. The sense of panic inside me keeps growing. I shrugged off every hope of having a romantic relationship with him while on my way here. As a rich man, I'm sure he has met the wealthiest women, not to mention the most beautiful and educated. And I am not even sure whether he is still single or already married. I know I already like him despite not knowing his appearance, I guess when you are getting old, you can easily fall for someone. You would always hope that someone would come in your life to turn things around. I am that kind of person. I have been alone all my life and I have never lost hope that someday, I will meet someone I can be with for the rest of my life.
The elevator stopped. I am now on the top floor. As I get out of the elevator, a young man in his mid-twenties greeted me. He is wearing a black suit and a bow tie.
"Good evening, Miss Myers. This way please."
The man led me to a staircase. The stairs is covered with a red carpet and candles are lit on each side of the stairs. The man offered his hand to help me take the stairs. I was thankful for his gesture for I think I cannot walk straight anymore. My knees are becoming weaker and weaker as I move along. There are even times I had to stop just to take a deep breath and to calm myself down.
After 20 steps or so, we reached the rooftop. It is covered with a canopy and the view is spectacular. I could hear music being played but my mind is in a daze that I can't think properly. Everything for me is like a dream. I am here in a luxury hotel rooftop bar, wearing a dress someone chose for me and wearing makeup done in a salon. This is every girl's dream. Something I never thought would happen to me.
"I will leave you now, Miss Myers. Enjoy your evening."
"Wait!" I shouted. "Can you please help me go to the bathroom? Ah, no! Where is the bathroom?" I am now in panic. I am full of excitement and the same time of fear.
"Certainly, Miss Myers."
I grabbed his arm immediately for support.
"You are shaking, Miss Myers. Are you okay? Do you want me to get a glass of water for you?"
"I am not okay." I tried to smile.
"Are you nervous? Don't worry, Miss Myers. The CEO is a very kind man, I have seen him in some occasions. I am sure you will like him." He smiled reassuring me.
"Thanks. I need that. But for now, I need to go to the bathroom. Can you please walk me there?"
"Of course, Miss Myers."
He walked me to the bathroom. I asked him not to wait for me anymore since I am not sure how long I would be staying here but he insisted.
I was alone in the bathroom and as look at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel pity to the girl I see. This girl, though looking elegant and beautiful now, is someone who doesn't have confidence in herself, someone who never feels good about herself and her abilities, someone who is not confident in meeting other people and is afraid to get rejected. I wish I can be like other women who can enjoy the company of strangers, who can share stories easily without stuttering and who can stand out and blend in a crowd.
"Don't cry! You shouldn't ruin your make up. This night will be very fast, and everything will be fine. You will be fine." I tried to tell myself. "Now, go out there and be yourself." I breathe in deeply and exhaled in my mouth. "You can do it."
When I got out of the bathroom, the man in the suit who helped me a while ago was still there waiting for me. I felt a little guilty for making him take care of me.
"Thanks, you really didn't need to wait for me. And you didn't tell me your name."
"My name is Alex. And don't feel sorry, it's part of my job, Miss Myers."
"Yeah, right." Yeah, not all people who are nice to you are really nice, sometimes it is part of their job. Why am I becoming more and more negative these days?
"Let's go, Miss Myers. Our boss is now waiting for you."
After he said that, I began feeling nervous again. I breathe deeply to give myself strength.
Alex led the way to the main bar. The place is a bit dark and I can see a table in the center with two chairs opposite each other.
At the corner of the bar is a man playing piano. I am sure I have heard of this song before, but I cannot remember where or when. It sounds so familiar. On the right side of the bar is a man who I believe is a bartender. He is wearing a black long sleeves shirt which is folded below his elbows. He is looking at me and Alex and is smiling.
We reached the table and Alex pulled the chair for me to sit. He smiled and bowed before leaving. The table is filled with utensils. On the right side of the plate are spoons of different sizes and on left are forks. A napkin is placed on top of the plate. While looking at the utensils, I was trying to remember how to use each based from what I have learned in home economics class in high school. A waiting staff came and poured water in my class.
"Do you need anything, Miss Myers?" He asked.
"Nothing. But I have once question?"
"What is it, Miss Myers?
"Why does everyone in here know my name?" I asked. Since the first day I visited this hotel, everyone already called me Miss Myers. How can everyone know who I am without being personally introduced with them.
He smiled which for me is a smirk. "Sorry, Miss Myers but I think I'm not the person who should answer your question." And he left.
Where is he? I thought he is already waiting here. How could he make a woman wait in the first meeting?
I took the glass of water and sip a little. Actually, I'm not thirsty but I need to do something just to make myself busy while waiting. Then, I remember to take a selfie. I haven't taken a picture of myself yet since I came from the salon and the clothing store. I need to document this moment.
I was busy taking pictures when I felt someone is staring at me. I looked around immediately to check if he already arrived but there is no one. Music can still be heard from the piano and the bartender is still standing at the bar now busy making drinks. How can this be a bar if there are no customers except me? And why aren't there any chairs or tables around except this one at the center.
I started taking pictures again. This time, I took pictures of the place, the table, the bar and everything around me until I saw a man coming. He is wearing a gray coat and jeans. He looks very tall and has a fixed smile on his face. His teeth are so white. He has broad shoulders and I am sure he has abs since his tummy looks flat. He looks young, maybe the same age as mine. Is he the CEO? I was just staring at him while he is approaching me, trying to study his face.
"Hi, Jessica. I'm so happy to finally meet you, again." He said.
Again? I was speechless for a moment, trying to recall where and when I saw him before. Wait!
"Is that you?! Geoff Park?!" I exclaimed.