Is it really him? I haven't been in touch with him for 12 years now, and here he is in front of me, smiling like we just met yesterday. He looks so young for his age, no one would say that he is now in his early 30s. For a CEO, I think he doesn't have much stress. He still smiles a lot, since a while back until now, he was able to keep that smile on his face. His lips are pinkish in color, a sign that he doesn't smoke. He is wearing a shirt and a coat jacket on top, blue jeans and white sneakers. Who would think that this guy can be a CEO, and he is not managing just any company, he is managing the biggest and most famous hotel in the state, including other subsidiaries?
He was staring at me as I was also staring at him. I felt a bit awkward. He is now sitting in front of me and he made the space between us closer.
"Did you miss me?" He finally broke the silence.
"So, it's really you." I said pouting.
"Why do you seem disappointed? Were you expecting another person? Were you expecting that bastard? That band drummer?" His expression suddenly changed. He now looks irritated.
"No, I wasn't expecting anyone. I just never thought it would be you, all along it was you. Why didn't you just approach me and reveal who you are? That would have been easier for the two of us." I explained. Deep inside of me, I am happy to see him but discovering it was him makes me realized that we cannot have a deeper relationship except friendship, just like how we were in university.
"I wanted to surprise you. I thought you would appreciate it. I was expecting you would come running to me when you see me then hug me passionately." He said teasingly.
"I'm not that naïve and stupid."
"Smile for me please?" His smile makes it difficult for every woman not to fall for him. I bet he already met a lot of women. "You look very beautiful tonight do you know that? I was very satisfied."
"Why would you be satisfied? If you would continuously make me feel embarrassed, I'd rather go home now." My mood changed so suddenly, from the excitement I had before coming here and finally meeting the man who I thought I grew fond of.
"You're still the same, you're still that negative lady I met in college. How come you trusted that drummer guy easily but not me? We also used to be so close before." He looks serious now. Do I sense sadness in his voice? And how did he know about Lance?
A long silence followed. He is right, though. I trusted Lance easily and fell in love with him despite meeting him for a few days. I thought he would never hurt me because we knew each other since we were young, and he also knew my family, but I was wrong. This man in front of me tried to be nice to me the whole time. He asked me to be his friend when no one dared to talk to me. My university freshman year was memorable because of him, but why can't I trust him?
"How can I earn your trust? Tell me. I will do everything just for you to feel comfortable with me."
I felt guilty looking at him like this. I never meant to ruin the mood, but I think it is now ruined.
"I'm sorry." I almost whispered. "I'm sorry. I want to have dinner with you tonight. I want to know what happened to you after you left here. I want to listen to your story, like before."
He forced a smile. "I missed you." He said with a serious look on his face. "I missed you so much. I missed everything about you so you can imagine how disappointed I am to see that disappointment in your face to see me. You know I am very sensitive."
"I know. Shall we dance?" I tried my best to change the mood. I am not a good dancer. Actually, I haven't tried dancing with a man yet except with my father, but I want to give it a try hoping that it will make him feel better.
He smiled, leaned his chin on both his hands and looked straight at me. "Why do you look so cute when you are shy?" He said which makes me blush. I stood immediately so he won't notice.
I held my hand in front of him, acting to ask him for a dance. He grabbed my hand and stood up. He put his right hand on my waist and pulled me closer towards him, his left hand still holding my hand. This is the first time we were this close. I could smell his perfume. It smells good and not too strong. I could feel my heartbeat. It's throbbing like it will burst out. I wonder if he could also feel it.
He led me to dance. He moved his feet side by side and I don't know how I was able to follow his pace without tumbling. I couldn't hear the music. All I could hear is my heartbeat and his breathing. I tried to look sideways to avoid his gaze. I can feel his eyes examining the features of my face.
I let go of his hand after a few minutes and luckily, I was able to escape from his grip.
"I'm hungry. Why don't we eat first?" I lied. I couldn't stand to be this close to him. I was telling myself the whole time not to fall for this man, I was his friend, I am his friend now and I will just stay as a friend until maybe forever. I can't destroy that relationship by developing feelings for him.
He smiled in approval. He raised his hand to call the waiter's attention. Two waiters came with trays and started serving the meal. We were also served red wine and before eating anything, I drank the wine in a glass, bottoms up.
"I don't think you can handle alcohol well. Does my presence make you feel tense?" How can this man continue smiling without getting tired?
"I am thirsty." I lied. "Let's eat."
I couldn't focus on my food. He seems like a real gentleman by serving food on my plate and slicing the steak. He was also staring at me the whole time.
"Please focus on your food. You're making me uncomfortable." I said a couple of times.
"I can't help but to enjoy the view. You can't blame me. I wasn't able to look at you this close for a long time. I missed that reaction every time I look at you like this." How can he still remember the things he used to do? It has been a long time and we haven't kept in touch for those years, but he speaks like they happened just yesterday. He is still the same Geoff I once knew.
"What are you thinking?" He asked.
"Nothing." I replied. "Actually, I want to ask you many questions but maybe I can ask them later." I am now starting to feel at ease with him. He really knows how to make me feel comfortable, just like the old days.
"You can ask them now. Later is also fine with me. We will be spending a long time together in the future so those questions can wait."
What does he mean by we will be spending a long time together? Will we be friends even though he already has his own family?
"Ah! I can ask one question now. Are you married? Do you now have a family?" Deep inside me I was hoping he would say no.
He laughed loudly after I asked the question. What's funny now? Isn't that a common question you ask someone?
"What do you think?"
"Yes?" I hesitated.
He laughed more loudly. He is starting to annoy me.
"I am still single." He showed his right hand proving that he is not married by not having any wedding band.
"I was and still am madly in love with someone and it's difficult for me to forget her. I just hope she feels the same way."
"How can someone not like you? You are wealthy, quite handsome, yeah, and you seem nice to everyone, I'm sure especially to girls. How can she not like you?"
"She is different. She is not like any other woman to me. She is so special that I was willing to wait until she can finally trust and believe me. I think I can never find a woman as special as her."
The mood is now becoming serious, but I like talking about life and love, it shows people's real personality. This conversation is quite different though. While I get to know about his love for this woman more, I am also starting to feel pain inside me, something that shouldn't exist.
"Did you meet her in Australia?" I asked.
"No!" He looked at me, with a serious look on his face. "Do you think she will find me crazy if I ask her to marry me?"
"I.. I don't think so." I stuttered. I could feel a lump on my throat. All the hope I had for having a romantic relationship with my Genie is now gone. Yes, I am his friend and that's it.
"Marry me." He said, looking determined.