As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with vibrant hues, Grey decided to break from his usual routine. Instead of his customary black limousine, he opted for a change of pace, driving his red Porsche from the garage. With a sense of adventure, he sped towards the Grey Plaza, where he had arranged to meet Carmen.
Carmen was already there when Grey arrived, she seemed to have been waiting for a long time for Grey had wasted a lot of time choosing what to wear and which car to take.
"I totally love your timing" he said as he parked the car next to carmen. "Well, you'll have to excuse me for being a bit late Carmen",
"there's no problem Mr Grey", Carmen insisted,
"So, hop in" Grey said as he opened the door for carmen,
"Thanks sir" she said as she entered and grey started the car.
"So let me make somethings clear, I don't think there's a need for calling me Mister or sir, only say it at work right", Grey said as he drove downtown, "okay but I thought this was a business meeting", carmen said with a smile
"Yes, it was, but uh, this isn't a workplace nor the plaza I guess" he laughed.
"Here we are," he said, as they arrived at the most elegant seafood restaurant in town. Carmen was astonished. She had never dined at such a luxurious establishment before. It felt like a dream come true. Grey had reserved a table for two in a secluded corner, transforming what had initially been a business meeting into a romantic evening.
"Nice dress you've got there" grey said as they waited for the waiter,
"Thanks, I love your outfit too" carmen said with a smile.
"I knew you would," he said, "You know I'm accustomed to suits, which can sometimes feel restrictive. But today, I've opted for a French-inspired style. I quite like France."
"No way, I love France too," she replied, her eyes sparkling. "Believe me, since childhood."
Their connection grew closer as they discovered that they shared much in common.
"I am normally not into fashion that much but my mom forces me too, believe it she's quite old but doesn't really care" Grey said as the waiter arrived. He was embarrassed as the waiter suggested that they were a married couple yet they weren't, just because their table was normally reserved for romantic date nights.
Grey stayed speechless after the waiter had taken their order, and so did carmen.
"Look Carmen I really didn't know what this table meant at this restaurant" said Grey,
"Yeah, I just don't mind Mr Grey, it's still a business meeting".
"So, you said you didn't know much about this place, haven't you been to this restaurant before?", Carmen asked,
"Nope, it's my first time here," said grey, carmen were very surprised to hear that,
"Wait you're like the biggest celebrity in the whole city, and you hold such a successful company and you've never been to such a fancy restaurant," said carmen.
"yeah" Grey said in shame,
"You see I quite spend most of my time at work, and in business stuff, and sometimes forget to take good care of myself, but it's worth it I've got a better cook at home".
"Carmen I used to do so, before I divorced, but after what was the use, I had to focus more on my company" Grey said,
"Oh, sorry about that Mr Grey, I didn't know that such a bad thing happened to you" Carmen said and looked at a Grey, Grey did the same and they said not even a word in that moment.
"Everything is served, Mr. Grey. And here's the bill," the waiter announced. They pretended not to notice their intense gaze.
"Wow, it smells incredible," Grey said, as the waiter left. He reached for a fork but accidentally brushed hands with Carmen.
"Oh, sorry ladies first", Grey said as she looked at carmen.
"By the way, this restaurant is fancy, but also a bit annoying," Grey remarked.
"Oh, in what way?" Carmen asked, curious.
"Who brings the bill before the customers have finished eating?" Grey joked.
"Oh, that's what you meant. I thought you were referring to something else," Carmen replied with a smile.
"Wanna know one eating place that's not annoying", Carmen asked,
"Nowhere exactly, is there a better fancy restaurant nearby", said Grey
"Not really fancy in terms of money but fancy in quality, the eddy's eats", said Carmen.
"Wait that's a fast-food store right", Grey was surprised
"Exactly, are you not kind of bothered by lots of fancy cutlery as this place", said carmen,
"So, you're not happy here",
"of course, I am, it's just that I'm used to fast foods, it's like the second valuable place to me after work place, because I really never take time for home cooked meals, except in weekends".
Grey was gaining interest in the talk with carmen and adoring carmen's beauty as well,
"I think we have a lot of things in common Carmen, I also never cook for myself, but at least you know how to, to be honest, I never cooked for myself".
"What, it's like the coolest thing in the world, especially when you're with some friends, it's really fun, I add whatever flavor I need and try whatever I want to" said carmen,
"Maybe I have to get some cooking lessons on my own when I get a fee time or a day off", grey said as they all laughed.
Grey had never engaged in such a lengthy conversation before. That night, he found himself talking endlessly, completely abandoning his usual business topics. For the first time, Carmen made him feel lighthearted and enjoyable, right from their initial conversation as the evening went own.
"Mr Grey, I think it's late by now I better get going" Carmen interrupted, Grey couldn't believe how quick the time passed, he was enjoying the talk and thought something else could happen.
"Grey, I appreciate everything but, if I stay too long it's going to affect my punctuality tomorrow, guess you wouldn't like it",
"Oh, I almost forgot about that, so I guess I'll have to drive you home, it's chilly out here you can't wait at the bus station for so long," said Grey.
Grey took carmen in his car and they went back. "So, carmen you didn't tell me where you stay earlier, but now I guess you'll have to because you won't walk alone out here", grey said as they approached the grey plaza,
"Oh, Mr Grey don't bother, it's fine I'll have to walk home just leave me at the plaza" carmen insisted as Grey stopped the car.
"Okay so have my coat instead", said Grey,
"thanks" Carmen said with a smile,
"Where actually did this come from, you weren't wearing it right",
"don't worry I always keep one in my car just in case" Grey said.
"Thanks again Grey for dinner and for the coat I guess, but I'll have to return it right",
"Nope just keep it it's yours now" Grey insisted, "but before you go, can I have your number, just in case", he said as he gave his phone to carmen
"Why not", she said as she saved her numbers in grey's phone, Grey did the same.
"Good night Mr Grey",
"Good night carmen" Grey whispered as Carmen crossed the road.
Grey returned home in a state of contentment, the evening marking a welcome respite from the turmoil that had followed his divorce from Christina. As he entered his room, his phone began to ring. It was Carmen. Grey answered without hesitation, despite their recent evening together.
She suddenly dismissed it before Grey said a word. The phone rang again, Grey hurriedly answered it this time, he didn't see who was calling.
"Hello carmen" he said,
"Knock it off buddy it's me", Grey was shocked that it wasn't carmen, but his best friend Danny.
"Whoa who's carmen by the way, I hope it's obvious my voice isn't a woman's" Danny joked,
"Never mind Danny, anyways how're you doing I never talked to you since you got back to Miami",
"Yeah, it's been nice but anyways this place sucks, I prefer getting back at L.A, with my whole family, because we used to have some fun time there", they all laughed as Danny spoke.
"Any ways Grey, I think you talked of this Carmen person, maybe I need to know why you thought it was her whoever she is", Danny insisted on knowing Carmen, Grey wasn't willing to say anything before but he had no choice now.
"Okay no offence I think I have to tell you, she's my new secretary, I hope that's all", said, Grey
"that's all, no way Grey, I suggest there's more to tell, how could she be on your mind to the extent that you confuse her with me". Grey took a deep breath,
"Yep, you better believe it, alright no need to lie to you Danny, I'm kind of interested in my new secretary, but not something serious, it's just because she does all her work like no one else does that's all" said Grey,
"you're crushing on her, isn't it?".
"What the heck, no Danny, you know I'm not willing to do so, it's been a short time after breaking up with Christina".
"Hush Grey you never know what love desires, or cupid if you believe in mythology",
"Alright then that's enough of the loving stuff, all the truth is that I do kind of like her",
"Okay that's weird, she's not been your secretary for even a full week, but alright I believe in the power of love and all I want is for you to find another perfect love, you know, it's somehow bothering me when we meet every one with his wife except for you Grey", Danny said.
"of course, it bothers me too, but Danny I don't want to take it so far may be there could some good thing out of it," said Grey.
"Absolutely grey, so don't lose the chick right she seems nice though I haven't seen her but I trust your instincts, make her your wife", Danny said with a laugh,
"Step by step bro I just can't rush into marriage, but who knows if it's better than I'll do it" Grey said and they all laughed.
"Grey, I think I've got to go, duty calls, I have to watch the game with my big boy, catch on you later Grey hope you'd have made a move",
"Guess so Danny I'll try to", Grey said and hung up the call. Grey dropped the phone down and lied down on hid bed.
Grey gazed at the ceiling, his mind replaying the image of Carmen's smile. She had a captivating effect on him, unlike any woman before, including his ex-wife, Christina.
The memory of their wonderful evening lingered in his thoughts, a constant reminder of the missing piece in his life. Despite his wealth and success, Grey yearned for companionship and comfort. Carmen had made a significant impression on him, and her image remained with him until he drifted off to sleep.