New Encounters (3 page)

He let out a laugh enjoying my story. We were sat on one of the couches on the terrace and he was very close. The warmth of his leg against mine. His hand touching mine as we giggled.

‘Bella, I was in a hotel room and it was about 9 at night. I had a shower and as I pulled the towel around me, my room service had arrived in speedy time. I answered the door and the waitress went to hand me my tray with my dinner and my towel fell to the floor. She was young and gasped and scooted off down the corridor quicker than I could shout ‘Sorry’ after her!’

We both laughed so hard, from the story, from the bubbles...... all a heady mixture. But while I am laughing I can’t help but think.... wow... lucky waitress. I bet he looked good. His face was close to mine, his breath was so close.

‘Bella, you are stunning. I am sorry I stared at you tonight but I just couldn’t help myself. You seemed so reflective. And that smile of yours... wow. I was captivated. Please accept my apologies for staring for so long’.

I looked up into his eyes, longing to kiss his lips ... our faces get closer, and I tilt my head towards his and he does the same. But then he pauses....and he whispers gently.

‘Bella, you don’t want this’

Urm, I think you will find I do, but I can’t say that to a man I barely know.  I feel like he has teased me. Touching me all night and then turning me down at the last minute. Oh I feel such a fool. Dejected. What the hell do I say? I place my glass on the little table in front of us and muster up the strength to not look like I am about to burst into tears like a schoolgirl that has just been dumped.

‘Robert, thank you for the drink. Its been a pleasure. But I must get to bed, I have an early start tomorrow. Good Evening’.

With that I stand and I don’t look back. I walk and wish that i had super sonic legs that would move me quicker.

‘Bella’

I do not turn, what’s the point? I turn the corner and exhale after what seems like hours of holding my breath. I walk more briskly to the lift and hope it comes quickly. BING, in luck its on the ground floor. I jump in and hit my button like I was back in fawlty towers. As I am going down the corridor to my room I multi task by reaching into my bag for my room card. Slip it into the slot and rush through my bedroom door. Phew. I go to the bathroom and begin to wash my makeup off, cleanse and then tone. Damn it, why am I over thinking it so much. It’s not as if I have to see the guy again is it! I look at my phone and there is a text from Ash.

*Are you ok? Text me to let me know your safe. x*

I hit reply.

*I am fine but very tired. Night x*

I climb into bed and try to read a book that I brought. But every time I begin to read it replays in my mind. He was so charming. Why go to the effort with me? Why sit so close? WHY do we over analyse things? I take a deep breath and realise how shattered I am. I need to get to sleep, and get some work done.

CHAPTER 4

Well I got little sleep and as I brush my teeth after the much needed hot shower I look in the mirror and notice I look.... well lets say... dishevelled.

‘Bella Steele you look decidedly dishevelled.’ I giggle, like I was do when I talk to myself. I wonder if other people do this or if it’s really just me.

I get my smart black suit, crisp white shirt, and my bright red stilettos. I am so pleased I brought my red heels, I need an extra boost after last nights anti climax I muse.
Bella just put it down to another experience. Your fine, you will not see this guy again. It’s all good.
I sweep my long dark hair into a side ponytail.

I have a meeting with an events agency at 9am and I am going to be dead on time. Unusual for me, as I am a stickler for time and tend to be early. I grab my laptop and file, along with my handbag that contains my world.... purse, mobile, lipstick and perfume.

I am meeting Marco the event guy in the lobby somewhere. As I walk out of the lift the background music in the lobby is playing subtly in the background. I walk up to reception and ask if Marco is here for me. They indicate that he is sat by the window.

‘Thank you’ I respond to the kind receptionist that honest to god belongs on a catwalk. She looks stunning. Why can’t I ever look that pristine? Why do some women always looks so bloody flawless?

I feel a set of eyes on me again and as I turn I can see my encounter from last night is sat in a chair with his newspaper bent so he can brazenly stare right at me. Why oh why oh why! In a vain attempt to not look bothered by him looking at me, I decide to give him a short nod of recognition and small smile. I really hope that I am not blushing the same colour as my shoes.

As I walk over to Marco he stands up and shakes my hand.

‘Good Morning Bella, I am Marco. How has your stay been so far?’
 

I manage to summarise my stay so far with as much positive enthusiasm as possible, and leave out last nights shame. I really don’t think that Marco would appreciate me sharing that with him. Luckily I have my back turned to Mr Encounter and can not see him. I am thankful for small mercies. I just hope that we can finish our meeting, so that I can go out and explore. I am definitely not going to eat outside my room tonight. I am sure once I have explained and confessed to Ash that she will see reason and let me off.

Marco and I spend hours going through his business proposals, and subject to figures all looks good. However, I think there is room for us to negotiate. We eat a delicious lunch together and Marco tells me how his family have lived in the region for generations and the history about the region. This is a very welcome distraction. He seems such a lovely guy. After lunch Marco heads off to his next meeting. We arrange another date for us to have a telecon and with that he rustles off. I head straight for my room, and look forward to being on my own for a while. But I am not looking forward to the countless emails I have missed and returning all my calls.

As I walk into my room I slip off my lovely red shoes that should be donned ‘confidence boosters’. I do love my shoes. I slip off my suit jacket and notice that there is something on my bed which has been made to perfection by the housekeeping staff.
Who on earth has been in my room? What is it?

As I approach the bed there is a slender box which is open, with a single coral rose. So beautiful and perfect. It has a little card attached to it;

                           
‘Thank you for a wonderful evening. Meet me for dinner at 7pm in the lobby’

I feel like a giddy school kid. How romantic. What a lovely thing to do. Yet I am quite disturbed, that it is in my room. Not to mention that last night he wanted nothing to do with me. I fish out my blackberry and text Ash

*Ash, I am confused.com and need your advise. Let me know when we can talk*

This is just random, and I so want to go. He is handsome, funny, and intelligent. Yet, I don’t see the point. I have no interest in having a one night stand if that’s what he is after. I also have no inclination for any type of relationship games. I have met enough fucked up men to last me a lifetime.

*Bell, call me now. Just dived out of the surgery to go and to the pharmacy run*

I call her instantly and explain what happened last night, and the random gift left on my bed. After squealing down the phone she says ‘Oh Bel, this is so exciting’.

‘You think? I mean Ash, he basically rejected me’

‘Bel, just pull yourself together. He might want to explain this later. A single rose means devotion and the coral colour means desire. He so wants you and you are so going to go tonight or I am going to fly out there and whoop your ass!’

I decide to let Ash go and do her pharmacy run and also have some much needed time to have a think. I run the bath and pour in the expensive lavender bath oil. When I dive in, it feels divine. I hadn’t realised how tired I was feeling. Then as I ponder about tonight, I get butterflies in my tummy. How stupid. I really do not even know if I should go. I mean what’s the point? Then I think back..... you should never miss out on opportunities. What if in a few years I think back to this moment and regret never finding out. Mr Encounter, maybe more than just that. Ohhhhh I don’t know, I have a few hours before I have to panic about that.

After drying myself off I make myself sit down with a bottle of water and go through the countless emails. So tiresome and so boring. I long for excitement.
Exactly Bella... this is why you should go!

Sod it. Lets go and find out. After ploughing through my work, I decide to get ready and try to stop shaking as I apply my lip liner. I must get a grip and at least act nonchalant and non perplexed by him. He must have women swooning over him all the time. He is actually probably very arrogant about it, after all he is an Adonis.

I decide that I will leave my chance to Lady Luck herself. I am going to be 15 minutes late. Then if he has gone, he must not have been worth the trouble and the decision has been made for me. Half of me screams ‘
What if he is waiting
?’ The other half say’s ‘
Oh I really don’t think he will.’
As I get to the lift a couple are stood in there, just as the doors close. Damn, looks like I will be 20 minutes late. Oh well never mind..... when the lift has gone to outer Mongolia and back again to collect me, I step in and check myself over in the mirror. I am wearing a silver camisole, white jeans and silver high heeled sandals. I look smart. But not to over the top, which is perfect. As the lift stops I steel myself. Is he still here? As I walk through the lobby I might as well just follow the line of sight from every female. They are all staring in the same direction.... at Mr Encounter. He is stood, checking his watch looking sublime in a baby blue shirt and white pants which shows off his tanned skin perfectly. He looked up and a smile creeps along his face and he walks towards me.

‘You’re late’

‘I could have been later, like never’ I keep my tone level. At this he arches his eyebrow.

‘Come, we are eating out of the hotel.’ Oh shit, I did not expect this. Eating where? I thought we were having a drink.

‘Where are we going?’

‘To a beautiful restaurant about 20 minutes from here by car. My driver is waiting outside.’ My inner goddess is doing a celebratory dance. My stomach lurches. I barely know this man, I cant believe he has gone to the trouble of booking a table, and that he has a driver.

He leads me out of the hotel by putting his hand on the small of my back. I can feel all the women staring at me.... I feel like blowing them all a raspberry and shouting ‘nah nah nah nah nah....’ But it might....only might... just put him off. The driver is holding open the door so I can step in, which I do. Mr Encounter jogs eagerly to the other side of the car and slides in very gracefully. I am sat hoping that the silver camisole top is not emphasising my muffin top. One can not hold one’s breath indefinitely! He turns and smiles at me.

‘Well Bella, two people can not have dinner alone. At least we can both enjoy each others company instead’.

‘Of course’ But I can not help but feel a stab of disappointment. I thought he was going to woo me but it turns out he just doesn’t fancy being billy no mates.
Oh Bella, get a grip..... he is right. Look on the positive side, you will not eat alone and you will see a different place and eat in a nice restaurant. Happy days!

The drive was lovely. I felt somewhat serene as I enjoyed the view on route. I use the button to let some of the delicious warm air into this very air conditioned car. Watching the world go by as we speed along. So much so, I got distracted and was awoken from my daydream by Mr Encounter giggling on my right.