I had lunch with Juan in the office, worked my ass off, with a target analysis, before I went to do some graphic design about a book launch.
And then I was off at five o'clock.
Weekend.
I had put a pair of new heels in my bottom drawer. They were black, with a strap around the ankle, so I didn't fear I'd step out of them, and they were shiny. They were on sale and I actually really liked that shiny effect.
My computer was shut down and I went to the elevators.
The one furthers from me arrived with a ding.
I went to it.
It was Alexander, in a charcoal gray suit, a light blue tie and a white shirt. He was deeply engaged in his phone. Jazz stood next to him in a black suit. He smiled briefly when I stepped into the confined space.
There were two other preset in the elevator, they were discussing amongst themselves.
We were all going to the reception and home.
The two people talked all the way.
We reached the reception with a pling and we all filed out.
I walked home.
Should I bring pajamas the following day? Just in case? He probably wouldn't ask again, now I left so quickly the last time. So I guess I just didn't?
Yes.
I went to my apartment, read, for the fun of it, and checked up on my money in stock before going to bed a little past ten.
Saturday morning I went for a long walk before showering and washing my hair.
Skinny jeans, a t-shirt and a cardigan. Wasn't that fine? It didn't get any better. I grabbed a light summer jacked, I had my shoulder bag and I had everything I need. Purse, keys, phone and the like in my bag. Wasn't that fine?
I checked the time.
I left my flat and ensured the door was securely locked before walking towards the metro.
Of course I missed a train, but it was three minutes to wait. I'd survive.
I boarded the following train, stood the entire way, and exited on the station Alexander had mentioned in his email.
Okay, this was it. Would he keep the silence as much as the last time? Or would he try to appear less insensitive if anyone watched?
I found the correct exit and walked up the steps.
Alexander was waiting. Without Jazz. Or, I didn't see Jazz around, it didn't necessarily mean he wasn't around somewhere.
Okay. Here goes nothing.
I went to Alexander.
"Hi," I said.
His eyes were hidden in shadows created by his eyebrows. "Hi."
Then what?
"Thank you for going," he said and started walking.
I kept up. "What is this event for? The charity, I mean?" I asked.
He looked down at me before looking at the road. "Children in care, and the sometimes poor conditions some of them live in."
"Now I don't want to contradict what you're saying, but aren't there a lot of kids who end up in good families?" I asked.
"Yes," Alexander said. "But this charity is created to help the less fortunate."
"What's the charity called?"
"Green Grass," he said.
"Did you create it?" I asked.
He looked surprised at me. "No," he said. "It has been for a lot longer than I've had the money to support it."
I smiled. "Then why Green Grass?"
"Because many of the children living under poor conditions don't have access to fresh air, school, green grass," Alexander said. "It's also easier to spread awareness if the charity is called something that's easy to remember."
"That's true," I said.
"And how many children wouldn't love to run around and play on a green lawn?" he asked, looking at me.
"A lot, I'm guessing," I said.
He nodded and we crossed the street. He led me quietly into the building. We rode the elevator to his living room.
It was as cold and impersonal as the last time. White surfaces and coach and glass. But I was here I again, something I hadn't anticipated I'd be.
"Something to drink?" Alexander asked.
"Water, please," I said.
He fetched the water from the fridge and handed me a bottle, not sparkling, and unscrewed the lid on his own, sparkling.
I unscrewed the lid and swallowed a mouthful of water. From the panorama windows in the living room I had a perfect view of the Hudson River and the New York Skyline. Who didn't want a view like this?
"You weren't mentioned last time, when they highlighted who had donated," I said and glanced towards Alexander.
"I don't want to broadcast it everywhere what I donate," he said and directed his blue eyes to mine.
I knew about all the donations and such, but I still had to get used to it. Slowly I nodded.
"The doorman, or security guard in the building, referred to you as Miss Denmark," Alexander stated.
"It's my middle name," I said and sipped at the bottled water.
"Where are you from?"
I smiled. "Denmark," I said. "So yeah, my home country is my middle name too."
Alexander had the least possible wrinkles around his eyes with the smile that tried so desperately to appear on his face.
"Elias will be here shortly," he stated when he managed to suppress the smile.
I nodded. "It's funny your name is also Elias." I said quietly.
"Hilarious," he remarked dryly.
Right then.
"Do you want to change?" he asked.
"Yes," I said. I might as well. We wouldn't get anywhere if we continued talking. Not when he didn't want to actually say anything.
"Same room as last time," he said.
I looked at his face. "Thank you," I said and handed him the water bottle.
He accepted it, and I went to that room.
I shut the door, locked it behind me, and stepped out of my shoes.
Hesitantly I peeked into the bag with underwear. Dark lace. The color was not definable.
I unzipped the bag with the dress.
"Wow," I said quietly and looked at the skirt. It was a navy blue dress with a cut like I was supposed to be a Greek goddess. Just one strap, a one shoulder dress. Beneath the breasts was a large silver looking piece of jewelry, it was shining in the comfortable light above my head.
The fabric felt like silk in my hands.
I undressed, put on the new underwear and stepped into the dress. It was phenomenal. It was beautiful. That was really the only word to describe how that dress felt.
I zipped it in the side and looked for the shoes. Nope, they were not in here.
Was his plan to play Cinderella again? I would let him.
I pulled out the elastic band in my hair and ran my fingers through. My hair was dry by now.
I checked my phone and stayed in the room for several minutes before walking out to the living room again.
Alexander was on the couch, skimming through a massive spreadsheet on his tablet. It looked like spreadsheets.
I looked towards the kitchen island where my water bottle was. Awesome. I grabbed it.
Alexander looked away from the tablet and then back at me. "It suits you," he said.
I looked down at the dress. "It's amazing."
He smiled. Or, I decided not to call the little change in his facial features a smile, even though it did look like it was about to turn into a smile. And that even though he never got that far.
"Elias will be here in a minute."
I nodded and screwed the lid back on my bottle.
He returned to his work.
I looked around the living room. Something in my wanted to go around and touch everything, but that would be weird.
The silence expanded between us until Jazz announced that Elias was on his way.
Alexander stood and produced a few jewelry boxes. "They are borrowed," he said.
"The jewelry?" I guessed.
He nodded.
"The ones from last time were spectacular."
"Good," he said.
Elias made his entrance, shook hands with both of us, before having me carrying the jewelry boxes to the room. I had folded my clothes and put it on the bed, my underwear in between.
I placed the jewelry boxes on the tiny vanity, which probably was more a desk. It was where Elias had placed me the last time.
He didn't say anything, he just started combing my hair and do what he did.
It ended in a soft bun that matched the downplayed elegance of the dress.
He applied the makeup and had me put in the earrings. The earrings were silver, like the jewelry on the dress. Compared to last week, they weren't as long. They were oval-shaped, reached my jaw, and there was a stone sparkling in the middle. I wouldn't even entertain the thought of their price.
The necklace was small and enhanced the simplicity of the dress. A thin bracelet was wrapped around my wrist several times. No rings.
I felt feminine. I enjoyed wearing pants, but I also liked wearing a dress. I really liked to appear super feminine from time to time. Just like now.
"You look gorgeous," Elias said quietly.
I looked at him. "Thanks to you."
He smiled. "Thank you for natural beauty," he said. "Did Alex force you?"
"No," I said. "He hasn't forced me into anything."
Elias relaxed.
"He might not say a lot, but he's not an ass towards me." I ensured Elias.
"Good," Elias said. "Let's see what shoes he has planned you must to wear."
I smiled and stepped out of the bedroom.
Alexander wore his suit. Black. White shirt. Blue tie in the same color as the dress I wore. I looked down at the dress before looking at his tie again.
He looked away from the tablet.
"Shoes?" Elias asked.
Alexander stood and found a shoe box. He opened it. "Where the shoes from last week comfortable?"
I nodded. "They were fine." I said.
He retrieved the shoes form the box. Silver heels.
I smiled.
He sat down on his knees before me and put one shoe before my foot.
I lifted the dress and stepped into the shoe. He secured the strap around my ankle, and I put my hand on his shoulder when he helped me stepped into the other shoes.
"That became erotic," Elias said. "I am out of here!" He had packed his stuff, and without another word, stepped into the elevator and was gone.
Alexander stood and looked after him. "What was erotic?" he asked. "That I helped you into your shoes?"
I shrugged. It hadn't felt erotic. It just felt as if he cared a lot more than he actually led on, at least compared to what everyone said. Maybe it was a little bit intimate, but it hadn't felt that way.
He looked at me. "Are you ready?"
I nodded. "We're matching."
He looked at his tie and nodded without commenting.
He handed me a clutch.
"What's in it?" I asked.
He looked at me. "Nothing?" he said. "You can bring your own stuff, if you like?"
I nodded and went back to the spare room. I put my phone on mute and put it in the clutch. Anything else? Elias had left the lipstick behind. I put it in the clutch, and that was it?
I went back to Alexander.
"Wasn't there a shawl?"
"Uhm," I said.
He walked past me to the spare room.
Because my underwear was there too, I wasn't super keen on having him doing just that.
He returned with a shawl in navy blue and wrapped it around my shoulders.
With a hand on my lower back, he led me into the elevator.
Right then, here we go again.