This Charming Man

Summer of 2011 had started out rough, with the ups and downs of a clingy, womb-seeking man constantly nipping at my heels. I knew pretty quickly after meeting John that my fate with him wasn't destined to be forever. I cut the cord near the end of the summer, leaving but a few weeks left to enjoy the hot and humid Montreal sun. And I was just going on 7 months of sobriety. It definitely hadn’t been easy, especially at the age of 29. Living downtown Montreal, surrounded by bars, night clubs and patios. It was an alcohol haven sprinkled with high jinx. But I loved it. At this time I was feeling free, working out twice a week at an MMA studio, eating healthy and taking good care of myself. I was onto my second year at a financial institution as a Marketing and Communications Advisor. It wasn't exactly a glamorous job but I was learning a lot of useful information, not to mention a whole new language.

            One sunny August morning, I got up and put my favourite new shirt on, a $20 sheer tank with three buttons down the front. It had dark and light blue paint splatters all over it. I bought it at Target in Florida. My parents bought a condo their a few years ago and I would often go a few times a year and shop my little heart out. I lived in the Old Port, within about 15 min walking distance from work. My morning walk was the best. I would put my headphones on and listen to my favourite jams while soaking in all the breathtaking architecture. I got to work that morning feeling pretty bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. My good friend Claira came to greet me at my desk. We often went down to the 20^th floor for breakfast at 9:30am. The office had a subsidized cafeteria where you could buy soup, sandwiches, salads and all kinds of other wonderful creations that Josie the cafeteria lady would serve.

            As we entered the cafeteria, talking about a social media work project, I saw a younger looking man out of the corner of my eye. I had seen this man for a few months now, but he always seems so wrapped up in talking to the people he was with. He was handsome and appeared as if he was in his mid-twenties. And he just looked like a movie star. He never noticed me. But today was different. He noticed me. And I saw it. Now, I definitely wasn't model material. Though, I knew I was an attractive young lady. My body is slim yet athletic, with a nice round bum and perky full-size breasts. Everything was pretty and in proportion. It was more my charm. And I was fully aware of that which drew people to me. Most people noticed me, because I was always talking and smiling with everyone. But never him. Not until this very morning.

            As I went to pay for my breakfast sandwich, the handsome young man, with perfectly styled brown hair, dark brown eyes and delicious lips walked up right beside me. "Hello" he said, in a deep, yet heavy Quebecois accented voice. I looked up at him, not sure if he was talking to me, and then quickly realized he was, because he was staring right at me. "Hi", I said, quickly turning around on my heel, walking away. Claira and I left the cafeteria and just as the door closed she blurted "What was that all about"? "I don't know" I replied, "But that was really weird".

          I went back to my desk and sat down with my coffee and sandwich while cruising through my emails. A few hours passed and suddenly I got a new pop up for mail. I looked at the subject line and it said "Hello".

August 31, 2011

Alex:

Salut Lucy,

Want to have lunch tomorrow?

Lucy:

Salut!

I have an appointment tomorrow - can we go Friday instead?

Alex:

Of course

See you friday then!

Lucy:

parfait !

where should we meet?

Alex:

Let's meet down the elevators! where the little security guard is

Is twelve oclock good for you?

Lucy:
twelve is perfect. See you then!