The Beginning (14 page)

I have to go to California.

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A Lenox & Jonathan story of love and lust Part 3

Adult Contemporary Romance Serial

Originally Published July 20, 2015

Saturday…afternoon

Thankful for my new phone, I finally decide to Google Jonathan Ellis. I wanted nothing to do with the phone at first; it was too painful a reminder and brought me right back to that dreadful morning. I am ready now, decisive in my plan to go to California. The first things I see are the image search results, and I head straight for those. I scroll down image after of image of the striking face I long to see again, even if will be the last time. In picture after picture, he is smiling or laughing and always dressed in elegant casual clothing looking very handsome. Jonathan is one of those men that have no idea how good-looking he really is, and the absence of vanity makes him so attractive. His stance is strong, sexy and sure of himself, the kind of man you notice in the picture immediately, as your eyes are drawn to him. A few rows down, I start to see pictures of her, with him. I feel my brow furrow and my lips frown at seeing her face again. I briefly wonder what happened after I left, but put the images of a reunion out of my mind.

I see them together at charity events, parties, fundraisers, and other high profile Silicon Valley events. Visiting the Google campus for a summer concert series, over at Apple for a new iPhone launch, they seem to be everywhere together. I decide that is enough torment for me, and switch over to the web results. The only thing I know about my visit is that I do not want to show up at his office and definitely not his home, but where can I see him. How do I find him out and about? I click on the news tab and read about a symposium this Tuesday at Stanford University regarding the future of international e-commerce, and he is on the panel. Bingo! I book my flight and rental car. I decide against booking a hotel just in case I want to turn right around and come home. I have spoken to Samson and he is going to feed the kitty for me. It turns out he lives right around the corner and a block up.

Finding that I am too nervous and exited to sit still, I decided to go to work to pass the time, and tell my boss I am going out of town. Thankfully, the night goes by fast and surprisingly he says a vacation would be good for me.

Sunday

To keep the momentum of being busy going, I work the noon to seven shift today; it also puts me in good with the managers. After a long, slow but surprisingly lucrative shift I am home with nothing to do but wait for my flight. I have already decided to pack light, with just a carry on with one extra outfit and basic toiletries. Deep in my gut, I have no idea what to expect or what will happen tomorrow, so I want to keep things light and easy to move on. I pour a large coffee mug full of wine, set my phone alarm for 4am, grab the cat, and hop into bed with a good old black and white movie. I run different scenarios over and over in my head, what he might say, might do. I try to think of what I will say first or do; like an algebra problem in my head with too many variables. I fall asleep trying think of my opening line.

Monday

In the early morning darkness, I catch a cab, and get to the airport in plenty of time for my early flight. I booked it last minute, and I have to go to the gate to get a seat assignment. When I approach my gate, I see half the passengers are business attired and professional looking people, and the other half, over a hundred high school kids. Screaming and taking selfies, I wish I had loaded something into my phone for the flight, instead of the book I brought. When I get to the counter, I decide to ask the gate attendant about not sitting near the group.

“Can I see your ID please?” She asks me, and I hand it over. “Oh good, you are Lenox we have been waiting for you.” She smiles but keeps looking down typing into her computer.

“Waiting for me? Why? Is there a problem?” I am nervous enough about my trip; I hope nothing is going to delay it.

She continues, “Are you traveling alone?” and finally looks at me.

“Yyyes.”

A flood of relief washes over her face, “We had a sudden, um, situation, with the track team here at the gate and it turns out that they need more seats than they booked, and have a meet this afternoon. We could really use your seat in coach for the last spot. In return, we are going to bump you up to first class. If that’s ok with you?” and she smiles sweetly as she is aware that nobody is going to refuse a first class upgrade.

“Sure,” I readily agree.

“Great, here is your ticket and you may board.”

I took my papers from her and walked on board, at the end of the gangplank I saw two bright, beautiful flight attendants ready to greet me. One blonde and one brunette, the blonde reached for my carry on and took my ticket, “Welcome aboard, follow me and I’ll get you settled.” She led me to large comfortable seat, gave me a nice blanket, pillow and headphones. “Can I get you something to drink?” she offered, “Yes I’d love a large coffee with cream please.” I answered.

In a moment she brought be a beautiful cappuccino sized mug of delicious French roast, a small decanter of cream, as well as a plate with a croissant, butter, french jam and some fruit.

I was thrilled, “Oh you’re my savior!” I do not see a nametag.

“Renee,” she smiled.

“Thank you Renee, so much.”

“My pleasure. Enjoy your flight, just let me know if you need anything.”

I smiled and thanked her again.

Thankfully, I woke up just as we are landing, I had no idea I was so exhausted, but glad I wasn’t stuck thinking about Jonathan for three thousand miles.  San Jose Airport is large, modern, and easy to navigate over to the car rentals. At the counter, they offer me an upgrade to a SUV and I take it. I ask for a black one if they have it and they do. The young girl behind the counter was kind enough to give me easy directions and a map to my destination in Palo Alto. The symposium starts at one, and is scheduled for two hours; I don’t want to watch the whole thing, just sneak in at the end. I head out in my black SUV up the 101 freeway and practice what to say in my head.

I find the directions very simple, but once I arrive on the Stanford campus, it is a lot harder to navigate around. Finally, I ask a student on a bike at a stop sign, and he offers to let me follow him over to the auditorium. As he passes it, he points to the building and waves and I yell out a thank you. The parking lot is full of very expensive and rare cars. Mercedes and Lexus’ are nothing here; it is bursting with BMW Hybrids, Teslas, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, classic Porsches, and Maybachs. I ease into a stall, and get out. I changed at the airport into clean clothes; I am wearing short khaki shorts, a pink old navy t-shirt, white converse, and my hair is in a ponytail. I also have on no makeup. I want Jonathan to see me bare, as I really am. Besides, he is married so I don’t need to try to attract him anymore. I never realized until I was driving here why I really came. I need to confront him, I need to know why he chose me to use, what made me expendable to him, and if he knew he was married and couldn’t really commit to me, why did he offer, tell me he wanted to see me. Was he intending me to be the east coast mistress, and what did I say that made him think I would be interested in that, and ok with his adultery. That is why I flew all this way, for the answers to my questions.

People are starting to mill around outside as they come out through the doors. I head in opposite direction of the foot traffic, and once inside I see a girl at a desk.

“Do I need a ticket to go inside?” I ask her.

“Nope, it’s over, go ahead.” She offers with a smile.

A quick look inside and I see Jonathan; he is standing in front of the stage in middle of a small crowd all vying for his attention. Seeing him knocks the breath out of me, I am drawn to him by a hypnotic pull that stems from my groin, stomach, and heart. He is wearing a soft black V-neck sweater with a dark grey t-shirt poking out. The black in the sweater only accentuates his smoky mussed hair, soft velvet scruff, and those dark oceanic cerulean eyes. He is animated when he talks, and uses his hands a lot; he also is smiling with the right side of his mouth upturned in a friendly grin. I move my eyes down and see dark jeans right on his hips and black leather loafers, probably with no socks, on his feet. I walk down the elevated carpet a little, past the seats, just lean against the wall, and watch him. Jonathan stays and talks to everyone, and one by one, as they get their time with him, they leave, all with a handshake and a smile from him.

Soon only three people are left waiting to speak to him, and as the one on his right leaves, he turns to the next guy on his left, and when he looks over to him, he sees me. Our eyes connect and everything goes quiet and fuzzy in my head. He does not smile; in fact, his face doesn’t give him away at all. I stand still, frozen with our eyes locked, not knowing what to do. Jonathan keeps talking to the gentleman next to him, maintaining the full conversation. I decide to wait him out and see if he comes over to me when everyone is gone. I am nervous, scared, and anxious. Maybe this was a bad idea.

As soon as the guy on his left has gotten his time with him, and walks away, Jonathan holds a finger up to the last two men waiting indicating that he needs a minute. Pulling out his phone from his pocket I see him answer a call, speak for a second or two, then start to take a note in his phone. He is not looking at me, and has not turned back in my direction since he saw me. I feel my phone vibrate in my back pocket, pulling it out; there is a text from him. It is a hyperlink with an address and it only says, “Speak to Seth.” Fully engrossed in the new conversation with those last two men, I turn and walk out of the auditorium. Once in the SUV I click on the link he sent me and agree to turn-by-turn directions.

Ten minutes later, I pull to the Four Seasons East Palo Alto, the stone road leads me straight to the front of the hotel, and a valet runs around to my door and opens it.

“Welcome to the Four Seasons, Checking in?” He asks.

“I don’t know,” I answer, “I have to speak to a Seth?” I tell him.

“Oh sure, I’ll just pull your car up over to the side and you can let me know what you want to do.” I hand him a twenty and go inside.

Once I am inside the lobby, I feel insanely undressed. Even considering the casualness of the other guests dressed in simple California resort wear. I begin to head to the front desk, but I am approached by a well-dressed handsome and polished young man.

“Lenox? Hi I am Seth.”

“Hello.”

“I am all ready for you if you will follow me. Did you drive here and do you have luggage?”

“Yes and yes, a small carry on.” I tell him.

“Ok we’ll take care of those for you. Does the valet already have your keys?” I nod.

Seth leads me to the elevators, and I find myself in another beautiful five star elevator underdressed, he presses ten and we move up. We go straight up and land on the tenth floor. Exciting the elevator, I see two light wooden double doors ahead of us. I feel a churn in my stomach when I think of the last two-door suite I was in and what happened. I push on, Seth opens the door, and this suite has open floor plan and is lightly decorated. Very neutral and natural tones, it was quite Zen and soothing.

“We have everything you could need. I have placed some fruit, crudités, sushi, and sweets on the dining room table. Completely stocked bar right over here, and I opened a nice Cabernet to breath for you if you feel like a glass. The bathroom is stocked with all your anticipated needs including a brand new robe and slippers, and I am at your disposal 24/7. Can you think of anything I can send up right now?”