47 Destinies: Finding Grace (5 page)

The staircase reminded Grace of something straight out of a fairytale.  In fact, it looked like the one in “Shrek 2” at Fiona and Shrek’s wedding party.  Grace giggled to herself.  Being a mother of two young children greatly impacted her movie selections.

The room was set up elaborately for the fashion show.  The staircase served as the runway, which added another element of class to the event.  The large marble pillars were strewn with vines of flowers.  Candles adorned every table and shown proudly the glasses and fixtures.  To call the scene romantic was an understatement.  Unfortunately for Grace, she felt no attraction or connection with Vinnie.  In fact, he had wandered off when they entered the event and had yet to return.  Grace was unfazed.  She was not enjoying his company.  While staring at one of the intricate carvings up on the second floor, Grace felt a hand tap her on the shoulder.

“Somehow, I am not surprised to see you here, Grace,” Todd said as he pulled Grace into a friendly hug.

“Todd, what a wonderful surprise!  What brings you here?” Grace asked, surprised to see him at a fashion show.  It was nice to see a friendly face.

“Fashion Week has previously sponsored the Boys and Girls Club as one of their charities so I like to give back and volunteer at their annual events,” Todd said humbly.  “How about you?  Is Cora with you?” Todd asked, eager to see his long-time friend again.

“No, I wish she was.  I am here with…”

“Vinnie Van Zant, fashion designer.  Gracie, we really must take our seats.  The show is about to begin,” Vinnie said as he led Grace away.

Grace flashed Todd an apologetic glance as she was led away.  Todd was shocked to see Grace out on a date after their conversation a month ago.  He was even more surprised to see her with someone like Vinnie.  He looked like a used car salesman, and that was a generous description. 

What concerned Todd even more was the feeling he got when he saw Grace that evening.  Her long black dress clung to her body in all the right places.  When she turned to him and smiled in recognition, he instantly melted.  Her innocent beauty was eating away at his tough resolve to swear off women completely.  He would be lying if he said he hadn’t thought about her since they first met.  He often conjured up visions of her luscious beautiful blonde hair, green eyes and warm smile in the quiet moments late at night.  She wove some enchanting spell upon him that he just couldn’t shake.

“Ex-lover?” Vinnie asked once Grace and he were seated.

“Excuse me?” Grace shot back.

“You don’t have to hide it.  The way that man was looking at you was simply sinful,” Vinnie said, full of jealousy.

Grace had no idea what he was talking about.  Vinnie was straight off his rocker.

“By the way, I want you to take a good look at how the models walk tonight.  If you put your foot a little more to the inside of your body, it would elongate your figure,” Vinnie said, attempting to be helpful.  “Oh, and next time, a splash of color would really spice up your outfit.  You should have worn some red heels instead of dull black.” Vinnie said, searching through the crowd for someone.

“I don’t need any help-” Grace began.

“Sweetheart, you can thank me later.  I have all kinds of ideas for you.  There are some signs of aging beginning to show.  Have you considered Botox?  Or perhaps a breast lift?”  Vinnie said, motioning toward her breasts.

Looking him dead in the eye, Grace rose from her chair and curtly but respectively said with a pointed finger, “The man you assumed was my ex-lover is someone I recently met. I feel sorry for you, Vinnie. I thought just maybe that there would be a connection with us, but I was wrong! I am happy with myself inside and out. And, I know I am too good to remain here and subject myself to you and your shallow, negative drivel.  You don’t even deserve to see my seductive clothes which are at home in my closet.  That is where they will stay, as will this ring on my finger, as I doubt I will ever again meet someone the equal of my deceased husband, Derek.  If he were able to materialize himself in this moment, he would take you outside and give you a lesson or two on what it means to be real man!”

With that, Grace turned and walked away.  As she did, two women at nearby tables smiled and applauded her. She was very pleased with herself, especially with the fact that she had her own get-away car parked outside to rush back to her beautiful home and loving family.  As she drove off, she felt Derek’s presence and knew he was proud of the way she handled ‘Mr. Famous Fashion Expert’.

Todd wasn’t sure what happened to Grace, but he saw her storm swiftly out of the event.  Before he could catch up to her, she disappeared into the crowd.  The woman looked sweet and innocent, but she had a deep fire within yearning to get out.  Todd was beginning to wonder if he was the man to bring it out of her.

Chapter 3

D
isbelieving that all men could be as repulsive as Larry and Vinnie, Grace agreed to try another recommendation from the dating service.  While she was willing, she was also extremely hesitant.  Leslie provided Grace with only a few details, claiming that Grace would surely not be disappointed.  Grace was more than skeptical.

“Jonathan is nothing like your last date.  He owns an internet-based company in the Silicon Valley.  While he is considered ‘new money’, his place in society is well set,” Leslie said, describing Grace’s date like a piece of merchandise.

“Leslie, I am not marrying the man.  I simply want to meet new people,” Grace said, a little uncomfortable with hearing about the man’s financial health.

“You never know where things might lead.  It is important to establish his credentials upfront before you introduce him to the children,” Leslie countered.

“I have no intention of introducing the children to any man unless I am completely sure that I have some type of future with him.  It would be too confusing.”

“I understand.  The children are vulnerable,” Leslie agreed.  “Let’s just take it one step at a time.  Where is Jonathan taking you tonight?”

“He wouldn’t tell me.  He just instructed me to bring a coat and asked if I enjoy the water.  I have to admit, I am intrigued.”

“I can’t wait to hear all about it.  Make sure you call me tomorrow,” Leslie insisted.

“I will,” Grace said, smiling.  Leslie enjoyed being a part of Grace’s dating adventure.  Grace hoped it was all worth it in the end.  Cora often talked about how everyone had 47 possible destinies.  Grace had already lived one destiny with Derek and a life with Larry would be a nightmare.  At this rate, she had 45 destinies left.  Perhaps she’d be able to find someone in those 45 that would be suitable, Grace chuckled to herself.

Jonathan promptly picked Grace up at 4pm at the parking lot of Baker Beach.  She still didn’t trust anyone enough to pick her up, so after leaving the babysitter with ample instructions, she walked down to the beach parking lot early and waited for Jonathan.  When he arrived, Grace was pleasantly surprised with his appearance.  Describing him as gorgeous was an understatement.  His dark hair flowed down to the nape of his neck and curled at the tips.  His blue eyes were bright like sapphires.  His smile penetrated through the remaining fear Grace that originally felt.  Grace was suddenly excited about spending the rest of the day with Jonathan.

“Grace, I am looking forward to our time together,” Jonathan said as he helped her into the car.

“Thank you.  I am too,” Grace replied.

Jonathan drove Grace down to a nearby dock located in San Francisco’s Marina District.  It was a clear blue Saturday at the end of October.  The temperature lingered in the upper 60’s.  The slight breeze off the ocean played with Grace’s silky, shiny hair.  She looked like a rare goddess transported from the Greek mythological times.  Jonathan liked what he saw and took every opportunity to admire her long sexy legs, bronzed skin and high cheekbones.  When the dating service called him about Grace, he thought their description of her was too good to be true.  After meeting Grace, he felt their description did not do her the justice she deserved.

After Jonathan parked the car, he led Grace down the ramp to the boats.  Grace enjoyed looking at all of the various sized boats, dinghies and sailboats.  Her father was an expert sailor.  While growing up, he taught Grace all about the water and how to operate the sails.  Since Grace was an only child, she paid close attention when her father taught her skills usually reserved solely for boys.  She did not want to disappoint him in any way, even when a subject did not particularly interest her.

“We’re here.  Let me take your bag and coat,” Jonathan said as he helped Grace into a small boat.

Grace obliged and stepped into the vessel.  Jonathan confidently started the engine and maneuvered the boat out of the docking area and into the bay.  They rode together for a few minutes, unable to speak much over the engine noise and the sound of the water splashing against the side of the boat.

“We’re almost there,” Jonathan said, pointing to a 100 foot yacht in the middle of the bay.  The yacht was a pristine white.  It looked to have about four different levels.  Several people were already on board.  Grace saw a captain and several crew members.

Grace hated to admit it, but she was impressed.  The man was handsome and obviously well-off.  Grace smiled to herself and made a mental note to be sure to thank Leslie in the morning. 

Jonathan helped Grace on board and proceeded to give her a tour of the yacht.  As they moved around, the large vessel began to move toward the Golden Gate Bridge.  Jonathan and Grace remained on the upper deck in order to take in the view.

“I thought we could take a little trip under the bridge and out into the ocean.  Once the sun sets, the city lights look amazing,” Jonathan said as he handed Grace a drink.  “Are you cold?”

“No, the weather is perfect.  Thank you for inviting me today.”

“The pleasure is truly mine.  You are far more beautiful than your profile picture.  I have to say, it is usually the other way around,” Jonathan laughed as he said it.

“I have experienced that as well,” Grace said as she shared with Jonathan some of the horror stories from her recent dates.  “It has been so long since I have dated.  I didn’t realize all of the changes.  I miss the old days when men and women met through friends and at gatherings.  All of this internet and profile dating feels a little cold to me.”

“After a while you get used to it.  Sometimes in life, you have to search through the coal before you come across a diamond,” Jonathan said as he brushed his hand across Grace’s cheek.  The contact of his hand startled Grace.  Outside of the men in her family, no other man had touched her in years.  She wasn’t sure how she felt about it.

Grace pushed aside her fear and smiled softly at Jonathan.  Little did she know how much her innocence was a turn-on.  Her beauty, class, wealth, etiquette and way of being were an intoxicating mix.

As the yacht moved on, they slowly began to approach the Golden Gate Bridge.  It was close to sunset and the colors began to fade into the clouds.  The bridge was a deep red-orange and stood proudly like a guard over the expanse of the sea.  Grace never tired of looking at it.  In fact, she would often walk down to Baker Beach from her house and stare at the bridge for hours.  The captain stopped the yacht directly underneath the bridge.  It was the first time Grace had been under the Golden Gate, and she was overtaken by its massive size.  She envied the architect who originally came up with the design. What was her talent?  When would she find it?

“Dinner is ready.  Would you like to go down below?”  Jonathan asked gently.  Grace looked lost in thought.  She reminded him of an elegant deer, cautious and easily spooked.

“Yes, please.”  While Grace enjoyed the scenery, she was more interested in getting to know Jonathan better.

“Would you like a glass of champagne?”

What was it about men and champagne, Grace thought to herself.  “No, thank you,” Grace replied as Jonathan poured himself a glass.

After beginning their meal, Grace opened the discussion further, “Tell me about yourself.”

Grace was genuinely interested as Jonathan described his work.  Grace was inexperienced with the computer industry and the workings of the Silicon Valley.  Truth be told, she was unfamiliar with the terminology Jonathan used; however, she e
njoyed learning something new.

It was Jonathan’s energetic demeanor, smooth soothing voice, and boisterous tone that made his stories mesmerizing.  He was quite charming.  His laugh floated on the air like little notes of pleasure ringing in Grace’s ear.  When Jonathan used his arms to accent a part of his story, Grace saw his muscles ripple and flex.  Grace was surprised at how attracted she was to this man she barely knew.  Perhaps everyone was correct and it was time for her to find a new man in her life.

After dessert and two more glasses of champagne, Jonathan finished the tour of the yacht.  He showed Grace the engine and sitting room before finishing the tour in one of the bedrooms.  The bedroom was decorated in soft blues and light greens.  The bed overflowed with fluffy pillows.  Several small candles added a romantic light to the ambiance.  Fresh flowers sat in vases throughout the room.  Jonathan sat down on the bed and motioned for Grace to join him.

“Sweetheart, come sit with me,” Jonathan said as he flashed a striking smile at Grace.

Grace was hesitant as she approached Jonathan.  The evening had gone well, but she was not ready or even close to being ready to move the relationship past the stage of becoming friends.  However, she did not want to disappoint him so she sat down on the corner of the bed.