Harrison Towers, Memoirs of a Mogul (Glass Towers Trilogy) (8 page)

“Ha ha ha...oh Harrison you are too funny. It was great to see you two...I hope you both stay for dessert, loved seeing you.”

That did it. She escaped from us as fast as she could, after seeing my cousin heading in our direction. Good god she has probably slept with half of this room.

“Well that was funny. Looks like she saw a ghost Harrison, good one.”

“Yah, with that woman you have to put her in her place, or else she keeps on pushing. Well it was an absolute pleasure running into you Adelaide. I look forward to seeing you again.”

She starts to blush. So I do have an effect on her. Good.

“Yes, likewise. Have a good evening Harrison.”

She gives me a hug goodbye and I think it’s about time to head toward the nearest exit. I am now intrigued with Adelaide. Interesting but maybe a successful evening to say the least.

I am driving home from the reception thinking of what an interesting evening I was handed. I can’t believe I ran into Adelaide. As much as I was dreading to go, it was well worth it.

It is about 11:45PM and I receive a phone call on my cell that I do not recognize.

“Harrison Towers.”

“So, I was thinking we should do dinner tomorrow evening. How long are you in town again?”

“Um, and this is? Oh...Adelaide?”

“Yes sorry. Hi.”

She called tonight. This is getting interesting.

“I am in town for three weeks, and yes I would love to take you to dinner tomorrow.”

“Who said you were taking me out to dinner? I believe I’m inviting you.”

Well isn’t she bold. I have never had a woman tell me she is taking me to dinner, no if’s ands or buts about it. She sure is a feisty little thing.

“In that case, I accept. How about I pick you up around 7:00 PM?”

“Yes, that would be great. I was thinking maybe we could go to Bistro 71 on Parrway Avenue.”

“That sounds like a good place.”

“Perfect. My place is just down the street, the Fenway Building.”

“Got it. Looking forward to it Adelaide. It was nice spending time with you this evening.”

“Yes me too. Loved seeing you after all these years. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

Wow. I am completely dumbstruck. There is some point she is trying to prove taking me out to dinner. I am not sure what her game plan is, but it does intrigue me. I am not used to this. After tonight I’m so ready to climb in bed and get a good night sleep, if I can sleep after all the evening I had.

The following evening I started to get ready for my dinner with Adelaide. For some reason, I am a little nervous. I pick out a nice pair of charcoal pants and a steel blue button down shirt. I want to be relaxed but not too casual. The town car picks me up around 6:45PM and I head over to Adelaide’s place. On the way, I make a stop at a local vendor who is selling fresh cut flowers near a market. They are beautiful, and I think they will be the perfect touch.

We pull up outside Adelaide’s building. I give her a ring on her cell.

“Hi. I am here, what is your apartment number, I will come up and get you.”

“Oh 416. It’s okay, I will head on down to the lobby.”

“No, no I insist. I will be right up. Don’t move.”

I quickly walk to the elevators and press the fourth floor. I find her apartment and knock one time and there she is.

“Wow, you look amazing. Here these are for you.” As I hand her the flowers and gently kiss her on the cheek.”

“Thank you, these are beautiful. Let me place them in some water before we head out. That was very sweet of you.”

I can’t stop staring. My mouth must now be literally on the floor of her apartment. She is wearing a midnight blue one shoulder cocktail dress and some blingy type of sandals. Very pretty and chic for an evening out. Her apartment is very neat and tidy. Simple lines, light and bright with dark wood floors. Lots of windows and glass. Typical for units in this building.

We make our way to the restaurant. It has been a while since I have been to Bistro 71. It is a quaint little place, perfect actually for conversation, good food and drinks. I order a bottle of Extra Dry Champagne and a round of appetizers.

“Are we celebrating something?” She looks a little taken back.

“We are celebrating all of our accomplishments over the years, and how far we both have come.”

“You know Harry, I have known you forever, but I don’t really know you.”

“What exactly does that mean?”

She is really distracting me in that dress she is wearing.

“I have known Marion for so long, being her college roommate and all. You have always been around but I feel like you were kept at an arm’s length away from me. We never had any type of in depth conversation. It was always short and rushed.”

“I was kept at an arm’s length from all of Marion’s friends. She never wanted me to associate with any girls. She would run interference between her girlfriends and me. I am not sure if it was the insecure part of her or what her deal was.”

“Well seriously, look at you, you are quite the catch.”

I can feel I am starting to blush a little. Harrison Towers blush, since when do I blush?

“Well thank you. She is just bat crazy that is really all there is to it.”

“Yes, I agree with you there.”

We are sitting opposite of each other at a small table in this romantic little restaurant. Dimmed lighting, candles lit all around and live piano music playing in the distance. After one bottle of Champagne, our dinner arrives.

“So, do tell. You are thirty-four, probably the world’s most eligible bachelor who has never been married, no kids...so tell me your story.”

“Well honestly, I have been married to my work. My family really had pre-arranged my previous engagement to Marion. I really don’t wish to talk about that part of my life anymore because it is in the past. I have moved on. Marriage is something I take very seriously, and if I were to get married, it would have to be forever to the right woman. Someone who can understand that I have several companies and business ventures to run, but also know and trust that I will be a good family man.”

She seems to be listening intently and hanging on my every word.

“Yes, I agree.”

“How about you? You feel the same way?”

“Well...yes, I would love to be married and start a family. It does take time to make sure you are marrying the right person. I feel that we go through what we are dealt in life for a reason. I have focused for years now on my education and career. At my age, I really don’t want to waste my time dating around. If I am going to date someone, it is going to be because we both mutually have the same goals and I would be able to see that person as a life partner.”

“What grade do you teach?”

“I am a middle school counselor and I also have my own classroom that focuses on reading and comprehension. I was hired on as a reading specialist. I love what I do, and it is very rewarding. I feel that we can change the world if we teach our kids to read and show them a love and passion for reading.”

“That is wonderful. You have found your passion in life.”

“Yes. You know this is so funny to me. I feel like we are on a blind date, but not really. I am really happy that we have reconnected.”

“I agree. Do you ski or snowboard at all?”

“I can, yes. My parents would take us up to Whistler as kids. It has been a while but I love going there.”

“How about Quebec City?”

“Oh, I love Quebec City. It is so romantic, the Cathedrals and history it’s just so enchanting. I think it’s a special place.”

“Well, you know I am here for the next few weeks. I would really like to take you to both. I think it would be fun. Are you able to get away on the weekends?”

“Yes, of course. I would love to.”

“Perfect. I will arrange everything.”

“So, does this mean we are going on a date?”

“I thought we are already on one.”

She smiles and our eyes lock. I think she may like me. Who would have thought, Adelaide and I on a date.

We wrap up dinner and order a round of chocolate strawberries and dessert wine and finish out a lovely evening really getting to know each other and catching up on our pasts. I take Adelaide back home and kiss her gently on the cheek at her door.

“I had a great time. Thank you again.”

“Good, as did I. See you Friday…how about I pick you up around 4PM?”

“Sounds great. Goodnight.” Then she shuts the door behind her.

I head back to the town car and head home. I like her, I really do. There is a spark of innocence, but also a upbeat spit fieriness about her. For a petite thing, she sure can hold her own.

I toss and turn all night long. I can’t get her out of my head. It’s weird because I never gave her a second look or thought back in the day. Even in New York, she didn’t interest me. But here I am now and I don’t think I have ever met another woman who does what she does to me. I can’t get her off of my mind. I don’t think I can wait until Friday to see her. I have to call her. I look at the clock and it is 4AM. Too early for a phone call. I will text message her in another hour, I don’t want to seem too eager.

5:30AM

Harrison

Can you meet me for breakfast at the Four Seasons?

5:45AM

Adelaide

Yes. How about 7AM?

5:47AM

Harrison

Perfect. I will see you then.

We have a pleasant breakfast at the Four Seasons. I have a feeling that this little thing we have going might just end up going somewhere. I feel out of control, not sure where this is going but at the same time, it feels so right. I have never been so eager to spend time with a female in a non intimate way. I can’t wait to get my lips on hers. I am finding that Adelaide is special...which is very intriguing. I feel myself letting go with her, and letting my guard down. I don’t want to tie her up and throw her down. Of course that wouldn’t be such a bad idea, she is just more fragile. Could she actually be the one? When I see her, I feel as if I have been punched in the stomach. In a good way. Could she be my forever? I remind myself to slow the hell down. I dismiss my thoughts and try to focus on my work.

The next two days are hard to get through. I have so many deals going on that it is getting hard to concentrate. I decide on sending her a few flower arrangements to her apartment.

I decided to rent a large luxury SUV for our drive to Quebec City on Friday. Adelaide looks breathtaking as usual. I get to see more of a casual side of her. She is wearing a pair of coral shorts, a white lace and silky top and a pair of wedges. She looks good dressed up or down. Her hair tied back into a low pony tail, minimal makeup and she looks beautiful. A natural beauty that is rare to find.

We spent Friday night taking a sunset dinner cruise along the St. Lawrence River. Taking in the view of one of North America’s most romantic city aboard a Crosiers’ AML ship. We floated under a glowing sky at sunset, eating a gourmet meal for two. Wine flowing, conversation like we have really known each other for years and a chemistry that has become undeniable. We danced on the ship into the night, with the Chateau Frontenac and Old Quebec’s 18th-century architecture as our backdrop. It was quite the evening, and Adelaide really seemed to be enjoying herself. We shared our first kiss on the ship under the stars. It was romantic and perfectly placed at just the right moment. The connection between us has built and it feels more than right to be in each other’s arms.

We make our way back to the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, it is known as Quebec’s magical “castle”. It’s historic charm and romantic setting was the perfect hotel for our weekend get-a-way together. I rented out the presidential suite, luxury at its finest.

That night was the first night Adelaide and I were intimate with each other. It was beyond what I could of ever thought or experienced. That was love making. Pure, raw and passionate love. We spent hours into the early morning exploring each other’s bodies, our most intimate desires surfaced and talking in between. There is an electricity between us that cannot be explained. An attraction that pulls us closer together as if it were meant to fit and just be. We spend the next day sleeping in together followed my more love making and sleeping.

The next morning we spent lingering over rich lattes, French pastries and pots of local blueberry jam at the coffee shop around the corner. We picked a table along the rue du Petit-Champlain for morning people-watching then ventured out into Quebec City to shop and explore the architecture.

I planned another surprise for this evening. After showering and cleaning up to get ready for our evening, we hear a knock at the door. I ask Adelaide if she would open the door, as I have just stepped out of the shower.

“Harrison, there is a package here that arrived. It is a large white box with a light blue ribbon around it.”

“Please, go ahead and open it.”

I walk out just as soon as she lifts the lid, so I can see her reaction.

“Oh my!”

She gasps and picks up the gold sequin dress in the box.

“Is this the dress...?”

“Yes, the one in the window you were eyeing.”

“How did you know my ....”

“Your size? I have my ways. Please try it on. There are also accessories to go with it under the tissue.”

“This is just too much. Thank you. It is just beautiful.”

“You are quite welcome.”

I love to see her smile; it makes me a very happy man.

We make our way out in front of the hotel, where our chariot awaits us.

“Oh wow, is that for us?”

“It is. Have you been in one before?”

“No, this is amazing. What a wonderful idea.”

We both step aboard a horse drawn carriage. We stroll through town as the rhythm of the horses’ hoofs and carriage wheels echo off the 18th-century inns. You really do feel like you have been transported to the old world. We finish the evening dining on French cuisine by candlelight in Old Quebec, wrapping up the  meal with maple syrup pie and glasses of ice wine.