Calah
“Yes, Mateo, I love fairy tales, I think about stories nonstop…” I’m about to go on when I catch myself, “Oh, what I mean is…”
“That’s romantic,” he interrupts.
“Really?”
“Yeah, we all have a story you know and in those moments when it feels like those big epic things they write stories about are happening to us, it’s because they are,” he says and for a moment I think I imagined it.
“Right, so you like stories?”
“I love to read, my favorite thing lately has been The Time Traveler’s Wife.”
“Oh really? I adore that one too.”
“I know it’s probably a book meant for women but I enjoy the romantic stories that have a lot of suspense and big feelings, I’m a passionate person.”
“That’s romantic,” I say in the same tone he interrupted me with earlier.
“Calah…” my name is a breathy whisper on his lips.
“Yes, Mateo?”
He looks into my eyes and then his eyes dart to my lips. Oh my goodness, is he going to kiss me? Let go, say yes, you want this after all. I don’t think I realized how much I wanted it until I thought it might happen but now I want it, I want it so badly.
He leans closer to me and relaxes. His lips part slightly, they’re full and inviting but I’m willing myself to be patient because I want to see what he’s going to do. He runs his hand over my cheek and back into my hair then closes his eyes and kisses me, passionately. Everything feels right, I feel complete.
My heart goes into overdrive and my skin tingles all over but I only kiss him back. Our lips move together perfectly as if we’d never done anything else. I have kissed guys before but I’ve never felt anything even remotely close to anything I am feeling at this moment.
I wasn’t expecting the intensity of it and go slightly limp in his embrace. My whole body is thrumming along with my heartbeat and all I can think about is how good this feels. He’s holding me like I’m already his, it truly does feel like a fairy tale.
He breaks the kiss and presses his forehead to mine. It seems that we’re both trying to catch our breath and the air is charged. I’m not sure if I can trust myself with him because I liked that, way too much.
I have a meeting tomorrow and I haven’t even looked at the details yet. Mateo is a fun fairy tale but it’s really important to me that I close this deal the right way. Especially after the way my parents came around to sending me here.
“Mateo…that was wonderful but I think I need to turn in for the night.”
“I’m sorry Calah…” he says softly as he releases me.
“Don’t apologize.”
He must think it’s because of the kiss but it’s not, at least not in the way he thinks, it’s because I already want more. I muster up the courage to press my lips to his again.
When I break away I explain, “Tonight really was wonderful. I just have work in the morning and I’m a bit jet-lagged.”
“I understand and besides that, I’ll see you again…” his voice trails up at the end almost like he’s asking me a question.
“I hope so.”
He pulls me in one more time and kisses me passionately.
“Good night beautiful, Calah.”
“Good night Mateo.”
It takes all my willpower to stand up out of the chair and walk away from him but I would never forgive myself if I didn’t get this contract because I was distracted by a man. When I get to the elevator I’m thankful I’m alone. I can’t help the rush of emotions I feel; hope that I’ll see him again, fear that I might not, elation because I spent an incredible evening with him. Tears form in my eyes simply because I’m overwhelmed, I’m not sure what to do with all of these feelings. I can’t help wishing Rhea was here but maybe I can talk to Midge tomorrow, she seems like she could be helpful.
I try to put Mateo out of my mind on my way to the hotel room but I can’t. He is so amazing and his voice is so sexy, like the hottest thing I’ve ever heard, he had a slight accent, but his English was perfect. That laugh and that smile though… dammit! Pull yourself together.
When I get into the room I slip off my shoes and let myself lay on the bed. I can spare five minutes to relish the way I’m feeling. It’s amazing that the same man I’m interested in is interested in me. He said I was beautiful and the way he kissed me - swoon. I should have made plans or a date or something. Maybe I can just go to the bar tomorrow night and he’ll come too.
That’s enough indulging, I need to focus on work, work, work, work so I sit up and grab my computer. When I open my email there is a meeting agenda from Midge. It says the meeting is with hotel management, this is a meeting I’ve done a million times but it can’t hurt to prepare a little bit. After I numb my brain out reviewing my presentation I decide to read in my pajamas for a little bit. My thoughts keep drifting off to Mateo but eventually, I fall asleep.

The next morning I’m awoken by an unfamiliar ringtone but after I blink so sleep away I realize it must be the loaner phone. Oh no, what time is it? I stumble out of bed and answer the phone.
“Hello, this is Calah.”
“Calah, it’s Midge,” she says but she doesn’t really sound like herself.
“Are you alright, you sound?”
“I’m sorry, I never do this but I am so sick. I can see if Elite can send someone.”
“No, don’t worry my dear, I should be just fine for this presentation,” I assure her.
“Are you positive? I feel awful, I know what this must look like but I promise I’m not able to work today.”
It sounds like she may be crying, but her job seems really important to her, so maybe that’s all it is, “Are you sure you’re alright? We can have the driver take you to see a doctor.”
“I’ll be okay Calah, I’ll be in touch later, good luck with the meeting.”
"Thank you, I hope you feel better."
She hangs up without another word.
I know that I don't know her very well but I can't help being worried about her, she didn't sound alright. Just then a text pops up.
[Midge]: I forgot to tell you, just go to the front desk and ask for the manager and they’ll take you to the meeting.
[Calah]: Thank you, rest up.
