Too Close, Too Fast

Know Your Enemy

Vanessa

September 22

I decided to start following Kirstie instead of Nick. I did not know her last name so first I had to figure out where she lives. When she left Nick after their date at that coffee shop, she went to a hotel - more specifically The Diamond Star Hotel on Upper East Side. ‘I bet she’s gonna meet some other guy there,’ I thought at first. I expected nothing good from her. I had been waiting there for few hours, looking out for her leaving before I realized she could have been living there. I remember her talking about that she doesn't know a lot of people here in New York. So, she’s staying here temporarily. She also mentioned something about work so she can't be just a tourist here. I wondered that she must have a lot of money if she can spend it on such a luxury hotel. But that was all I knew at the time. I needed a plan and I couldn't just go to the reception of the hotel and ask about her because they wouldn't tell me anything.

One possible solution was for me to wait if she ever leaves and then cleverly bump into her, steal her wallet and start my mission. But I did not want to attract attention to myself and maybe she wouldn’t believe me afterwards when I would tell her that I’ve found the wallet. She would get suspicious about me.

My plan B is a little simpler even though it costs more money - I simply went to check in into the hotel myself and tried to befriend the receptionist. Actually he was a quite cute guy, his name was Richard and he was nice to me and everything, plus he was very good looking - but of course I'm only interested in Nick!

I barely slept through the night although my hotel room was really great - truth is, I was nervous like crazy. First thing in the morning, I went to the lobby, watching out for any trace of Kirstie. I had to pretend I was just hanging out, so I brought my book. I always carry it with me because it is a great cover for these situations. She finally made an appearance (like she's some freaking Hollywood star) around 9:30 - so I waited for a minute or two and then I went to the reception again.

“Good morning, I was just wondering if you could recommend me a good restaurant around here,” I asked the eye candyeceptionist. He kindly gave me few tips and then I was finally able pop the question I was really interested about. “And I couldn't help but notice a guest who seems so familiar to me… I'm sure you cannot tell me if it's really her but she really looks like my old friend from school – Kirstie… ”

I made a pause like I was trying to recall her last name and the nice receptionist didn't leave me hanging for too long: “Ms.Kirstie Stone, yes, in fact she's staying in The Diamond Star Hotel but unfortunately you just missed her. Do you wish to leave her a message or perhaps I should arrange the meeting for you two?” I answered: “it won't be necessary, thank you. I don't want to be a bother to her. Things between us didn't end exactly well - you know how it is at high school…” Then I smiled and added: “But you probably don't know... you were surely a popular boy back then.” Blah blah, a little flirting, so he would focus something else beside asking suspicious questions. So, I finally knew her full name! I came back to my hotel room and immediately start looking on the internet – Kirstie Stone… Let's see what she's hiding…

Actually it seems she's hiding almost everything - all her accounts on social media? Closed or private! Are you kidding me? Does she think she is the Queen of England? Well I mean, I found out she's from London but luckily with no connection to Royal Family. Plus she does not look THAT rich to me… Anyway I figured out her dad was an American and her mum is British. Plus, from her f*******: profile I found out she's actually here in New York working with a famous fashion designer Carrie Robinson. If I say famous, I mean Google thinks she's famous - I have never heard about her in my life. But that’s gonna change right now - first I will do research about her and then I'm gonna decide what to do next.

***

Kirstie

These past two weeks have been kind of weird but I can't really figure out exactly why. I just have these strange feelings ever since I’ve met Nick even though I am pretty sure it doesn't have anything to do with him specifically. Maybe a bad premonition or something. Or am I just paranoid and probably overstressed from work? Yeah, I guess.

Truth is, with the fashion show coming up, it's starting to get really hectic, especially since Carrie came back from her trip to Milan. If she’s here, I am just ‘the number two’ again. I get it and I respect it but truth is but she's driving me nuts.  She's running around, changing fabrics on the last minute and deciding everything without me. For example, she hired a new assistant without consulting me at all. And do you know why? Only because that girl, who's not even a little bit experienced in fashion, is her big fan. I guess Carrie needs an ego boost on a daily basis...  And I really wouldn't mind getting some help here… but the new girl Natalia - she's a disaster! She's so nice and sweet that it hurts me to say this, but every time I’ve asked her to do anything – she has been asking me a million stupid questions. Plus she’s so slow! I really think it would be a lot easier and faster for me to do the task myself  after all. 

Maybe I'm unfair but it seems to me that Natalia is sucking up to Carrie and even to me. You wanna tell me she's just sooooo friendly? She always wants to talk to me and she seems genuinely interested in what I have to say. She even asks me about my personal life all the time (about my life in London and even my relationship and future with William) and it's getting really annoying. I know I should be happy that she wants to be friends with me as I don't know a lot of people here in New York. But Natalia just doesn't seem to be my type of person and I really can't pinpoint why. 

And today? That was the cherry on top of this weird week - William came to see me! Yes, my fiancé that I cheated on.  Does he find out? No, no, of course he doesn't know... so why is he here? I was wondering that, when I first saw him in our studio. I must have looked perplexed, if anything. He waved at me and I just stood there for a moment, before I forced myself to smile at him and go greet him.  We hugged and he gave me a little soft kiss, nothing really passionate.  I realized we were never really passionate...  But I managed to fight off this thought and I asked him: "What are you doing here, honey?"

“Surprise! I really wanted to see you. I miss you... Don't you miss me too?"  I nodded and he kissed me one more time.  And then I realized I needed some time to process this, so I made up something - some work I had to finish before going home with him. He was understanding as always and he even offered to help me, which I refused of course.

"Ok, can I wait for you here, at least?" He asked I quickly agreed.  Everything was swirling in my head, so I quickly disappeared to a closet nearby.  Breath out, breath in. Why is he here?? I was not really ready to face him and I haven't even decided yet if I wanted to tell him about my affair with Nick, or not.