The Alchemist

Failed date

- Camille -

I don't know what took over me when I said yes to dinner... I never go out with any of my coworkers or networking groups. Daniel has a way to worm himself in my life that I don't like. I hate when I have to revert to people-pleaser mode, but with him, I can't help it. I feel drawn to him. I could feel him watching me from afar while I was advising students about their work. I had felt him as soon as he walked in the hall, like a magnet pulling at its opposite pole. But I wasn't a fool, he told me he found me attractive, like many others, and he also thought I couldn't be a woman with my achievements, again, like many others. So there was nothing different about him. So why was I feeling this pull, and why did my pulse try to quicken when he was close by?

I thought about this dinner, and against my better judgment, I found myself all dressed up and dolled up as I was going on a date. We both knew he used an excuse to take me out, and while his gesture was very thoughtful, the fact that it was probably a fake program got me disappointed. But maybe tonight, I wanted to indulge myself and give myself a break... So what if he enjoyed my beauty... It is not like he wanted to marry me and meant forever. I have been so engrossed in my work lately that I have barely had any life outside work, so letting my hair down for one night and over dinner could be, dare I say, fun.

As I walked outside the elevator at 6:57pm, I saw him with that annoying Julia Stein again. I was usually calm and collected, but whatever came over me made me see red.

"_ I didn't know it was a group dinner.

_ It is not, Miss Stein was leaving.

_ Call me, Daniel" She said as she kissed his cheek before leaving.

I couldn't hide the disgust in my face. That woman had a peculiar way of getting under my skin, for unknown reasons. When I turned towards Daniel, the bastard was smirking.

"_ Who are we waiting for? Shall we?

_ Someone is in a hurry. We shall indeed."

He offered me his arm, which I reluctantly took. I felt a jolt of tingles at the contact, but kept my composure. He still had that annoying smirk, but his gentleman ways were appealing to me. I didn't know if I wanted to slap him or jump him. Gosh, in this suit, he was so hot. He looked like an Armani model. We walked outside the hotel where a car was waiting. He held the door for me and helped me in, then walked around and sat down on the other side. The drive was mega short and he stayed mysterious.

" Where are you taking me?

_ You'll see..."

Gah! Other men would be quick to mention the poshest restaurant they would take me to show me their wealth and opulence... We drove for like 2 minutes before stopping in front of a fine dining restaurant. A maître d' came to open my door, but Daniel was already out asking him to allow him to help me out. Like I needed help. Urgh, men and their way to show us we were fragile little creatures. I thought it was better to keep quiet and enjoy the gesture as chivalrous. We were seated on a balcony, in a quiet part of the restaurant. I knew it was an expensive one when the menu I was given didn't have any prices on it.

" You look beautiful, Camille. If I didn't know better, I'd say you dressed to impress me.

_ A woman can only dress for a man, then?

_ Of course not. I was just trying to say that I appreciate your company.

_ I don't give you any slack, do I? Sorry, I should have simply said 'Thank you'.

_ You're welcome. I was expecting you to wear simple formal dress since you were adamant it wasn't a date. But I am pleased you changed your mind.

_ Well, I wouldn't go as far. I am still looking forward to hearing about your program".

We ate delicious food, and he proceeded to explain to me what he was putting in place with his tech company to help new talent across the globe. Even if I didn't want to admit it to him, I was very impressed by his initiative and his fast response. If more entrepreneurs were like him, education could be accessible to a lot of people, not only the privileged countries. He was speaking with a passion I could recognize within myself, and I felt really connected to him. He asked for my input on pertinent matters and I felt heard. It didn't seem hard to be with him, I didn't feel I had to work hard to make my point across or to be validated. By the time we were done discussing his project, we had finished a luscious three-course meal, and I was so full. I suggested we walk back to the hotel, us being so close and taking a ride was just ridiculous. I had to tell him this was not the US and people actually walked to places. He laughed but agreed, and then again offered his arm for me to lean on. I, again, felt the tingles at the contact, and it wasn't unpleasant. On the contrary, it was rather soothing and calming. As we walked out of the restaurant he then said:

"_ I wish it wasn't the end of the night already. I had a great time, even if all we talked about was work.

_ I must say, I feel the same. And talking about work is not boring, it is rather...

_ comforting, productive and interesting?

_ Yes! So, I take it you are a workaholic too.

_ I have a lot of responsibilities towards my pa... erm... people. I look after them like a big family. It requires commitment and discipline.

_ How many employees do you have working for you?

_ About 7000, spread across two states in the US, Colorado and Wyoming.

_ Nice remote location. I'm surprised your family managed to build such an empire based so remotely.

_ I could say the same, working for Paris Science and Lettres, and living...where exactly? Some remote place in the French countryside?

_ I live near Troyes, which is hardly the countryside. I like living close to a forest. It is calming and not crowded.

_ I realize I don't know much about you as a person, but I would like to know more if you let me.

_ That would have been the point of going on a date...

_ So did we fail our first date?

_ Maybe, but I enjoyed it."

I felt oddly relaxed and safe walking and just talking with him, which was so unusual for me. I was naturally guarded and on the defensive, but he brought a side of me that I thought was long gone, if it ever existed. Could it be more to the playboy hunk of entrepreneur than just his interest in getting in my panties? Just our conversation on his project was proof of that. I felt a ping of disappointment as we rounded the corner and spotted the hotel in the distance. In spite of myself, I wasn't really ready for the date to end. Thankfully he thought the same.

" Listen Camille, I know we've talked only about work, but I'm not ready for the evening to end and look, there is this cool cocktail bar just across the road. What do you say to some drinks before we call it quits?

_ I should really say no, but failure is not an option, so I'm game to make this failed date into...

_ Fun?

_ Okay for fun"

What was happening to me? This man had far too much influence on me. I was never impulsive or fun. But as some of my students would tell me, I work very hard, so I should play even harder...