“I trust you won’t turn down a lunch invitation from your rather good ex?” he asked in his typical playful tone.
“Daniel,” I replied excitedly. It was nice to hear his voice. “The pleasure will be all mine.”
“Great. Is one o’clock good for you?”
“Yes, it’s fine.”
“’Til later, then.”
“Bye.”
The weather had become quite warm, so I decided to put on short beige pants, which I combined with a backless blouse. We’d arranged he would wait for me in front of my building’s entrance. When I came out onto the street, he rushed toward me, lifted me, and spun me round.
“Daniel!” I squealed. “Have you gone mad?”
“I’m so glad to see you.” He smiled from the heart, let me down, and kissed me on each cheek.
“I’m glad to see you too,” I admitted. “You’ve become very strong.”
He lifted his arm, flexing it to show off his biceps, and said proudly, “Right? Do you like it?”
“Yes, but if you want my opinion, don’t take it too far.”
“You know I’ve always valued your opinion,” he said, a little sad. Was he referring to the past?
Oh no, I don’t want to talk about the past…
“Overly big muscles… I don’t find that attractive… and the designers’ jackets won’t fit you.”
“That’s right.” He laughed, and small crow’s feet appeared at the corners of his eyes.
He opened the door of his sports Mercedes for me and said, “After you, milady.”
I thanked him and sat on the soft seat. The Jason Derulo song “Trumpets” was pumping out of the speakers.
“Since when are you a Jason Derulo fan?”
He shrugged. “I know you’re a fan.”
“Yes, I am. So where’re going?”
“It’s a surprise.” He smiled boyishly and slid the car into gear.
He looked so carefree, but I knew it was all an act. He had told me how difficult it was to stay relevant and stand out from the rest in the fashion business. How much effort, worries, and nerves that cost him. It was no accident many of his colleagues resorted to drugs, but thank God, Daniel wasn’t like them.
We parked in one of the paid lots in Zug and went to lunch at a restaurant called Zugersee, from whose terrace there was a great view of the lake and the Alps.
Daniel told me about his work, and I told him about mine. He boasted that lately, his schedule had been full—next week he was to take part in a Gucci fashion show in Milan and the week after in a Jean Paul Gaultier show in Paris. I was truly happy for him. He deserved it. Perhaps one day he would become one of highest-paid models in the world. He had the potential for it; he was young, handsome, and full of energy.
After we’d finished our meal, we walked along the alley and sat in the park on a picnic blanket, under the shade of a tree. We watched the boats passing by and the couples lying on the grass. We enjoyed our time together.
“I miss Switzerland,” he said and brushed aside a lock of hair hanging across his forehead. Daniel had very beautiful, wavy blond hair, which was always cut in the latest style.
“Really?”
“Yes. I miss the nature, the calmness. I’m not complaining about my life, but it’s quite hectic. I’m always on the move. I can’t relax, except when I come home.”
“Happiness is the key to life. Aren’t you happy?”
“I like being successful, but I miss certain things.”
“What, for instance?” I asked, curious.
“I miss you,” he said simply.
“Don’t be sad about that. So much time has passed. Look ahead.” I tried to encourage him.
“It’s hard.” He lay down, took off his sunglasses, and covered his face with his hand. “When we were together, it was… very real.”
I lay next to him, on my side, and used my bag as a cushion. “We cannot build a stable, long-distance relationship. You know full well how things went last time.” I didn’t want to lecture him or make him feel guilty.
“I know, and I’m sorry,” he turned toward me and looked me in the eyes.
“Daniel, I’m not mad at you anymore.”
“You’re a treasure. I got drunk, gave in to temptation, and messed up everything. Now I’ll never find anyone else like you.”
I laughed. “Girls like me are a dime a dozen.”
“Ha, that’s what you think.”
When his cell phone rang, he took it out of his pants pocket, looked at the display, and declined the call.
“It’s probably some hot chick.”
“I don’t know who it was. I don’t recognize the number,” he replied and put the phone back in his pocket.
“Aren’t you curious about who called you?”
“I don’t care. I’ve come out with
you
and want to spend this time paying attention to
you
.”
“I wouldn’t be angry with you. You’ve got your own life.” After all, we were no longer an item, just friends.
“I don’t want to know.”
“Suit yourself.” I lay on my back. “But you definitely can’t get away from the girls.”
Daniel was a man who didn’t remain unnoticed. He was about 6’3” and had a great body.
“Well, I don’t live like a monk.” He laughed.
“What’s it like to always have some chick calling you?”
“It gets old. I’m sick of all these short-term relationships,” he admitted.
“Better short-term relationships than nothing.”
“Well, yes. Otherwise, the hand starts to hurt.” He grinned.
“Daniel!” I reproached him lightly and pushed his shoulder, but I also laughed at his words.
“Well, it’s true.” He continued laughing.
“Are you trying to tell me something?” I pretended to be offended and scowled, even though I knew he was only joking.
“No, darling, I wouldn’t make fun of you.” He leaned on his elbow. “But I admit I said it to make you laugh.”
I relaxed and closed my eyes. Gentle sunrays occasionally penetrated the tree’s foliage. I felt so calm.
“I like your laugh,” he said and leaned over me.
“You’re blocking my sun.” I lazily opened one eye and then closed it again.
He touched my face, caressed me, and suddenly kissed me. Surprised, I kissed him back for a second. His lips were so soft and he was such a good kisser that I forgot about everything, the obstacles that stood between us.
For God’s sake, what am I doing?
The gears in my brain slowly started to turn, and I sharply twisted my head, gasping.
“Daniel, what are you doing? Don’t ruin everything again.” I glared at him.
The truth was I really needed a man next to me, and he needed a woman, but there was no point in trying to rebuild a relationship that was doomed from the start. Years ago, we tried. I gave everything of myself, and nothing came of it. All that was left was disappointment.
“But you kissed me back!” He eyed me, confused.
“You know there’s no point. It won’t work. In the end, we’ll both hurt each other. We can’t be together, not if you’re hardly ever in Zurich.” I sat up, resting my hand on the blanket.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me,” he said and rubbed his face. “Actually, I do—you’re so… beautiful.” He sighed. “Quit your job and come with me. I’ll take care of both of us.”
I smiled at his proposal. It sounded pretty crazy. “You know I can’t do that.”
“Then I’ll give it all up and look for a job here.”
His words made me feel desired, but I didn’t want him to make such a huge sacrifice for me. It wasn’t fair to him. After a while, his regrets over lost opportunities would crush him.
“You wouldn’t be happy,” I whispered. “Perhaps once you’ve achieved your goals, you’ll be able to arrange your schedule so you don’t have to travel so much. And then it will be easier to get into a more serious relationship with someone.”
“Dammit, I never thought my career would affect my personal life so negatively,” he said sadly.
I felt sorry for him, but I didn’t want to hurt him. I stroked his shoulder. “It will all work out. Don’t worry.”
I wanted to console him, even though
I
needed to be consoled. I wanted to feel happy just as much as he did. I dreamt of meeting the man I could always depend on at anytime. Someone to lean on in difficult times and to laugh with when I was happy.
“Will we stay friends?” he asked, concerned.
“Of course,” I replied sincerely, and something like a tentative smile appeared on his face.
“You’re so good to me, despite all the idiotic things I’ve done. You support me and give me strength.”
“I believe in you, Daniel, and I know you’ll succeed. You have a great future ahead of you.” I wanted to give him hope and strength.
“Let’s go out to a club tonight,” he suggested. “And have fun like the good old times.”
“I can’t. I’ve been invited to the birthday party of Lily’s uncle.”
“Nooo!” he said, not hiding his disappointment. “But you’ve always steered clear of such posh parties.”
Daniel knew my girlfriend and that her uncle was one of the many Swiss millionaires who liked to spend a fortune on extravagant celebrations. They brought together VIPs from the entire country and invited famous Hollywood actors.
“Well, this time Lily managed to convince me.” I checked my watch. “When’s your flight?”
“Tomorrow at noon.”
“Where’re you flying to?”
“Milan.”
“Next time you come back to Zurich, you won’t forget to call me, right?” I asked playfully, and he raised his eyebrows in surprise.
“If you still want to see me.”
I smiled reassuringly. “And then you’ll tell me about your new accomplishments.”
“Don’t make fun of me.”
“I’m being serious. Next time, we’ll go to celebrate them.”
T
he hours slipped
by, and suddenly it was time to get ready for the party. I went into my bedroom, opened the wardrobe, and started searching for an outfit. I had many evening dresses, which made choosing difficult. At the end, I decided on my pink satin dress with fine lace, which I bought in New York last year. I put on a bit more makeup than usual—mascara, pale-purple eye shadow, eyeliner, powder, rouge, and pink lip-gloss. I applied one of my favorite perfumes—Jean Paul Gaultier’s
Classique
—and put on the gold necklace and earrings my dad had given me on my last birthday. I called a taxi and then Lily to tell her I was on my way over.
When I arrived, the party had already begun. Many artists, musicians, and presenters from around Switzerland were already there. Most people were gathered around cocktail tables covered in white cloths and decorated with colorful bouquets. Torches were scattered around the grass, adding warmth to the atmosphere.
Almost immediately, I had the pleasure of being introduced to Lily’s uncle, Frank Romer, a fine gentleman with great manners. He was dressed in a black tuxedo, white shirt, and black bow tie with white polka dots. Despite his graying hair, he looked at least five years younger than the sixty he was celebrating. Everyone from Lily’s family worked at the company for her uncle, who owned a chain of gold jewelry shops in Europe and America. Lily was the only one uninterested in this line of business and worked at Credit Suisse bank.
I handed him my present—Armani cufflinks—and he thanked me warmly. “I’m very glad to finally have the pleasure of meeting you, Miss Welson. Lily has told me so much about you,” said Mr. Romer while we were shaking hands. “Please call me Frank.”
I nodded in response.
“My niece tells me you also work in the banking sector. I’ve no idea what it is you like so much about this kind of work. It’s quite disappointing Lily doesn’t want to work in the family business. She would have been very valuable with her sharp mind and resourcefulness. But she doesn’t even want to hear about it.” He sighed.
“Uncle, let’s not talk about that and fill Alexia’s head with family arguments,” she reproached him mildly.
I knew from her that they were very close and Mr. Romer loved her as his own daughter.
He hugged her around the shoulders and kissed her on the cheek. “I’ve not given up yet on poaching you for the family business—this conversation isn’t over.” He smiled at her.
“Uncle Frank, please.” She glowered, but there was warmth in her eyes.
A man joined us, who politely congratulated Mr. Romer on his birthday. My God, he was the Hollywood actor Bill Malcolm.
“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” he asked Mr. Romer, looking toward me with a smile.
We shook hands, with him obviously undressing me with his eyes the entire time. I felt somewhat uncomfortable. As far as I was aware, he was married with kids, but this didn’t stop him from flirting with me.
Bill Malcolm was a very attractive man—tall, with an athletic body, messy, light-chestnut hair, and grey eyes. He’d managed to build a great career in Hollywood, but his infamy as a bad boy preceded him. Now he was definitely enjoying being away from his family, searching for yet another blonde to seduce.
I hated such men. Why had he married in the first place?
It turned out he was shooting a movie in Zurich, and for some reason, he was very surprised when he realized I was American. After all, people from all over the world worked in Zurich. Clearly, he wasn’t aware of that. He gave me many compliments, lines he no doubt trotted out to every girl. However, I couldn’t care less. Fortunately, some beautiful, long-legged blonde beckoned him, and he went over to her, politely excusing himself.
I took my glass of champagne and moved away from the crowd to enjoy the wonderful view of Lake Zurich.
“Great view, right?” said a deep, raspy male voice behind me.
I turned around and saw a tall, trim, wide-shouldered man standing there. I was struck dumb by his incredibly beautiful blue eyes, which shone like sapphires in the soft light of the torches. One look was all he needed to win over any woman. Everything about him oozed confidence, greatness, power, and sex appeal. His high cheekbones and strong jaw reinforced his pronounced manliness even more. He was dressed in an expensive black tuxedo, which highlighted his sexy physique. In his hand rested a glass of champagne, while the other he kept nonchalantly in his pants pocket.
“I’m sorry, I’ve not introduced myself—Alexander Kraftberg,” he said and held out his hand, openly curious.