My flight to Seattle was long. It gave me some much needed time to think about what had happened this past month and what I needed to do. I didn't want to leave Oklahoma. It was my home. But I had to. I just needed to get away and find my purpose in life. What am I going to do with my life?
When we finally arrived at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport, I was nervous and actually excited. I made my way to the baggage claim and recovered my luggage and then went outside to catch a cab to take me to the Fairmont Olympic Hotel. The hotel would be my home for a week while I decided if I wanted to permanently move here to Seattle. Steve and I had always talked about visiting Seattle and seeing the Space Needle, Puget Sound and anything and everything else there was to do and see here. The ride from the airport took almost 30 minutes due to traffic. The cab pulls up in the half-circle drive of the hotel and the bellman opens my door. This place is gorgeous! The pictures on the internet don't do the hotel justice. I exit the cab and the bellman gathers up my luggage and walks in with me to check in. "Reservation for Linda Morrison, please," I said. As I wait to be checked in, I look around the lobby. It is absolutely beautiful here. There isn't a place in Tulsa like this.
I am handed my key to room 602 and turn to head towards the elevators when I hear the most beautiful baritone voice speaking. I look around to see who has this velvety-toned voice and I see where the voice is coming from. Standing at least 50 feet from me is a very handsome man. He is at least 6 ½ feet tall, very well built, and has the most gorgeous copper colored hair I have ever seen. His looks have stopped me in my tracks. He turns to speak to someone coming up from behind him and I get a first-hand look at his face. My face flushes. He has the most mystical gray eyes I have ever seen. I try to turn back quickly so he doesn't catch me looking at him, but I'm too late. He looks my way briefly then turns back to continue his conversation. I head off to the elevators to go to my room to calm my nerves and my rapidly beating heart. "You are still in mourning, Linda", I tell myself. It hasn't been that long and I'm not interested in anyone right now. I miss Steve too much. I feel like guilty by thinking about tall, copper-colored men with haunting gray eyes.
I get settled into the room and decide to dress up and go eat at The Georgian Restaurant here in the hotel. As I am sipping on white wine, I see him, well hear him, again three tables from me. The man from this afternoon. My hands suddenly are sweaty, my heart is racing and my pulse quickens. What in the world is wrong with me?! I have only been in Seattle for half a day and I'm already flustered by a man that I haven't even talked to, only looked at. Her personality is electrifying. I have got to pull myself together. I came here to clear my head and to start a new life, not to try and find companionship right now. I'm not ready for that yet.
My dinner arrives and I start to cut into my steak when I feel like someone is looking at me. I raise my head and beautiful gray eyes are looking back at me. Oh my. "Pardon me, but you're not from here, are you? I would definitely have remembered such a pretty face with the prettiest green eyes I have ever seen. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Christian Grey." I'm sitting there, looking into his eyes, and I realize I have lost my ability to speak. Find it quick, Linda, before he thinks you are a mute.
"Hello. I'm Linda Morrison and no, I'm not from here. I just arrived in Seattle today from Oklahoma. It's nice to meet you as well." I extend my hand to shake his hand. His handshake is so strong.
"Welcome to Seattle, Linda. I hope you enjoy your visit", Christian says warmly. I tell him thank you and he returns to his table to continue his meeting with the three other men at his table. Wow. I have never met anyone like him. He has a hint of arrogance to him, though. But I guess all good looking guys are like that, right?
After dinner, I retreat to my hotel room and change clothes. It's still early in the evening, not dark yet, and I want to go for a walk and check out a little of downtown Seattle. Tomorrow, I can look at some apartments, and also check out the Seattle Public School system and see if there are any openings. I just want to have some things in place in case I decide to stay here.
