Thank you all for the reviews on the last chapter, I'm loving all you support, so thank you.
I've sat in my office since 10am and I haven't gotten anything accomplished, not even one thing that I came in for. It's already 2pm and I've wasted 4 hours being in the office daydreaming about Ari and last night. I can't focus, I can't concentrate, this beautiful creature has invaded my mind. At this point I desperately wished that I just would have gone back to her place and spent the night "just talking" because I have been as unproductive as ever. This never happens, I'm a work horse, I get shit done and execution is my game, that's why I've been able to come this far in my business. This is the first time in a while where I've had a lackluster day.
Needing to take a break and shake off my thoughts, I stand up and head outside to the rooftop patio that is beside my office. It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon in San Francisco, I can see the ferry building bustling with people coming in and out of the farmers market that is held there on the weekends, the bay is filled with boats and there seems to be a sailing competition going on, the pier itself is packed with tourist, people running and biking along the water, I see a cable car stop right in front of the ferry building, I've always loved those cable cars, they're so much fun. I realize that I need to get out more and explore this beautiful city. Things have changed around here and I've been so consumed with work that I haven't had much time to explore. As I see couples riding along in carriages powered by a human on a bicycle, how I wish I had someone to share my life with.
I've dated people before and for whatever reason it just never seem to workout. I'm partly to blame for it if I'm being honest with myself. I've always been scared of commitment and one of the reasons being is that when I love, I love so hard that it even scares me, I give my all and they become my whole world, I maybe tough and confident on the exterior but I am the biggest teddy bear and a total softie on the inside. Committing to someone doesnt scare me, it's the idea of committing to someone, falling deeply and madly in love and only to have the other person leave me, fall out of love with me or cheat on me is the scariest thing and that's maybe why I avoid commitment, to avoid the hurt and pain that comes with it. Sometimes it's better to be single and enjoy life and honestly I don't mind, I have a great group of friends and I love my large family deeply but there are times and moments that creep in that I wish I had someone to share my life with , show them my love and bask in the glory of being loved by someone else. Times like right now, thinking back to Ari, I wonder what she's all about, what she likes, what she does for a living, what pisses her off, what her favorite food is, what makes her laugh.
I swear I can be the biggest dumbass sometimes, what the hell was up with the whole "destiny" bullshit last night. I so regret that, I should have gotten her number at least, I mean she did offer me to go back to her place so her giving me her number wouldn't have been a big deal. Taking a moment to curse myself out for my stupidity I take a deep breath and remind myself it's not the end of the world, but it sure feels like it because she's all I've thought about all day and it's affected my work. I take a moment and say a little prayer to whoever maybe listening that the whole "destiny" thing works out and that I bump or run into her in the streets of San Francisco or she magically appears at my work, house, gym that I visit or wherever. Man, what I would do to be with her right now. Snapping out of my minute of silence/prayer I turn around to head back into my office. I decide to give myself 3 hours to be super focused and get my work done. I really need to finish preparing for this keynote speech I'm giving.
Having somehow mustered the discipline to focus I finally got my work done and decide to leave the office around 5:30. I decide to pick up some thai food from osha thai and head home for a quiet night in. I am in no mood to party or go out, I just want to eat my pad thai with some yellow curry, watch Grey's Anatomy on netflix, put a mask on and call it a night. I call in my order before I leave the office. While waiting at the bar area to pickup my order, I swear I thought I saw someone that looked like Ari, it was a blonde, about 5'5, petite build but I couldn't get a full view, as I'm about to walk over to her, I hear my name being called for my order and I turn back to the server, pay him and look back to see where the blonde was standing and she's gone.
"Damnit", I turn the corner to look around to see if she's still lingering around and I see her but damn it's someone else that had a similar profile as her, oh how I just wish that it was Ari.
Disappointed, I head back to my place and carry on with my plan of, thai food, netflix, a mask and an early night in.
It's 7am Monday morning and I've just landed in London after my red eye, it's surprisingly a nice day in London, it's not gloomy or rainy and funny enough it's the first time I've been to this beautiful city. I can't believe it's taken me this long to step foot here. I'm only here for 3 days. I leave for Paris Wednesday evening to attend to matters in one of my offices there and then head back to San Francisco on Friday. I'm hoping to make the most of this trip, a little bit of business and hopefully some pleasure. Maybe I needed this trip to take my mind of of Ari and somehow try and forget her because I've been all to consumed by her since I laid eyes on her Fri night. It's somewhat haunting at this point, it's kinda scary, other than my businesses I've never been so obsessed or enamored by anything or anyone. I think one of my biggest regret in life was not getting her number. I mean c'mon now, that's like the basic part. How else would I communicate with her and ask her out on dates. All I know about her is that she is one of the most beautiful people I have laid eyes on and her name is Ari oh and the fact that she's been in San Francisco for 6 months after moving from Seattle.
Since I am not needed at the conference until 4pm, I decide to grab breakfast before checking into my hotel. After a good ol english breakfast I check into my room and boy did my assistant Jo not disappoint. When I travel for important work and far, I do like to splurge on myself, I had asked Jo to book me into a penthouse suite overlooking the city, with a view of the London bridge. Not only is the hotel room avant garde but it has some of the best views of any room I've been in. Oh how I wish i had someone to share it with. Throwing my bag onto my bed, I go to check out the rest of the room, I head over to the dining area which is right next to my room and I discover that there is a little terrace with a small fireplace in the middle overlooking the city and the water that is protected by glass windows that are at least 10 foot tall. I have thoughts running in my head, needing to snap out of it I head back to to my room, change and I decide to check some emails and then take a nap for a few hours before my keynote speech. Surprisingly I'm not as nervous as I thought I'd be.
Waking up to the sound of my alarm, I feel relaxed and ready to get back into business mode. Heading into a shower, I let the scorching hot water run all over my shoulders and my back to relax my muscles but also needing to be more alert I turn it into to the coldest position and the water jolts me out of any jet lag and sleepiness I might have had. Changing into my black armani suit, I decide to go with the mini skirt instead of the pants. I mean it's not that cold and showing a little leg never hurt anyone so why not. Pairing it with a pair of black 3 inch shiny Louboutins, I put on my makeup going with a natural look but a little heavy on the eyes with a smoky look, and a heavy brushing of mascara and some lipstick that is a shade between dark pink and red. I leave my hair down and it is jet black, I flip it to one side and it gives my hair some much needed volume. Deciding I look good enough, I head out with an hour to spare before my keynote.
I decide to roam the halls of the conference room and network for a bit. Running into a few friendly faces, I chat with for a bit and I swear I might have felt or seen something that I wasn't quite expecting. I turn around but just see a sea of people and nothing that would make me want to inquire further. Heading into the main conference center and into the auditorium where I am to give my keynote speech it gives me an electric feeling of Yes, this is what I've come here to do, to inspire people not only about my entrepreneurial journey and how I built my empire but to give them actual real life tips and strategies on how I used digital marketing to help further my business. I have 3 different companies one is a ecommerce business, another an actual digital advertising technology company and the last one is a media publishing company that is all housed under the Minnick Inc umbrella. It takes a good marketing strategy and some growth tactics to grow all 3 businesses into a $100 Million a year revenue business. It doesn't happen overnight but it definitely can be done if you are persistent enough and have some solid growth hacking ideas so that's what I'm here to share also.
The feeling of exhilaration coursing through my veins as I finish off my keynote after 30 minutes, I take a minute to stand there and just take in the moment and wave off to the 5000 people that's in the crowd, the standing ovation just gives me pure joy and happiness, Working all those long and hard hours and to feel moments like this to know your work is appreciated and admired is a wonderful feeling especially when I've come from nothing and built my company into a multi million dollar conglomerate. I've always visualized myself doing these kinds of things in front of people but I just didn't know how it would be possible considering my background. But life takes you places sometimes that you can only wish for and dream of.
Coming down from the high of the speech, I'm approached by a sea of people wanting to take either a selfie or pick my brain for a minute or two or just get an autograph. Seeing that I'm swamped, Jo my assistant who is here on the trip with me pulls me away and we almost walk run to the hotel bar which is buzzing itself, it's a good mix of people and the lights are dim, the music plays softly in the background and you can tell there are tourist, business people and some locals in the place. Joined by some other colleagues we head over to the bar and I order a round of shots and a few rounds of beer for us all and lo and behold who do I see sitting across the bar from me.
"OMG is this for real?" I think to myself.
That can't be her, I swear I thought I've seen her a couple of times and it turned out to be someone else, plus what would she be doing here, it's a marketing conference. I look her way again and I can't 100% make out if it's really her, she's too engrossed in a conversation she is having with her group of people at the bar. Turning my attention back to my colleagues we take our shot and as soon as I'm about to grab my beer and head to our table I look her way and see that she's staring right back at me.
Raising an eyebrow, she looks at me and smiles and I give her back my cheesiest smile ever. I seriously can't believe this is happening, this day was already an amazing day and seeing this beauty just made it a thousand times better. I feel like screaming at the top of my lungs and thanking god for this day, I guess more specifically for bringing this beauty back into my view...DESTINY I guess. For a few seconds we just have a staring contest neither one of us making a move but rather just looking into each other's eyes. As soon as I'm about to open my mouth and say something to her from across the bar I feel a hand pulling me away and it's Jason my Managing Director for my London office.
Damnit, I look back at her and shrug my shoulders letting her know I've got to go.
I don't get much of a response back, I was hoping she would be disappointed or something but I didn't get anything back. Was I reading this incorrectly.
All I know is that before I leave for the night or before she does I have to make sure I talk to her and surely this time get her number and none of that destiny bullshit.
Taking a chair at our table which I make sure is in direct view of the bar so I can have a view of Ari. I can't feel anything but happy because I've seen her but also distracted because I'm supposed to be talking to a potential client who is seated right next to me to close an advertising deal that would do great for the bottom line of our company. Sneaking a glance her way, I see that she is thoroughly entertained by a redhead that has her hand on her shoulder and is probably telling Ari a joke or something because she seems to be laughing her ass of. I look at her for a good few minutes and not once has she turned my way to even look at me. Deciding that it's enough and I need to focus on business, I turn to my potential client and start talking business. It's taken a good 20 minutes to convince him as to why he should go with our company versus the competitor and I've done everything in my power to close this deal and even turned on that Minnick charm. After a few more minutes of talking we both shake hands and realize that I've just closed a multi year, multi million dollar advertising deal with him. Getting another round of shots we celebrate this good news with the table of 10 and I couldn't be more elated. I turn to Jo and let her know to get the appropriate paperwork sent over to Mark's office our newest client that I've just shook hands with, he's quite a charming guy if I say so myself and if I was straight he'd definitely be a guy that I would date, charming, good looking as in FINE AS HELL and quite the businessman who gets straight to the point. But I'm not and I have my eyes on someone else who seems to be having the time of her life and hasn't even looked my way once unless I've just looked at her at the wrong times.
Gaining some courage from closing this deal, I excuse myself from the table, I confidently walk over to Ari and her friend. Seeing me walking over to her, she raises an eyebrow as if teasing me slightly by being over friendly with her friend or just playfully mocking me for whatever reason. Ignoring her behavior I walk over and give a kiss on her cheek lingering around for a few seconds.
"It's so good to see you here Ari"
Completely ignoring her friend.
"Likewise, so what brings you here Liza?"
"U uhm, I'm here for the marketing conference, what about you?"
"No way! You're kidding right"
"Um no I'm not, I had a speaking engagement earlier that's why I'm here plus I needed to take care of some business. And you?
"Well I was a speaker on one of the panels, talking about startups, technology and marketing, you know how it is…." she gives me a smile
"Oh and by the way this is my friend and colleague April"
Turning to April, I extend my hand and introduce myself, "Hi April, I'm Liza, nice to meet you"
"Likewise" as she stares me up and down with a straw in her mouth from the drink she's holding making it obvious that she's checking me out.
I don't know if it's my Armani suit or the overly exposed tanned legs I have that garners me the look, I see Ari smirking right back at me while April's giving me the up and down workover.
She gives me the "bitch don't kill my vibe" but weirdly enough a friendly innocent vibe as well.
Turning my attention back to Ari, taking a chance to see if she saw my speech earlier.
"So did you get a chance to attend the keynote, I heard it was pretty good" (if I do say so myself).
"Nope, heard it was from some stuck up startup entrepreneur, who's made millions and flaunts her wealth around, who wants to sit in those and listen to a boring speech"
Ouch
April chimes in, "yeah I heard she's pretty hot though and oh she plays for your team Ari, some Eliza Minnick lady from San Francisco, our neck of the woods."
Now my wheels are turning in my head, I'm sorta hurt and pissed off hearing that from them but I've had a good day why ruin the mood. I decide to let it go and play along.
"Yeah I heard she was pretty hot too, oh and def super rich, though I give her credit for building her business" giving them a smile as I spit those words out with a little bit of hurt and playfulness.
Rolling her eyes Ari speaks up, "Well who cares about her, I did my part at the conference and I sure as hell didn't need to sit through a speech from her, thank god for the hotel bar"
"Seriously" April snickers
Feeling a little left out as Ari and April continue to talk amongst themselves, I mutter "Yeah I guess so".
Clearing my throat I wave down the bartender and order a drink for myself and for the two ladies next to me, "what are you both having, let me get you a drink"
"Gin and tonic please" as Ari puts in her order and I give her an incredulous look
"what" she says,
"Nothing"
turning my attention to April "and you",
"I'll have a virgin pina colada" thanks,
"Seriously?"
Turning to pay for the drinks, I'm somewhat dumbfounded as to what I want to say to Ari or where and how to take this conversation forward. I was a little hurt by her comments earlier but then again she is looking so beautiful in that business suit of hers. A different look from the last time I saw her on Friday night at the club. She's dawned on an off white pant suit and her blazer is just hugging her at the right places and that blouse she's wearing leaves a little for the imagination, I like how she always has accessories on, she had a gold plated watch that looks expensive adorned with a few gold bangles and an extra long gold chain. Noticing the details of her attire, it brings me back to realizing just how beautiful she is, I think I've stared at her for a little too long as she calls out my name for what seems like the second time
"Liza"
"Hmm" I mumble
"Your drinks are here"
"Oh thanks"
Turning to get my drink from Ari, I can't help but give her a smile which is returned with a flirtatious smile and if I didn't know any better I'd say she had other things in mind.
"So" I say as I take a sip of my martini.
"Sooooo" she replies dragging it for a bit while running her hand on her thighs.
"I- I… I haven't stopped thinking about you since Friday"
"Oh really" she plays back.
"I swore I could have thought that you didn't want anything more after spewing that destiny bullshit to me… "
Giving me an incredulous look "I mean what was that"
Giving her a small chuckle, "honestly, I don't know, I had a million and one things going through my head, plus I had to work the next morning and my damn sister honking her horn left me a little flustered and I totally forgot to ask for your number"
"Yeah, that was some cheesy lines" she says as she laughs it off
With the biggest grin on my face "I do cheesy well"
She bites into her straw while she swivels on the bar stool, gaining a little bit of courage I move closer to her and I'm almost in between her legs and I feel the nervousness come back, my hands getting sweaty and as I'm about to whisper sweet nothings into her ear, I see Mark, walking up to us whistling while giving me his million dollar smile, not only is he a client but Mark's someone I've befriended along my business career as we both started in the industry around the same time.
Sliding right next to me on the bar, leaning over as he flags down a bartender and orders his drinks and turns to me and gives me his signature charmed Mark smile that could sweep the feet of any girl (that's straight), he knows what I'm all about, he stands there for a few seconds and I curse under my breath for messing up my game right now.
"What?"
"Nothing" he smiles back with his pearly whites.
"So are you going to introduce me the to the blonde here or what?"
"Mark!" For fuck sake, why does he have to do this.
Turning to Ari who is taking in this internal duel between Mark and I and gives me a half laugh and a half smile while those beautiful dimples popping, "Ari, this is Mark"
And "Mark this is Ari"
Extending his hand to greet her, Ari obliges right away, instead of shaking her hand he kisses the top of it being the ever so smooth gentleman, seeing that I roll my eyes at him and I feel like showering him with my martini.
Ari seemed to be coy about it and that makes me even more riled up. Giving her look of like really, you're gonna go with that?
She shrugs he shoulder and I let out a huff that gets me a raised eyebrow from Mark.
"Go away Mark" I say with a little annoyance
"Someone's getting a little jealous there" he says with a smirk on his damn face.
"I'm not jealous, I'm just trying to talk to Ari here without you meddling in, plus don't even try to hit on her" as I get closer to her and shield my body against Mark to block his access to Ari,.
"Plus you aren't her type" giving her a wink I turn to April who is just standing there looking at Mark googly eyed.
"Oh, here meet April"
"April, Mark"
"Mark, April"
As I shove her towards him and he seems equally as smitten with her.
I turn to Ari and she tugs on my blouse ever so lightly and pulls me in and now I'm literally standing in between her legs and just above a whisper
"That was so HOT, I like the jealous you"
I pull back and give her a smile, raising an eyebrow I spit right back "I wasn't jealous"
"Sure you weren't" earning me a wink.
Finishing of her drink, she leaves her glass on the counter and standups.
"Well it was nice to run into you Liza"
Wait what…..
She gives me a feathery kiss on my right cheek and starts to walk away and in the nick of time I grab her by the wrist.
Giving her an incredulously disappointed look
"You seriously can't be calling it a night, it's only 7:30pm"
"I've got work to do and an incredibly early morning, remember I'm here for work"
"Oh c'mon, please" I beg
"C'mon what"
"Let's go upto my room and have a drink and talk, I've been dying to run into you and see you since Fri and we're thousands of miles away from home in a hotel bar, there is no way I'm going to pass up this opportunity"
"Ha, you're cute and thanks for the offer but, NO"
"No ? " giving her a puzzled look
I don't know if she's playing hard to get or she just isn't purely interested. She's confusing. Pretty girls I tell you.
There's a thousand and one things running through my mind right now trying to save myself from this situation. My hand still on her wrist, I pull her in and slightly breath on her ear and I make sure I slightly lick it which I'm sure will cause her some sort of sensation, feeling like I've done what I needed to,
"Well I won't stop you from going but I'm in room 307, I'm all by myself and if you change your mind you know where to find me and I really really hope you show up even if it's at 2 in the morning, I'll be waiting"
Giving her a feathery kiss on her lips, she pulls back and kisses me on the cheeks, throws me her dimpled smile and sashays away.
Feeling a little dejected I order a few more rounds of tequila, throw it down, head over to my table and say my goodbyes and then head up to my room.
Crossing my fingers that she shows up, will she though?