Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
It’s nearing midnight and I’m at the elevators, ready to see Simon. My co-workers think I’m crazy, but I don’t care.
I’m excited for him to see me dressed as a woman tonight, instead of having to wear my unflattering security uniform.
Since Simon likes my green eyes, I chose a fitted, dark green, polished cotton shirt and stovepipe-legged black slacks, hoping to show off my best assets.
I even got a haircut and shaved my lady parts before coming here.
When I glance at my phone and scroll to the music I downloaded, a jolt of excitement courses through me. Simon asked about Shakira, so I bought two of her songs that I’m sure he’s going to like.
“Well, you’re looking sexy tonight,” a dancer I talked to briefly yesterday says as he clumsily tags the up button. His eyes trail from my black leather pumps to my shirt, stopping at my breasts. What a loser. “No more uniforms? Me likie.”
“Nope. Just my night off,” I say, as a waft of alcohol permeates my nostrils, and I take a step back.
“Ooh, want some company?” He leans in closer and winks.
I take another step back but offer him a friendly smile. “I’m meeting my boyfriend,” I lie.
The man grunts, and then slurs out, “He’s one lucky bastard.” Then the elevator across from us opens and he clambers in. “Good night. Hope you get lucky.” And the door slides shut.
Me too.
Another ten minutes pass and there’s still no sign of Simon. He’s probably waiting for me upstairs. I hit the up button and the elevator across the way opens. My instinct is telling me to wait. I let the door slide shut and stand there for a few minutes before hitting the up button again.
This time, the demon elevator door opens. I quickly get in before the door slams into me. I push seventeen and feel the car ascending.
The door opens and I step out, dismayed to find the area empty.
I look in both directions, hoping to see Simon. Sad to say, the floor is quiet and empty. With my cell phone clutched in my hand, I wait. And wait.
Glancing down at my watch, it’s almost one in the morning, and Simon still hasn’t shown. Disappointment crushes every inch of my heart as I tag the down button and wait for the elevator.
Feeling like an utter idiot, I shake my head, while trying to swallow past the huge knot that’s formed in the back of my throat. The crazy elevator’s door opens, and I step in.
I hit the lobby button and lift my face to the doorway, expecting the door to slam closed as usual. As if to prove it has a mind of its own, the door stays open, and I will be forever grateful for that because Simon appears in the corridor right in front of me.
“Melissa,” Simon says with a watery smile.
“Simon.” I try to step out of the elevator, but he stops me.
“Don’t,” he says with his arm out. “I just wanted to tell you that I had the best time last night. It was everything I’ve always dreamed of. So I want to thank you.”
best time last night. You gave me everything I’ve always dreamed of. So I want to thank you.”
“Sounds like you’re saying goodbye,” I choke out.
“Because I am. I got news today and I have to leave, but I wanted to see you once more before I go,” he says as he swipes tears from his eyes. “You’re such a sweet person, I have no doubt you’ll meet the love of your life soon.”
“Who told you that you had to leave?” I ask in anger, ignoring what he said about meeting the love of my life.
“I just have to. But, Melissa…” He gulps back a cry.
I reach out and cup his face. The coolness of his skin doesn’t bother me.
“I don’t want to let you go,” I admit, but he shakes his head and pulls out of my touch. I drop my hand to my side.
“I can’t be yours. But I will always remember you,” Simon says with his hand clutching his chest. “Never forget me.” Then the elevator door slams shut and the car immediately begins a scary, faster-than-usual descent.
“Simon,” I cry out and press buttons for several other floors to make the elevator stop, but it keeps dropping until it lands on the lobby level with a jolt. The door slides open, but I don’t want to be at the lobby. With increasing panic I repeatedly press the button for the seventeenth floor.
As if it’s my worst nightmare, the damn elevator doesn’t respond, and, just like before, the doors stay open. When I finally give up and drag myself out of the car, the stupid door slams shut on me.
“Fuck,” I shout and immediately punch the up button. The other elevator opens and I rush inside, quickly pressing number seventeen.
It feels like a lifetime as the elevator door gently closes and the car rises smoothly to the floor I want. To the man I want. The man I want to kiss again and get to know more.
The second the door slides open, my heart sinks. The hallway is empty. “Simon,” I whisper his name like a prayer, hoping he’ll answer me. But I’m met only with silence.
Everything inside me insists that I knock on each door until Simon answers. But if I do that, the guests will surely complain and there’s a good chance I’ll lose my job.
The ache in my chest prevents me from taking a full breath.
I keep going over what Simon said, and it just doesn’t make sense. What does he mean he can’t be mine?
Angry, I slap the down button, get back into the good elevator and head to the lobby. Ignoring Carol, who’s calling out my name, I walk out of the hotel, heartbroken.