The continuing adventures of Mr. X

I follow Mr. X through a passageway and into an area full of high tech equipment, which I could never fully comprehend. The buzzing and whirring of the machinery is second only to the euphoria I feel while in the company of such an enigmatic individual. Mr. X demonstrates to me how to use the equipment, but I do not hear a word he is saying. My thoughts are filled with unanswered questions about the man in front of me. I crave answers, but silently vow that I will ask only when appropriate. Now is not the time.

“You have to be smart about this.” My inner monologue is working double-time. “You cannot let him know how you adore him, yet you cannot seem disinterested. Play it cool, Andrea. Play it cool…”

My thoughts are suddenly interrupted by a question. “Would you like to see the pool area?” Mr. X’s eyes are alive with emotion, and I feel my knees weaken with his every word. In an instant, I realize how vulnerable I am around him. I am suddenly filled with the desire to jump into his muscular arms and declare my esteem for him.

“Sure,” is all I can muster up the courage to actually say. He pauses a moment and stares at me before proceeding down the corridor that will undoubtedly lead us to his pool. My mind goes into overdrive once again. Was the pause intentional? Did he simply become momentarily distracted by something else, or does he stare back at me with the same intensity I feel? The chemistry between us is undeniable. Certainly he recognizes my desire. I feel a slight heat creep up my cheeks and realize I am blushing for the first time in a number of years.

I follow Mr. X, watching his muscles move with every stride. He comes to a halt and I bump into him. “Sorry.” I blush again, silently condemning myself for being so childlike. I turn my gaze away from Mr. X and suck in my breath. A true masterpiece is stretched out before me. The pool has a small but tranquil waterfall built of tile and stone which continuously feeds the shallow end with fresh water. The waterfall causes ripples in the otherwise stagnant water, casting a vibrant shadow on the walls of the room. As I continue to walk around the blue-tiled edge of the pool, I realize there is a small and inviting hot tub opposite of the waterfall.

“A hot tub!” I declare. “Would you mind if I tried it out?”

“Help yourself.” Mr. X gestures kindly toward the hot tub.

I change instantly into a bikini that is slightly more revealing than one I would wear on a public beach. Mr. X follows suit and changes into his swim trunks. His torso is as muscular as I had imagined, and I find myself averting my eyes. We both slowly descend into the soothing water. My eyelids drop and lean back against a powerful whirlpool jet, allowing for a momentary massage. The area around me is silent, except for the faint sounds of the waterfall. I slowly open my eyes, about to compliment Mr. X on his exquisite taste.

Before a word can escape my lips, I see my friend stepping precariously into the hot tub to join us. “Isn’t this the most amazing pool?”

“Yes,” I agree whole-heartedly. “I was just about to comment on that very thing.”

“I can’t believe how lucky we are.” My friend seems truly giddy with pleasure.

“We?” Surely she must have been mistaken. This is Mr. X’s house.

“Yes!” She practically shrieks with joy. “Mr. X and I are moving in together! That is why I wanted to show you this place so badly. Do you really like it?”

I feel my heart sink into my toes. How could they be moving in together? She is not the person he should be sharing his time with! But whom should he be sharing with? Me? And why do I feel this surprising sense of envy and resentment? I should be happy for my friend. She is so obviously ecstatic about living with Mr. X. How could I allow my petty jealousy to stand in the way of her happiness? Mr. X and my friend exchange a meaningful glance and I visibly see the sparks fly between them.

“That is great, girl!” I exclaim, only feeling part of the excitement I am trying to portray. “I hope you are both very happy here.”

“Thanks, Andrea. You are welcome here anytime you want. Mr. X is the most incredible man and we’re going to be so happy!” My girlfriend giggles like a teenager with a crush on the star football player. I feel a smile come to my lips. I allow my joy for a friend to overtake my antipathy.

As I glance at Mr. X, I see the smile begin to fade from his eyes. I sense in a moment that not everything is as perfect as it appears. Mentally sighing, I close my eyes again and half-listen to my friend chatter about her decorating plans for the house. I cannot help but wonder if I imagined Mr. X’s disdain, or if it was truly something I saw. I do know one thing for certain…I need to get to know Mr. X better.