Chapter 6 Invitations

• I don't know how I did it, but after weeks of work, we finally have a couple of small beginnings, a design example to present to the client. I have a draft with some information, color samples, and a few reference images. You have no idea how hard I've worked, I've been in the office almost day and night, and at times I doubted that it would all be in vain. My eyes hurt from staring at the screen for so long without rest.
• My colleague Katie hasn't done much, besides giving some ideas and "correcting" everything I do, only to leave it as it was before.
• On the other hand, Brandon, I must admit, has tried to help me. He liked what he saw from the initial examples and all the options, but I have generally politely declined his help. He gives me a puzzled look, of course, if I need help, I'm doing this almost on my own! But I don't want it from him.
• I don't want him to think that we're friends or that we can talk or anything like that, let alone ask me for favors because he's so chivalrous, a savior, and wonderful for helping me. Poor girl that I am. I hope being so stubborn doesn't backfire on me in the future, but I really can't stand him.
• Today is a very important day because we are going to present the first progress of the project to Brandon's boss. Brandon and Mike are very satisfied, but I am biting my nails, really stressed. I put on a long dark blue dress with long sleeves that reaches just above my ankles. I have black shoes that make me look professional, and I only wear a little makeup. My hair is tied in a ponytail, and I wear minimal accessories.
• However, I feel good about my choice, I think I look as good as possible. Lizzie always says that dressing comfortably and well helps determine how the rest of the day will go. I think she's right, it helps a little, I feel a bit more confident. As I'm about to leave, I'm surprised by the handsome neighbor who looks at me and smiles.
• "Hello, hello, dear neighbor," this man is truly charming, I think with a smile. Robbie is dressed casually and he looks cute as well, but it's not just his physical appearance, he has this air of being a genuinely nice guy. He smiles sweetly at me, and wow... my day seems to be starting off well. At least I'm deluding myself.
• "Good morning to you," I respond, and we glance at each other in the elevator.
• "Are you going to work?" he asks with a smile. God, he looks even more handsome today, it's not just my imagination.
• "Exactly... I have an important meeting," I explain, trying to be friendly. I'm never like this, but, as I said before... he's cute. I tell him a little about what I do, and he likes the idea that I'm a designer and fighting to do what I love. He seems very empathetic, and for the first time, someone is excited about what I do.
• "Well, good luck... something tells me that you're going to do very, very well. I'm sure you're a very successful and intelligent girl," he says.
• "Thank you," I timidly respond. I'm melting right here, in the elevator.
• "You know, I was wondering... would you like to go out one day?" Robbie suddenly asks, and I'm stunned.
• "Go out as... as what?" I ask, not wanting to mishear or get my hopes up.
• "Like a date, of course," he adds. "If you want, we could go grab a drink or have dinner... to get to know each other better," he says, and I blush. I don't know what to say... I'm not used to these things. He looks... sincere. Oh my god, he's asking me out, a cute guy, the handsome musician neighbor is asking me out.
• "Why would you go out with me?" I ask, and as soon as my words leave my mouth, I realize what a great stupidity it is. No wonder you never go out with guys, I tell myself. How silly! Who says something like that? He shrugs, as if it's the most normal thing in the world.
• I think you're a cute and pleasant girl, a good person... interesting he says with that half smile that I like. Given such a response from him, it's obvious that I respond with a yes.
• Ohhh yes... Yes. I would like to go out with you - I say confidently, for the first time in my life, confident.
• What do you think about tomorrow? I'll pick you up at your apartment he says with a big smile, and that's how we agree. I still can't believe it.
• I have a date! It's truly unthinkable, here I was crying over my luck and a handsome man appears out of nowhere and invites me out. I go to the office, feeling a bit lighter, almost... happy. I have a new project, an important client, and even if my ex crush came to torment my life, I have a date! I could almost dance with happiness. A date with a handsome guy! A guy I liked! And he said that I was cute, pleasant, a good person, and interesting! Who would have believed it?
• The meeting was better than I had thought, the client that Brandon brought is a serious man, older with a beard and dark skin, he looked strict, but he really seemed happy with the results. He particularly liked the example I made with modern textures and some vibrant colors. For the event's brand, we showed several options, and it seemed that, in general, he liked the direction we were going. I felt happy with the comments, even when Katie tried to take all the credit for what was done, which I didn't see coming. I knew she was a hateful snake, but this... damn. You have to stoop pretty low, I definitely have to be careful with this woman.
• No matter, I think what I really should celebrate is that they liked what I did and there will surely be more projects. They liked it and made only a few changes. My design was a success and I have a date! Life is good, I think, better than I thought.
• Brandon had a very open smile the whole time, he looked... proud. After reviewing data, costs, and other topics, my boss announces that we will have dinner at a luxurious restaurant in the city center. I don't go out much, so I don't have many expectations, it will just be another work meeting, in a nice place, surely with good food but always talking about work.
• The restaurant is truly beautiful and I don't think I've ever been to a place like this before. The food they bring is fantastic and I try everything little by little. I feel better that he doesn't see me eating, I don't like it when people do, I feel like they're looking at me and thinking that I should eat less, that it's already enough. When he's around, I become the school pig again and not the Adelaida that I've worked so hard to become. That's how it is, I've regressed all the progress I made in my self-esteem.
• However, I can notice how he looks for me with his gaze, even though Katie is sitting next to him, doing everything possible to get his attention. I can even see her playing with her red hair, flirting. I try to talk to the colleagues I have nearby, many congratulate me on my work and even though the atmosphere is very good, I would prefer to go out with Liz. I wonder how my date with Robbie will be.
• I have terrible luck with dates, besides the fact that I haven't had one in years. But I have a strange hope, a good energy in the air. Something different that makes me feel better.
• At one point, I get up to go to the bathroom and on the way back, I take the opportunity to see the other spaces in the restaurant. The lamps are made of crystals and the decoration is magnificent, it must be a charming job to do something like this. There are small rather old paintings, but everything seems to be in perfect place, it looks like everything has been placed with a purpose, nothing is random, the designer was really dedicated and creative.
• You can feel it in the atmosphere, it gives character to the place. There is a magnificent pattern on the walls and I dream of being that kind of designer, the one who creates beautiful things to brighten others' lives, not logos and posters. But well, little by little.
• I go towards a small semi-open space. It seems to be a small cellar, as I see many wines, perfectly stacked. A waiter passes by and indicates that I can look without any problem, and I stay there, away from everyone, reviewing that beautiful space, it seems somewhat antique and modern at the same time. I'm facing away when I hear someone speaking to me and I startle, unable to avoid it.
• "Actually, if you're avoiding me," Brandon heard himself say, speaking to me with a loud, almost annoyed voice. Damn it... he must have followed me. He comes closer to me and I take a couple of steps back.