The Touch

The Fragrance

STELLA'S POV:

That aroma. I know this. It's been years, but in all these years, despite being with a variety of people from all over the world, from the highest officials to the lower middle-class people, from East to West, from North to South..... never did I find this particular smell, neither in combination nor in the raw version.
The scent of that perfume flooded my senses, instantly transporting me back in time. It had been years, but the familiar aroma had the power to evoke memories of our precious moments together. That particular essence was unique, and no one else had ever worn that perfume except... him. It was my favourite fragrance, and he would purposefully use it on special occasions, especially during our memorable outings.

I have been piecing together various clues and hints, all of which have only deepened my curiosity about the enigmatic individual I've been trying to uncover. Each lead seems to point in the same direction, and I can't help but wonder if it's him. It's difficult to say for certain. What are the odds of this assumption being accurate? How would he even go about recognizing me? And what about bypassing the formidable security barricade, especially the sensor? If it does turn out to be him, how on earth did he manage to track me down?

What if it's someone else? Maybe after all these years, I finally came across someone who uses this perfume.

Why are all the results being calculated at a half probability? Why cannot I get any closer to the real solution?

WHO IS HE?!?!

The same smell, the same presence of energy and...... the same eyes.
It might have been just a glimpse, but......

There's something different in that stare....and yet so familiar. Those eyes. That shade of blue iris.

Was it blue? Or is my mind making up an assumption? Why am I counting on possibilities instead of relying on solid proofs?

I don't know. I know my appearance asks for nothing but confidence at this moment...but my mind is a mess right now. And I am sure that whoever this person is....he is tracking my every move, each breath.
Hence?

Hence I need to keep up with my confident seducing appearance to get him out of his comfort zone and face me.

I take a deep breath and head inside.

I know that I am still being tracked and hence I ask my security team to stay out of the place. He wouldn't even think of taking a chance to come in front of me if they were gonna follow me around.

I ascend the grand staircase, pausing to take in the expansive, lavishly adorned space, and the delightful, intoxicating fragrance of the wildflowers.

This is the terrace he asked me to wait at. It's busy but not chaotic. Of course, he wouldn't choose a private place.

I half pout at the idea though. As if he is my secret admirer, I am secretly in love with him.

Hmph.

I quickly shake my head to throw out this stupid distraction and walk towards the empty table at the corner on the left.

The waiter comes up to pull the chair out for me. I smile at his gesture and he blushes immediately, making me smile a little.

I know all the eyes are on me in one or either way right now. Both genders are admiring me in their own way, with different perspectives. 

Men are calculating their chances of having a conversation out of me and women are calculating their chances of losing their men over a normal introductory conversation.

This amuses and saddens me at the same time. I know for sure that no one would even dare to come up and talk and yet I cannot help the women feel nothing but confident about the feminine support I am willing to provide to them.

It's 7:48 pm. He hasn't shown up. Yeah of course.

Ms. Stella Richard is now going to fucking wait for some random psycho stranger to have a glimpse of his physique so that she can have a fucking clue about this fucked up freaking and frantic stupid stalker.

I know I am supposed to keep my calm but never in my life did any man have the audacity to make me wait for one whole minute. Not even my dad. I was his princess and his only priority. 

Not even him. I remember he would always be the punctual gentleman and I would always be the non-punctual girl. And on days he wouldn't make it on time, he would send someone to inform me about it at least 4 hours before the fixed time to meet so that I don't keep waiting for him.

Then? Who is he?

I glance around the crowd but none of them seems to be creepy or mysterious.
I take my phone out to see for any new notifications.

Ugh. None.

It's 7:56 pm.

If he doesn't show up by 8, I am calling over Aaron to join me. I cannot make a fool of myself, all dressed up and yet sitting single waiting for a person to show up, whom I don't even know.

7:58 pm.

I open the contact list and start dialling Aaron's name.

7:59 pm.

I am about to hit the call button when finally my phone chimes in the sweetest irritating ringtone from an "obviously"  unknown number. I pick it up.

"Don't even think of calling anybody else. Have patience. Let me quench the thirst of my eyes by devouring your soul out of the seductive beauty, you are carrying right now" the hoarse voice says over the line.

I should be angry.

And instead?

I am tempted.

Turned on.

Seduced.

Wow.

Like wow.

I simply disconnect the call and turn my face away unable to stop my smile from forming on my lips.