The Man from the Netherlands

Chapter 1

Where would be my next destination? I asked myself silently while browsing some tour packages over the internet. I don't know what place is better than Paris, I can still feel the romantic breeze of evening wind under the Eiffel Tower. I closed my eyes and let myself drift into my imaginaryvacation I had when I was there. When I was in Tokyo, I thought it was the most beautiful place I've ever went to, the lights from the buildings and the LED flat screens, the technology there was really amazing. The color clothes and wardrobes that Japanese teenagers wear everywhere, they'll look like real life dolls while walking on the street with their weird cute Lolita fashion. People there seems to get used to it for some reasons, I was able to notice that because almost every girl wear those everyday costumes.I swear it is far different from US, I only visited New York, but the fantasy of being there will always be remembered. It's real that even at night New York never sleeps. I will never forget the glittering lights all over the place. Every time I remember being in New York it always reminds me of Christmas because of how bright the place was. What I don't like about New York City is the people passing by. They're too busy to waste time, even a second counts, every sip they take to their coffees, every dial they tap on their mobile phones, will be important to their lives. It's just that people who are rushing will almost kill you if you waste even one millisecond of their lives. So better not bumped into them or you'll be yelled at in the morning. The thing is I went to New York City just for the desserts parlor "Serendipity". It was said that whoever sits or asks to sit beside you will be your destiny or lifetime partner, unfortunately no one sat beside me. Oh well, may be my soul mate isn't from New York.I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling for a couple of minutes. I stood up and walk towards my bed. Let myself fall over my mattress, facing up. I turned my head to my right side and looked at my picture on a frame. The picture was taken from Paris, I was with my wide-mouth laugh with a flower on my head and wind is blowing while behind me is the Eiffel Tower. It was taken by some random photographer to whom you'll be paying to develop the picture. Though the picture looks so carefree and happy, I can still remember how I like to cry, how badly I needed it, but instead of a tear to fall off, I burst out laughing to hide the pain. And the it struck me, I was able to feel a warm liquid fell off from the edge of my right eye's outer corner, a tear when I unintentionally remember my better half, which didn't really turned out as a "better" half. He almost ruined everything, every plan, every details I was planning for "our" life together. I sit down on the edge of the bed and wiped the tears to prevent it's continuous flow down my cheeks.____________________________________o0o______________________________________I shut down the portable machine, and went out of the room's door. I walked straight to the kitchen, tip-toed to reach the cabinet above the sink and get my tea-cup. I prepared my DIY teawhich tasted good for me, mainly it's just a jasmine tea with hint of cinnamon on it. After I'm done preparing my tea, I sit down of one of the bar stools located at the side of my breakfast bar.I looked around my apartment. It wasn't big but just enough for me, I have my small kitchen with a breakfast bar and three bar stools on the side of it which separate it from the living room, with one tiger couch, a 2-feet high glass center table, with a vase full of colored sand and inside it and some random marbles on the top of the table. Also a flat – screen TV in front of the living room set that's pinned on the vintage pink-floral decorated wall. There's this photo fountain stand just at the right side of the TV to fill in the gaps between the TV and the corner of the window. My window is covered with a rose colored thick curtain with a white satin fabric too, it hangs from ceiling to the floor. I don't really like the sunlight that much. I only open my curtains sideways if I feel like it or if I'm cleaning. Behind my living area is my big bedroom, which is my favorite part of my apartment. Everything inside is private. The color is mint teel with a combination of white edges. I have a white wooden queen-sized bed which has a large head board, the bed covers are pastel purple and gold that matches the pillow cases and the comforter. Also have a violet carpet that covers the two-thirds of the entire bedroom floor. Not like the living area, I hanged a soft see-through white curtain on the window, because I have white blinds to which helps me wake-up when the sun is shining outside. I also have an open rack for stuff I usually use and for those stuff I don't want to waste my time looking for, accessories are placed there too. There's a bean bag on the floor, a 5-feet tall vintage lamp on the side of the bed. And several photographs on the wall posted randomly.Next to my bedroom is my walk-in closet and at the end of it is where my bathroom lies. There's a sink in front of the toilet and my built-in bath tub, above it is a rain shower, 5-inches away is a ceiling-to-floor glass window, which I covered a ceiling-to-floor vertical plastic blinds, that I can slide sideways if I want to see what's outside my window.I've always dreamt of being independent and live my life like I always wanted to be. I do song covers like singing in front of a camera recorder and post it on the internet after. I am a part-time model too, but I do it for fun most of the time. I like to see myself on photographs. It makes me remember what I actually feel when the picture was taken. The thing is, I already have my independence and a stable business, an apartment, but I still don't feel contented after all. That's why I tried to travel as much as possible, but still something is missing.____________________________________o0o______________________________________"Mommy will be free for three days, would you like to stay with mommy first?" I asked my daughter Victoria Belle, she's staying with my parents since I'm alone and no one will look after her, plus she's already going to school so we prefer to finish her grade school with my parents place first. "Yes, mommy!" I can hear her excitement through her voice. "Okay! Mommy will pick you up on Friday afternoon at school, then we'll have dinner to your favorite restaurant, okay?" I asked her, "Yeah! Okay mommy!" she answered."Alright! Mommy needs to go now, you should sleep too. See you this weekend! I love you sweetheart.""I love you too Momma! Goodnight!.", her answer to my farewell and the call ended.Before I knew, I glanced at the built-in clock on the wall that tells me it is 9:53 in the evening. I went straight to my computer when I got home and posted something on facebook. I'm trying to feel if my stomach needs food but it isn't yet. So I went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. I also did my face routine while thinking if I would pick – up my laundry first or grab something to eat.Fortunately, I feel a slight hunger from my tummy so after cleaning my face I went out the door and lock it and head to the parking where my car is parked. I was just about to get inside the car when I saw my photographer – friend.____________________________________o0o______________________________________"Hey Aimee!" he greeted me. "Hi! Michael, what bring you here?" I smiled and answered. "You going somewhere tonight? I have few things to discuss with you. Can I have a half hour with you?' he asks. "Sure! I was just about to grab a dinner and get my laundry. Would you mind if we take my car?" I told him and get inside my car and started the engine. "No! Not at all!" and he turned to the passenger seat and get into the car as well." I have a proposal to you.." he started when my Ford Fiesta pulled in to the traffic. "...the team was able to conduct auditions for models who will fit perfectly with the new concept we are going to shoot in Amsterdam, but nobody fits the concept. We looked at the compilation albums we made for you and decided to give you the concept." He explained."Why me? Do I need to undergo the audition too?" I asked. "No. We already choose you Aimee. Are you in?" he asked for confirmation. The traffic lights turned red and I stopped from driving but I didn't say I thing I looked straight ahead. Michael looked at me and tried to looked at where my eyes is looking. He scratched his head because of confusion. And I answered, " Yes!", right before think twice. "I'm in mike!", I said.He joined with my dinner and talked about some other details regarding the plans and what I need to know about the photo shoot. Basically they choose me because I have my visa going to Europe and I'm not the type of person that doesn't request much. What's planned is what I follow.____________________________________o0o______________________________________After that accidental dinner with my photographer, Mike, after I dropped him to the bus stop, I went to the laundry shop where I trust my clothes with. I prefer to pick it up on my own because I'm not always home. When I get home, I was thinking of the Amsterdam photo shoot. It's a good place to relax too, so I might stay a little longer than how long my Mike will stay. Amsterdam might be a good place to visit too. I wanted to know how Amsterdam looks like so I grabbed the mean machine and searched stuff about the Amsterdam. I was able to check almost everything about the Netherlands. So I decided to make a list of the places I would want to visit. I was able to phone Michael to ask how long will they be staying. " Probably a week or two, you're planning to stay longer?" he asks, "Yeah! I've been searching for a place to visit lately and maybe Amsterdam, Netherland is a perfect place to visit." I answered. "Do you know anybody who lives there?" he asks again. "No, I don't." I simply reply. "Well, as much I wanted to join you with your vacation. We need to finish the shoots and edit the pictures. Because the exhibit will also be conducted in Amsterdam. So we will be back here after two weeks and go back to Amsterdam after 3months for the exhibit preparations." I was surprised that my photos will be posted somewhere that nobody knows me plus, people might be staring pictures on the exhibit check the value of it. I never imagine that people will enjoy my pictures too."No need to think about your costumes, leave it to us!" Mike said interrupting my thought, "Okay! Anyway, I was just asking about how long the team will be staying there. Thanks Mike!", "No problem Aimee! Anytime. Bye!" and he turned the call off!I totally just enjoy myself with nothing in particular as long as I have my friends with me and the things I like doing isn't illegal, everything will turn out exactly as fine.I am fascinated to everything I am seeing in the internet. Amsterdam is even more romantic than in Paris. It has some vintage places to go to. I listed some of the places I would love to go to. I also might be staying there a bit longer than I usually spend when I'm out of the country. I decided to stay there for a month and a half including my stay while we have the shoot. I was so into looking some tourist's spots in the Netherland and didn't really mind the time. I forgot to ask when are we leaving, or maybe Michael was able to tell me I just didn't really pay attention to it. I was about to dial Mike's number when I saw what time is it on my phone's screen. It's 11.42 in the evening, and I am not sleeping yet. I should be sleeping right now. But before I go to bed, I searched for a desktop background which is a very awesome sight from Rotterdam, The Netherlands. After changing my background, I shut down the mean machine, went straight to bed and drags myself to sleep.____________________________________o0o______________________________________When I woke up the sun is shining on my face. Which made me jumped out of bed because I know that I will be late. So I run to take a real quick shower and looked at the time it was 20 minutes before 8:00 in the morning and hell I'll be late. When I finished taking a shower, I call in to our reception that I will be late. After sending the text message I was able to decrease my panic and calm down properly. I sit down on the edge of my bed and still gauging if I would just completely call in sick today. I went to my closet, opening every door of the cabinet and check if I have the perfect clothes to wear at work today. I found a pair of short shorts with a mint floral design which turns my mood to a girly type of look today, unfortunately this can't be worn in the office. I went back to the bedroom and sent a text to our receptionist at work and call in completely sick.After the text was sent successfully, I walk back to the closet and got the mint floral short-shorts, I also choose a minty teal blue plain colored – collared blouse. I don't know what to do at home and I don't feel like going to work either so I would probably go out to check some stuff that I can bring to the Netherland. While doing my makeup my phone rings"Mike?" I answered."We will be departing on Nov. 26, Wednesday. I hope you already have someone to look after your bar." He asked me. Which surprises me because that was an unspoken question in my mind, since last night."Alright! Thanks Mike. I was suppose to ask you last night too. But thanks for letting me know." I answered and our conversation ended there.Basically, an eyeliner, mascara, face powder, a little hint of blushes and I'm done. But let's just try to be more fierce today. Eyes a bit darker, lips a more darker red and I'm done.I went to some show salon and bought three pairs of different kinds of shoes that I can wear while I'm in Amsterdam. Can be used with my wardrobe at the shoot. Bought few dresses which reminds me of how lovely the vintage place was. Bought some personal stuff of for my skin and hair, few makeup's that I'm running out of. And a pair of sunnies which matches the entire fashion I will be wearing for the rest of my stay in Amsterdam.