A New Light

Chapter 3

Our flight landed in New York at 10:30 a.m. and we headed over to Hotel Blue. Kate was super excited about staying here. Evidentally it is an upscale rather trendy hotel near Chelsea Market in the Meatpacking District. We're in a penthouse suite. And I have to say it's beautiful. Modern design to the entire suite. Lots of color on the walls but the furniture is all white. There's a small kitchen, a living space with couches and a round dining table. Each bedroom has its own bath that could rival any that you'd find in a spa. "Wow! Kate this is a gorgeous room! But I thought that the paper was paying for the trip out here. This can't be a room that the paper would put you up in."

"Oh, it's not. I told Daddy that I was bringing you out with me because you needed to get away for a few days. He told me to upgrade anything I saw fit. Soooooo..." she says laughing. "I upgraded the hotel and the room. Don't worry though, I did let him know what I was doing before I did it!" she added as I just scowled at her. And according to her this hotel there'll be lots for me to do while she's at her interview and then near enough that we can still get some shopping done for her dress for the fundraiser.

While she is getting ready for her interview I am trying to get some rest but everytime I close my eyes all I see are his sad grey eyes as I walked out his door. I knew I wasn't going to get any sleep and try as I might to get him out of my head, especially as I am in a differant city with plenty of things to explore, I decide that's what I'm going to do. Explore the surrounding area.

"Kate, I'm going to head out. See what's around so that we'll know when you're ready if there is anything around here that will work for finding that dress you need or if we'll need to head somewhere else in the city," I call out to her as I head out.

"Ok, make sure you have your phone. I'll call you when I'm done and we'll meet up!" She yells as she's getting out of the shower.

Heading out of the hotel I just wander though the Meatpacking District. There's so much here. It's so strange there's so much going on. Totally differant from Seattle. There's butchers and resturants, shops and clubs. I found a couple of stores that Kate could explore for a dress, there's Stella McCartney, Jeffrey, Alexander McQueen, Yigal Azrouel, and Carlos Miele. But if I know her we'll still end up in Bergdoff's tomorrow before our flight home. I chuckle to myself at that. God I love her, she's the best friend/sister anyone could have but I hate to shop and she loves dragging me along!

I eventually make it to Chelsea Market and the smells are amazing. I think a coffee will do. So I find a coffee shop and a book store! I'm amazed. Everything is here. Walking out of the book store after finding a book to read about the city I decide to find a park. I want to see if looking out over the skyline of Manhattan will give me the same peace that Elliot Bay Park gave me in Seattle. I need my mind to just not think anymore about cooper hair and grey eyes. Looking down as I walk out of the bookstore fiddling the book and taking a sip of coffee at the same time. I run into something hard and loose my balance. Once again I find myself on the floor. UGH! Clumsy Ana makes another appearance.

"I'm sorry. I didn't see you" I say standing up with the help of the man I just literally bumped into. He reaches down to help me up, and bends for the book. Looking at him as he hands it to me. I notice that he's a very attactive man. Dark eyes, dark hair, olive complexion. Lean but built well. Answering me he says, "No worries bellissima." Oh my, an Italian accent. "My name is Arnoldo Ricci."

"I'm Ana," it's all I can manage to say as I take the book from him. "Sorry, Anastasia Steele," taking the book, "thank you."

"You're very welcome. Where are you from?"

"Huh?"

"The book. About what you should do or see in the city. Where are you from?"

"Oh," I giggle nervously. This man has me a little speechless. I don't understand why. He's attractive, but its not to the extreme the way Christian is. He obviously takes care of his body. His eyes are a beautiful chocolate brown with flecks of green on the edges, but they're kind eyes. But I think what I like the most is his dazzling smile. One side of his mouth goes up with a dimple showing and the other just slants up. Hmmm, just the one dimple. Adorable! He's still waiting for me to answer. Shit. "Sorry. No. I'm not from here. Visiting for the weekend with my friend Kate. We're from Seattle."