Chapter 2: Begin The Dilemma

My evening went a little different tonight. As I usually would sit here with a glass of wine, writing, looking out into the beautiful scenery I have surrounded myself with, tonight I sit here with a glass of wine, writing about my experiences today. Antonio is on my mind, the thoughts of Albert calling me, he is a mystery though. Antonio, Albert, wine, writing, daydreaming…

Sitting here watching the deer scamper across my field, seeing little animals that I would assume to be rabbits or opossums, I come to a blank. I can’t do this tonight. I cannot write tonight. I need to call Albert, no wait, I need to call Antonio.  

I go inside to grab my phone and make the call. Unsure of exactly which one I should call, would call, I’m making a call. As the phone begins to ring, my heart starts racing.

“Hello?” The man on the other end of the phone, deep sexy voice, answers the phone.

“Hi… Albert?” I asked.  

As he answers me affirmatively on the other end, I breathe a sigh of relief. “Hi Albert, it's Aria, Chad and Joe’s friend?”

We began to chat for a while and I began to wonder, did I make a mistake calling him? I feel like I have almost the same connection as I did with Antonio in the coffee shop. The only difference is, Albert and I have a phone connection, I don’t know what Albert looks like, I know he sure sounds beautiful, but would we have that same connection?

As the sun begins to set, I probably should be getting some rest. Tomorrow I’m recording a new song. Exciting, right? Eh, it has become normal for me. I ended the phone call with Albert, agreeing to meet him in person tomorrow after the recording session while I’m still in the city. Yes, Albert knows what I do for a living because Chad and Joe don’t know boundaries and they intrigue everyone with “their best friend is…”. Yes, I give them credit, I’d be excited to know me too. The only thing better than to know me, is well I guess, be me.

I put everything away and get ready for bed. My bedroom is my sanctuary within my home. If I’m not outside writing, I’m usually relaxing there. It’s very calming and serene. I lay myself down in my big bed, start thinking about my day some more and then the next thing I know…

Good morning! I had a great night's sleep, and probably dreamt a little. No, not probably, I know I did. I dreamt about Antonio and our little coffee session yesterday. I dreamt about Albert, what is Albert like? I will find out today.

Getting out of bed, I start thinking of what to wear. Yes, usually I would go with jeans or sweats, but today is a little different. Antonio had already seen me in my glorious jeans, tank and slides, clearly not caring how I looked and he loved me apparently. That was all spontaneous. I’m knowingly going to meet a guy later, I should probably look a little more, not homely.

I picked out a pair of black dress pants and a nice shirt. Sometimes this is my go to when I have meetings and recordings so it’s not out of the ordinary. I brush my hair, my teeth, and we are out.

Today’s recording is for an upcoming movie. It’s really exciting that I have my songs in movies! The songs are usually recorded by up and coming artists, today, it’s being recorded by yours truly. No, I’m not a singer, I write songs. Today, well today is different, this song means so much to me that they’re allowing me to try my vocals on this one and well, it’s exciting.

As I finish up my session, I start feeling a little nauseous. Am I feeling ill or am I just nervous? Why didn't I feel this way yesterday at the coffee shop? I try to take a few deep breaths and just relax, I hope this works.

Albert is meeting me at a nice restaurant for lunch. Feeling the way I do in my stomach right now, can I eat? I really hope it's just nerves at the moment. I pull up to ‘Fredericko’s’ and head in. I tell the hostess that I am with a gentleman that is already here. Thankfully there is only one guy here waiting for someone because I have no idea what I’m expecting or looking for. As we walk closer to Albert’s table, his back is turned towards us, my heart begins to beat harder and faster.

As I rounded the table and was able to see him face forward, ‘wow’. I can feel the smile on my face getting bigger as he begins to smile back at me. He stands up and pulls out my chair for me. Good looking and a gentleman.  

“Hi, Aria! I’m Albert!” He sits down and we begin to chat looking over the menu.  

How could I seriously get this lucky. Yesterday I met Antonio, by chance, today I met Albert. Is it luck or am I just being greedy or stupid at the moment. I guess we can see where this all goes and hope for the best that doesn’t put me in the worst scenario possible, falling in love with two guys.

I’ve never thought of myself to be like this. Well for the longest time I never thought of myself to actually have a date with a guy that I actually didn’t want to run the other way from. This is nice for a change.

After placing our orders, we sit here sipping a glass of wine and talk a little more about our lives. Neither one of us are from the area which makes it even more interesting to know more about where we are from, our lives and families.  

Remember before how I said that Chad and Joe like to do that “my best friend is…” like it’s some big thing? Well turns out, it didn’t really matter to Albert. He isn’t here because “I’m Aria.” He has just as creative a career as I do. He is a music producer. Imagine that! Is it meant to be? I’m a song writer who literally just recorded her first ever vocal performance, he’s a music producer. I’m definitely giving Chad and Joe more credit at this point.

Upon talking some more, he has mentioned that he’s heard a lot of my songs and loves absolutely everything that I’ve done. You could imagine how big my smile is at this point. Sitting down seeing him for the first time was nothing compared to right now.  

The only thing that really gets me thinking right now is, “opposites attract” and the fact that we’re in some of the same type of business, is it too much? Would he get to the point where he’s influencing my writing? Hmmm…

Our meals finally come to the table and they look delicious. My stomach, thankfully, has calmed down. I’m pretty sure it was just being nervous. 

After lunch, we sat for a little while longer and I started to talk about the upcoming Grammy’s. Small world because Mr. Albert is going too. I don’t ever remember seeing him at any of the previous events, however I don’t see everyone and I’m not really one to pay attention well to everyone around me. I don’t like the attention.

“Maybe we could go together this year?” He says to me with a smile on his face. Not a creepy smile, just one that is saying, I hope this goes that far.

Looking up at him with a side smile, “possibly!”

After a little while, Albert pays the check and we head out. We took a little stroll down main street. I feel him reaching into my hand, so why not, I take his. We walk down one side and back up the other before returning to my car. Albert says he wants to see me again. He would love to cook dinner for me.

As I stand here listening to the words coming out of his mouth and as much as I want all that, I can’t help but to retreat back to thinking about Antonio. Make up your mind, Aria!

“Sure, that would be nice,” I said to him, expressing my desire to see him again in a little more private, romantic setting. I mean sure ‘Fredericko’s’ is a nice restaurant but it’s honestly far from being romantic, or private.  

“Great! I will give you a call!” Albert looks into my eyes and leans in for a kiss goodbye. Torn, I lean back into him as well. ‘Wow… wow,’ I must ask, how long has it been since I was kissed like that? This is probably one of the most amazing sets of lips to walk the planet. I don’t want to stop.

As I pull away, he looks at me like something is wrong, but there isn’t. Something is great. Honestly, it is. I just need to be alone with my thoughts, with my feelings, with my choices.

Albert opens the car door for me and after I’m situated inside my car, shuts my door. I wave to him as I head off to home.

Driving home I can still taste his kiss. His soft lips on mine was probably one of the best feelings I have felt in a very long time. There is hope for me afterall. As long as I don’t mess it up.

My phone is ringing. My heart drops, who could it be. Okay, life, make my life a little harder right now. It’s Antonio. I press answer and greet him. My brain needs to shut off right now and pay attention to Antonio…