7. Last minute meeting in the Netherlands

Blair

" I don't understand, we had your engagement dinner a few weeks ago," I stared at Abby.

We were both seated at a table in a restaurant near the airport where I was waiting to board my flight to my next destination. Initially I left home thinking that I would board at 10 o'clock for Argentina, but in the end, due to a flight attendant who had the flu and obviously could not fly, I would board at 3 o'clock for Amsterdam.

" Yes, but my parents didn't like not being there and want to have a reception," she explained, "you are my maid of honor, Blair, you have to go.”

I checked my cell phone for any sign of Dimitri. Yesterday he hadn't texted me for the first time since we met, and I was finding the silence strange.

" Did you hear me? " Abby frowned.

" Yes, I just think that going across the country for a second engagement dinner is overkill! " I looked away from my cell phone, turning my attention back to my friend.

" It's not just about that, Blair," she returned, "I have to talk to the priest, you know how important it is to get the church.”

I returned my gaze to the cell phone screen, sighing.

" What are you looking at so much on this cell phone? " she complained, "This is my wedding we are talking about, as my maid of honor you have to accompany me in everything!”

" I just don't want to miss the schedule," I mumbled, not wanting to reveal the real reason for my anxiety, "I accept your invitation.”

" It wasn't an invitation, it was an ultimatum," she laughed, "I wouldn't take no for an answer.”

My cell phone vibrated, causing me to quickly pick it up, unlocking it eagerly. But in the end, it wasn't the person I was expecting. 

" Blair.”

" What? 

" Do you really want to convince me you're like this so you don't miss your schedule? 

I took a deep breath, sipping the glass of juice in front of me. I shouldn't get like this because I don't get a new message, right?

 The guy literally lives on the other side of the world!

" Are you still talking to your Russian friend?” 

" At the moment? No," I returned, "I don't talk to him that much.” 

" Really? Because for the past few weeks every time we meet you have something new about him to tell me," she teased me, "and don't think I've forgotten about Noah's cookies.”

" Your boyfriend's cookies had nothing to do with Dimitri, but with the fact that he tried to get me to pay a dry cleaning bill," I returned.

" Blair.”

" I haven't talked to him since yesterday," I explained, "it's no big deal, it's not like we need to talk every day.”

" Really? It's not what it sounds like," she hummed, "I think you're getting…”

" I'm going to be late," I stood up, taking some bills from my wallet, placing them on the table to pay for what I had consumed before leaning over and kissing her cheek, "I'll let you know when I land.”

 " Stay off the subject, I'm not giving up that easily," she warned with a laugh as I walked away.

After a seven-hour flight, I landed at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol feeling exhausted. I had my tricks for avoiding jet lag on every trip, but they were not always so effective. The fact that I arrived in the middle of the night helped a little to ease it, at least I could sleep immediately.

The hotel was more than close to the airport, it was in the same complex, accessed by a covered platform connecting the main lobby of the airport to the hotel reception, so I was soon comfortable on the bed, allowing my body to finally relax and be enveloped by sleep. 

I awoke the next day close to eleven in the morning. I got ready, choosing an outfit suitable for the ten degree temperature outside. I picked up my cell phone, pondering whether or not to send a message. He had disappeared, did he not want to talk to me anymore?

Well, I don't always have to wait for him to bring up something, right?

With that in mind I made my decision. I walked over to one of the three diamond-shaped windows in my room and looked out at the view. Nothing spectacular or that I wasn't used to, but from there you could see the entire airport complex.

I shrugged before taking a selfie by the window anyway, referring to the man afterwards.

"It's not as amazing a view as Puerto Rico, but I bet it will get better later when you go exploring the city."

For a moment I stood watching the cell phone screen waiting for an answer to magically appear there.

" What are you doing, Blair? " I muttered to myself, blocking the phone.

There was no way I was going to stand there waiting for him to answer me.

I grabbed my purse and went out into the hall, planning to have breakfast before heading out to see the city. I could even invite the group of flight attendants I traveled with yesterday to join me.

It would be a good day.

My cell phone vibrated as I stepped out of the elevator in the lobby. I picked it up feeling my heart flutter as I saw that it was a message from Dimitri.

"I know these windows, where are you?"

"Amsterdam, I'm at the Hilton hotel.”

"Amsterdam? You are now in Amsterdam?"

"Yes, why?"

I frowned as I followed the directions given to the restaurant.

The new message caused me to blink dazedly, interrupting my path as I stared at the cell phone screen. It was a picture of an airport control tower, a tower I had seen not too long ago.

No... Could it be possible!

I immediately dialed his number, waiting anxiously for him to answer the call. 

If he is here.

 " Are you in Amsterdam? " I asked as soon as the call was answered, before he could say anything.

" Yes, I landed a couple of hours ago," he reported, "I just got out of the shower and saw your message.” 

" We are in the same city! " I smiled " Would you like to have breakfast with me?” 

" Breakfast, it's almost lunchtime! " he teased me.

 " Let's have lunch then " I invited him.

" Can I finally give you the dry cleaning bill?” 

" The cookies were your compensation, Commander," I teased, turning and heading for the hotel lobby, "don't expect any more than that.” 

" I'm not getting that money back, am I? " He laughed, "Meet me in the airport lobby.

He then ended the call, causing my heart to race as I turned around and headed for the walkway to the airport. Anxiety took over me with every step, I couldn't believe that I would finally get to meet him in person.

" Hey Blair " Olive, a flight attendant who was part of yesterday's crew called out to me as I was almost at the runway.

" Hi Olive," I forced a smile, interrupting my steps.

" We rent a car and go to Muiderslot, a medieval castle a few miles away, and then…”

" I'm sorry, I have an appointment," I denied, wanting to get rid of her at once and be on my way.

" I understand, but later we'll go to a club, the whole crew.”

" Great, I'll definitely go," I hurried back.

 I resumed my path, hurrying my steps across the catwalk, wondering if Dimitri was already there. In my mind, I was making a plan for the day. We had arranged to have lunch, but I wanted more than that, if he would allow me, I would put into practice what I said I would do if we were together in Milan. 

A new message indicated the place where I should meet him and I wasted no time. Dimitri was standing next to a car rental stand awaiting my arrival.

My heart hammered hard in my chest. We are going to meet. I couldn't believe it was finally happening!