Do you have another name?

Charlotte's pov

The cab driver suddenly stopped, and I looked at him with hesitation and asked,

"Why did you stop?" My emotions were overwhelming, and my heart was pounding out of my chest.

"We have arrived at the Premium King's hotel," he replied.

To confirm his words, I quickly glanced out the window and saw that we were indeed at the hotel. Nervously, I got out of the car and stood in front of the glamorous building. I felt an urge to turn back, as this was something completely new to me. But there was a part of me that wanted to experience it. If it could help me think less about Harry, then it was worth trying.

The first thing that bothered me was how the person attending to me would judge me. If I had to rate my level of decency on a scale of one to ten, I would confidently say six or seven. This was a new experience for me, but it was about to become a secret entry on my life's curriculum vitae.

With renewed courage, I took the first step towards the hotel. According to the instructions that came with my serial number, I was supposed to meet one of the receptionists and provide them with my number. In the reception hall, I saw two female staff members in their uniforms, both wearing a slight smile on their lips.

After a brief introduction, I handed my serial number to the receptionist on the right. Without delay, she led me to the right and into the office for the blind date. Inside, there was a man in his early fifties with large eyes. He asked me to take a seat while the receptionist gave him my serial number. After checking a few things on his laptop, he looked up with a smile and said,

"Hi Susan, my name is Davidson Len. Before I take you into the room, there are a few things I'd like to quickly brief you on. Have you read and understood the terms and conditions of the dating app?"

"Yes," I nodded, although in reality, I hadn't read past the second page.

"Our clients, both male and female, are very important to us, and maintaining their anonymity is our priority. No matter what happens, do not remove the mask covering your eyes. Is that clear?" he asked firmly.

"Yes, I understand," I responded, but deep down, I wondered what would happen if it turned out to be my dad who had disappeared years ago. Would I still adhere to the rule? I hummed, lost in my thoughts.

The first thing he did was lead me to the room and instructed me to thoroughly familiarize myself with it before they blindfolded me. This was to ensure I wouldn't stumble and injure myself. The room itself was quite simple, with a large bed on the left and a standing fridge on the right. I was informed that the lights would be turned off. After a few minutes of observing the room, the man handed me over to a lady who would put on the mask, covering the front of my eyes but leaving a thin space at the edge. She asked me to wait for about five minutes before she would guide me back to the room. She stopped at the door and went back.

As I opened the door on my own, my initial thought was to go to the bed and sit down. But as I closed the door with my hands, I heard someone say my fake name.

"My darling Susan..." a male voice came from the right side of the bed. Why hadn't they told me his name? I wondered before responding,

"Hi..."

His voice was deep, and I slowly walked towards him. The way he addressed me by my fake name eased my initial fear, and I sensed a genuineness about him. He held my hand and helped me sit on the bed. Honestly, I was expecting him to undress me, but instead, he held my right hand and gently caressed the back of my palm, and there was silence.

"Tell me about yourself, Susan," he broke the silence. He guided me to sit on his lap so that our voices would be closer. All I knew was that after all of this, my clothes would be taken off.

"My name is Susan. I'm twenty-four and I have everything it takes to make you happy. I'm 5'5" tall, with an hourglass shape and long hair. My eyes are stunning. I have a good bust, attractive hips, and heart-shaped lips for your pleasure." I tried to move my buttocks on his legs, acting as if I had done it before.

"Is that all?" he asked.

"You can feel it for yourself, I'm hot," I replied, and he fell silent again.

"Is this your first time?" he asked, and I started feeling like I was missing something. Before I could process that thought, he asked again,

"What brought you here? I know this is your first time."

He caught me off guard, and I wasn't willing to reveal my true reasons. Then he started caressing my elbow down to my waist, as if he had known me for a long time.

"Why are you doing this? Do you need the money or something?" he asked. Up until this point, I hadn't realized that the first thing I should have done was negotiate the payment for my services before even getting close to the bed. I acted naive. His desperation to know why I came here reminded me of what Harry did to me, and even in the darkness, I could see Harry's unloving face. I waited for a moment and said,

"My heart is heavy and filled with sadness." My breathing started to change, and I could feel the air rushing out of my nose.

"The person I love so much broke my heart, and I thought the only way to heal my bitter emotions was through making love."

"So, you came here to learn about romance. Do you think this is the best place to learn?" he chuckled. Yes, he chuckled. Who told him to chuckle? And I immediately sensed mockery in his tone. I couldn't say another word at first. It was as if I had stepped on a sharp nail, and the pain was piercing through my bones. When I finally opened my mouth to speak, my words came from the depths of my pain.

"I have always experienced the kind of love that nobody wants. The cruelest form of love, unrequited love, which almost kills its victims. That's what my mum called it." Tears were already streaming down my face, and one of them landed on his hand.

"Are you crying? I'm sorry if I said something that hurt you."

As he awaited my response, I stood up and started taking off my clothes. When everything I was wearing was on the floor, I said,

"I'm ready. Come and do what you signed up for."

"No, no... I can't make love to a crying lady. I'm sorry."

He showed great remorse and quickly helped me put my clothes back on. He knew I was crying because of my breakup, and he gently tapped my back as he said,

"Listen, Susan, if you love someone who doesn't love you back, don't force it. Let them go. Let them love the person they truly love. That's the only way to prove your love to them. Never fight or cry for such love because love isn't about battles. It's about affection, tenderness, understanding, friendship, and solidarity."

His words comforted me, and I found strength in what he said. True, love was all about affection. I was willing to show my gratitude and I said,

"Let's make love. It's the only way I can thank you for your encouragement."

"No, Susan, you're still hurt. And there's only one condition for that to happen."

"What condition?" I started feeling joy from our conversation.

"If you really want to make love, reapply on the dating app using my serial number, and they will arrange for us to meet again."

*****

I left the hotel, and that stranger I met refused to sleep with me unless we had a rematch. I had never encountered someone so considerate, putting my emotions before his own desires.

For the next three days, I became overly obsessed with the idea of meeting him again. I applied using his serial number, completely replacing Harry in my heart. I wanted to learn about romance from this stranger, as he had jokingly suggested.

As the days went by, I grew impatient, eagerly waiting for a message from the dating app, just like the first time. Without the app, there was no way for me to reconnect with him. Then, in the evening of that same day, I received a text message from Ava.

"Hello Charlotte, I'm inviting you to the opening of my dad's new house. Before the opening, my parents are organizing a three-day picnic for their reunion."

I read the message repeatedly, realizing that Ava had never mentioned that her parents were separated. Just as I was about to call her, my phone started ringing, and it was Ava on the other end.

"Hi Ava, I saw your message, but I'm actually expecting a job interview, and the date hasn't been confirmed yet," I lied, grasping onto the only excuse I could think of to attend the rematch of the blind date.

"Please, come over. All I want is for you to stop thinking about Harry. You'll have more opportunities to meet other guys here. When the interview date comes, you can go back and return afterward. I'll cover all your travel expenses."

Ava was from a wealthy family, her mother being a CEO and I hadn't met her father during the five times I had visited her.

**********

Author's pov

Two days later, around noon, Ava came out of her room to meet her dad, who was watching a baseball game. His name was Tyler.

"Dad, it's time. My friend is at the airport now. Can we start going?" Ava asked, but Tyler's attention was focused on the television.

"Hmm..." he hummed, not fully paying attention to her daughter. At the same time, Ava's mother, Brenda, walked into the sitting room and overheard Ava's words.

"I know he'll always fail on his promises. Go and bring your friend yourself," she said sarcastically and disrespectfully. Both Tyler and Brenda looked at each other angrily, while Ava stomped her feet on the floor and said,

"Dad, Mom, what's happening? Stop this. You get angry over little things," Ava pleaded.

"Go, I said he won't come with you," Brenda raised her voice. Tyler stood up without replying to Brenda, and Ava and her dad stepped out of the house. Brenda immediately turned off the television, provoking Tyler, who wanted to go back and turn it on. However, Ava held him back and said,

"You've already left the living room, let's go, Dad."

They got into the car, and Tyler drove away. Thirty minutes later, they arrived at the airport, and Tyler parked the car, allowing Ava to go inside and look for Charlotte. A few minutes later, Ava and Charlotte emerged from the airport, with Ava carrying Charlotte's luggage. Charlotte was wearing a white gown that showed her curves.

"Where's your car?" Charlotte asked.

"Look over there, my dad drove me here. I'm trying to spend more time with him," Ava replied.

They walked closer to Mr. Tyler, engrossed in laughter and speaking loudly.

"My name is Tyler. Nice to meet my daughter's friend," Tyler said, shaking hands with Charlotte. Both Tyler and Charlotte's eyes were fixed on each other while Ava went to put the luggage in the car's trunk.

"What's your name?" he asked Charlotte.

"My name is Charlotte," she replied. Tyler was still holding her hand then he lowered his voice and asked,

"Do you have another name?"