Married At First Glance: I Am Not Ugly

A waiter walked to their table and greeted her warmly.

“Hello ma’am. Are you ready to order?” he asked, a smile on his face.

Marissa returned the waiter’s smile and nodded.

“Yes, I’m ready. I’ll have the Zurich-style veal dish that Alexander mentioned earlier. It sounds delicious.”

The waiter noted down her order and turned his attention to Alexander, who had just returned to the table.

“Welcome back, sir. Are you ready to order as well?” the waiter inquired.

Alexander glanced at the menu once more before making his decision. “I’ll have the Swiss fondue, please.

And bring us a bottle of your finest Swiss white wine to complement the meal.”

The waiter acknowledged the order and gave a slight bow before departing.

As they waited for their food to arrive, Marissa couldn’t help but appreciate the attentive service and the exquisite surroundings of the restaurant.

It was a stark contrast to her usual experiences, and she marveled at the beauty of the Swiss landscape outside the restaurant’s windows.

Alexander leaned in and struck up a conversation.

“I must say, Marissa, this restaurant is truly remarkable. Switzerland has a unique charm, doesn’t it?”

Marissa agreed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“It’s absolutely breathtaking. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I feel like I’m in a dream.”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“So are our potential business partners coming?” she asked.

“Um… no.” he revealed.

“Why? Did something happen?” she asked, wondering what could have possibly happened to change their potential client’s mind.

“They couldn’t come because they were busy with a few things, but they invited us to dinner in the grand hall at the finest hotel in Swiss.” he said, as he took a glass of water.

“Today?” she asked.

Alexander dropped the glass of water and nodded.

“Yep.”

“So what are we going to do today then?” she asked.

Alexander took a moment to consider their options for the day.

“Well, we have a bit of free time until the dinner tonight. Switzerland has some incredible places to explore, and I thought we might make the most of it.

How about we visit the historic old town of Zurich and enjoy some of the local culture and sights?”

Marissa’s eyes lit up with excitement. “That sounds like a fantastic idea. I’d love to explore the old town.”

“Good. Then it’s settled.” he said, he made a phone call.

Just then their meal came and the waiter set it on the table.

“Here are your meals. Enjoy.” he said, a smile on his face as he bows and leaves them to enjoy their meal.

Alexander ended the call and placed his phone on the table.

“Our hotel room has been changed so, the driver who would take us would be here in the next 30 minutes so let’s eat up and leave.”

Marissa, who placed a white cloth on her lap, nodded as they prepared for their meal.

While they were eating, Marissa decided to strike a conversation to not make everything too quiet.

“Alexander, you must have been to many places like this for business,” Marissa remarked.

Alexander smiled, taking a sip of his wine.

“Oh, you have no idea. I’ve been to countless restaurants and hotels for business meetings. Sometimes it feels like I’m living out of a suitcase.”

Marissa chuckled.

“And here I was, thinking I was the lucky one to experience this.”

He nodded.

“Well, the view here is indeed spectacular, but after a while, they all start to look the same.

The only thing that makes each trip unique is the people you meet and the deals you make.”

Marissa raised her eyebrows, intrigued.

“So, any interesting stories or memorable experiences from your travels?”

Alexander thought for a moment.

“Well um…., there was this one time in Tokyo when I had to give a presentation to a potential client.

Everything was going well until I realized I had left my presentation slides at the hotel. I had to improvise for an hour, and somehow, we still closed the deal.”

Marissa laughed.

“That must have been a nerve-wracking experience!”

“It was, but it taught me to always double-check my presentation materials before a meeting.

And it’s a story I often share with my colleagues to remind them of the importance of being adaptable in business.”

“May I ask this personal question?” she asked, as she took a sip of her wine.

Alexander nodded.

“Of course, feel free to ask,” Alexander replied.

Marissa took a deep breath. “I hope I’m not prying too much, but I’m genuinely curious.

How long have you and Jessie been together, and how did you meet? It must be challenging to balance a busy career with a personal life. What made you decide you wanted to be with her, especially when it seems she loves her career so much?”

Alexander leaned back in his chair, contemplating her questions.

“Jessie and I have been together for nearly four years. We met at a charity gala where we both were guest speakers. I was drawn to her passion for her work and how she used her influence to make a positive impact. But you’re right; it’s not always easy. We’ve had our ups and downs, especially when our careers demanded so much of our time. However, we’ve learned to prioritize our relationship, and it’s made us stronger. It’s all about finding a balance, Marissa.”

Marissa nodded, appreciating his honest response. “It sounds like you both value each other and what you bring to the relationship. It’s inspiring.”

Alexander smiled warmly. “Thank you, Marissa. It’s not always smooth sailing, but we make it work because we understand and support each other’s dreams. It’s important to have someone who believes in you.”

“But why did she not agree to marry you when you asked her and she turned you down?” she asked.

“Well….. Jessie is very ambitious as I said. But she isn’t ready to commit into a serious relationship just yet, but she will … eventually.” He bit his lips as he made that statement.