During Love’s time at the Giorgio Hotel, a steady stream of international guests brought new experiences and connections. Among them was Ted, a tall Scottish gentleman with a strong European accent, who became part of the “Giorgio hotel’s family.” His regular presence and friendly demeanor brightened Love’s days, creating a familial bond that made the hotel feel more like home.
One Saturday afternoon, while Ted enjoyed his favorite Johnny Walker whisky, he mentioned an incoming co-worker named Gray. “He described his co-worker as being relatively tall with ‘salt and pepper’ hair,” Love recalls, initially showing little interest in yet another foreign guest. However, fate had other plans.
When Gray finally arrived at the hotel, the encounter proved transformative. “As our eyes met, I felt butterflies in my stomach, and this inexplicable feeling overcame me as if there was something extraordinary about him,” Love shares. “At that very moment, my thoughts went haywire, and his presence utterly captivated me.”
The attraction was immediate and overwhelming. “Ever since the moment we met, the innocent smile on Gray’s face was inked in my mind,” she reveals. “I thought to myself that I must be crazy for thinking about a foreign man who doesn’t even speak my native language non-stop.” This unexpected emotion challenged her previous vow to never be with a foreigner.
Gathering her courage, Love inquired about Gray’s marital status, only to face disappointment when he showed his wedding ring. “My heart sank as disappointment and embarrassment washed over me,” she admits. “I berated myself for initiating such a foolish question to a man who considered me to be nothing more to him than a stranger.”
However, subtle signs began to emerge. “On multiple occasions, I observed him surreptitiously removing his wedding ring and fiddling with it when we were in close proximity,” Love notes. “His deep gaze would often shift from me to his ring, and in those moments, I couldn’t help but entertain the notion that perhaps he shared my feelings.”
Their connection deepened during a brief separation when Gray attended a company trip. “Over that period of separation, I became acutely aware of my growing attachment and anticipation for his return,” Love reflects. The attraction intensified when his stay extended from weeks to months, leading to an unexpected intimate encounter after a farewell party at the hotel.
The morning after brought a mix of emotions: “The darkness of the bathroom enveloped me as my thoughts raced, creating a whirlwind of possible scenarios about what would happen next.” Yet despite her initial guilt, Love found herself embracing these newfound feelings: “The guilt that had gripped me before seemed to have dissipated, replaced by sweetness and joy that stemmed from the realization that my feelings had a chance to come true.”
Their relationship blossomed into something profound: “His presence perfectly fit into the empty, dark spaces that had lingered within me for so long,” Love shares. “His patience with my English was remarkable. He understood my meaning even when I struggled with certain words, effortlessly providing the right words to complete my thoughts.”
In Gray, Love found unprecedented emotional connection: “I felt flawless and whole with him, as if all imperfections had vanished. His gaze made me feel like the most captivating woman on Earth and being with him felt like a glimpse of paradise.” Yet their love remained constrained by circumstance, “a discreet secret I couldn’t share, bound by moral boundaries and societal expectations beyond my control.”
Experience more stories of unexpected love and connection in “Grow in the Dark” by Amy Love. Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google, iTunes & Kobo.