“You look like you just got done with work. What time is it there?” I asked him.
“Actually, I’m at work right now. I just really wanted to talk to you. Here, this is my office.”
Chase turned the camera around so I could see his office. It was huge! It was at least three times bigger than my apartment. I couldn’t believe that he got to work in a room that was bigger than where I lived. There was a large leather couch in the corner and a sitting area around it. In front of his desk, he had two smaller leather chairs that people could sit in across from him. Then, on the far wall, there were about six bookshelves filled with books and other knick-knacks.
“Wow, I could live there.”
“It’s a little excessive. But when your father’s the boss, you get lucky.”
“What kind of work do you do?”
“My father owns Foster Industries. We manufacture parts for all kinds of things like planes, cars, farm equipment, and other industrial equipment.”
“That sounds boring.”
Chase busted into laughter. My English was something I was never confident with when I talked to someone who spoke English as their primary language. I thought I might have said something wrong.
“I’m sorry, did I say it wrong?” I asked.
“No, no. You are exactly right.
It is very boring,” he said as he smiled at me.
His smile melted me into a million pieces. I felt my body warm up as I looked into his eyes with that big grin on his face. If he had been anywhere close to me, I’m sure we would have kissed right about that moment.
“So, why do you do it?”
“It’s a family business. None of my brothers wanted to get into it. I actually like it, but I have so many changes I think should be made. Anyways, that’s enough about me. I think we need to talk about you.”
“What would you like to talk about? Should I show you my apartment?”
“Yes, I’d love to see it.”
I felt ashamed that my apartment was so dismal, but I guess that was exactly why I was on that website looking for a man. It was better to be honest with Chase than to lie to him, so I turned the camera around and let him see what my place looked like.
“Well, here it is. Over there is the kitchen. We are in the living room and bedroom.”
“It’s very quaint.”
I had to laugh. He was definitely an educated man if he could use words like that to describe my horrible apartment. He was also kind; a lesser man could have laughed or made fun of my apartment, but Chase seemed very genuine in his response.
“Thanks. What else would you like to know?”
“Why is your English so good? I thought you spoke German in Liechtenstein.” Chase seemed unsure of if he was right or not.
“My school taught English since I was very young. I really like all languages.”
“I can’t even tell you how happy I am right now, Jordan. You are beautiful, and we can communicate. Now, if only I could get you to come here and be closer to me,” Chase said as he winked at me.
My heart started to beat almost out of my chest. It was happening so quickly. He was exactly who I wanted to meet, but I needed more time. I wasn’t prepared to give up my entire life and go to America to meet a man I had never met.
We spent hours talking over Skype, and I felt like we got to know each other really well. We talked about work and friends. We talked about what America was like and what Liechtenstein was like. I did avoid the topic of my mother and Ana as much as possible, but it was a really great conversation.
Then, it started – the anxiety and worry that he might not be the person he was portraying. Maybe he had a big office, but he could be anyone. He could be a very handsome guy who seduces women to come to the United States so they can be held and sold. As much as I lusted after him, I knew I had to be more careful about him. I knew the best thing to do would be to get to know him a little more and see what I felt.
“I’m glad I wasn’t too hideous for you,” I teased.
“Me, too. I mean, I’m glad I’m not too hideous for you.”