ICanBeAnyone

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Azariah watched as the time crept past 10. The first few minutes she thought nothing of it, as the time crept by she became concerned wondering if something had happened to him, but the concern soon turned to irritation. She was on her feet pacing the room. She glanced at her watch. He had another five minutes before she left. She was just about to leave, when the door opened and he stepped in. She greeted him with a tight smile, one that was much different from the ones in the photos he had seen and she had shared.

"Well, how lovely for you to finally join me." She said her tone saying exactly the opposite. She blatantly pulled out her phone and made as show of checking her e-mail. "All of London experiencing a cellular disruption? Because surely, someone with the slightest smattering of manners would have let me know he would be so late." She said. "I had hoped we had much to discuss, but at this hour, I think we would be better off rescheduling, after all, I have three years before I lose my inheritance, so I obviously have time." She told him coolly.

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Azariah found the box that contained the gift he had sent. She opened it carefully, and pulled out the dress, it was beautiful. The bodice was plunging, and the skirt had a high-low cut which draped amazingly. She slipped it on, and tied the back. She had several hours before their meeting, so she decided to go all out. She sat down in front of the mirror with her combs, brushes, pins and curlers. It took her three hours before she was finally finished with her hair style. She added simple understated jewelry and the barest hints of makeup. She was feeling slightly nervous, she didn't understand why. She was meeting a friend for dinner, and then, it was over. She picked up her phone and smiled.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject Re: It's a date...

Adrian,
I am looking forward to it very much. You have incredible taste. I hope I am able to do it justice. I will see you soon!

Azariah

She drew in a deep breath as she checked the time once more. She picked up a small clutch purse, and tucked her room key, her credit card, her ID and her cell phone inside. She didn't bother with anything else. She wouldn't need it. She walked to the elevator, and pressed the button to go down. She stepped out into the lobby as she made her way toward the dining room, She was greeted immediately and shown, as promised to a private dining room. She of course was early, she detested being late. In her mind, and the way her father always operated was 'Early is on time, on time is late, and late is fired.' It was how he operated his entire life, and it stuck with her. She held her purse tightly in her hand as her eyes scanned the room. She never arranged for this type of luxury for herself, others seemed to do it for her. She was used to it, and it no longer made her uncomfortable, but it was absolutely not something she preferred.

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Azariah had sent her email asking for confirmation, and then she actually took a nap. She wasn’t much of one for napping normally but between travel, the uncertainty of the past few days and the amount of food she had eaten. She woke sometime later to find a reply to her email asking for confirmation of their dinner date.

To:Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject: Re: Its a date...

Adrian,

Oh Thank God! Please do not misunderstand me I am very much looking forward to meeting you, but I seemed to have misjudged my stamina for so many back to back activities. I do hope everything is alright, I haven’t heard much from you the last few days, and I have to be honest, I would have thought at least the video of my failure to master chopsticks would have gotten at least SOME reaction. I am very much looking forward to our meeting tomorrow, although I can’t think of stranger circumstances under which to meet. Although I am fairly certain that it will one day be a humorous story for you to tell your children. “Did I ever tell you the time I met with an American woman to find a way to convince your grandmother not to marry us off to each other? And that dear children is why we do not let Grandmother have more than a single glass of sherry.” I should probably sign off now and get more rest, today was a lot of fun but incredibly exhausting. I do wish you had been there, you might have enjoyed it! Rest well my friend.

Azariah

She sent the email and then forced herself to get out of the bed so that she could shower and change into her night clothes. Tomorrow would be another big day. She had lots of the city to explore before her date. She would be returning home soon and wanted to see as much as she could.

She woke the next morning, she showered and dressed again. She wore jeans, and a flowing shirt as she slipped her feet into a pair of flats. She didn't bother with makeup today other than a quick swipe of lip gloss. She put her sunglasses on her face, slipped her credit cards, ID, cell phone and keys into her pockets and headed out. The first stop on her tour of London was The pathology Museum at St. Bartholomew's. She found this kind of thing endlessly intriguing. She finished her tour and grabbed a quick snack from a street vendor as she walked the streets of London. She ended up taking a cab to Bond Street to do some shopping.

She walked from store to store, enjoying her time as she shopped. She bought nothing, she wasn't really looking for anything in particular. She did try on a few gowns that would have been perfect for some of the fundraising gala's she attended from time to time, but decided against them. She was, in the back of her head planning an entirely different way of life for herself. She stayed until about 3 before she reluctantly headed back to the hotel. There was seven hours before her dinner with Adrian, but she wanted to take a nap.

She napped for a few hours, waking up around 6. She then ran a bath. She scrubbed, exfoliated, shaved, buffed and otherwise did everything she could to look her best. She got out of the bath and wrapped herself in a fluffy robe, so she could go and see what it was he had sent for her to wear. She would create her entire look this evening around whatever it was.

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Azariah had arrived at Heathrow airport, and there was a car waiting for her. She had done enough international flying that she was quite capable of adjusting her schedule ahead of time so that she was prepared to be on local time from the moment she arrived. She checked in at the Lanesborough, and slept soundly. She rose early and dressed very casually for her day at the market. She went alone, but loved the opportunity to explore without having to consider where anyone else wanted to go.

She did exactly what she said she would. She took tons of photos as she explored the Market and sent them to him as promised. The first was a photo of her squatting down with a child of about two or three who was busy feeding her candies.

The next Photo was her with flowers in her hair and the caption "They ARE edible, but I found them bitter. They look much better than they taste."

Azariah even sent a photo of her holding a skewer with what looked to be some sort of insect, and then just in case he doubted she would actually eat it the next photo was of her wrapping her lips around it and eating.

She sent a short video she had someone take of her attempting to eat with chopsticks, the stall owner was trying to show her, and she was failing miserably, but it was obvious they were both having a great time. The clip ended as the chopsticks were gently removed from her hand and replaced with a plastic children's pair that were joined at the end instead.

Feeling particularly childlike and playful after that attempt and the baby utensils, she then found a stall with candy floss shaped like flowers. She sent a photo of her taking a bite of a huge ball of sugar.

His e-mail in box was filled with photos of her enjoying herself and having fun. She was carefree and bubbling with excitement. There were more photos of her with various vendors trying all sorts of things, and she made some hilariously adorable faces when she tried something that was incredibly spicy, it was followed by a photo of her taking a large spoonful of ice cream.

The last photo she sent was her standing in a store that was literally nothing but spices. She was laughing as she held out her hand as if showcasing the entire display and then wrote "The English literally took over the entire world in search of spices, and yet...some of the most bland food ever! I think that may be the 8th great mystery of the world!"

Her photos were enough to make even the most boring person want to join her because her enjoyment was contagious even through her selfies.

She had a great time, and left the market loaded down with so many things, and websites to order more. She made her way back to the Hotel, and flopped down on her bed with a groan. There was the slight possibility that she had over done it with her culinary adventures today. She opened her phone and sent one more e-mail.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject: It's a date...

Dear Adrian,

You must forgive me, but during my travels and the time differences, I have lost my ability to discern with certainty, are we meeting tonight or tomorrow?

Azariah

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Azariah was used to flying, it was something she did with ease. She was in first class, so there was quite a bit of comfort, and there was the access to the in flight WiFi. She had been working on her laptop, She may appear to be unemployed, but she did have some say in the running of the businesses and financial assets left to her. She also had several side projects that she worked on using the money she did have access to. She received an e-mail and opened it immediately. She had been enjoying her exchanges with Adrian, and while they had no intention of marriage, she would hope that they would remain friends.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject: re Is this for real?

Adrian,

Thus far the flight has been quite lovely. It is of course, long, but I am enjoying the time to handle a few things. I think I really will enjoy the market place and wish you would be able to join me, but I do understand that for some, there could be challenges in last minute schedule changes. I shall endeavor to enjoy myself none the less, and of course, take lots of photos for you. It will be as though you were there the whole time. I have little to no interest in seeing the popular tourist destinations. I am sure the workmanship at Madame Toussauds is superb, but I have no desire to fight with hundreds if not thousands of others to shuffle past it. Between you and me, I see little point in seeing Buckingham Palace, again, I am certain it is a very lovely thing to see, set up exactly the way people expect, and no different than photographs available online. Truthfully, I have no desire to see the place, nor to throw support in anyway to what has historically been a very oppressive regime. The history of colonization and therefore active or passive cultural genocide is just something I have never supported. Not to say that America is innocent of those crimes, and I do not support them there either. We, as the privileged and monied, MUST stand and say these things are not ok. It's difficult, but character is what you do when no one is looking. I hope that my time here will be enjoyable and allow me to experience the very best things to come out of the UK, but that remains to be seen.

I look forward to our meeting soon. Please keep in touch!

Your Friend,
Azariah

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Azariah had slept restlessly after she had sent her last e-mail. She didn't know why she was struggling with this so much. Adrian seemed to be quite agreeable, so she was struggling to understand why she was feeling so anxious. She showered and wrapped herself in a towel as she stood in front of the mirror. She used a hair dryer, and brush as she styled her hair into what looked like careless waves. She pulled her hair up into a high ponytail letting the waves fall down her back before she dressed. She wore a pair of nice dress slacks, and a light sweater. Her makeup was applied with a light touch and she settled for a natural look. She was not going out, she was going to be flying. She finally checked her phone and smiled when she saw another e-mail. She read it and stared at the screen.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
subject: re Is this for real?

Adrian,
10 seems quite late, but I am certain I will somehow be able to fit that into my quite packed schedule when I arrive. I do appreciate you seeing to the arrangements with the Hotel. Please do not be concerned with the budget for this trip as I have made certain that there will be an appropriate amount of funds available. My Lawyer, I guess you would call him a solicitor? Or an advocate? Wait.. Solicitors work in an office and advocates go to court right? That's beside the point, My lawyer has assured me that there will be plenty of funds available. I am now, as we speak getting ready to head to the airport. I will have access to my e-mail while on the flight. I do so look forward to meeting with you. I am hoping to avoid the photographers, but I realize that for some reason people are greatly interested in what I do and where I go. To me, that is down right silly, I was lucky enough to have been born to a family that had money, that doesn't make me special, just lucky. I have been fortunate though, that it does allow me to do what I want and give me the space and the freedom to do things that make me happy.

She embedded a photo of her smiling and holding up her plane ticket and passport

I am looking forward to a chance to explore Borough Market, and enjoy some of the things to be found there. Given the wonderful mix of ethnicities in England and London in particular I cannot wait to see what new things there are to try. Perhaps you will find time to join me in this exploration? It will after all be the last time I will be able to afford to travel, and enjoy the things the world has to offer, as once we eliminate the possibility of marriage, the entire trust will be given away to various charities around the world.

Azariah

She hit send on her e-mail and gathered her things, she was ready, and now it was off to the airport to get on the flight that would change her life.

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Oddly enough Azariah had considered Googling the man and then immediately decided against it. She really didn't care, it wasn't as if she were actually going to marry the man. She had packed several suitcases of clothes, and left instructions on what would or would not be packed and shipped should she be stuck in London longer than she anticipated. She had just finished setting everything by the door when she received another e-mail. She opened it and read. She moved to her desk where she immediately searched for the place he had mentioned. She was grinning to herself as she composed a reply.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject: re Is this for real?

Adrian,

I had not been informed of that particular detail no, and as I am sure you are aware, I am not a fan. I have taken your advice and booked TWO rooms at Lanesborough. It is certainly very... pastel LOL I did request the rooms on the same floor but not adjoining. I also requested that neither be so... PINK. I have made reservations for an evening meal in three days. I chose the onsite restaurant at 8pm. I read that is the preferred time to eat as opposed to a much earlier 5-7 here in the States, of course that also varies by location and lifestyle. If 8 does not work for you, please feel free to change the reservation and let me know via e-mail. I look forward to sitting down with you and finding a solution that works for both of us. We should be able to think of something. We seem to be intelligent beings and if nothing else, we can always go with the tried and true "I do not consent to this marriage" at the altar. Or who knows, we may discover that we find each other tolerable and can go ahead with this farce for a few months and then quietly file for divorce.

Azariah

She sent the e-mail, and then sent her lawyer a text telling him she had booked Hotel rooms, and was ready to leave when ready. She made it sound as though she was resigned to making this happen. She was informed that her flight out would happen the next day. She was ready to meet him and figure out their next steps.

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Azariah had found a lot of information on international marriages, and the difficulties of getting visas. She sent several texts to her lawyer trying to find out what was going on with the passports and visas. She received a text back in short order that it had all been sorted, and that she would be given her papers when she got her plane ticket. She growled with frustration because she was not getting any information. She paced her room holding a glass of wine as she tried to come up with a plan. Her phone pinged again and she looked down at the message.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject: Re: Is this for real?

Adrian,
I have been told that all has been sorted for my Visa, and my Indefinite leave release. It is my understanding that your mother was instrumental in getting the proper paperwork taken care of. I am certain that I will be leaving in a day or so. My Lawyer was asking if I was packed. Where would you recommend I book a room in London while we figure this mess out? I don't want the hassle of trying to find a flat for a month, it is not worth the headache for me.

Azariah

Azariah knew about some of the stories out there, she even knew about the suspicions that she had been passed out after partying. The truth behind that story was much less interesting. She had actually been on an exploratory trip with George and his wife Amal learning about some of the human rights issues that Amal represented through her practice. She had caught some kind of illness over seas, and had collapsed during a gala. She had a glass of wine in her hand when she did, and the paparazzi had a field day. She of course had the medical records to back up the truth, but she didn't bother to fight it in the court of public opinion. She had taken her licks, apologized for the chaos her collapse caused and had moved on with her life. Yes, she enjoyed partying, but never to excess. She had a drink or two and that was it. She was generally a good girl, and no one actually saw so much of what she did behind the scenes, she let people think what they wanted, because it did not affect her in anyway.

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

She had been soaking in the bath when her phone pinged to let her know she had another message. She reached over the side of the bath and dried her hands off before reaching for her phone. She read his message a couple of times, a smile on her lips. She leaned back against the small water proof pillow and typed out her response.

To: Adrian
From: Azariah
Subject: Re Is this for real?

Adrian,

Thanks, I got my name for my birthday! ;) This is totally NOT a Hollywood blockbuster, this is some cheesy made for TV on the Hallmark Channel movie. Cheesy as hell, and totally formulaic in how it is supposed to work. You are correct, I have never been one for SHOULD. It' not something I have ever been a fan of. I know I am supposed to be leaving at the end of the week with a flight from Newark (NJ) to Hethrow. The exact date and time I am not sure, but what confuses me is isn't there a lot of paperwork involved in an international marriage? I haven't applied for a Fiance Visa, or anything like that, so shouldn't that put a stop to it? We could just fail the immigration interview and let the government cancel the wedding right?

Azariah

PS. Look how well THAT worked for her.

She hit send, and pulled the plug with her toes letting the water drain as she started to google international marriages.

When he did his search, there would be a lot of results she was sure, but she would absolutely pop up. Tabloid stories of her being attached to different celebrities, or the rumors of her drug problem. She was a favorite target for photos given that she was worth billions, or would be if she could ever get her hands on the money her parents had left for her.

A Perfect Match I Can Be Anyone and Loreliee

Azariah had headed straight home, she was still fuming. This entire situation was beyond messed up. Her parents had both died a couple years ago, and she knew her fortune was in a trust, but she had been under the impression she would have access to it when she turned 21. She was mistaken, it turned out there were conditions to her trust. The first being that until the trust was signed over and under her control, she would be on a severely restricted income, and allowed to live in the family home, but the only way to get her trust under her complete control would be to marry, and the sooner the better. Right now everything was being managed for her, and she had very little in the way of say in her own life.

She had flopped down on her sofa and tried to relax when she got home, but it was no use. She checked her phone obsessively looking for a reply to her e-mail. She had forgotten all about time differences, and how things worked being across the world from each other. She finally got a response and sighed as she read.

To:Adrian
From:Azariah
Subject: re: Is This For Real?

Adrian,
All I know is that my parents decided that I can't have my trust fund until I am married, so apparently someone got the brilliant idea to buy me a husband. Apparently, you are the one." She wrote. "So um... any ideas, on what the hell we should do about this? Because I'm pretty sure arranged marriages went out with the Tudors."

She sent the email and got up. She headed to her room. She was going to have a big glass of wine and a very very hot bath.