Accept the offer

It is such a relief! Ever since that black Mercedes stopped in front of you your worry and nervousness had gradually decreased. How to get to know Amelia was one of your last worries and now you know how to do it with pretty strong certainty. The only things left to be nervous about now are whether you'll actually arrive to meet her, which feels like a given at this point, and the meeting with her itself, which, again, you're feeling pretty confident about now after the course. The dating coach also gives you his number in case you will need additional advice later.

(Note: I'm not even going to try to describe what the dating coach taught Henry. It's such a pseudoscience with so many contradicting strategies that would be a complete headache to research. Maybe I'll update this chapter in the future.)

The sun is already setting outside the private jet's windows when the captain announces that you're nearing your destination and will begin descending shortly. That's one more worry to cross from the list: you didn't crash into the ocean! :D

The aircraft crew wish you good luck as you descend the stairs and step onto the tarmac in London. Another man wearing the familiar suit awaits you on the ground. He's holding your suitcase. He welcomes you with a posh accent and, unlike everyone so far, he's speaking English, which makes total sense but you somehow weren't expecting it. Still, you thank him in as decent English you can muster. You practiced a little in preparation for the trip.

You were always proud of your vocabulary but not so much your pronunciation. You hope it's at least understandable. The man doesn't question it so you seem to have succeeded.

He escorts you through the terminal building to a private exit where another jet black Mercedes EQS awaits. He puts your suitcase in the trunk, or boot since you're in the UK, wishes you good luck and heads back into the building.

You take a seat in the back of the car and the driver greets you before he starts driving. The sun has almost completely set now and the glowing cityscape is truly beautiful. You could never live anywhere but in a big city. You even forget to worry about where the driver is taking you. It's not until you arrive outside the hotel mentioned in the email that you realize you wouldn't have needed to worry anyway.

This is truly the tipping point of you realizing this is likely 100% legit. If they wanted to trick you into paying money or even **** you for whatever reason, they wouldn't have spent all of this money to do so, even to give you a false sense of security. It simply doesn't make sense at this point. You're so relieved that you even forget that this is probably highly illegal still.

You thank the driver for the ride as he hands you your suitcase from the boot and you walk through the entrance of the hotel into the lobby. It's posh, but not too posh. You figure they booked this specific hotel for you in case you are to bring Amelia here for some fun and you don't want her to think you're some aristocrat or something. That's thoughtful of them if so.

You walk up to the front desk and all you have to do is say your last name in order to receive your keycard.

The room is very nice but with a pretty standard configuration, but you weren't expecting, nor wanted, a luxury suite anyway so you're more than happy. You're pretty curious about the city though, and you have some fresh energy as a side effect of the relief from earlier, so after quickly setting up your stuff in the room you decide to go for a walk.

The hotel is centrally located so you're immediately greeted by the glimmering downtown lights as you exit the building. It's snowing here too and, although it didn't get dark as early as at home, it's still quite early in the afternoon so you have a lot of time to spend until dinner.

A wonderful two hour powerwalk through the city, listening to a Star Wars audiobook, later you're back outside the hotel with a cold face.

Back in your hotel room you take a warm shower before getting into the bed and turning on turning the TV. When you get hungry you order room service. This is paradise. Then you start thinking how wonderful all of this would be together with Amelia who, you know, enjoys long walks, Star Wars and cuddling. It gives you the butterflies getting reminded that it is quite likely to happen if the coach's advice helps you succeed.

You fall asleep with a smile on your face.