“I Don’t Belong Here”—The Poor Teacher Whispered, But Her Blind Date Was the Millionaire CEO with…
The Date at the Augustine
Nina Carile stood outside the Augustine Hotel, looking up at the gilded entrance. She checked the address on her phone three times. This had to be wrong. The Augustine was one of the most exclusive hotels in the city.
It was the kind of place Nina had only seen in magazines. She was an elementary school teacher for the third grade. She lived in a small apartment, drove a 15-year-old car, and shopped at thrift stores.
She did not belong here. Nina almost turned around, but her best friend Paige had been so insistent. Paige worked in event planning and had met someone—a friend of a client—who was successful, single, and looking for someone genuine.
“Just one date, Nina. What is the worst that could happen?”
Nina had reluctantly agreed more to get Paige to stop asking than because she actually wanted to date. Now, standing in front of this intimidating hotel, Nina regretted everything. But she had promised, so she took a breath.
She smoothed down her simple cream blouse and beige skirt, the nicest outfit she owned, and walked inside. The lobby took her breath away with crystal chandeliers and marble floors. People wore expensive suits and designer dresses.
Nina felt every eye on her, judging her worn shoes, her off-brand purse, and her obvious lack of polish. A hostess approached.
“Can I help you?”
Nina’s voice came out smaller than she intended. “I am meeting someone in the restaurant.”
“Your name?”
“Nina Carile.”
The hostess checked her list. “Right this way.”
Nina followed her through the lobby, past clusters of wealthy-looking people, into an elegant restaurant of dark wood and candlelight. The hostess led her to a corner table where a man sat looking at his phone.
He looked up as they approached. Nina’s first thought was that he was handsome, with dark hair and strong features. He wore a perfectly tailored vest and white shirt with an expensive watch. Everything about him screamed money.
Her second thought was that this was a terrible mistake. The man stood.
“You must be Nina. I am Dominic.”
He extended his hand. Nina shook it. Her hand felt small and rough in his.
“Nice to meet you. Please sit.”
Nina sat. The chair alone probably cost more than her monthly rent. A waiter appeared immediately.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
“Water is fine,” Nina said.
“Bring us a bottle of the Mercal and two glasses.”
The waiter nodded and left. Nina did not know what Mercal was, but she was certain it was expensive. Dominic spoke.
“Paige tells me you are a teacher?”
“Yes, third grade. It must be rewarding.”
Nina relaxed slightly. “It is. The kids are wonderful—challenging, but wonderful. What do you do?”
“I work in finance,” Dominic said. “Investment management.”
Nina nodded, though she was not entirely sure what that meant. The wine arrived, and the waiter poured. Nina took a sip. It was better than the $6 bottles she occasionally bought.
They ordered food. The menu had no prices, which Nina knew meant everything was outrageously expensive. She ordered the cheapest sounding thing, a salad. Dominic ordered steak.
As they waited for food, they made small talk about where they were from, family, and hobbies. Dominic was polite and asked appropriate questions, but Nina could feel the gulf between them.
The waiter brought bread. Dominic barely touched it. Nina was starving but did not want to seem unsophisticated, so she took one small piece.
When their food arrived, Nina’s salad was tiny and artfully arranged. It probably cost $40. Dominic’s steak looked perfect.
“You are not eating much,” Dominic observed.
“I am not that hungry,” Nina lied.
Dominic looked at her for a long moment. “Nina, can I be honest with you?”
“Of course.”
“This is not working, is it?”
Nina felt relief flood through her. “No. I am sorry.”
“Do not apologize,” Dominic said. “I feel it too. Why do you think that is?”
“I think we are too different,” Dominic considered. “You are a teacher. I work 80 hours a week in finance. You probably want someone who can be present and available. I cannot offer that.”
Nina nodded. “That is fair. But can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Is that really why, or is it because I do not fit here?”
Dominic looked confused. “What do you mean?”
Nina gestured around the restaurant. “This. All of this. I do not belong in places like this. I am a teacher who makes $38,000 a year. I shop at Target. My car is older than my students.”
She looked at his watch and his clothes. “You live in a completely different world.”
Dominic was quiet. “You are right. We do live in different worlds, but that is not why this is not working.”
Nina felt tears prick her eyes. “Then why?”
“Because you do not see me,” Dominic said gently. “You see my watch, my clothes, and this restaurant, but you do not see me.”
Nina wanted to argue, but she realized he was right. She had been so focused on their differences and her own insecurity that she had not really looked at him.
“I am sorry,” Nina said. “You are right.”
Dominic smiled. “It is okay. I do it too. I saw a teacher and made assumptions that you would want things I could not give. But I did not actually ask what you wanted.”
They sat in silence for a moment. Then Nina spoke.
“Can we start over?”
Dominic raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“Let us forget the first impression. Forget all of this.”
She gestured at the restaurant. “And just talk like two people getting to know each other.”
Dominic smiled. “Okay.”
