A Sensuous Scent

Oh, it was intoxicating. As he climbed the four flights back to his office, the aroma wafted lazily up the stairwell. A sensual whisper of perfume lightly encircled him as he neared the third floor. It wasn't an overbearing scent, but the sensation sparked a surge of euphoria and a continuing desire to find its owner. The woman had exquisite taste, no doubt about it, exuding a perhaps expensive fragrance. She knew just how much to apply without overwhelming others. However, she was unaware of the profound impact her perfume had on Jason.

This was the third time in the past week that he had sensed her presence within the stairwell, but hadn’t been able to catch a glimpse of the mystery woman. He heard a door close somewhere above him. The desire to race ahead rapidly gripped him, but if he caught up with her, out of breath, he’d appear as a crazed person? So, again unable to spot her, he continued trekking back to his office on the fifth floor. The increased number of sensory sightings gave him hope of finding her soon, so he thought. The excitement of the hunt electrified him almost daily.

Indeed, there were many excellent perfumes available, but none compared to hers. Then one day it happened. Leaving a meeting on the third floor, he sensed her presence on the stairs below. He hastened his pace and, on passing the next landing, observed an attractive woman below, elegantly dressed in a dark red blouse and black slacks, using the railing for support, one hand clutching an extensive file. They were the only people on the stairs at that point, and her scent continued to draw him in and excite his curiosity. She exited on the second floor. Jason was sure he had a reason to stop on that floor as well. Didn't he?

Pheromones, those supposedly odorless hormones that, when excreted, attract members of the same species–insects, mammals, even plants–for reproduction. The evidence about humans was still in question. And yes, some perfumes contain them. Did that explain his compulsion to follow his nostrils up and down the stairs? He certainly didn’t know and didn’t care. It was time to match the aroma to the woman. Was it this beautiful brunette just a dozen steps away?

Now, walking in the same hallway as her and about twenty feet behind, he panicked; what if she turned and questioned why he was following so closely? He checked various office door signs, as if he were searching for a particular business. He had always been skeptical of coincidences, yet as the years rolled by, he came to understand that everything happens for a reason. And something was about to occur that would affect both of their futures. The large file folder suddenly fell from her hand, and papers spewed everywhere. There was no need for feigning interest now. Opportunity lay at his feet.

She appeared embarrassed at having dropped the folder that held probably fifty sheets of paper. There might have been small talk while they scooped up and stacked the papers, but he couldn’t remember what - something about, “oh, thanks for helping me.”

Gabrielle expressed her gratitude once more and mentioned that she had been mentally rehearsing her meeting notes when she experienced a brain spasm and dropped her folder. Maybe she had stumbled a little; she wasn’t sure.

Jason cared less about the reasons; he felt delighted to have helped her when she needed it and now stood two feet away, face-to-face. It was like a game of chess, he thought. Check! Jason had won. He captured the queen, or more like met the queen! Yep! The scent matched the donor!

Small talk continued for a minute or two longer. Jason was surprised and flattered that she had seen him several times in Starbucks and their office lobby cafe.

“Where do you work?” She asked. He promptly pulled a business card from his shirt pocket. She seemed to know the firm, and he saw an impish smile as she skimmed the information. A quick look at her watch reminded her of the meeting she was already late for. She excused herself.

After a few steps, she glanced over her shoulder and said, “I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Gabrielle.”

She didn’t wait for his reply and asked, “Would you like to have coffee with me tomorrow morning? Say eightish?”

He was ecstatic at the invitation. He did not know about his calendar, but he would make the “date.” All other meetings had to wait. After all, everything he had previously thought about during his search for this woman swirled inside his head. This outcome surprised him so quickly.

“Gabrielle, nice to meet you, and yes, coffee tomorrow sounds great! I’m Jason Sanders.” She smiled. She already knew his name through her earlier research. It was perfect!

Thinking about the upcoming coffee meeting, he wondered if he should come clean and confess why he was really in the hallway. Would she find his character shallow? Would she see him as a creep? Who goes around seeking a woman because of her perfume?

Two months had elapsed since the “accidental” paper incident in the hallway, and they met for coffee almost every morning, depending on their work schedules. He traveled for his job occasionally, and Gabrielle stayed busy with meetings and sales presentations around the city.

It all started with a casual introduction that sparked an unexpected connection. What followed were delightful dinner dates and cozy evenings spent together after work, filled with laughter, common hobbies, and fine wine. They alternated making dinner; she was a connoisseur of Italian dishes, and he served delicious steaks and salmon that were grilled to perfection. Every weekend, they bounced between their respective condos or his cottage on the Cape.

What was the fragrance that brought them together? The brand name was predictably corny: "Charmingly Innocent." They laughed about it often. Gabrielle confessed she knew he was behind her in the hall that day. The folder did not fall to the floor accidentally, as she had the same feelings as he did. That “Charmingly Innocent” had lured him into the stairwell and hallway that day made no difference to her.

Jason had helped his cause by finally being in the right spot at the right time–all because he followed the scent. Her sensuous scent!