The car pulled up in front of the golden sign on front of an obviously expensive restaurant called "La Bernadin" in midtown Manhattan. Ezra stepped out and offered Billie his hand. She took it and he lead her inside where the host greeted them jubilantly. "Mr. Esposito. It's been quite some time since you have graced us with the pleasure of serving you. And what a beautiful woman you've brought with you tonight." He excitedly said. He then said something to Ezra in French to which Ezra replied with perfect dialect.
"Thank you. This is Billie." Ezra product introduced her, changing back to English.
"Right this way. We have reserved the entire back section for your private dining pleasure." He said, leading them to a closed off area away from the onlooking and whispering guests.
"That guy is like a caricature in some Coppola movie from the 1970s." Billie jokingly whispered.
"Yes. But he insists on excellent service and keeps things discreet. And they have the best langoustine in the city. I cannot complain one bit." Ezra said. They were seated and two waitstaff came in to serve them, giving them cloth napkins and opening a bottle of wine for them.
"Do people always serve you like this, king Ezra?" Billie asked.
Ezra resented the comment but realized he had grown accustomed to the treatment and it wasn't normal.
"Yes." He replied without any further explanation. Billie's smile faded.
"You aren't proud of it, are you?" She asked in a low voice.
"No." He said.
She put her hand on his. "Well, I am enjoying the hell out of it. Thank you."
He looked up at her and smiled. "I'm glad." He said. Several courses in and Billie was almost completely full after the oysters but didn't want to admit it. A bottle of champagne was brought out at the end of the meal. Ezra was just about to make a toast when he was interrupted.
"Ezra you scoundrel! They said you were here!" A pompous voice exploded into the room. A young, gorgeous and tan woman appeared with an older man an in a suit.
"Holly." Ezra mumbled. Billie could see he wasn't thrilled about the intrusion.
She walked over and kissed his cheek. "My god you look fucking sexy as usual. And smell better than you look." She exclaimed, completely ignoring that Ezra had a fellow diner at his table. Ezra took out his handkerchief and wiped the bright red lipstick from his cheek.
"Holly, this is Billie." He said. The woman glanced over and nodded. "Charmed." She said and directed her attention right back to Ezra.
"Tom and I were just talking about you. Ready to get that script going for the Billionaire Bachelor. What's it gonna take? Do I have to tie you up and strip for you to get your attention?" She leaned into his ear "Because it would be my pleasure to." She whispered, grazing her lip against his ear. Ezra was just about to let her have it when Billie let out a smug laugh.
"God. You women are all the same. You bitch and moan about you're objectified and sexually harassed and not taken seriously but you walk around throwing out your vaginas like they're made to be used as currency. Cheap currency. How disrespectful to men to make them all feel like that's all they need… sloppy pussy in their face and they can be manipulated to do anything. It's sad, really. And it makes good women look like whores." Billie slammed her glass of champagne while the man with Holly covered his mouth to hide a snicker. Ezra smiled as his face lit up.
"I don't know who the hell you think you are…" Holly began.
"I'm the woman dining with the man you just propositioned yourself to in the middle of dinner. If I didn't respect the class in this place, well, before you walked in, I'd knock you the fuck out for even thinking of disrespecting him, and myself like that." Billie said calmly. "Because if you did that at a local bar, you'd need more than the three coats of makeup you have on to fix your face."
Holly's mouth dropped.
"Holly, if you will excuse us." Ezra said, standing up and buttoning his jacket. He took Billie's hand and walked her to the front. "Please send me the bill. Our dinner was interrupted. I apologize." Ezra said to the host.
"Yes. Don't forget to take out the trash." Billie said, looking back at Holly. And they walked to the car and got inside.