I look like an unemployed escort.
After the inspection of six minutes, I have come to this conclusion. From glaring red matte lipstick to the black bodycon dress, I look like I'm desperate to get laid, which I'm but I would rather not announce it. I roll on the heel of my black strappy stilettos and hum in satisfaction.
My auburn hair was fluffed well and falling past my breast, my steel-blue eyes were popping out with the abundant attention they have received today. Sienna sure was good with make-up. Well, much better than I was after years of use.
But I must say she contoured like a professional, I looked mature and sexy. I wasn't a very tall woman at 5'2 and I had that heart face structure that was more on the cute side so this variation was appreciated, it made me look like a femme Fatale.
Wait, why am I shaved and prepped like a bride, when this is a fake Blind date?
"I have a problem understanding why the hell am I going like this when the purpose of my visit is to tell him that you are not available?" My eyes fall on Sienna who's putting back the accessories we had taken out for selection.
Maybe it was my imagination, but I can swear I saw her flinch at my question, she turned to me with a smile, "Ree, this is the third time we are discussing this. The guy's hot and I'm sure your pussy will agree. You can have a good time, after all, it's been so long since you last went out."
It had been a while... because all you do is cling to your trashy Boyfriend who flirts and leers at every being with a penetrable vagina!
I look at her deadpanned. I don't have one-night stands or sex, I'm a virgin for that matter. A foul-mouthed virgin with high standards. I seem to find fault in every member of the male species I come across so, yes! This bitch is a hermit!
"Yeah, but I have a class tomorrow. It's Monday and I–" Before I could remind her the truth of my titanium-sealed pussy, she cut me off.
"It's time you put yourself out there and you promised! You have to help me. I'll pay you back for sure." She held my arms and her eyes rimmed red, she looked like she was about to cry.
I don't understand but I have never understood her peculiar behavior anyway. Though the situation was a little absurd, I can't say that I don't want to get out. It's been so long since I last went out, and maybe not a love interest but I could find a good friend.
After yesterday, I have decided to be more open in approach and not to try to bite everyone who tries to hold a conversation with me. I have some good acquaintances in College who could possibly be good friends so it's not like I'm totally unwanted.
"Fine, and don't bother trying to entertain me with the notion that you will ever pay me back." She has a habit of only taking.
Sienna, though strange, had been my friend in my lonely teenage years and with this last effort, I'll try to distance myself from her. These days I hardly see her, either she is with him or his family, that is unless she needs me.
What I need are real friends who will genuinely like me for who I am, not pretend to like me because they need something from me or because I'm entertaining enough for them. Some heartbreaks and rejection are going to be a part of the search.
I pick up the hand-crafted snake-skin clutch that my father's Business associate son had sent me on the launch of his brand. This is such a good purse, I must say the idea was unique. These people work closely with Amazon Rainforest Researches and only utilize the animal who dies by the forest rule. As such are hard to get by, and every piece comes at a sky-high price.
Argh… Why am I even thinking about the freaking purse? I think I'm nervous, my palms are getting sweaty and I think my face is heating up. I don't really feel like I should go.
I drag my feet and reach the door, I turn around to bid Sienna Goodbye when she tackles me in a hug and bursts out crying.
"Thank you! Thank you so much! I can never be thankful enough for whatever you have done for me." I stay frozen still with frowned brows as she cries her eyes out.
"Sienna… you are acting strange which you always do but it's getting sicker every day." She laughs through her tears. She thinks it's a joke.
She wipes some tears and smiles at me. She really thinks it's a joke.
I don't understand what's the big deal! Has she grown a conscience? I blink contemplating for a sec.
…Nah! It's absurd. I mean, she's leeching off me for years now and such gratitude is a first for me, otherwise, she's quite brazen.
I'm sure, she's knocked up.
"Whatever, just throw the garbage out."
I detach myself from her and bid her goodbye. Reaching the parking lot, I debate if I want to drive. If it isn't obvious, I'm not fond of driving but as I won't be drinking, driving it is.
The restaurant is quite high-end with picturesque scenery. The man either is literally drunk on money or really wanted this with Sienna. She was vague about the details but apparently, someone from her office set her up.
My drive is about half an hour long, it has hardly been fifteen minutes on the road but my heart is thumping down, I have a feeling that I should turn back. It's hardly past seven and the road is dark and creepy with no other vehicle in sight.
I drum the steering wheel and then shake my head. No, all this preparation will be in vain. I gotta go and enjoy myself, I can't always be in my shell!
The GPS is showing five minutes distance now. I speed up on the empty road and am astounded by the place I reach. Surrounded by wild beauty is an extremely lavish restaurant. Though my heart is still racing, I get out of the car.
As I step inside, I feel this strange hush has fallen like everyone is glaring holes in me. I consciously look around, I'm not really overdressed or out of place so why are these people… I shook my head slightly and headed for the reception.
And now I'm sure it wasn't my imagination, the woman on the counter is looking at me with utter shock like my existence is a groundbreaking discovery. I should turn around and leave but I'm a bullhead, I'll give it ten more minutes.
Reluctantly, I passed her the card Sienna had given me, "I have a reservation." I think, I heard some gasps, or was it the gush of wind? Several gushes of wind...
The woman looked at me like I was her great-grandmother that crawled out of her grave. I gritted my teeth and observed the interior instead.
"Excuse me." She said shakily and picked up the receiver, "Sir, I have the girl, she is—" I think she heard a nasty retort because she visibly paled and stood up. "Yes, I understand."
Then she turned to me and looked at me with… pity?
With her arm extended, she went on to guide me through the place. My instincts are telling me this is not somewhere I should be but my eyes fall on diners and a lot of people, couples and families. As we entered all eyes turned on us, again.
It's creepy.
No, Rayna. It's alright. The place must be family-owned with regular customers which may be the reason they are glaring at me. Remember, it happens every time a latecomer enters the class.
Yes, I must calm down. I took a deep breath and calmed my features. The woman guided me to a secluded table with an outstanding view of a lit-up pound out of the balcony with gorgeous greenery. Another woman came and took my order, all the while inspecting me like I'm an exotic animal.
The harmonious violin playing in the background calmed me soon. After that, it just happened that I enjoyed the wine and scenery. My date wasn't here but I wasn't feeling like I want to bolt this very moment.
I was five minutes early, so I decided to wait ten minutes and then order as it would be ridiculous to wait if that Neanderthal is going to stand me up.
Though I'm curious who the Reception lady called, as my date is a no-show.
I scrolled through Instagram and smiled at Sally's pics in Hawaii's sunny heaven. My father had photographed it. It was her Birthday this week so Dad took her there. He invited me but I declined, my Term exams were nearing and it will build up a lot of pressure.
I was halfway through commenting when a shadow covered me, and my head snapped up to see a man. No, not a man, it was a fucking gorgeous man and behind him were two other gorgeous men.
And why the hell are these gorgeous specimens glaring at me with narrowed eyes? I placed my phone back and raised a brow with a straight face.
"Yes?"
His eyebrow shot up a little and he looked like he was a little taken aback. Now that I notice, this is a place Sienna knows so I'm not really surprised. Who knows if it's a cult of weirdos?
Recoiling back, the man looked pissed and clenched his jaw, "Sienna Mathews, where is she?"
I look at him with a scowl and then at the whole restaurant, even the servers had stopped to see the scene he was making. Rage reared its ugly head. If he's my date, fuck him already! His face isn't appealing enough to cover for his shitty personality.
"This is her."
He scoff and snarled, "Don't play with me, woman. You are a human!" I notice the symptoms at first sight, but I guess God did do justice after giving him this face with this brain.
"So are all the inhabitants in the room but you, of course, who apparently is a nutcase." I huffed out and stood up holding my clutch, I took out notes to pay and tip. "Well, bad for you, she has a boyfriend who can give you a tough competition for douche-of-the-year so she sent me to soothe your bruised ego, but I'm done with this shit show."
Now, he looked livid to the point that his body tensed, I was about to sidestep him when he growled, and not those back-of-the-throat sounds or rumble, I hear from Sienna or Ethan. My head jerked to him with widened eyes, it was animalistic and ferocious. A real growl...
I step back and look at the people present, they looked tense but none looked shocked that a man just growled. Not good, this isn't a good sign!
He has his fist clenched when he advances a step in my direction.
"I fucking paid for her!" He growls out. Growl!
Though I got goosebumps and my heart is about to jump out of my chest, my shock overtakes my fear and my mouth fall open, "Paid?! What the fuck, dude? You people are crazy!" My eyes take a survey and see no one alarmed by the claim. This may be a criminal social Hub or a meet-up conference for sick people, I gotta get out of here.
The first thing I'll do is kick Sienna's sorry ass out in the street for this fucked up situation she had landed me in. I take my phone out with one hand and open my Bank app.
With the other hand, I hold my forehead. It's fucked up but it's fine. It's about money and my father has a ton of it. "Whatever. How much did you pay? I'll double it but don't bother us again." I hear a collective gasp resonate around the room, my lips tipped up in a smirk. Double sounds like a sweet deal, huh!
But the man's jaw clenched and he was about to step forward in rage when I raised my hand halting him, "Okay, last offer. I'll triple it. A price you can hire several professional escorts in. Keep in mind, I'm doing this out of goodwill, I got nothing to do with your deal."
The offer must have been tempting as several people have now left their seats and are watching with surprise or... is it horror?
He growled and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. It's because he was contemplating my tempting offer, right?
But then his eyes start glowing. Freaking glowing!