"So why Makeup?"
She thought intently about a response "Well I used to work as a waitress"
"At a bar?"
"No, a club"
He raised a brow "What made you quit?"
"The usual hazards of the job"
"By hazards you mean...." he trailed off, letting her choose to answer if she wanted to
"Long story short, I couldn't deal with the grabby club patrons, and it just wasn't the job for me"
He nodded in understanding "So what happened after?"
"I stayed home for some time after I left the job...
Growing up, I've always loved enhancing people's looks or giving them a new one entirely. To me, make-up isn't just foundation and powder shades, it's art.
Seeing the surprise then gratitude on people's faces when I'm done with my work, it never gets old"
Khaleed was once again lost for words, with the passionate way she talked about her work, but he also had a feeling he would still be fascinated if she worked as a school teacher and not a make-up artist
"That's wonderful, you do love your job"
"You have no idea" she smiled
"I didn't know the burger here could be this good, and it's not even on the menu"
She said around a bite of food
"I've never had to order a burger here either"
She laughed "Hence, why I prefer McDonald's"
He gave a half laugh, half snort, that had her smirking, he looked to be holding back a laugh
"You're the first woman I know that would prefer McDonald's to a five-star restaurant"
"You ever had pancakes there?" He shook his head
Her eyes widened dramatically "Oh no, I need to treat you to breakfast there sometime"
"Or you could come to make it at my place" He blurted and to his surprise, she laughed
"You wish__the best I can do is McDonald's my dear"
He laughed in relief, she didn't take his joke the wrong way, why the hell did he say that anyway? the only woman that was allowed in his home was his sister
His phone pinged to a notification on the table, he swiped the screen and his expression fell. She knew he had to get back to work, and was even surprised they'd been here this long and she didn't need to bail herself out with a call from Katie.
Her last date had been so awkward, she sent a text to Katie to call to tell her she was needed at work, then she hightailed it out of there like hounds were chasing her.
"Work calls" She commented
He looked up at her and smiled, what a girl she didn't whine about how their time together had come to an end.
No way he could let her go now, she was a girl he wanted something serious with.
The thought shocked him, he's known her for only what? Three months?
"Regrettably, but I hope to see you again soon"
She smiled, surprisingly he wasn't as stuck up and egotistical as she thought he would be
He was thoughtful and jovial.
"Of course"
He rang the bell for the waiter and she pulled out her card too
"Let's split it"
He was dumbfounded " What? No need to do that"
She frowned which made him rush to assure her
"You'll pay when you treat me to breakfast at McDonald's"
She nodded somewhat reluctantly "Yeah, that's right"
"Do you want something else?" He asked
"From here, no" He chuckled
Her phone rang and she pulled it out of her bag, it was Jessica calling
"Hey"
"Don't forget to buy snacks on your way home"
"I won't" she was saying but she hung up
'Typical' she muttered under her breath
"Shall we?" Khaleed asked and she nodded
"My car is outside, I could drop you off on my way back to work"
The said car was a black 2020 Alpina B7 BMW, she couldn't believe she was about to get in this baby, it screamed luxury.
He opened the car door for her but didn't comment on her gawking and she was once again taken aback at his manners
"Nice car" She smirked at him
"Thank you" he nodded in response before closing the door and coming around to the car
They made small talk for the rest of the ride and she had him drop her off at a confectionery store.
"I need to get some baked goodies for my siblings here"
He stretched his palm out to her, she stared at it quizzically before he pulled her hand up and kissed it. Her eyes widened and she had to struggle not to look away shyly, no man got her flustered, ever!
"Thank you for lunch"
He smiled at her "Thanks for coming out
Let's do this again soon"
She nodded, smiling back at him then got out
"Text me when you get home" He called out to her before he drove off
She got home and gave her siblings the snacks. Well, they snatched it from her to her amusement.
Her mom asked her how her date went and her mind went to the kiss, she smiled bashfully at the memory
"That good huh?" her mom teased her
"Ugh ma, it wasn't all that"
"Your reaction says otherwise though" she laughed "Tell me about it"
"Well, he was unexpectedly good company, and polite" her mom hummed for her to continue "We are at KING'S KITCHEN"
"The five-star one? that's quite expensive for a lunch date" Her mom stated with a raised brow
"I thought so too, till he told me he works in
Hadi holdings"
" Oh...okay, that explains it
And how long have you known each other? Are you finally getting a boyfriend?"
"One question at a time ma, it's been a few months and no I'm not getting a boyfriend.
We're friends
I get this feeling he's out of my league too"
Her mom scoffed "Because he's well off?
You do well for yourself too, you're smart, hardworking, and talented"
"Thanks, mum, but I sense play-boy vibes from him, so I'm taking it slow, at least for now"
"So you're admitting there's a chance you could date him"
"I didn't say that...stop teasing me"
Her mother laughed "I'm sorry honey, I just had to
It's been years since you went on a date, talk more of seeing someone, he must be a good boy"
"He seems decent
How was work today?" She asked to steer the conversation away from her date
"I know what you're doing young lady"
"Work was, as usual, The principal hinted at transferring me to teach a subject at the high school"
"Really? that sounds good
Will they be increasing your pay?
" It's going to be increased"
"I hope it happens, that's less stressful than handling kids...I know they're cute and all" She rushed to say when her mom glared at her "But the work hours in high school are more flexible"
"Yeah, you're right"
"So what's for dinner tonight?"
"I had a late lunch and I'm still full
Judging by how big the bag you brought in looks, the kids are not going to bother with dinner either"
"You guys want anything else to eat tonight?" She asked them and heard muffled no's in response
"See I told you"
"I'm not hungry either" To be honest Jasmine didn't think she could stomach anything, she was buzzing with nerves and couldn't wait to get to bed and think of all that happened today
"I'm going to turn in early, good night mum"
" 'Night baby"
"Good night guys," she said to her siblings on her way to her room
"Good night sis" They chorused whilst stuffing their faces
"Eat slowly, all of you" she chided them