Soul Master

36. Amèlie

'You look beautiful.' Darren said, as he drove me away from my home. 'Did you enjoy your shopping trip?' He spared a glance at me with an easy smile, 'I heard Louise rinsed Vince's credit card.'

I nodded and played about with my hands in my lap. 'It was a new experience for me,' I admitted. 'One I don't think Zayne will like.' I half laughed as I glanced up at him.

'Zayne?' He frowned.

'My...' I scowled, probably making a silly face. 'Mother.'

He seemed to sense my discomfort and never pressed more. 'Excited?'

'Nervous.' I corrected.

'Don't worry.' He pulled up at a diner and gestured to the doors. 'We are gonna fill you up nice and plump.' He laughed.

'Wait.' I noticed where we were and I didn't want to go, I hated Beef Eater.

'What is it?' He asked, his hand hesitating on the door handle.

'Can we go there instead?' I pointed to a quiet cafe next to his choice. 'I like the menu there.'

He lifted an eyebrow. 'It's cheap there,' he commented. 'I don't mind paying, it was my plan.'

I shook my head. 'It's not that.'

He nodded and came around to the passenger side to let me out the car. The party dress I wore was black, it had lace coverings over the shoulder and chest and the underneath of the pleated skirt was a blood red satin material, only visible if the dress moved in particular ways, the flash of red drew his attention down to my legs as I climbed out of the car and took his hand.

'What would you like to eat?' He asked. 'I don't want you getting drunk on an empty stomach.' He gave me a look of concern.

'Shouldn't we be getting to the party?' I asked.

He smiled. 'Better to arrive later when the music really kicks in.' He held the door open for me and gestured to the empty table near the window.

I sat and waited as the old woman brought the menu, looking between us with a curious smile my way.

'I'd like a bowl of chips, some humus, and beans on toast.' I thought for a moment, 'And a glass of apple juice please.'

Darren looked at me with a raised brow.

'What about you?' I asked, the waitress also turned to him notepad ready.

He shook his head. 'I don't eat before a drink,' he grinned. 'Just a bottle of water.' He never took his eyes off me.

'Please.' I finished with a smile at the waitress, she smiled back and left us.

'Please?' He asked, amused.

'Manners cost nothing.' I shrugged simply and looked away.

'What was with that order?' He laughed, 'you must have chose only the cheapest options.'

'I like it. I don't need a five star meal to enjoy my food.' I pulled my hair to one side and smiled at him. He was watching me curiously.

'What?' I asked feeling a little paranoid.

He shook his head. 'You seem like one of us,' he started, 'but you are so different.'

'Because I eat humus and beans?' I asked with a sarcastic smile.

'Because you don't care.' He replied, moving his arms from the table as the woman came back with my food. I briefly wondered how he had known she was approaching, his back was to her. He must have seen my confusion and nodded to the window, at our reflections.