The Way It Ends

11

M O E N I A

Bzzz Bzzz

I peer down at my phone to see a text from Evan stating that he's waiting outside. Gathering my belongings, I said bye to Opum who questioned why he wasn't at the door but I shrugged it off saying it's the 21st century and things change. Cal had texted me a curt good luck for my date which was nice but not something I had expected from him, being totally honest. I wrapped my coat tightly around myself as it has started to gradually get colder and made my way to the car. It was slightly hard to spot Evan's Porsche in the dark but he honked the horn and once I spotted it, slid in.

"Hey Evan!"

"Hello Moenia."

"Your outfit looks very dashing." He was wearing a black Armani waistcoat with black pants and a white shirt. It was very similar to his office attire.

"You're wearing a dress slightly different from what I imagined, I thought you said you were wearing a burgundy dress?"

"Yeh I was supposed to, but Opum really wanted to borrow it. So, champagne it is!"

"Ah. You still look very pretty don't get me wrong, just not what I expected."

"Oh, Ok."

"Anyways, how are you settling into Smith and Gordon's..." From there the conversation mostly hung around work and the cases which I didn't really mind. The atmosphere is very different compared to how it is with Cal... But I shouldn't compare the two. I am enjoying myself after all.

Soon enough, we pulled up to Les Mer. We got out of the car, this time Evan opened the door for me which was nice. He passed the keys to the valet to park the car and opened his palm where I placed my hand in as we walked inside.

"By the way, I'm sorry for being rude at the start. I just have a lot going on."

"It's fine don't worry about it, happens to the best of us!" We made our way to the host, and he showed us to our seats that were in the middle of the dining area. He went to pull my chair but suddenly stopped and walked away then Evan did it. Slightly weird but I'll brush it off.

A waiter came over providing us with menus shortly after accompanied with a bottle of Merlot and two glasses. Evan opened the bottle before pouring a glass for each of us. The restaurant was actually quite different to what I'd expected. It had an oak and greenery theme reminding me of New Orleans which is refreshing from a fine dining restaurant. There was an air of intimacy as the restaurant could hold about max 100 people. The customers tended to be on the younger side radiating a 'I vote green to piss off my conservative parents.' type of aura. Though a few did wear flashy brands, most of the clothes didn't have any appearance of a brand, and in a restaurant like this, reveals most were from old money.

"So, quickfire questions?" Evans suggested.

"Yeh sure, why not." I shrugged, removing my coat.

"Worst fear?"

"Spiders. Definitely spiders. Yours?"

"Feeling helpless. You know when you realise in the grand scheme of everything you have no sway. Siblings?"

"One, pets?"

"Two. A retriever and rottweiler." The questions kept being traded and it ended up being an enjoyable icebreaker. I'd learnt that Evan is an only child, is part of a cool secret society, used to want to be a policeman and hates oranges. The way when 'someone would peel an orange and the ghastly smell spreads for miles' really seemed to have affected him personally. He has no qualms with the juice though. Our food shortly arrived which we'd had ordered mid questions. I'd gotten a chicken fricasse and himself a steak.