Tattered Beauty (Watty Awards 2011)

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

            The interior of the place was a million times more astonishing than the exterior. It was like going back in time to ancient Greece. Marble—real marble having been carved by hand—statues stood tall and gleaming in the corners and strategically around the room. The waiting room, which held many people waiting for tables, was painted a gold color. It gave the room an eerie feeling under the small chandelier, turned down for mood lighting. The main dining room was painted a dark purple with white, hand crafted molding. “This is incredible.” I gasped. Women were dressed in just short of ball gowns and I immediately felt underdressed. “I wish you’d told be to dress a little fancier.”

            Daniel scoffed, “Oh, please; you look lovely.” He strode up to the hostess with confidence. “Table for two, please.”

            She didn’t even look up. “It’ll be about a two hour wait, sir.”

            “The thing is, I’m on a very important date,” He caught her gaze. “I was wondering if you could get us something a little sooner.”

            The girl started to say something about how the place didn’t condone any special treatment, but the second she recognized who Daniel was, her eyes became as wide as saucers. “Oh! Yes, I think we have something ready for you on the balcony! Follow me please.”

            Shaking and star struck, Emily—as the hostess introduced herself as—led us past all the “standard” tables and up a long winding staircase. “What can I get you two to drink?”

            “Water, please.” I ordered.

            Daniel seemed to be weighing his options in his head. Finally, he said, “I’ll have an iced tea.”

            “Be back in a jiffy with that!” She skipped off.

            Daniel pulled the sheer lavender curtain closed. Our table was on the upper deck of the restaurant, as a symbol of status. These tables were typically for celebrities. I was still in shock that I was here with an international sex symbol and People magazine acclaimed “sexiest man alive”. It blew my mind. “I’d rather my fans not see me and start a riot to get me to come down there.” I chuckled, even if I was not sure if he was joking.

            “It’s pretty nice to be on a date again.” I admitted. “I’ve been pretty out of luck for a few months.”

            “No, a girl as pretty as you can’t not have a ton of guys chasing her. It’s like…dogs chasing the mailman. They always will, and do.”

            I countered, “I don’t like a chase. I’ll stand there and let them tackle me, seeing if they’re naughty dogs or nice dogs. I like to find out the hard way whether they’re the type that will bite me or lick me. Then I usually run.”

            After a pause, we both realized the intense sexual innuendo I made and burst out laughing. Neither of us held back; people from the lower deck stared up at us wondering who on earth was making such a racket.

            The hostess came back, surprisingly. Shouldn’t we be getting a waitress who is actually employed as a waitress and not a hostess? “I got another girl to host. I’ll be your server this evening!”

            We ordered our food—nothing really sounded too delicious to me, so I picked something random off the menu—and as soon as she left I leaned over to Daniel. “Is she really creepy or is it just me?” I whispered.