A throw away

Sail in a storm

The keys sailed into the air and was caught by the valet. "Take care of it. Not a scratch you hear me?" The man in a uniform red vest nodded. "Yes sir." Takashi mentally noted to give the kid a tip. The boy was probably on a part time job for college.

His feet took him to the glass doors and he entered the restaurant.

"Reservation on the name Denver."

"Welcome to Nobu. Right this way sir." There were paper lanterns imitation hanging from the ceiling. They emitted a warm orange glow. As he looked to his left he saw a bar with wooden stools. Oh yeah. This place was a French and Japanese food fusion restaurant. He had almost forgotten as the appointment was made a week ago. And to get an early reservation as soon as that. Well he pulled some strings and asked some favors. The manager was a friend of a friend.

He followed her and was led to the part with tatami mats but oddly, not the foot high traditional tables were present but the usual high stand round ones.

"Would you like to see the menu?"

"Sure. But I will place and order in a while. I'm waiting for somebody."

"Water then sir?"

He nodded and as she walked away checked his wrist watch. It was 11:57. He was slightly early. The waitress returned with the two black leather menus and placed it on the table.

Ten minutes past, still no one by the name of Blackwood had walked in. It was really noon now and he was getting sleepy, his eyes were half lidded now and he slumped slightly in his chair. Outside the sun was blaring and warming everything in its path, here inside it was cool and comfortable. If only he could sleep and make up for all the insomnia he was stuck with lately.

He snapped wake and stood to not fully succumb to sleep. Maybe a bit of cold water on his face could chase away the tired look he had. He went to the restroom and splashed some, his eyes shut but refreshed by the cold trickling water. The handkerchief from his coat pocket used as he patted his hands dry. It slid back in the pocket where it would be forgotten then when sent to the dry cleaner's would be looked at for a moment then returned.

And when he was seated yet again on the same chair watching the far front door he noticed a pretty blond haired woman ponytailed and wearing a black dress. She smiled at the employee upfront and said the name of who had a reservation. The same greeting and she was lead to his general direction.

Takashi thought that whoever had a date with her was a really lucky guy as he watched her out of the corner of his eye while he sipped some water. And then the lady pulled back the chair opposite him. "Good afternoon Mr. Denver." She sat down and placed her bag on the nearest chair she could drag.

"I'm Evelyn Blackwood. You must be surprised. My father had sudden business to attend to. I hope it's okay that he sent me instead. Dad thought it would rather be rude if he didn't show up. So here I am in his place.

Takashi was surprised but that didn't show on his face. Sometimes it paid to be poker faced. Maybe this was one of those times. His inner self would already have yielded with astonished eyes and fidgeting.

Well he was on a date then? Not that romantic but hey a date was a date. And he still had to pitch the company to her. Oh. So that meant he was working. But this would be more amusing than paperwork right? Right.

A moment of silence as she sipped the water from her glass. Its ice tubes already melted.

"It's perfectly fine Ms. Blackwood. I'd say grand. Let's look at the menu. What would you like?"

She smiled yet again and this time he saw it clearer and fuller. It was a lot better than the one he saw from ten meters away.

"Pls. call me Evelyn. Don't be all formal. Let's have some fun." Takashi could have sworn she had a little light in her eyes. It was in contrast sharply with her heavy eyeliner.