Night Guardian

Chapter 1, Part 4

"...she took a deep breath and went to open the door..."

She took one look at him and went mute. He was flawless. He looked better than she did! Kayla barely noticed that they coincidentally wore matching black. Upon seeing her Michael was rendered speechless. He didn't mean to stare but the way the dress was hugging her curves caused his eyes to roam slowly up her body until they met her own amber eyes, both were wide in amazement. "Good afternoon Ms. Ford, you look... amazing." He said in that velvety voice. Kayla was still too focused on the way his pants seemed to hug his thighs and slender waist, it took her a moment to respond. Lawd Jesus up in heaven he was fine!
"Good afternoon Michael, I could say the same for you" She smiled and stepped out onto the porch with him, locking the door before they headed out. He offered his arm and she took it as they walked out to his car. Inside Kayla was screaming because it was her first date and she really didn't want to make a fool of herself.
They arrived at the restaurant fairly quickly. The name "Carino's" shown out in fancy bold writing. The drive there consisted of rather comfortable small talk. They both continued to converse until entering the restaurant doors. "Table for two reserved for Michael Joe Jackson", Michael told the waiter. The waiter gave a curt nod and led them to their seats. Kayla couldn't help but notice the waiter's attitude and gave him the stink eye. Michael noticed this and started to giggle. "What?"
"Am I the  only one noticing how rude people have been lately?" She asked.
"No. You'll find it's quite common with people in this community in regards to me." He said straightforwardly. "Why?" Kayla asked, resting her chin in the palm of her hand. Her eyes were full of curiosity.
"Let's just say that my family and I have always been targets of unfair gossip and ridicule in the past. I came back here for some unfinished business and the residents have made it known that my presence isn't welcome"
"That's terrible." She said, placing her hand on his. Not wanting to get into his business so quickly, she dropped the subject.
"So that's your middle name? Joe?"
"Joseph. Sometimes I say Joe for short. May I ask your middle name if appropriate? "
"Marie. Kayla Marie Ford."
"That's beautiful."
She blushed and smiled as they made eye contact. Another waiter came with two menus and a bottle of red wine the Maestro requested with their date reservation.
"So tell me Ms. Ford, what do you like to do for a living?" The Maestro said as he tipped the wine glass to his lips.
"I do freelance graphic design and I'm also a sketch artist and writer. I own a studio off of Baker Street."
Michael nodded, his finely arched brows raised. "You know, this is a coincidence; I paint and sketch but mostly I write screenplays and sing. I love the arts."
"Really? That's cool! More things in common," she giggled. "what are your favorite subjects to write about?"
"Mainly adventure and fantasy. Occasionally I'll do suspense/thriller or science fiction."
"That's wonderful, I mostly do illustrations for children's books and freelance for companies." She took a sip of wine.
Wanting to know something else about him, she continued, "So Michael, did you grow up here?"
He nodded, "My family has been here for generations, "he said with a twinkle in his eye. "Our home has been passed down throughout the family and now it belongs to me...though, there are some places in town I'm not familiar with. I never get out much."
"Oh. I just came here for a change in scenery. And I got called for a job to design a logo for a school lunch company," she said as the waiter came back with their food. "The city life is fun but I like to look at the stars, you know?"
"I understand completely." He said with a smile, "I adore nature".
The two continued to talk while they enjoyed their meals. Neither of them had expected it to feel so natural to simply converse with a stranger. Kayla was so fixated on Michael that she didn't notice the occasional glares from restaurant patrons. Michael noticed everything but as always, he nonchalantly ignored it, until someone decided to be bold while passing by their table. An old wrinkly faced man strolled by with his wife, purposefully knocking his date's wine glass all over her dress. She gasped and looked up angrily. "My apologies, miss," he and his wife gave the pair a sour smile and went on their way. Kayla sighed in agitation, looking down at her ruined dress. Michael called a waiter to request additional napkins. He was further infuriated when the waiter returned only to toss the napkins at her as If she were a dog. Kayla was about to say something when Michael beckoned the waiter closer. "That does it, I'm tired of this!" He exclaimed to the waiter. "You people may not like me, but you will show me some respect! She is not an animal, and I would expect a supposed professional as yourself to have some decorum!" His voice was no longer soft and sweet, but low and threatening. An unearthly chill emanated from him that made Kayla shiver. A lot of people were beginning to stare. The waiter (who seemed to have some commone sense) backed away quickly. Michael fixed everyone else with a cold glare. "Ms. Ford, would you like to go somewhere else?" He asked Kayla. She acquiesced silently. They both stood. Michael threw his payment onto the table, and he didn't leave a tip. He placed his hand on the small of Kayla's back and guided her out of the restaurant. The evening air was fairly breezy.
"Wow." Was all Kayla could say.
"I apologize, this night did not go as planned."He turned to her. She saw that he was still angry but his eyes were no longer cold and black. They were back to their soft brown, and deeply apologetic. "It's not your fault Michael. I had a great time. Just know someone will probably be out of a job tomorrow." She joked. "Want to go for that walk?"
He nodded. The park was always heavily populated, and seeing as the sun had not gone down yet, it was a perfect time to look at the sunset. It was a short drive to the park. They observed children passing by them on bikes, racing each other.
"Are the people in this town racist?" Kaka asked. She feared moving into a part of town where Blacks were still hated. "No," Michael laughed, "they are strictly Christian here. They don't like troublemakers or funny business."
"So are you a troublemaker?"
"Of course not...I just like to keep to myself. The citizens of this town gossip about those they don't understand. That's what they did to my mother and father before we all decided to move away."
"Oh. You'd think for such a religious community, they would be much more loving."
"Exactly."
"I wonder what they'll think of me, since I am new here."
"Well, since you were seen with me, they'll already be talking," Michael replied.
"It doesn't matter. If the majority of the people here are fake and messy then I'm better off not knowing them anyway."
They smiled at each other. Normally, Kayla would not have gone for a walk with someone she just met, or even gotten into his car. There was something about Michael that drew her in. He was sincere, she could tell. Talking to him gave her the sensation that they'd known each other for years, and Michael felt the same way about her.
"You never told me your age," Kayla said randomly.
They both laughed. "I'm 300 years old," he joked.
"Michael, I'm serious," she said with a smile. What she didn't catch was the mischievous glint in his eye. He wasn't really joking. "Alright, I'm 30. What about you?"
"24."
"Ah...you make me feel like a dinosaur. "
"Well you don't look a day over 23." She said sweetly.
If she knew that you were telling the truth about your age, she'd run like hell he thought.
They continued to talk until Michael noticed it beginning to get darker. "It's getting late. We should get back." He said. He offered her his arm and they walked along the path now lit by lamp posts until they reached his car. They rode along in comfortable silence. "I really enjoyed tonight Michael, " Kayla said. "It was perfect."
"I enjoyed tonight as well." His smiles were always warm. "I do apologize again for the altercation at the restaurant."
"Michael, its nothing. The night was wonderful, we enjoyed each other's company and that's all that matters."
"You're right."
They arrived at her house and he walked her to the door. They both became bashful and couldn't look each other in the eye.
"Thank you for the wonderful night Michael." She looked up at him first.
"It was my pleasure Kayla. Goodnight." He took her hand and placed a soft kiss there. She nearly died. He met her eyes one last time before turning to return to his vehicle.
"Oh, and Michael," she called.
He faced her again.
"Feel free to call me whenever." She flirted. Michael gave her one last dazzling smile before waving and getting into his car. He didn't leave until he was sure Kayla made it into the house safely.
Kayla rushed inside, locked the door and bolted to the house phone to talk Victoria's ears off.