#11 :: Double Standards

Chapter 15.

Orlando

Sasha: Hey.. Still want to meet up? If so where should I meet you? S.

I smiled. I was surprised but I was glad.

Me: Yeah sure. If you come to me, then I'll drive us to where we are going to go.
My address is, 67 Beechcroft Terrace. W1 2BC. Be here for 8. O.x

I was trying to play it as cool as possible; without letting it be known that I was feeling her. It's been a while since I've been interested in anyone. The last person I was interested in was Mya's mum. Which came to an abrupt end. If I had my way I would have had nothing to do with her. But then she contacted me to inform me she was pregnant. Which she put me through complete hell. It sounds bad but she's better off dead than alive. My life is peaceful and Mya wants for nothing. The only thing that I'll struggle with is as and when Mya is old enough and will start asking for her mother. I know it was hard for me to find out both my parents were dead so I know it would be hard for her too. Hopefully as she still has her father I hope my love for her will be enough.

The day went by quite quickly and before I knew it, it was almost 8 and I was waiting for Sasha.

The sound of my doorbell alerted me that Sasha was here. I checked the time. Dead on 8. She's prompt. I like it.

I made my way downstairs and met her at the door.

"Hello."

"Hi."

"Come on. We'll come back here later. Let's take my car." I said as I opened the passenger door for her.

"Okay. Thanks." She said as she got inside.

We drove for about 20 minutes before we arrived.

"Wow..." Sasha said.

"You like it?"

"It's beautiful."

"I thought you'd like it."

"You come here every Saturday?"

"Well I try to. Most times I have Mya and I brought her here once and she decided to scream the whole place down. Took away the whole purpose of serenity."

Sasha laughed.

"I feel at peace already." Sasha said as she looked out onto the river bank.

The river bank was a calm place for me. Whenever I'm having an off day I come here and be at peace with myself. On Saturdays they always have a little boat dance which lit up the river and made it look so beautiful against the night sky.

"I thought you would like it. Plus you said you didn't have a good birthday. It's not much but the peace and quiet plus good view and even better company? You can't go wrong."

Sasha chuckled.

"It's perfect. Simple yet perfect."

"And then the real fun is later!"

"Real fun?"

"Oh yes! Once we are at peace it's time to get turnt!"

"Turnt?"

"Ain't that what the kids say? Turned up?"

Sasha started chuckling.

"You're really showing your age."

"Hey! I'm not old. I'm still young."

"Yeah.. well I'm pretty sure you're older than me."

"Well now I feel you're trying to set me up as I'm sure it's rude to ask a woman her age."

"Yesterday I turned 30."

"Well you could have fooled me. I'm halfway between 30 and 40. I'm a spring chicken."

Again Sasha was laughing.

"You laugh at everything I say I'm wondering if you're laughing at me or with me."

"You are funny I give you that. I'm doing both."

"Well at least I'm making you laugh."

There was an intense stare. I wondered what she was thinking. I wanted so badly to lean in and kiss her but I wouldn't. I had to stay composed.

Whilst we stayed staring I could see sadness in her eyes and I wondered what on earth could possibly be making her so sad.

***

Once back at mine I played a soul mix that I listened to most of the time.

"You got good music taste." Sasha said as D'Angelo played softly in the background.

"Oh you know about my home boy D?"

"Your home boy?"

"Yeah we go way back! This mix? The best of D'Angelo. I'm the ONLY one with this mix. He made it for me."

Sasha laughs.

"I see. Well yes, I love his music."

"We just keep having more and more things in common." I said. "Right... favourite alcoholic beverage? Pick two. Then pick two you don't like."

"Erm... I rarely drink. But, I like Disaronno and I like Rum. I hate Vodka and Tequila."

"Perfect." I said. "Well almost. I don't have any Disaronno but I have Southern Comfort. Is that okay?"

"I guess... what's this for?"

"Shot Roulette."

"Huh?"

"These shot glasses will have either Southern Comfort, Rum, Vodka or Tequila in them. Whatever number your ball lands on you drink."

"But I don't like Vodka or Tequila."

"I know..."

"Okay... I'll be needing some water then." She said.

I can get you that. I said as I poured the different liquors in the different shot glasses.