Kenya

Third wheel?

A waitress led us to a table. The table was beautiful. On it was a candle and mixed flowers with petals of red and white. The table was in the corner, quiet and more secluded from the noise of the restaurant, on looking the view of city lights. My body calmed as I knew that this environment was perfect for the occasion.  

"Cas, pssss" I hissed to Lucas. Lucas' head was buried in the menu and he pretended not to hear me. 

"Lucas !" I said louder this time kicking him in the nuts from underneath the table. 

He groaned deeply before responding his face a fiery red, "Yes miss Kenya. What?" he said in deep pain. 

"Well, I just wanted to say thank you for bringing me to such an amazing restaurant. I never would've thought that I'd get the opportunity to eat dinner somewhere so elite. Thank you seriously-" I started. 

A cough noise was made behind me and I looked behind to see Mr Dorello smirking and pulling a chair out next to me. 

"I agree Lucas, well played shall we order?" he said taking a menu of his own from the table and winking at Lucas. What's with this guy and winking?

"Guys, I am just that kind of guy... no sweat I picked this place with my eyes closed!" he joked pretending to wipe dust of his shoulders.

Shortly after Mr Dorello called over our waitress.

 "I'll have a Gin and Dobbonet, please." Mr Dorello asked. His order of alcohol reminded me how despite his youthfulness he is a director and gin was a respectable drink for one. I felt strange to be seated next to such a young guy by age but mature by status.

I felt like this evening was going to be a long one and decided alcohol was a good bet. Although I was slightly young I knew Mr Dorello's status would probably excuse me this once. 

"I'll have a sidecar please." I stated diverting my eyes away from Lucas. I literally felt the air in his lungs fall short.

"I'll have a coke with ice, thanks." he said in a mocking tone making sure to say the word coke with a kick. 

When the waiter walked off with our orders he raised his eyebrows not wanting to cause another scene in front of Mr Dorello. I wondered how long that would last.

"So, how often do you drink? You seem to know your stuff I have never been on a date with a girl and heard her order a sidecar without looking at the menu first. Lucas seems to be the only alcohol free member to my surprise." he said chuckling softly and prompting both Luke and I to talk. 

"Well I do not drink I am against it because my father was an alcoholic which led to terrible health issues and eventually his death. Kenya doesn't drink, not usually around me anyhow but I guess she feels a bit daring tonight." he said supressing a giggle.

The only word I heard was date and often. What a rash thing to say? I blushed wondering how many girls he'd invited on dates but quickly got rid of the thought since this wasn't a date... technically I'd invited him over. 

"Are you well miss Kenya?" Mr Dorello asked clearly noticing my thoughts taking over. 

I choked out a pathetic "Yes, just cramps." 

Lucas giggled. Something tells me he knew exactly what I was thinking. I cut my eyes at him and the waitress returned with our drinks. Lucas asked for another glass, the waitress returned with one and Mr Dorello and I looked at him perplexed. 

"You have to drink slowly." he said protectively whilst pouring half of my drink into the glass. "I'll give you the other half once food arrives. I looked at Lucas lovingly, I always felt safe around him, I knew no harm could come to me, he was always alert and ready to defend me. 

"Wow... are you guys always this romantic? Let's talk dance schedules before I throw up all over this prestigious restaurant." the Director said pretending to be sick and using his hand to act it out. I was shocked at how animate he was at such an open restaurant where many eyes were on him and probably knew who he was. I guess he was used to it. 

I quickly remembered the incentive I had used to convince him to join us, dance schedules. Luckily for me I actually wanted to know what we were to do. After two rounds of drinks and a platter of starters that were shared Mr Dorello had pretty much filled us in in everything we would learn this year, ALOT. It was fun. The environment was warm like my cheeks, probably due to the alcohol and my laugh came out more easily. Lucas had relaxed more in his seat . Mr Dorello had loosened his tie and undone the first few buttons. We were all bouncing off each other, starting to find things in common, for example Lucas and Mr Dorello both enjoyed salsa dancing! They even planned a day of salsa to implement into our curriculum every month, I was in for a treat. Mr Dorello would look rather funny with a rose in his mouth and hips swaying left and right, a huge difference compared to the stiff composure he held around the company campus. I collapsed breaking into laughter. 

"Its the alcohol!" Lucas and the director said in unison before Lucas took my drink and placed it in a corner far away from my reach. 

"Nuh-uh I just thought of you two dancing salsa with roses in your mouths. Admit it is a funny image." I pleaded laughing in the hope I'd score back my drink. 

"I think two dashing men in tight clothing and roses is a sight you'd drool at had it be presented to you." Mr Dorello said in a voice I'd never heard before. Seductive? My eyes bulged out my head. 

"Well... I guess I'll only know if the scene is presented to me." I said carefully not wanting to overstep boundaries but still wanting to entertain him. 

"Don't give me any ideas..."  Lucas stated searching my eyes. 

I felt a strange sensation rush over me as I felt the eyes of both men eating me up. 

"Enough!" I managed to get out. 

The men chuckled. What was going on here? Are they ganging up on me or is the alcohol really making me bug out. 

"You look awfully flustered Miss Kenya, care to share your thoughts?" Lucas asked raising an eyebrow. 

Mr Dorello moved his chair closer to mine and placed his hand on me knee. I almost screamed out "murder" but remembered where we were and chose to keep my mouth shut. 

"I'm here to comfort you, its my job to maintain your wellbeing." he said in the same tone as earlier, this time I knew it was certainly seductive. My heart was pounding and I looked up at Lucas silently begging him to help. Honestly it felt good to have him so near but so wrong considering his role and the fact that Lucas was right there! 

"Don't worry about me Kenya, I'm actually enjoying the sight of you. You are clearly affected by Mr Dorello." he said probably referencing my cheeks which were warm and my probably dilated pupils. I couldn't say anything. Lucas was clearly not going to be of help. 

"Why don't you stop drinking so that your completely aware of what happens today?" Mr Dorello said his eyes hooded with lust. 

My eyes widened into two saucers.

"She will stop drinking, I'll make sure of it." Lucas said his eyes taking on the same lustful appearance. 

OH MY GOD. THESE MEN ARE CLEARLY FLIRTING WITH ME. LUCAS?! MY BEST FRIEND!!! 

MR DORELLO, MY DIRECTOR?! 

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?