• One Lifestand [BxB] •

02

"Come on, hurry we're going to be late!" I hear Charles shout from the entry hall of my apartment, that by the way looked really clean and organized again, thanks to me finishing my latest book two days ago. The counters are clean, rid of any trash and empty dishes along with all the previous documents, leaving the glass surface to reflect the light shining in through the red curtains, giving off a comforting and homey feeling. 

I quickly slip my socks and shoes on and grab my dark brown coat off the white carpet checking for my keys and wallet before stepping out of the apartment together with Charles and locking it behind me. 

I'm wearing a grey turtle-neck that hugs my small and slender frame perfectly along with some black, ripped skinny jeans and my favorite grey sneakers. The dark brown coat adds a little color to the outfit making it look simple but elegant at the same time. According to Charles a car should be waiting for us right now outside of my apartment to pick us up and drive us to the Restaurant. Malui, from what I heard, was a pretty fancy restaurant downtown frequented by New York's elite and posh people. I honestly don't know why we would go to such a restaurant because I doubt that we are going on a date with Zac Efron or Howard Marks but the fancy Rolls-Royce Ghost  parking on my sidewalk makes me reconsider that thought again. 

I adjust my glasses a bit on my nose, a habit I picked up long ago whenever I'm nervous.

I live in a pretty decent neighborhood mostly inhabited by the rich middle class and a lot of old retired people that had wanted to settle in a peaceful and quiet part of the usually hectic and crowded city but that car somehow makes me feel extremely small. It just doesn't belong here, everybody could tell with one glance and I feel uncomfortable getting into it fearing someone could see and start questioning me. I don't want to draw any attention to myself, I just want to go on about my small and uneventful live that nobody really gave a shit about.

Everybody likes to  talk about the newest gossip and stick their noses into others business therefor I was usually safe off with my boring daily routine in my small cute apartment.

 I snap out of my thoughts when a man dressed in an expensive suit gets out of the drivers seat continuing on to open the door for us with a small bow. I feel my face flush a fiery shade of red I was trying to suppress and give the man an awkward nod of acknowledgement along with an even more awkward smile. He smiles a knowing smile back at me and I all but rush inside the car behind Charles who was looking around the vehicle in astonishment. I always hated that naturally easily embarrassed and jumpy side of myself, it makes me look like a weak and small person, even if I don't feel like I am, in these situations.

Taking in a deep breath I try to relax into the comfortable black leather seats and focus on the soft music playing in the background rather than my racing thoughts. There is no going back now anyways so I just shut all my self conscious thoughts out and look out the window, my favorite song from 'Lund' sounding through the car lighting my mood severely. 

I'm really nervous about the whole blind date thing, I don't really understand how they work or what I'm supposed to do but at the same time I'm kind of exited, knowing I will have my best friend with me. He wouldn't let me get hurt and I trusted him to look out for my hopelessly awkward self.

The ride doesn't take long and before I even realize it we are there, right in front of a big building with a red carped leading to the massive gold, glass doors. I can feel myself getting more and more nervous with each passing second but I try to ignore the anxiety creeping up my spine and look over at Charles with what must be a horrified face. He only gives me a reassuring smile showing off his whites , eyes soft and takes my smaller hand in his much larger one. The door opens and Charles gets out first, still holding my hand and helping me get out too. When I pass the driver I catch him give us a look that practically had 'you two are so adorable' written all over his face which makes the heat creep back up into my cheeks and I give him a shy good-bye wave with my left hand that wasn't taken by Charles. The man gives a polite and professional bow before walking around the car and driving off again to god knows where. Did I mention that I'm the most socially awkward person ever?

"You ready?" Charles asks looking over at me beaming from left to right and probably to the moon and back. I give him a small reassuring smile, which is honestly more to reassure myself than him, and nod. If it made him happy I would gladly suffer for the time being with an unknown man. I just hope he isn't a creep... Before I could get too deep into the 'What if-' part of my mind however we start walking towards the door.

You know those 'I mean I knew it was big... but i didn't expect it to be that big...!' moments?

That's exactly what I am feeling right now. I'm currently standing just one step into the massive building and already feel like bolting right back out the door. The red carpet that had been on the outside continues through the whole reception area that is probably the size of my whole apartment with an equally massive chandelier looking down at us from the ceiling. The floor is a white marble and to the sides are several ceiling high doors.

"Good evening gentleman, do you have a reservation?" A waitress in her late thirties asks a polite and soft smile on her face and a pen and notepad in her hands.

"Yes, under the name Kent" Charles replies firmly. I stand to the side watching as the woman's face changes, the previous smile doesn't seem that nice anymore as she types something on the pad before nodding stiffly and motioning us to follow her, her strides harsh and convinced.

The doors to the left open and we are welcomed with soft classic music playing and the scent of delicious food mingled in the air. The air is noticeably warmer in here than on the outside where the autumn breezes are blowing by, making shivers run down your spine. I look around the room taking in the people that are seated a good distance from each other, talking with each other in their own little private space minding their own buisiness. 

The waitress continues to lead us further across the room, passing several tables with fancy clothed couples, families and other groups. She stops at the end of the room in front of a big red curtain motioning us to wait outside before going inside herself, straightening her tight black skirt and the white blouse. 

I can't help but roll my eyes at that. It is so blatantly obvious that she is trying to seduce whoever is behind the curtain. 'Unprofessional' I think to myself before focusing on the soft voices that could be heard behind the red fabric, the only thing parting the two unknown men and us. If I want to run-

Before I could even think about it however the curtain parts and the woman appears again, a dissatisfied and annoyed look on her face.

"You can go in" is all she says before walking back the way we had come from.

I warily look over at Charles exited form, giving myself a small prep talk before taking a deep breath and motioning Charles to go in first.

The room is dimly lit, with two tables on each side separated by another small black curtain, just so you won't see each other. On the tables are wine glasses and lit up candles, looking like they are straight out of a romance movie. I look around once more not seeing a single person before turning around to Charles who is wearing the same confused expression as me and shrugs with his shoulders to let me know he has no idea either.

I'm about to say something before I hear a deep and amused laugh from the far right of the room. Looking past Charles I squint my eyes together to make out the form of two men in suits sitting on a black leather couch blending into the black wall behind them.  Sneaky.

Charles takes my hand, still smiling, and we make our way towards the two figures to our right. My heart is pounding in my chest, my palms getting sweaty and I just want to disappear.The closer we get the clearer their features become, revealing two very muscular and attractive men and the two gorgeous faces of Mario Vanstone and Aaron Kent.

Oh hell no.