Antitrust (Completed)

Part 3: The Date

                THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL THE READS AND FOR PUTTING UP WITH MY MEDIOCRE WRITING I really appreciate it! And now here’s the romance you’ve actually been waiting for *cue drumroll*

                This was going to be harder than I thought.

                In fact, it was way harder than I had anticipated.

                First of all, was this even supposed to be a date? I mean, I was simply handing over a check, does that automatically make it a business meeting? And that too, in a fancy wine bar? In the evening?

                   Second of all, what the hell was I supposed to WEAR for this? I suppose I could just pull out a simple Banana Republic dress and try not to look like a spoilsport for this whole situation. Or I could try my luck with that new Theory dress that’s sitting in my closet. Would that be too provocative?

                I sat on my platform bed for hours, pondering, contemplating. And then I realized I had the perfect dress.

                A nice dark amethyst purple Oscar de la Renta that went slightly above my knees. Sleeveless, yet understated. It wasn’t too low-cut, but still a very feminine dress. I added a little glitz with a gold Kate Spade cuff and Givenchy amethyst and gold studs, and decided to carry a BCBG envelope clutch. Perfect, now all I had to do was find a nice pair of Manolo Blahnik heels and I’d be in business.

                By about seven, I was completely ready. That is, for my hair appointment at DryBar. You didn’t expect me to go on this “drinks” thing with basic hair did you?

                By eight, my doorman was hailing a livery car service for me. The “appointment” was at eight, but of course, I like to fashionably late to everything. I was that type of person who always made an entrance, no matter what. Why walk into a place where nobody notices you? That would defeat the purpose of a hundred dollar blowout appointment.                  

                At exactly eight thirty I was outside the door of Ciao. I shifted in my patent leather heels, preparing myself, when I realized that I had forgotten the check on my glass coffee table. Shit, what was I supposed to do now?! I couldn’t go back to the penthouse, the traffic was beyond horrible at this time, and that would waste another half hour at least. I had to deal with this situation by telling the truth, and hope that Jay wouldn’t get the wrong idea.

                I pushed the revolving door of the restaurant and walked up to the desk. The wine bar was very dimly lit and extremely intimate. It was loud, but classy in every way possible. There were wine racks set up everywhere, servers in black outfits traipsing around the place, and a candle at every table that illuminated the faces of those sitting there. Everything about the wine bar was chic.

                “Good evening, you must be Alisha?” How the hell did the receptionist know who I was?

                “Uh, yes that’s me” I replied, still in shock.

                “Please follow me, Mr. Verma is waiting for you.” Sounds like Jay was a regular here.

                The receptionist guided me towards the long bar, where at least five bartenders were occupied with cocktail shakers behind the counter. People of all walks of life were sitting at the bar; I noticed young couples, as well as singles and middle-aged couples. All of them seemed to fit into the sophisticated ambiance, and seemed to be enjoying themselves while sipping from large martini glasses.