Two
Eve
Right now, I'm sitting in the passenger seat of Katy's car parked outside of the top one restaurant in New York City, wearing a lush outfit, my hair, face and pedicure beautifully made as I listened to Katy talk.
And to tell you the truth, I'm having second thoughts.
Are we doing the right thing here?
“Alright, I did my diggings and from what I heard…”
“What you heard?” I asked in surprise.
Katy blinked, “Yes. No one really knows anything about him…”
“Hold on a second, you don't even know this guy, and you're going on a blind date with him?”
“Um, Eve, that's exactly what a blind date is.” She said sarcastically.
“Yeah, right. Sorry.” I apologized, rubbing my forehead.
“So, his name is Charles Herman…”
“Charles Herman?” I echoed in surprise. “You mean Charles Herman, the anonymous son of Adam Herman, one of the wealthiest and most powerful men in the US and also the owner of Herman College, the same college I go to?”
She flashed her teeth nervously, “Yeah, that one.”
“And you didn't think to let me know about this?”
“I don't see what could possibly go wrong.”
“Oh, everything could possibly go wrong.” I countered. “What if things go south and they blacklist me…”
“None of the sort would happen!” Katy interrupted with an exasperated groan. “You worry too much. You think he would recognise you or something? No one even knows who he is. Not even a single picture of him has been taken by the public before.”
“And that's exactly why it's dangerous.” I stated, “There are rumors that he's one of the students in our school. He could be literally anyone! He might recognize me and…”
“Okay, I'll send you an extra five thousand dollars…”
“Don't try to buy me, Katy.” I groaned, and she stopped.
I exhaled, thousands of thoughts circulating in my mind.
Her face fell.
“Eve, please.” She pleaded, her eyes blurry with tears. “I can't stand him up. Please.”
Ugh!
I hate it when I refuse to do something for someone when they're begging me. It will only make me feel bad, even if they don't guilt-trip.
“Okay, fine. I'll do it.”
Her face brightened in excitement.
“Thank you.”
“But you'll be giving me the extra five thousand…”
“You got it!” She said sharply, “Alright, real quick. His name is Charles Herman…”
“I don't need all that.” I cut her off. “Make him lose interest, right? I'll do it.”
I grab the expensive bag she got me, suddenly feeling a surge of confidence run through me.
I can do this!
Besides, most of the guys I know say I'm obnoxious and unladylike sometimes… my ex included.
“Wish me luck.” I opened the door and stepped out.
“Good luck!” She waved at me with an uneasy smile. “You got this!”
Tightening my lips, I made my way to the entrance, trying to walk as classy as possible.
Goddamn it! How do these rich kids wear shoes like this? It's like I'm wearing a fucking skyscraper on my leg! Ugh!
I reached the entrance, and a short, suave-looking man with a moustache, dressed in a tuxedo, who I suppose was the maître d, appeared before me.
“Madam! Welcome to Les Cinq Couronnes.” He greeted me politely im a rich French accent.
God, how do I respond?
Hi, hello? Oh, God! Thank you?
“Uh, thank you,” I replied in a faint voice.
“Do you have a reservation?” He enquired.
“Oh, yes.” I dug my hand into the bag and handed him the card Katy had given me.
He studied it intently, and my heart began to pound.
Oh, God, hope Katy hasn't given me the wrong card!
He glanced up at me and flashed me a smile.
“Oh, you're Mr Herman’s date!” He said, and I frowned. “Miss Johnson.”
How the hell did he know that?
Do the Hermans also own this restaurant or what? I bet that they do.
“Oh, yes, I am,” I replied, trying to mask my surprise.
“Right this way, please.” He turned and led me down the path.
I couldn't help but glance around the whole restaurant in utter awe. It was like heaven on earth.
The rich sure do know how to live. Hmm!
We reached a table and halted.
“Mr Herman, Miss Johnson has just arrived.” The maitre'd announced.
My heart skipped two beats as I stared into the dark pair of cold glasses.
“Thank you,” He said to the maitre'd in a deep, baritone voice that nearly made me flinch.
“I'll be just around the corner in case you need to order.” The maitre'd gave him a slight bow before walking away.
My already racing heartbeat intensified as I stared into the dark glasses.
God knows just how much I wanted to see his eyes.
Damn!
He's so… hypnotically mesmerizing!
“Are you going to sit or are you going to stand there and stare at me like a fool?” He asked coldly, and I could feel hot blood rush to my face, utter embarrassment.
God, this is so humiliating.
Like a goddamn dummy, I awkwardly sat down. But I still couldn't take my eyes off him.
He had a sexy moustache on his charming face, which was as smooth as silk with a sharp jawline and tossed dark hair!
So this is Charles Herman.
I see why he's being hidden from the public. The public would go crazy over him!
How can he look so good? Is it legal for someone to look that hot! I mean, look at him!
Damn! He's as hot as sin! I want to see those eyes so badly! If I were Katy, I would dump Dexter for him! And I would let him explore every part of my… oh, Lord, no! Eve, what the hell are you thinking?
Pure thoughts, Eve! Pure thoughts!
You're here to make him lose interest him lose interest, not to lust after him!
But… who the hell reads a novel during a date?
He glanced up at me, and my heart did another somersault.
“Are you done mind-fucking me yet, Katy Johnson?” He asked in a contemptuous tone, and I flinched, my cheeks burning harder. “If you're done,” He dropped the novel on the table, leaned back on his seat and folded his heavy-looking long arm, “Can we begin our date then?”
I think this is gonna be a lot harder than I thought.