Chapter 6: How Dating Feels Like

“Yeah, I haven’t had fresh pasta with marinara sauce in a long while.” He agreed.

About to take a cut of the Chinese sponge cake in front of me, Luke held back my hand. Bringing out his mobile phone.

“Before you eat, because I know you’re hungry. I should do a video recording of this.” He blushed, zooming his mobile camera on my food. “I’d like to update my status, post on tictok, Tumblr and, of course, Genevieve, my darling wife. She’ll prepare this for me. My woman can cook.” Luke praised.

It puzzled me for a moment.

“Okay, eat. You can eat now.” He ordered. It took me a while, pondering on his words.

“Pardon me.” I smiled. “You just said something about your wife. Are you married? I thought you’re single.”

“Come one, Evelyn. Can’t you see I drive a space bus?”

“Space bus? What does that mean?” I furrowed at him.

“That’s my car. I use it to move my family around, not animals. I have three children, almost four. My heavily pregnant wife, Vive, Penelope, Charles and Elizabeth. Yes, Betty is as tall as you are.” Luke gazed up, trying to recall their features. “My son, Charles, could ask you out.” he said proudly and our eyes met.

“You’re asking if I’m married? My good and young looks often give me that grace, yeah. I’m older than you think. I am actually 50, but I’m sure I look younger than 45.”

“I’m doomed!” The words dropped out of me in shock.

“Are you saying something?” Luke asked, taking a mouthful of cannoli into his mouth. “Frankly speaking, you’re exquisite. Prettier in person than in pictures.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re beautiful.” He shrugged, licking his bare hands. “Let me check on this.” Luke took his phone again. “Oh no, your fingers distracted this picture! I need to take another. Move you hand aside.” He said, and I instantly gave him a hateful look.

I didn’t look around, but I felt eyes focused on us. This guy has a goddamn voice. He could as well be a parrot.

“Move your hand aside.” Luke repeated.

I folded an arm under my jaw, giving him a tight-lipped smile.

“So, do you tell your wife everything?” I queried, jeeringly.

“Of course,” he agreed. “Aren’t we a couple? Why would I hide such from my wife? I just sent her this.” He showed me the pictures he had just took.

“Does your wife know you’re having a date right now?” I raised an eyebrow.

“She does.” He replied, filling a transparent wine glass with a screaming eagle cabernet.

I’d ordered two bottles for the both of us. Immediately the wine reached its brim, Luke gulped the content down his dried throat and I silently and guiltily watched him drink.

“Although, I only told her I got a lunch date with a friend of mine. He confessed. I didn’t tell her it’s a man or a woman.” I chuckled at his smartness and he joined me with laughter.

“I understand.” I replied him, faithful. Knowing meeting him was a mistake, a big one, but I rolled with him as if enjoying his company. “So, would you tell your wife if this date ended up in sex?”

“Come on, darling. I can’t tell her such.” Luke vividly sucking on his teeth and lower lips. “What kind of man would say such a thing to his wife? She has caught me cheating thrice.” He blurted out. Then gazed up, pondering on the thought and rambling. “No, it’s six times. The last time was two years ago. I couldn’t tell who could have told her where we were! Vive just stormed into where we were, right in the action's thick! Ouch!” He moaned aloud, and I looked around, embarrassed.

“I was right in the middle of a serious business. Oh, my! Sex outside marriage is so fun. I was on top of the action, Evelyn. She came in and started crying. I thought she was going to be mad, but after a moment of pleading, she forgave me. My wife is always forgiving. Vive forgave me six times. Mind you!”

“Your wife caught you six times and all she did was cry.” I repeated flatly.

Luke grabbed a piece of peppered lobster. He crunched it into his mouth, chewing on it hungrily.

“Why I agreed to meet you is... I want to have you as a wife, Evelyn.” He said to my face, still chewing on the spicy lobster.

“Really?” I raised both eyebrows, thinking about how we met again.

“Yes, I’ll take excellent care of you. Just do the right thing and I’ll take care of you. I’ll spoil you so much, love.” Luke glanced up and across at me. His pale Grey eyes reflected the flame of the candle.

“I like your honesty and the way you spelt out what you like. Everyone here must have heard what you just said.” I held onto my phone and purse. “What I would say basically is that I don’t know you’re married and I don’t date married men.”

“Shush!”

“What?” I muttered, pulling closer.

“I said shush! Don’t say it again, Evelyn. You already have a child and you’re saying you can’t date married man? You’re no longer a virgin.” He pointed to my face. “I am the one who should say that. I can’t date a woman who has a child. I didn’t complain. Do you think I would ask you out if I’m still single? You’re a baggage already. With wrinkles.“ He added.

“You covered them up with makeup and because you’re wealthy. Do I look like a truck meant to be carrying cargo for loads? Of course not!” Luke replied himself, unbuttoning his navy blue suit because he was sweaty. Or was it because he was getting filled up? I couldn’t tell.

Right that moment, a fire was burning in me. His words were really hurting. Too bad I’d called him for this meeting and paid for this food, including his transport fare I’d sent into his account last night. I just wanted to have a special birthday eve. Just like what I had 21 years ago, but would always be in the past. What was I thinking?

“Don’t do that, don’t say that. Let me date you. It’s simple. If we get married, I will take care of you than you can ever dream of. Just know the rules and regulations.”

“There are rules.” I grinned, as if delighted.

“Yes, of course, you’ll be my woman and I’ll be your man, but secretly. As long as you take care of me, I’ll take you around the world. And whenever I celebrate the anniversary with Vive, I’ll equally do yours.”

“Oh, Evelyn!” I laughed at him this time. Though, nothing was funny. The laugh was brief. It cleared the seriousness in my eyes and my red lips curved upwards, making my face lit up behind the dancing candlelight. No longer did I seem a prom and proper businesswoman.

“There would be times when you can call me, but never early in the morning. I take my kids to school. I’ll be your husband and still be a family man.”

“I see.” I said. The laughter faded from my face, and I gave Luke a shitty look.

“Yes, I’ll save your name as ‘Evelyn’. You should save mine as ‘My Husband’ so whenever I call. However, in an emergency, you may call me between 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.”

“That means I’ll be your employee.”

“I’ll surely marry you, Evelyn.” He told himself.

“You’re giving me working hours because I’m quite intelligent, right?”

“Yes.”

“Good. From today henceforth, never dial my number or text me again.” I gasped. Losing my cool suddenly made me look younger and less sophisticated. My cheeks flushed. My lips trembled slightly as I defended myself. “It’s over.... All of this! Excuse me!”

I pulled out of the chair, giving my brown buttoned down satin skirt a change.

“We are not finished yet... Where are you going?” His oily mouth dropped open. I haven’t even had a spoon. Everything on the internet can be so tricky.

“Evelyn! Is that a no?”

He called back, disappointed. I stepped out of the restaurant, saying no more word.

“Hey, server! Pack up this into a takeaway.” Luke ordered.

***

“I really wish to go to Dubai. At least once in my lifetime.” Alice whined at her friends. They sat on a sofa in the living room. Or better still, tell your mum you want to celebrate your birthday in Dubai. She suggested convincingly.

Alice isn’t from a high-class family. Although, they all attended the same-day high school and were in the same class. Alice had been opportune to join the verity through scholarship.

“My mum said she’s going to host my birthday party. It’s in six months... I’m sure she doesn’t have any other place in mind to have it aside here in NYC, so...”

“There’s trouble for the Dubai girl.” Blue teased. “Why don’t you ask your boyfriend? I hope you two have settled your fight?”

‘Ring-Ring-Ring!’

Hazel’s phone buzzed, and she picked up the call. “Hello baby, how are you?”