Chapter 5.

Melissa’s eyes were on the menu, but her mind was anywhere but there. She noticed that the menu she held was jittering and looked at her hands. They were trembling like she was suffering from a stroke attack. Just how nervous was she?

Curious, Melissa peered over the menu and got a view of the man sitting in front of her. Gabriel Marshall. He was focused on the menu in his hand and didn’t pay much attention to her. She had been so focused on his face that she didn’t notice the Rolex latched onto his wrist. It had diamonds on it and sparkled under the light. Just from looking at the watch on his wrist, Melissa could tell how expensive it was.

Her anxiety was slowly intensifying. The reality began to dawn on her slowly. She wasn’t just sitting with a normal person. The man in front of her was wealthy, and her Instincts were screaming it. Melissa began to curse internally. Tory had given her little to no background information on Gabriel Marshall. Her grip on the menu tightened as she thought of how she was going to give Tory an earful tomorrow.

The short waiter was back at their table again, flashing a bright professional smile at them.

“Have you decided on your order Mr Marshall?” she piped.

Melissa suddenly felt invisible. The waitress had clearly seen her sitting her, with her menu and was only paying attention to Gabriel Marshall. Well, that was to be expected of course. The man sitting in front of her radiated with charisma, it’s no wonder the waitress paid no attention to her. He was a star, shining brightly and all Melissa could do was cower in the shadow of his light.

“I'll have the salade peringoudine.” Gabriel replied the waitress.

She smiled and turned to Melissa.

“And you ma’am?”

Melissa looked down at the menu again unsure of the cuisines written on it.

“Uh, I’ll go for the salade de chévre Chad.”

The waitress nodded and took their menus.

“How about wine sir?” she suggested.

“Give me your best.”

The waitress nodded again and hurried away from their table. Now that the menu wasn’t there to seperate their faces, Melissa was finally feeling tension from just sitting across him. She turned to the transparent, glass window at her side and viewed the city. It was picturesque, something you could paint on a canvas. The bright lights from passing cars, skyscrapers and street lights, illuminated the dark, busy city. It was beautiful indeed, but Melissa didn’t have the leisure of enjoying the view. She was tense and feeling uneasy by the uncomfortable silence that had settled between them.

Melissa exhaled and summoned up courage as she turned to him. His eyes were still fixed on his phone intently. It was all Melissa had seen him do since she came, stare at his phone. Had he even taken a look at her? Even a glance? This couldn’t go on, she needed to say something, and quick.

“Um, I’m glad you accepted my invitation for this blind date.” Melissa said, almost quietly.

“How many minutes has it been?”

Melissa blinked at him.

“What?”

“I really hate repeating myself.”

The cold, uncaring feeling his voice gave made Melissa grimaced inwardly.

“Are you asking me for the time? If you are then it’s a couple of minutes past 9p-“

“I’m asking how long it has been since you’ve been here” Gabriel said, finally looking up at her.

Melissa flinched at his heatless, unnerving gaze. His eyes, void of emotions seemed to stare at her. Not just her per say, but her entire being. He seemed to be sizing her up and that made Melissa feel awkward and self conscious.

“It’s b-been ten minutes since I arrived.” Melissa couldn’t believe she was stuttering.

“Looks like I’ve given you too much time.”

What the hell was this man going on about? She couldn’t quite read his demeanor and his face was empty, without any single expression.

“You have five more minutes to impress me.”

Melissa felt like she had been blown in the gut. She couldn’t believe the words that he was uttering from his mouth. Was this some kind of talent show and she was a contestant, being judged by him? Yes, that was exactly what Melissa could see, his eyes judging her.

“I fail to comprehend what you mean.” Melissa replied.

Gabriel tapped his finger on the table surface and clicked his tongue.

“Do I also have to do some explaining to you?”

The waitress came back with their meals and set it in front of them. Melissa stared at her food blankly. Her appetite had flown out of the window. She looked back at Gabriel, her expression firmer.

“As a matter of fact, yes you need to do some explaining.”

Gabriel placed his phone down and sighed. Melissa could hear the frustration in it.

“It seems you want me to point it out for you. Firstly, you’re not of high caliber, those curls are distasteful. Taking one look at you, it’s not very hard to see where you stand in the social hierarchy.”

Melissa felt her cheeks Burning. She not only felt a blow to her stomach, but the fists were being thrown at her from different directions. But Gabriel didn’t stop there, he continued.

“And you’re not worth my time. So I’m giving you a chance to prove to me that you’re worth my time. You should be grateful.”

Fury, rage, anger. The emotions flaring up within Melissa was overwhelming her. This man, Gabriel Marshall had just undermined her, and to her face. That was when Melissa finally got a read on his face. Pride. The way he carried himself so superciliously. His haughtiness made Melissa burn with more fury. She slammed her hand on the table unable to control her anger.

“If I remember clearly, this is a date, not a beauty pageant. I’m not here to impress you. We’re both supposed to get to know each other very well. Isn’t that the sole point?”

Gabriel chuckled mockingly and folded his arms.

“And who exactly gave you the right? I decide whether or not you can get to know me. Now are you going to impress me, or do I need to leave?”