Chapter 5

Stormie it's time for lunch!

Oh! I'll be right there!

Are you ordering in or going out? we all feel like dining at the restaurant, how about we all go together?

Okay, well let's call ahead and secure a table and order ahead, so when we get there we won't have to wait as long.

And that's why we love you so much, you're like our mama bird, thinking ahead for us! let's do that then.

I take everyone’s order and place the call securing the table and food, the drinks we'd decide on when we get there. We tend to lock the gallery when we leave for lunch for obvious reasons and make our way to the restaurant.

Good afternoon Stormie, we have your table ready for you and your friends, please this way

Thank you Regina!

Once we settle into our seats we order our drinks and one of the girls tease you must really come here a lot for the waitress to recognize you like that, or is it you're a heavy tipper? she wags her eyebrows at me and I snicker while shaking my head at her.

I happen to be a pleasant person to wait upon for your knowledge.

Mmmmhmm sure you are, and what else?

W-

Excuse me we were interrupted by the voice of a man and we all turn to look and see who has approached our table, and as it turns out it is that guy, I've forgotten his name!

He never takes his eyes off me as all the other girls openly gawk at him hello Stormie, it's nice to see you again, it's good to see you too I say to try and hide the fact I've forgotten his name you've forgotten my name haven't you? indeed I have, it's Dastan Lemos! one of the girls say softly yes! Dastan, what can I do for you? 

I just wanted to talk to you for a bit if you don't mind

I kind of do mind, because as you can see I am on a lunch date with my friends, perhaps another time? ouch!

Mercedes nudges me in the side giving me the are you insane eye, I sigh and push my chair back to stand and plaster on a smile I'm sure a few minutes won't hurt before my lunch get's here I ensure I pinch Mercedes on the back of her neck as I move away from the table.

We get to a table away from prying eyes and he holds my hair for me to sit, I comply and he sits across from me.

So, how have you been for the past few days, I figured you've been avoiding me

Avoiding you? why would I go through the trouble of avoiding a stranger? I've been busy with work that's all, now what is it you wished to talk about?

I was hoping to get your number, perhaps we can get to know each other and even become good friends?

A man never approaches a woman just to be friends with her Mr. Lemos

I know but it can begin as a friendship and we just see where it all goes, how about it?

You know I feel like if I do not agree with you right now you'd keep showing up until I do, and I truly can't deal with the bother so I'll give you my number okay?

He get's his phone from his pocket and I recite my number for him, I really did consider giving him my fathers number but he seems like the type who'd ring the phone in my presence to ensure I gave him the right number, but unfortunately for him, my phone is in my hand bag at the table on vibrate.

If there is nothing else I'll be getting back then

Yes, sure, once again I'm sorry to take you away from your friends and I hope you enjoy your meal

Thank you, I hope you enjoy your meal as well

Thank you Stormie

I get back to my seat and the girls just bombard me with questions about the man, I suppose later I'll really have to look him up to see who he is. I am saved by our food, we eat and chit chat for a bit can we have the tab please Regina? 

Mr. Lemos settled your bill for you the girls squealed with excitement but I am slightly ticked off, I suppose it's because I am trying to get out of the shadow of my dad and family and make my own way, which is why I don't want to feel like I owe this man or any man anything but I shall be graceful about it, as it is consider chivalry oh, thank you Regina and be sure to thank Mr. Lemos for us too. Regina nods then leaves, I turn to the others shall we head back? yeah, let's go!

Once back at the gallery, we open and settle back into our posts, I need some alone and quiet time, but before that let's check in on my dad.

He picks up on the second ring

Stormie

Papa

.....

Where are your manners dad?

What do you mean?

You left my home this morning papa, shouldn't you let me know you made it back safely, both you and Frederick need a lesson on manners!

I'm sorry love, as soon as we got back we got right into meetings, I am in one right now.

Oh my goodness I'm so sorry, I'll go now dad love you

Love you too, I will call you later okay?

Okay dad, we hang up and I head to my paint room.