Chapter 3 - The First Meeting

The big clock ticked five times. It was the signal that work was over for the day.  I've been feeling excited since the time I woke up knowing and hoping that something was about to happen to my forlorn lovelife. I can't count anymore how many time I have glanced at my wrist watch hoping that second hand would go a little faster. 

After the day's hustle and bustle, here I am at the ladies' room touching up my makeup a bit. Not that I needed much. Just refreshing my lipstick and powder and there I was ready to go and meet my ...destiny? 

Teeet..Teeet.. A message, came in into my phone. 

I'd be a little late than our agreed time, ok?  - It was my friend Sir Dan who was texting. . 

No problem. So long as you are sure he will bring me home later. Haha - I texted back. 

Yes, he will. 

Sure enough, I arrived at the agreed restaurant before Sir Dan and I guess, also the guy that I was suppose to meet.  Uhh no! What should I do?  It was a small cozy steak house which was quite famous in the city making a resounding name for the past two decades already.  Since it was a weekday and still quire early for dinner, there wasn't much people in the restaurant. 

I slipped myself to the table closest to the door and fished out my phone from my bag. 

I'm here Sir Dan. I think I need to use the lavatory so just update me when you are here.   I sent a quick message then slipped out of my seat just in time that a waiter was making his way to me. 

"Excuse me, where's the lavatory?" I asked. 

"Go straight then turn left, it will be right in front of you," the waiter replied.

"Okay, thank you! " I rushed ahead quite fast trying to avoid looking around at the other poeple. I did notice though that there were only two groups occupying the tables, and another man sitting alone and  looking down at his phone. I couldn't get quite a good view as his head was down and I was walking at a fast pace.

As I entered the lavatory, another text message came from Sir Dan saying that his friend was in the restaurant already. My heart started pounding wildly. Could that be him at the corner table?  I suppose there were no other secret or VIP rooms. I didn't dare ask. I went back out and tried to muster my courage to walk up to him.  I also didnot want to keep him waiting.

"Sir, Are you Attorney Dallas? "  I tried to fake a smile feeling rather awkward.

He looked up lazily from the game he was playing from his phone. Then he stared blankly at me as if I was speaking a foreign language. 

"Are you Attorney Dallas?" I repeated my question. 

His forehead creased into a frown. " I am Attorney Dalton," He had a puzzled yet surprised look on his face. 

"Right. Right. I'm sorry. Yes I meant Dalton" I could feel my cheeks heating up. For sure, I wasn't blushing because I don't know how. 

I entended my arm to offer a handshake,"I'm Des. Destiny Valle. I'm sorry my friend, Sir Dan, is not yet here to introduce us." I laughed but still nervousness seem quite obvious. 

He put down his phone on the table and shook my hand.  As he was still holding my hand, then came our common friend. 

"Ohh, you have met already!" 

"It was just a few minutes ago I came over to his table as I didn't want to also keep him waiting."

"Ok ok... I'm sorry for coming late. There were some things that needed to be finished at the office. Have a seat and let's order the food first. And here is a bottle of wine from my collection as a gift for you Provi," Sir Dan offered and was already signaling the waiter for some wine glasses.

Mr. Dalton nodded his head. and pulled a chair beside him signalling that I'd be seated there. Sir Dan seated himself across his friend. 

Mr. Dalton asked, "So what would you like to order?" 

"Anything goes for me," I said politely, "as long as it is well cooked." 

"Why so polite?" Sir Dan chuckled at me. "Our age gap is not that bad, is it?" 

"I'm sorry,  I..."

"I was just kidding Des!  I know we are just a little younger than your parents."

"How old is your mom, by the way? " Sir Dan. 

"Why, are you planning to court her Dan?"Another boisterous laughter emanated from Sir Dan. Well, at least he was trying his best to fill in the dead air.  If it was just me and Mr. Dalton, I think I'd be focusing on my steak the whole time. 

" Well, she's about fifty years old." - I said sincerely. 

"So it's right, we are just five years younger  Prov. It shouldn't be a problem, right?" Haha.. I tried to laugh along with Sir Dan. Mr. Dalton simply had a smirk on his face. Or was the laughter the effect of the red wine? I was actually starting to feel a bit tipsy. 

"Well honestly, this is the first time that I'm meeting an elderly...."

I didn't get to finish my sentence. Sir Dan laughed out so loudly that heads started to turn to our direction. 

"My bad! I meant more mature men." my voice squeaked an octave higher as I was trying to justify my choice of word. 

"As the saying goes, age doesn't matter," I said further. 

"True. It's the size that matters and performance," Sir Dan added.

"Sir Dan!" I gave him a meaningful look as his green mind was coming to the surface. 

"By the way, can I have your Instapix account, Des?" Mr. Dalton asked me.

"Sure!" I passed him my phone to get my QR code scanned.

Just then, our food arrived and the two men handed out everything to me.