A/N: Hello everyone. Wow, you really did put me out of my misery by reviewing. A lot! Thanks! I was so excited to get everyone's feedback for chapter two and really wanted to get this next one out to everyone as soon as possible, sometimes though, it just can't happen that way. I will be updating at the end of the month. Till then, please keep me informed to what your thoughts are. I love hearing from everyone.
Oh, and don't forget to look for my replies to your reviews on my profile page.
----------Christine----------
Christine couldn't believe how adventurous she felt. She had agreed to go on a blind date! This was definitely a first for her despite Meg's prodding to get out more and meet men. Even though Christine was nervous about tonight, she was still very much excited. It had been a long time since she went on a date. After her parents died, she really had no interest in dating. Now it was the last thing Christine had left to do to finally complete her new life on her own. She had moved out, started anew employment and was completely self-reliant. Perhaps adding someone special in her world would really help her to let go completely and move on to something better.
At least, Meg thought it was a good idea. Especially since it meant a date with Nadir. After Christine informed Meg that she was going to have to accompany her on tonight's date with Erik, a lot of "Shut up's" and "I love you" resulted. Now it was evening and Christine was at Meg's because according to her, 'she had no acceptable 'date' outfits.'
Dresses, skirts, shirts and pants in a variety of colors littered the lavender purple room. It was an explosion of clothes everywhere. Meg emerged from her closet and held up yet another dress that was just too much for a first date. "Meg I don't even know the guy at all to show up in a thing like that." It was too sexy for her taste and she honestly couldn't see herself in anything like that.
"Alright, if you don't want to wear it then fine, but Christine, you can't show up at the restaurant in that bulky sweater. I'm going to do my hair so come over here and pick something out." Meg yelled back into the room as shut the door to the bathroom, "...And color can be a very good thing!"
Christine rolled her eyes at her friend, an act that proved to be useless since she wasn't there to see it, and stepped over a mound of shirts to reach the closet. She went through it and found another sweater that seemed to be a safe choice, but kept looking just in case. Sure enough, something popped out at her. A bright red shirt that was slightly lower than she normally wore her tops. Itpractically begged for her to try it on. Discarding her 'bulky' sweater she pulled it on andit fit perfectly. Notgoing downtoo far in the top to make Christine feel uncomfortable, or that he was going to be looking at something other than her eyes the whole evening.
"Now for the bottom half of me." She remembered seeing a matching skirt somewhere and found it. Slipping it on Christine admired herself in the mirror. Under normal circumstances she would never consider wearing such and outfit, but like she thought earlier, tonight she felt adventurous. She undid her hair that was pulled up and it cascaded down her back and shoulders. Fixing a ringlet here and there so some fell around her face, framing it, she did a once over of herself and was pleased with what reflected back.
"Oh, Christine! You're going to knock him dead!" Meg went to where Christine was standing and took her hand giving her a twirl. "Wow. Red is definitely your color. Now lets get your makeup on and give you some color." Christine always wore very little makeup. It allowed her more time in the mornings for other things, but since she already went this far, why not? Meg was having a field day getting her ready, like she was her very own life sized doll. "There, all done. What do you think?"
Christine looked into the mirror and took a sharp breath in. "Is that really me?"
"See what some makeup and a pair of tweezers can do? You look like a model Christine, really. He won't know what hit him." Her brown eyes really stood out by the smoky eye shadow and black eyeliner Meg applied. A light blush graced her cheeks and red lips matched the outfit she wore. Christine's lips shone from her gloss that made her mouth have a lush and juicy looking pout. A tear began to form in her eye. "No crying. Do you have any idea how had it was to get your eyes just right?" Meg bent over to hug her. "Now let me do my own makeup before we have to leave. You can't be the only dishy looking woman."
Leaving Meg in her room, Christine went downstairs to the living room to wait. Picking up the remote she switched the TV on in hopes of finding something that would take her mind off of just how tense she was. Christine had heard so much about Erik from Nadir and he sounded amazing. A man who was intelligent, cultured and well mannered was not someone you met everyday and she really wanted to make a good impression. He almost seemed to good to be true, but then there was the mask he always wore. She was instructed by Nadir to not make mention of it or even worse, try to remove it. This was fine with her, for now. Christine figured if they ever did become serious, he would have to let her in and show her just what was behind the mask, but that was a ways in the future anyway. She just hoped that she was strong enough of a woman to deal with such an issue. In school Christine tried to make friends with everyone. There was a girl in her class that was paralyzed from the waste down and she treated and befriended her like anyone else. It was unfortunate that others did not. The stares they received upset Christine, and Karen had to tell her it was ok, otherwise Christine was just about ready to tell them a thing or two. They stayed close until Karen moved and eventually, lost touch. She made a mental note to look her up again.
Christine figured it would be something like that. Curious looks were to be expected, if only she could control herself from looking back and instead, ignore it. Tonight, she would find out.
----------Erik----------
Dressed in a black suit and matching mask, Erik called to Nadir for the twentieth time on the intercom.
"I'm sure you look fine, can we go now? I don't want to show up late." Nadir was finishing up with his wardrobe. He had spilled his drink on the last outfit and had to go through his closet one more time to find the 'right thing'. Erik suspected it had to do something with Meg. His normally collected friend was even more nervous than he was. Usually it was the other way around with Erik needing his friends calm words of comfort, now he was the one telling Nadir that Meg would enjoy his company no matter what colored shirt he wore. "Nadir?" He gave up and just decided to go to him. Knocking on the ajar door he entered to find Nadir holding up two different suits.
"Go with the dark brown one. There, now your ready."
Nadir went to change. "You have to meet her Erik. There's something special about her."
"I'm sure there is. Just like all the other women you've set me up with." He walked over to Erik, dressed to the nines and smiled.
"I was talking about Meg, but Christine is no less lovely. She'd be a great catch, and if I were you, I'd be a lot more nervous. If everything goes right, Erik, you could still come out of this thing a winner, and with a gorgeous loving wife Darren would be more than envious to have."
Nadir had talked about how great and wonderful this Christine was since the moment he came home this morning. For a moment Erik wondered if he was just playing her up so he wouldn't have to scrounge up the next set of dates. He knew Nadir too well, however, and unless the woman was as he said she was, he wouldn't speak so highly of her. This was interesting considering that he never described a certain lady to Erik with such enthusiasm. "Christine must really be an exceptional person then."
"She is. Alright, I'm ready. I'll drive." Nadir held up the keys to Lucy's car. She really was great about letting Erik borrow it. Especially after his date with a mutual friend of hers didn't work out. He had some loyal employees.
Taking the keys from Nadir's hand, Erik left for the garage. "I don't think so my friend. Your mind is on one thing and one thing only, Meg. Right about now, you wouldn't even see a tractor-trailer headed straight for us. So, I think I'll drive."
Erik drove to the restaurant and thankfully there was not much traffic for him to contend with. This got them there early enough, despite Nadirs wardrobe malfunction, to get there before Christine and Meg arrived. When they were seated, in an isolated corner that Nadir had somehow managed to yet again get the perfect table, Erik began to survey the place. Though it was not a large or pricey, the ambiance was fantastic. It was like being in Italy with murals hand painted over all the walls, overlooking vineyards and hills. When he looked above there were hanging vines that were intertwined with little lights that twinkled like the night sky. Candles and dim lights completed the illusion along with a violinist playing softly in the background. It was all slightly over the top, but in a good way.
"This is a great place Nadir. I wonder if it doesn't work out, maybe you can make another reservation here..." His thought was swept away as a striking looking woman came in the restaurant. The world around him ceased to exist as he watched her in a dreamlike state. Her thick brown curls looked so soft and her red dress brought out her feminine curves just enough to still be considered modest. She was demure and saucy at the same time. Just the right amount of good girl with a little spice and he couldn't take his eyes off of her for one second.
"Close your mouth Erik, or Christine will think your going to drool all over the table." His mind snapped back to reality. There was no way...
"You mean to tell me 'that' is Christine? Why didn't you say something sooner!" Nadir just stared at him like he was out of his mind.
"I did. Honestly, Erik, you really should pay more attention when I say something." Normally Erik would come back with some kind of quick witted remark, but right now he was much to busy watching Christine walk over to their table along with a young blond woman he assumed was Meg. "Meg, it's good to see you again." Nadir stood and kicked Erik with his leg under the table to follow suit.
"Ow." He said as he stood. Christine's eyes looked concerned.
"Are you alright?" Her voice was clear and had a pleasant sound to it. He dared to wonder if she could sing. No, that was wishing for too much. Though maybe one day, if this angel decided to grace him with her presence again, he could teach her.
"I'm fine. Just a leg cramp. I'm Erik, by the way, and you must be Meg." Christine just gazed at him for a moment and then, as if she caught herself looking too long, smiled and extended her hand. A chill went through his body from her warm touch upon his cool flesh. Erik could see her shiver slightly at first then relax. "You know what they say, 'Cold hands, warm heart.'" Christine was surprised to see he noticed her tremble and smiled once again.
"This place is smashing. I heard the local food critic gave it four stars." Meg tried to make conversation as they all sat back down. "The veal is supposed to be superb."
"Then I'll just have to order that. I got you something." Nadir bent to retrieve some mums. "I believe you said they were your favorite."
Meg immediately got excited and giggled lightly. "You remembered. They are simply beautiful. Thank you." She leaned over the table and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. Erik began to wonder if Christine would give him the same reaction and he too bent to retrieve the bouquet in his possession.
"According to my sources," He motioned to Nadir. "I hear you like roses, red ones." Erik held up the crimson flowers and as she took them from him, their hands brushed once more. This time, much to his pleasure, she did not quake.
"Thank you. I'm sorry they didn't help you with your other dates. Although if they did, then we wouldn't be on this one."
"In that case, I'm glad they didn't help in the least." She looked down at the fragrant bouquet and blushed. He then took one of the roses he removed from the bundle earlier and had broken off the stem from it. Leaning over the table he placed it behind her left ear. Her hair fell around it, making her a vision to behold. "It matches your dress." ...And you lips, he wanted to add but thought it too soon.
They ordered and the waiter brought them out their drinks. Nadir and Meg seemed to practically be at another table. They couldn't stop talking and eying one another. This was great, except for the fact that it felt like Christine and Erik were chaperoning them instead of on a double date. He decided to take matters in his own hands. He motioned for the violinist to come over to their table and play "En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor". To his trained ear, it wasn't the best playing he had ever heard, but doubted she would know the difference anyway. During the song Christine closed her eyes and smiled sadly at the sorrowful tune. He couldn't stop looking at her, then suddenly, very faintly, he heard her begin to hum. It was on key and smooth sounding. He wondered what it would sound like if she sang it. He could imagine her there beside him while he played this song and together their voices intertwined. She might just be the voice he was looking for in some of his compositions.
After it was over he moved to a different table playing a lighter, happier song. Her eyes fluttered open and they held a slight film of mist in them. She blinked and it was gone. "That's one of my favorite songs. Sometimes, when my music lessons caused me to come home late from school, I would find my parents dancing in the living room. Candles were lit everywhere and they had this song playing. I would watch them hiding behind the sofa and wait till they were done. Then go back out quietly and come back in, making a lot of noise to let them know I was home. Hearing it again, takes me back."
Nadir had disclosed to Erik what had happened to her parents. It was an awful thing for anyone to go through, especially a young woman who had no other family. He was glad that at least she had Meg and her family to take her in.
He was about to say something, anything to make her smile when the waiter came with their meal. Erik was glad for the change of mood. She eagerly dug into her pasta dish. "So, do you have any pets?" Christine wiped the corner of her mouth and shook her head.
"No, but, I would like one. My apartment is much too small though. If I ever move, I wouldn't mind a dog or a cat. What about you? Any animals? "She sipped her wine and he finished up a bight before answering.
"No. I honestly don't have the time. Though I suppose if I did, I wouldn't mind one either." Technically, the guard dogs and riding horses he owned weren't pets, but she didn't have to know that, just yet. He wanted to keep the conversation going. So far there were no awkward silences and he wanted to keep it that way. They spoke about pets they used to have and how Erik had known Nadir for years now, though he left out the part of him hiring him on the outset and just mentioned that they were friends. This was true. Christine told him stories of when Meg and her were little and how inseparable they used to be, and in a way, still were.
Dessert came and went and soon the evening was over. It was filled with good conversation and Erik felt that he really connected with her. The evening had gone great and he didn't want it to end. He knew he had to see her again. He reached for the bill and Christine taking out her wallet. "Christine, tonight is my treat." She was about to protest but then looked into her almost empty wallet. He didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable and reassured her. "It's the least I can do for asking you out on such a short notice."
"Actually, Nadir asked me out." She smiled.
"Your right." Erik decided to just go for it. Like his mother always told him, 'the worst anyone can say is, 'no''. "Then I guess I'll ask you myself now. How about we go for some coffee or whatever you want to do, tomorrow?" His hands were under the table so she could not see him wringing out his cloth napkin to the point that he thought there was no salvaging that one and the restaurant would have to replace it with a new one.
Her face was blank at first but then a large smile played on her face and tugged at her beautiful brown eyes. "I would love to. How about we do coffee. I know this great place, and I insist on buying. After this wonderful meal, I have to pay you back somehow." She could pay him back by marrying him, but he actually wanted to go out on a second date with her and decided that would probably not be the right thing to say to make that happen.
"Alright then, it's settled. I'll come by and pick you up around five? Then maybe we can grab dinner again."
"I'd like that." She looked over to Nadir and Meg. They were still eying each other a good deal. She laughed and turned back to Erik. "Will you take a look at them? I hate to have to break them up and tell them it's time to go."
Erik hadn't seen Nadir this serious about a woman in a long time. He constantly talked about her and was more than glad to go to the flower shop everyday. Though he was supposed be purchasing flowers and now that Erik knew, checking on Christine, but he had a feeling it also involved Meg. Erik knew Nadir didn't have a girlfriend due to his busy schedule that had him running around with no room for a social life. Now that he did nave extra time, he was happy to see his friend in such an enamored state. Perhaps there would be a wedding in the near future for him as well. If anyone deserved it, it was Nadir and Erik had no doubt in his mind he would be an outstanding and loyal husband.
"I'll do the deed." He leaned over and tapped him on the shoulder. "It's time to go." Nadir stood and everyone else followed. He held his arm out to Christine. She slipped her arm around his and they walked out of the restaurant. "I'll call you tomorrow to get directions to your place. " He opened the passenger side door for her to Meg's car. "Do you have a business card with your number on it?" She looked into her purse and got out a pen.
"Sorry, I don't have my own business card, and I don't have any paper. I do however have a pen." He was about to tell her he always carried a sheet in his wallet, but didn't when she motioned for him to give her his hand. "This will do just fine in a pinch." Her soft hand held his as the pen glided across his palm. The simple motion began to produce a slight heat in his cold hands. If they weren't always so algid, he would have been afraid that he'd have sweat the numbers right off. "Now don't wash your hands till you write this down!" All he could do was grin. "I had a great evening. I'll see you tomorrow, Erik."
Meg pulled out of the parking lot and drove down the street lamp lit road. Nadir pulled up the car and Erik got in. "Well Erik, what did you think? Was I right, or was I right?" Erik looked down at his palm and touched the numbers she had written softly. He had already committed them to memory but did not want to wash them off just yet.
"Were going out again tomorrow," was all he said. As Nadir recounted his evening with Meg, Erik watched the cars pass by out the side window. He didn't want to get his hopes up too high, but he would be more than happy to end up with a woman like Christine. She didn't seem to care much about money; she had even offered to pay with the little she had. Christine had a sense of humor, was intelligent. Apparently had a love for music and was well mannered and polite. Not to mention beautiful. She had everything a man would want. Everything any man would want. He only hoped no one would find out about his exceptional discovery and move in before he could, because when it came down to it, if she could have any man, why settle for the masked one?
They had only gone on one date after all. A good businessman would still keep his options open so he could fall back on something else in case the deal fell through. He would keep his eyes open for any other potential future Mrs. Dupont's. Though he wished if anyone had to hold that name, it would be Christie. In the end, only time would tell.
----------Alexia----------
Alexia Stanford wasn't having a great week. She had bounced two checks, couldn't afford to pay her cable bill and needed the new dress she had seen in Gucci's window display. It would look wonderful on her 5' 11 frame. She looked like a supermodel and usually got by on her looks for anything and everything she had ever wanted. Her posh French accent didn't hurt either.
She moved to the States in hopes of furthering her career as a model and even dated some celebrities and very wealthy men to make sure she used their assets to get there. After she was bored or felt she wasn't going to get any further in her career with them, she would dump them. Alexia had thought about marrying one someday then divorce him and take him for all he's worth, but she hadn't come across the right man yet. She needed someone desperate, or preferably really old and dying.
Some would call her a gold digger, but she preferred the term "finical opportunist". Her cell phone rang and it was her friend Myranda. "What?" Lying out on her patio over looking the metropolis below, she flipped through a fashion magazine. "Can you believe they put that ugly cow on the cover and I'm on page 13! 13!"
"Calm down Alexia. Nadia is a big name in the fashion industry, but that's not why I called you. Do you remember the blind date with the freak your supposed friend sent you on?" Alexia had been told he would be wearing a mask, but though they were joking. When she told the hostess to point out the Dupont table, a man was seated with a black mask on. Alexia then informed the hostess to let Mr. Dupont know that she was unable to make it tonight due to an urgent modeling shoot. She left the lounge and never had a second thought about him, till now.
"Ugh. Myranda, please don't remind me!"
"You may want to reconsider that date. I was flipping through the paper today and they had his picture there. Well, it was more like a shot of him getting into his limo, but anyway, the guy is loaded! Apparently it's rumored that he's the one that's going to take over a multi-billion dollar architecture firm." Alexia sat straight up, her magazine falling carelessly to the ground.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. His name is Erik Dupont."
"Well then, I'll have to see if he's still single. Even if he's not, it won't be a problem. I almost feel sorry for the other woman. Almost. I've got to go, Myranda. I have to go and fix myself up. I have a big date coming up." She closed her cell phone and decided to call her friend once more to fix up another date. She had a feeling this guy might just be the desperate one she's been looking for.
A/N: Oohh... Just when every things going great... enter the supermodel... doesn't it always work out like that in life? ;)
Preview: A second date for Christine and Erik... but what about Alexia? I have a feeling the cat claws will be coming out soon! Stay tuned and please review.
