Beautiful Disaster
Chapter 4
"Have you used the extra thirty minutes I gave you to gain your composure." Lissa asked pulling back the curtain while he laid draped across the couch, she had left him on.
"In a way, yes. I guess I was just having an off day."
"Why don't I get you a drink and you could tell me all about it."
"That sounds nice. Thank you."
"What kind of drink do you want?"
"Surprise me. It would go with the mood of the day."
"And what would that mood be?" she questioned amused.
"Fuck the world."
"I'll drink to that, but the real question is what put you in that mood to begin with."
"My ex-wife wants full custody of our daughter."
"Why? Does she think you're a horrible parent or something?"
"In her own way, yeah, she seems to forget that she was the drug addict who forgot about her daughter for years and now she wants to have the life with her daughter that I stole from her. Can you believe that shit?"
"I'm sorry. Some girls are just major cunts. This ones on me." She said handing him the drink as he held his glass up to her in thanks before taking the shot.
"Thank you, I needed this."
"My pleasure. Now, are you ready to continue with the interview?"
"Yes. Right. The interview. Hold on one minute while I gather my questions."
"Take your time."
"I'm ready whenever you are."
"Good, because this is going to be quite the story." Lissa replied taking him back to her past.
Thunder erupted in the sky as rain poured down on Lissa, she was holding her cardigan above her head trying to find shelter as she pulled the restaurant door open and sat down at a nearby booth trying to get warm again.
"Can I get you something sweetie?"
"Just a glass of water. Thanks."
"Coming right up."
Gazing out the window, Lissa tensed up feeling like a bundle of nerves. It had been a while since she had tried out a dating app and she hoped this guy didn't disappoint like the others.
"Meeting up with someone?" the waitress asked setting down her glass of water and a menu.
"Yeah. Hopefully he'll be here soon."
"Did you want anything to eat while you wait?"
"just a burger please."
"Coming right up."
Sighing. Lissa looked around the booth and adjusted her stockings before she checked her watch. 10:27. Where the hell was, he?
She had thought that he had skipped out on her when he walked through the doors smiling at her as he walked closer and sat down in the booth. He looked older than the picture he had put online.
"Vaslisa?" the guy asked as she smiled at him feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"Phillip?"
"Yeah. I know I look a little bit different in my photo, but I assure you it's still me."
"In that case it's nice to meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too, your picture does you no real justice."
"Thank you."
"Did you already order?"
"Yeah sorry, I was hungry."
"No problems. I'll just order when the waitress comes back."
"Sounds like a good idea."
"Here you are dear. Phillip, it's good to see you again." The waitress said as she smiled at him.
"I take it that you come here often?" she asked swirling her water with her straw to avoid eye contact. Something about this exchange felt off.
"Every once in a while, when I have the money to do so. What about you? Have you ever been here?"
"First time actually."
"Well than I'm glad I can be with you on your first time experiencing this."
Lissa forced a smile as the waitress came back with a burger and smiled.
"Here you go honey. Your food should be out in a minute Phillip."
"Thank you, Phyllis,"
Phyllis nodded leaving them alone as Lissa ate her food in silence. She wasn't sure how most first dates were supposed to go. As far as she could tell this one was going awkward as hell.
"So, what do you do for a living?" She asked trying to fill the silence.
"I make movies."
"That's awesome."
"Maybe I'll let you be in one someday."
"Trying to make me famous?"
"Of course. You have all the makings of a real star Lissa. I can see everyone on that screen loving you. Can you picture that too?"
"It does have a nice ring to it. When can we start?"
"Tonight, if you want. My apartment is only a couple of blocks away, so we can talk logistics and stuff when we arrive."
"I don't know Phillip. We've only just met."
"Totally understandable, but if you ever change your mind and want to come over and talk than you have my number."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you."
"Now that that's taken care of let's eat. I'm starving and haven't ate in hours."
"Well wouldn't want you to starve now would we."
"That would be less than fortunate for the both of us."
Lissa smiled and grabbed her drink lifting it up in the air to make a toast.
"To new beginnings."
"To you and me." He added clinking his glass to hers as they both drank. If only she had known back than what she had known now maybe that night would have gone differently.