In the workplace cafeteria, Akechi sat with her legs crossed on a white chair, tapping on her cellphone screen and surfing the internet on dating websites while she waits for her friend, Litzy. She had a plate of sear butter shrimp on top of jasmine white rice, and a side of green beans. A blonde-haired woman with a low side ponytail approaches Akechi.
"Congratulation! Are you excited for tonight's date?" cheerfully asked the young blonde woman.
Akechi looks up from her cellphone screen at her best friend Litzy. Litzy has slender hands with clean fingernails, a light pink lip, brown eyes with arched yellow eyebrows. She wore black pants with kitten heels and a white blouse covered with a black blazer. Akechi places her cellphone face down on the table.
"I am," Akechi answers with a wide smile. She quickly glances at her cell phone then back to her friend, Litzy.
Akechi continues to ask, "what if, this blind date doesn't work out?"
Litzy pulls an open chair next to Akechi.
"The worst outcome is your date not showing up," Litzy teased, "but at least you're open to the experience." She pulls her cellphone from her pocket and began to tap on the cellphone screen.
"I spoke to Emily to confirm the set-up. He will meet you at the pub downtown. Don't want to be stuck in traffic hours in the evening, plus the yearly international auction. If I, were you, leave early to find parking space."
"I know, every September in Yorknew City is the international auction. Do you plan to go?" ask Akechi.
Akechi pokes a shrimp with her plastic fork and stuffs it into her mouth.
"No, I have other investments with my money."
"What kind of investment?"
"The stock market, a home, and a relationship."
"What about the pretty boy on the security staff from last year's auction?"
"Never heard from him after we caused THE big scene at the auction."
"What about we go to the auction and look for something... or someone?"
Litzy looks at Akechi's mischievous face and returns with a smirk.
"Not this year. I'm sticking to dating apps and local."
"Ooookkkkkayyy, call or text me when you need company."
"Local mixer parties?"
"No, thanks. Besides, I know Nick our co-worker attends a lot of local mixer parties, and the creepy thing I found out he's friends with almost everyone I know."
Litzy's annoyed and palms down her hands on the table with her cellphone.
"Nick... Always about Nick being here or there... excuses. The local mixer parties are a lot of fun, split the payment into meals and alcohols, hook-up and you might meet the right guy."
Once again, Litzy taps on her cellphone's screen and shows Akechi a series of pictures at the mixer parties. Some of the men are attractive, thought Akechi.
"Is that Nick in the background in this picture?" ask Akechi.
Litzy nods yes, "the woman next to him is too cute! How come your little eyes always spies for Nick? Hhhmmmm? Can it be you have a thing for him?"
Akechi recalls, Nick invited her to go with him on a walk at Pier 45 by the Hatsome River. The silence between them was broken by Nick.
"I like you and I hope to get to know you more," Nick said.
Akechi was caught off guard by Nick's sudden confession and feels embarrassed to look at him. When they reach the end of the pier and return to the street sidewalk.
"I'm sorry, I need to go," Akechi said.
Nick sigh, "I don't want to hold you up. Good night."
Akechi gave a faint smile to Nick, wave goodbye, and took off to her car. Until now, Akechi feels awkward around Nick since she has not given him a proper answer and avoids him.
"Nothing. I just think he needs to settle down."
"Anyways, Akechi, what are you going to wear for tonight?"
"I'm planning to wear my white long sleeve turtleneck, black legging, my green plaid knee skirt, and my white flat shoes."
Litzy put her hands on her cheek and suggested, "wear a cute dress or something to show a little bit of skin."
Akechi leans into Litzy.
"How about a skintight black glitter crop shirt and a mini skirt with white heels?"
"Mmmmhhmm put on a jacket with the outfit."
They both decided on the crop shirt, mini skirt, white high heels, and a jacket.
Litzy and Akechi got off work and departed from the parking lot garage. Akechi went home to shower, got dressed, and decided on a neutral makeup look. She grabs a pen and writes on the calendar hanging on her wall: "Date Night w/ sex." She draws a big heart-shaped around today's date.
Wow, it's been a few months since I last slept with a man, thought Akechi. Tonight, I am going to invite him to my apartment~~ oh shoot, I need to get a few condoms at the mart. Safety first, Akechi. Safety first!
Every night is busy even without the yearly auction. She was stuck in traffic but slowly made her way to a nearby parking garage, paid the parking fee, and park her car on the seventh floor. She took the elevator to the first floor and exit the parking lot garage.
The pub was one street away. She blends in with the city night crowd. She walks as fast as she can to try to avoid any long lines at the entrance. A big, heavy-set security man stood by the door and inspects Akechi's purse and used a metal detector around Akechi's body then allow Akechi to enter the pub.
She scans the pub for a place to sit. The pub has several decorated candlelight bulbs on the walls. The red, patterned carpet is beautifully printed with golden ribbons, blue ribbons, and green ribbons endlessly intertwined with each one another. There are several round tables spread across the carpet as the waiters and waitress ran back and forth to assist guests. The bar table was a golden-brown wax wood and a row of red high bar stools filled with patrons. From the corner of her eye, a certain individual caught her attention. A man with gelled upward thick wavy red hair wearing a green sleeveless crop shirt with symbols of a heart and a diamond. From the waist down, he wore baggy white pants with a skintight green coil shirt snug on his belly and black flats.