Chapter 4: A Dinner for two

I stepped from the checkered cab with my matching hand bag between my fingers as I tipped the driver and watched him pull away. This street was always heavy for activity because four of the hottest restaurants for the area are on this street, and normally you could only get in them by reservation; half of them two months ahead of time. Jason always had strings to pull, and he always tried to pull mine. I casually strolled through the front door which was propped open and to the front desk where a older graying man stood in a black suit and green tie. His voice was slightly raspy which grated on my nerves as I listened to him speak for the first time. "Name, please Ms." Was all he stated and I calmly replied. "Glenmore." I watched his bony finger scroll down the list of guests and near the bottom he stopped.

"Ah yes, Mr. Glenmore is due anytime himself, you are at table fifteen. Please follow your waiter for the evening." It was the last words I heard from the older man as my attention now landed on a male who was likely still only a teen. He led me through the crowd of people who soon cleared out to reveal the rows of tables; and a full house of a variety of people, mostly though it being upper class couples; flashing their newest designer clothes or jewelry they recently obtained through some deal or another. I took a deep breath as I prepared myself to deal with the coming activities of the next couple hours.

I soon found myself seated at the table waiting on my client. Glenmore had been one male who had stayed in contact with me as a client before I had even moved to this city. He had the desire to continue seeing me even if it only meant a couple times a year. He was a fairly gentle soul and good looking specimen for a owner of a law firm. I moved my gaze to the glowing candle flame which flickered in the middle of the table as I continued to wait for him; and my thoughts once more wandered. Glenmore on more than one occasion attempted to persuade me to become more serious with him, and even offered to move me into his own apartment at one time; if I hadn't known better I'd almost think the man was in love with me; though not uncommon for a customer to have some form of attachment after having sexual relations several times with the same female.

My hand idly placed on the wine glass and brought it to my lips as I stole a sip from it before returning it to the table as my fingers idly slid along the royal blue satin table cloth which cascaded down to the floor. It had been several months since he had called for my company, and I don't really know if it is a good or bad thing on how my nerves are feeling about seeing him again; and it was making me more on edge because he was late, which was very out of character for him. I released a gentle sigh as my gaze once more scanned the surrounding area; and my brain trying to drown out the constant bickering and chit chat around the restaurant. I would never get used to being surrounded by useless chatter, and overly stuffed shirts of aristocrats, along with wealthy fools who have no life but to buy their next wife or husband followed by string of useless purchases of outrageously priced toys. I closed my eyes and gave a light shake of my head as I continued to try to drown out the noise, and the sweetly sickening smells of mixed perfumes and colognes.

After a couple minutes I decided to open my eyes to the sight of Jason Glenmore strolling toward me with his usual confident strides and dirty blonde shaggy hair. His dark green eyes finally landed on my own as I watched a light smirk grace the corner of his mouth. It wasn't but a couple moments before he was seating himself across the table from me. "Good evening Jason." I made my statement casual as I gave a light smile in greeting. I watched as he summoned the waiter over and ordered coffee and a glass of brandy, before he looked back at me and finally spoke.

"Been a while Kagome, you are looking well as usual." I heard the casual friendly words fall from his lips as I took a deep breath before answering him. "And you are looking confident and laid back as always." I gave another light smile to him. He and I always bantered with each other, and I never had to worry about being myself around him, he wasn't controlling, never used me as a play thing or treated me as a object to own. In all actuality he was one of the few males that was a client who treated me like a person. I distracted myself by focusing on him, as I disliked dwelling on my own past or other clients; which most of it was negative and gloomy. "So how is your law firm doing?" I broke the ice once more between us and waited for his answer as I watched him pick up the menu.

"The usual, just landed a new company which is fairly large, they have a class action lawsuit against them for supposed food poisoning." I just gave a nod as I listened to him go on. I'd rather him fill the silence than me try to with meaningless gossip. I just kept having this eerie feeling of being watched and couldn't shake it. "I also recently added another lawyer to my firm, he is a bit wet behind the ears but, a decent fellow. We needed the extra hands, it has been getting fairly busy, which is why I didn't contact you last month." I just nodded as I acknowledged what he was saying. "Still not interested in moving back to California yet? I still have a comfortable room waiting for you." I made eye contact with him once more as he asked that question.

"Why getting that lonely without me Jason?" I near wanted to stick my tongue out at him like a child. "I have plenty to do here in Philly without thinking of California. If I find myself missing it I will let you know so you can whisk me away." I left the last words in a teasing tone and watched him scrunch his eyes slightly. He looked as if he wanted to try and convince me further but he knew I'd just come up with another excuse or reason to stay here. Any sane woman would be all over the guy; he was cute, wealthy, single, easy going, and fairly kind. What else could a sane woman ask for? Well I am not sane, never was, and love I figured wasn't there between the two of us, and besides that I had too much to complete here for the time being.

"You are too stubborn I hope you know. I don't really know what you are seeking or think you are accomplishing by the line of work you insist on staying in." He casually said as I watched as he motioned the waiter back over to the table to order. He knew what I liked fairly well and so he ordered for both of us which I didn't mind. "You are too smart to be putting yourself in danger, abusing yourself, letting males abuse you, and having a way out of it all. You know damn well, I would this very night bring you back to California with me, you and your son; you would be safe and well cared for with nothing to worry about." He bluntly cut his words short as I gave a heavy sigh over where this situation was going.

"I am fine on my own, I have been for years before I ever met you Jason you know it, and move back to California with you for what? To see you once a week? To be your mistress for another ten years before you get bored and find someone who you really end up loving and forgetting about me? I don't need that kind of dependence on someone; and I'd only be disappointed that it never gets that deep and serious between us." It had been me to be blunt this time and after that we fell into a simmering silence as the waiter soon came and served us the meal which I wasn't to hungry for after the conversation, though we both ate and he mentioned one thing or another about work, and I brought up my son and recent events. After we ate we decided to part ways, and I figured I vexed him enough for one night. Though he had slid me his card with three different contact numbers on it, if I ever needed him.

He cares for me I know, but I can't involve him and try to work things out with him right now, maybe in the future; in a year or two. I was out of the crowded restaurant now and decided to walk a while, as the cool air brushed along my skin which I was glad for, and some fresh air and away from people. My heels clicked against the side walk and caused an echo among the allies and buildings, a familiar empty sound, and not many people were out tonight, but I saw an occasional passerby-er huddling into their jackets or with each other. A steady clicking which wasn't my own heels walking caught my attention, the beat was near the same as my own but a bit off. I had the feeling of being watched again, which chased a chill across my body and it wasn't from the chilly bite of the night air.

It more sounded like boots walking and I wasn't going to stop and find out nor would I panic and run; though now I did regret a little bit of not hailing a taxi to get home; though no point in banging my head over it now. I continued to cautiously listen as the other pair of feet remained in a steady walk as my own feet did, I hoped it wasn't someone stalking me like the serial killer running around, but this was a upper class side of the city to be stalking a escort girl in; and I am not even dressed like one this evening so surely that isn't the case. A robber, rapist, stalker, fellow walker but most likely not the serial killer...I hoped. Then suddenly a pair of headlights flooded the darkened area and I heard shuffling then the booted assailant run off, and the echoing heard among one of the distant alley ways.

The automobile slowly passed me by, which was rare to see a car along this road though, not out of the normal. It happened to be a police car, ironically, and it slowly drove along the way before turning off to the left. Shaking my head I continued walking and planned to catch a taxi at the next road over; of course because this was not the place for a single lady.