Quantum Ghost.
12. The Date
Robert stopped at the right side of the old red brick building next to the local school. Kara glanced at the old building and a look of disillusionment creped onto her face.
"So your idea of a mystery date is to take me to the restaurant at the local hotel school?" she asked with a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
His golden brown eyes smiled down at her as he opened her side of the door and helped her out.
"No."
Her look of dismay was replaced by one of concern.
"Don't look so worried. It's different from what you might be use to, I'll admit, but different is not always a bad thing. Is it? "
She frowned "I don't know."
He laughed at her apprehension of the situation.
"Trust me, ok?" She nodded hesitantly, and followed him past the elegant entrance of the restaurant. Robert took her hand in his as they rounded the corner of the building. They headed for the double wooden door near the back of the building.
Robert glanced at Kara and saw that she still looked tense as they entered the wooden doors and started down the corridor. The smell of vanilla filled the empty and dimly lit passages. It was clear to see that the building was very old, but undoubtedly built to stand the test of time.
"So what are we doing here?" she asked attempting to unravel some of the mystery.
"I wanted to share one a secret passion of mine with you."
She looked at him now very confused and intrigue.
"And I thought we could also eat something, if that is ok with you?"
"But we have passed the restaurant."
"We're not eating their… How do you feel about cooking?"
"Food?"
"Yes food." He said with a serious face.
She stared at him through scrutinizing eye and pulled up her shoulders.
"I don't know. I've never spent much time in the kitchen."
They turned left into another passageway and continued on.
"I love good food, and I love to cook good food." Her hand pulled out of his as she came to an abrupt halt.
"Robert what exactly are we doing here?" she demanded. Robert looked at her and sighed.
"I, attend this cooking class every Monday night, where Chef Anton shows you how to prepare a five star meal. Afterwards you get to enjoy the meal." He studied her reaction closely.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes. If you don't want to, we could go do something ells."
"No, that's fine. It sounds interesting. I'm game."
Robert felt relieved and excited.
"But I must warn you, I don't know much about fancy cooking."
"Don't worry, I'll be there and it will be fun, you'll see."
He offered her his hand and noticed the warm feeling that filled him as she placed her hand in his.
Robert opened the door and they entered a large classroom
An elder bolding man dressed in a chef's uniform met them as they entered the door.
"O my goodness." He exclaimed in a high pitch girlish voice that did not seem to suite his rounding figure or strong face. He clasped his hands together and looked at Kara with a big smile on his face.
"She is a vision." He turned his gaze to Robert.
"And Robert my dear friend it is so good to see you."
"Kara I would like to introduce you to Chef Anton." Kara took the hand that was offered to her and smiled.
"It's a pleasure to meet you my dear. Welcome. I could not believe when Robert phoned and said he was bringing someone with tonight." He chuckled delightedly. "Any friend of Robert's is welcome here. Make yourselves at home. Robert you know where everything is."
Kara smiled shyly.
Anton looked up and waved at someone behind them.
"Well you must excuse me now. I hope you enjoy the class Kara dear." But before Kara could answer he fluttered a way hastily.
"Roses my darling so glad to see you could come. How are you?"
Robert chuckled as he faced Kara dazzled look.
"He is quite a character but don't let his flamboyant façade deceive you. He demands perfection and is very passionate when it comes to food. He's a master chef but believes in keeping it real with everyone."
"So do you come here often?" her voice teased
"I've been coming to this class for the past two years or so."
"Really?" She looked surprised.
"Yes this is one of my favorite pas times. I love to cook."
"Mmm. It seems you are a man of many talents."
Robert led her to his usual table at the back of the class.
Chef Anton called the class to order and started explaining the dish for the night. They would start with the chicken curry with nane bread for the main dish. After a quick demonstration they all started with their own dishes.
The pas in the class was fast and exciting. Anton's two assistants moved amongst the people to assist them. And Anton latterly danced from table to table commenting on everyone's efforts.
Robert could see that Kara was very unsure of what to do at first. She was eager to help and before long she was he could see that she was enjoying herself.
With his help she began preparing the nane bread. Robert started preparing the chicken.
Halfway through the chicken dish Robert turned to see how she was getting on. He could not help but chuckle when he saw her right cheek and forehead covered in flower.
"What?"
"You got a little something on your face." He said with a smile on his face.
"Where?"
"Let me get that for you."
Robert picked up a white cloth and started wiping the flower from her face.
She looked down as a red blush warm her cheeks. He lifted her chin with his left hand and a warm sensation started running up his arm and a cheery ambience seemed to fill the room.
He jumped when Anton cleared his throat behind him.
"Don't forget the chicken." Anton lowered his voice and whispered into Robert ear.
"She won't be impressed with burnt food."
"Yes chef."
Robert turned his attention back to the chicken.
The time flew by quickly and before long they where enjoying there meal at a table for two.
"I never knew that cooking could be so terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time." Her voice was trembling with delight.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"I did, surprisingly enough."
"So would you do it again?"
"If I knew what you were planning I don't think I would have come, but now…."
"Yes."
"I might give it another go, as long as you are their."
"Me, why?"
"Well besides the fact that you did most of the work? If you did not help me I think I would still be trying to figure out how to knee the dough for the bread."
"Anton did say you were a natural."
"Yes, a natural disaster."
They laughed.
- o 0 o -
"Thank you for a very unusual dinner. I really did enjoy it." Kara said as they reached her apartment door.
"We could do it again next Monday if you want." His voice was filled with hope. She smiled.
"I don't know if Anton will ever allow me back again."
"He knows it was an accident."
"Yeh, I accidentally covered him in a cup of flower. He is so never going to forget that."
"Don't be so hard on yourself. Besides there's no way he could say no to you. Even Rose was jealous of all the attention and help he lavished on you."
"He was just being polite for your sake."
"No. I've never seen Anton flutter around one person as he did to night. He seems to be quite taken by you."
"He was merely making sure that I didn't burn the place down." She objected.
Robert could not help but laugh.
"Alright then I'm in."
Robert was overjoyed at the prospect of Kara joining him for another session at the cooking school.
"Hey why don't we invite Jason and Sam to join us next time?" she started
Robert raised his hand
"No." He protested quickly.
"Come on I think it is a great idea."
"Not such a good idée."
"I'm sure I can convince Sam to come with."
"Well it definitely not Jason type of thing. Please do me a favor don't, even mention it to him."
"Why?"
"Let me put it this way. If it does not involve drinking, cars, games, woman or beating something or someone to a pulp it doesn't constitute as fun in his book. Besides I don't know if I would want to share you with them as well as Anton."
"Do you want to come in for some coffee?" her voice was soft and sweet.
"I would love to, but it's getting late and you need your sleep."
She smiled her sweet smile and as he looked up in to her longing green eyes he saw a spark of expectation.
He became intensely aware of the close proximity of her body to his. The sent of peaches once again filled his nose and he longed to take her in his arms and drink in the hypnotic aroma that was her.
He could imagine her soft lips against his. The way they would taste and move as he kissed them. A thousand butterflies exploded into hysteria in the pit of his stomach at the mere thought of kissing her. His mouth went dry and he had to struggle not to succumb to the dizzy feeling in his head.
He bent his head forward and placed a warm gentle kiss on the palm of her right hand.
As he straightened up he caught a fleeting glimpse of disappointment on her face. Just for a second and then it was gone. He avoided her eyes not wanting her to see the fire she has awoken in him.
"I have to go… Good night."
He did not wait for her to respond. He knew that he had to be the responsible one. The desire in his hart objected as he turned to leave. He walked a couple of steps and suddenly stopped turned and watched as she walked in to her apartment.
"Sweet dreams." He said quickly before she closed the door.
She looked somewhat surprised and then smiled "You too."
She closed the door and Robert took a deep breath to steady him self and then hurried down the stairs to his pickup. He drove off with the serenity that his dreams would once again be filled with the sweet smell of peaches and emerald green eyes.
© Cornél Ramsay 2009
