Chapter Sixteen: The Date

Michelle

“What's the plan in your head that led you into thinking I'll go on that date with him?" I asked with my hand crossed over my chest.

“When you get to the location of the date, all you have to do is stay calm and watch everything else play out." Vincent said.

“I still don't understand you."

“I have some things on him already, someone who's ready to say everything about him will come to the same location of the date, Vincent would be too ashamed to even ask you to come back after everything, trust me.” He replied.

"So I'm like a pawn in your games with him?" I scoffed.
“What? No. Unless you really want to marry him." He said in a calm voice.

I just hate the feeling of being used. Again, the fact that we haven't spoke for a while now and only talking for now because of Matteo.

“I don't." I sighed.

“Look, i get that you might be feeling reluctant to do this, probably because of our strained relationship. But I'd never use you for my own advantage, but this is for the good of the both of us.”

I stared hard at him, sincerity and honesty shone in his eyes, still there's something in me that's finding it hard to believe him.

“Okay, I'll do it. But will your plan make him back off completely from me?" I asked him.

Because I know someone like Matteo would never let go of their money, he'd collect even the last penny from me.

“Yes, including the money he's claiming to borrow your parents. I'd have told you all about it, but we need a natural reaction tomorrow. Just relax and leave everything to me." Vincent said.

"Okay then, I'll wait till evening because I'm a naturally bad actor and wouldn't know how to act shocked if you told me now.” I said, getting ready to leave his office.

"I thought as much.” He mumbled and sat down back on his chair.

I nodded alongside him then turned around to leave his office.

"Michelle." Vincent's voice stopped me.
I turned around swiftly to look at him with a raised eyebrow as though asking him what he wants.

The calm look that has been on his face all through was wiped off completely, abruptly replaced with a hard one.

“Nothing. Just leave work earlier than usual so you can prepare for the date. I'll let your supervisor know too.” He said.

I'm a hundred percent sure that wasn't what he wanted to say but i nodded, I didn't push anything. I just walked out of his office.

~

The ambiance of this restaurant alone made me feel so uncomfortable. On entering, the first room I walked into which looked like the reception could pass for my whole house.

I was met halfway by a waitress whose stare made me feel even more uncomfortable.

“Are you here to see anyone?" She asked straightaway.
I just put on a random dinner gown I got with my salary months ago, I went for minimal makeup and paired it with a fashion bag and heels.

Compared to the grandness of the restaurant and other people here, my dressing seems to be out of place.

“Yes, Matteo Kings." I replied her.

She looked me up and down again with a look of disbelief on her face. She kept looking at the notepad in her hand then back at me.

I started getting really uncomfortable under her stare,
“Are you going to answer me?" I asked her when she didn't say a word at all.

“It's just that, it's unlike someone like Matteo to be on a date with… someone like you.” She said with a disdainful look on her face.

I knew this is what she's up to. And luckily, today happens to be the first day of my menstrual cycle, a day I'm also unnecessarily rude.

“It's funny how waitresses feel like they know what ‘class’ means when most of the people you look down on are way richer than you in terms of wages." I said.

“Now if you would be a sweetheart, just do the job you're being paid for which is basically waiting on ME." I said with a smirk on my face.

She looked like she wants to tear my face but was barely restraining herself, probably because of the ethics of her job.

She started walking away without saying a word to me after grinding her teeth hard enough that if I was in a good mood, I'd have feared it they would break.

I walked behind her as she led me to an empty table. Matteo isn't here yet. She left after angrily dropping a menu before me.

I decided to while away time by checking what they had here. I thought my eyes were deceiving me as I saw the first page.

The prices are outrageous! Only a cocktail here is twice my salary. The food is something I don't even want to talk about.

Another waiter appeared before me, she has a warm smile on her face, “Are you ready to order now, ma'am?” She asked.

"Uh, no. I'd like to wait for, uh, my partner. He should be here any moment from now.” I replied.

"Okay, take your time.” Then she walked away.
I looked around, looking for any sign of Matteo but there was none.

I fishes out my phone, having heard it ting with a message notification. It's Vincent.

‘How’s it going?’ The text read.
I clicked on it to reply him, ‘He isn't here yet.’ I replied.

Immediately the massage got to him, those there dots started dancing, signalling that he was typing.

I didn't get to check the message as the chair before me made a scraping sound which made me look up. Matteo sat down on and dropped his phone on the table.

“You're early." Was the first thing he said.
“You're late." I said back.

“I’m late because you're here early." He said again.

Gosh! Is it even possible for someone to dislike who they don't really know? Because I dislike him so much already.