8. Serena
EIGHT
SERENA
P ulling up to the restaurant twenty minutes later, and I park my car on the ramp. I lock my car behind me, and walk towards the restaurant. Checking my hair and makeup in the restaurant window one more time before heading in. I’m fixing the lipstick on the corner of my mouth, when I see a person standing on the other side of the street. My movement stops as I try to look closer, in the reflection I see sandy blonde hair, and even in the dark, I can make out those teal green eyes. Aster? I whip around, heart racing, to see if I’m imagining things. A box truck passes by, blocking my view. When it has finally passes, the person has disappeared.
A sad smile crosses my lips. Was it just my imagination? Mindlessly opening the door, I see Tyler already waiting inside. I put on a fake smile, and walk towards him. He turns, seeing me, and what looks like a real smile stretches his lips, he reaches out his hand for me to take, I hesitate for a moment, but take it. His hand is soft for a guy, most men have rough calloused hands, like Aster, but his are kind of small.
He walks us to our table and pulls out my chair like a gentleman, then takes the seat across from mine. I look around at the people around us. All the women are way more dressed up than me, and that helps me relax a little bit. The fear of being overdressed washes away.
He’s wearing a green shirt, with a black long sleeve sweater vest over it, and white jeans. He looks better in person than the pictures. His hair is freshly cut, shaved on the sides and styled back on the top. Makes him look more preppy than punk, and I have to admit I like the change.
Pulling me from my thoughts of admiring him, he says, “You look even more beautiful in person, and I love what you chose to wear.” He looks me up and down, eliciting a blush from me.
“Thank you, I was thinking the same thing.” I say with a shy smile, “Looks like we are matching each other already.” I motion towards his shirt.
He looks down and smiles, “To think, I almost didn’t wear this. Must be fate” He says with a playful smile crossing his lips, and one eyebrow lifted.
I look at him, biting my lip to keep from smiling. “Oh yeah? What is it you almost wore?”
He gives me a playful smirk. “I almost decided to wear a bright blue Hawaiian shirt with orange flowers on it with khaki shorts, of course I opted for this instead,” He says, pulling the top of his shirt out.
“I would have loved to see you in that,” I say with a laugh.
To think if he actually did show up dressed in a Hawaiian shirt, in a place as fancy as this. Wonder if they would actually let him in, or make him change. This place is nice, but it’s the kind of nice place that has rules, and you have to have connections to get in. A place I would usually never be caught dead in, but I’m throwing caution to the wind tonight.
He lowers his gaze. “Maybe on our next date, I’ll wear that just for you.”
His comment has me shifting uncomfortably, “Already talking about a second date? You really do move fast. How about we see how this one goes first.”
“Like I said,” He leans in and I can smell the cigar on his breath, making me lean back. “When I know what I want, I take my shot, and I want you, Serena.”
“Oh. Well.” The words freeze on my tongue when I feel eyes on me, the same eyes I felt at the bar two weeks ago. A shiver runs down my spine and my heart starts pounding. I start to look around, looking for him, hopeful that the person outside was him. My body aches to look around the restaurant properly, but I don’t want to insult Tyler. Forget Him. He’d have reached out if he wanted to.
I feel a hand touch mine, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Hey, everything okay? You look anxious,” Tyler says, concern heavy in his voice.
It takes a few breaths to calm my breathing, but when I do I place my hand over his, “Yeah, I’m fine I just got a chill.” He starts to remove his vest to hand to me, and I stop him, reaching across the table. “I’m okay now, thanks though.”
He nods, bringing the vest back down, as the waiter comes over to take our order.
“What can I get you both this evening?”
I go to answer, but Tyler answers for me. “We will both have water and the chefs’ special.” The waiter looks at me, waiting for approval, but before I can speak Tyler says. “That will be all.” The waiter bows his head and walks away.
Is this the fifties when a woman isn’t allowed to speak her mind? Who is he to order for me? I place my hands in my lap, making little crescent moons on my palm again, to calm the anger starting to rise. He seemed so fun. So playful, when I first got here, but as soon as there's another person in front of us, it’s like his whole personality flipped a switch. Rude and obnoxious and that is a major turn off.
Tyler turns back to me, and before he can speak, I interrupt him this time. “I could have ordered for myself, plus, what if I don’t like whatever the chef's special is?”
“Trust me, you’ll like it. Everyone does.”
My leg starts to bounce uncontrollably. “Oh, everyone? Do you take everyone here?” I ask, annoyed.
“That’s not what I meant.” He pauses, rubbing the back of his neck. “Look, I’m sorry, we can call him back and change your order to something different if you want?”
“No, it’s fine, I’ll try it,” I say curtly.
Asshole.
With a satisfied smile he sits back and he starts to talk about himself. I don't even listen to what he is saying, I’m too busy thinking about Aster. If he was here, he'd probably be giving him the same death glare he gave to that asshole bartender. If I didn’t punch him, I’m sure Aster would have. If he was here, I wouldn’t have to sit here smelling cigars and bourbon, instead I’d be smelling sandalwood and mint, and be staring at green eyes, instead of blue.
What if he really is here? I wonder if he would save me from this dreadful date? It was going well, until he ordered for me. That was a douche move. Who does that? I thought assholes only did that in movies.
When our food arrives, Tyler finally shuts up. At Least he’s letting me eat in peace. Another minute of hearing his whiney voice, and I swear I was going to plunge my fork into the side of his neck.
The waiter places down a plate of tortellini, covered in a creamy sauce, with tomatoes and spinach surrounding it.
Tyler watches me, excitement sparkling in his eyes, as I go to take a bite. I pause to look at him, and he ushers me to eat it, with a wave of his hand. I hesitantly bite it, immediately annoyed at how good it is and how right he was.
He smiles smugly, “It’s good, isn’t it? I knew you would like it, it’s never not worked.”
I look up at him mid chew, wanting so badly to plunge my fork in his neck, and walk out of the restaurant, but I don’t want to waste this delicious meal.
Instead I smile, gripping my fork, and nod at him, taking another bite as Tyler launches into another story about his frat brother.
Can someone please kill him?
After we are done, he goes to pay the bill and walks me outside. “Where did you park?” He asks, looking both ways as we exit the building.
I nod my head in the direction of the parking garage. He looks towards it “I parked the other way, so this is where we part. I had a lovely evening, until our next date.” He takes out his phone, and starts typing, smiles, then puts it back into his pocket. “I’ll text you tomorrow and we can get something set up.”
First, he’s going to order for me, tell me other people like it. Then not walk me to the car, and is probably texting another girl right in front of me. If that smile was any indication, I’m right on the money. Guess the gentleman who pulled out my chair was just a front.
I roll my eyes, turning to go, without giving him a response, but Tyler grabs my arm and stops me from leaving. “Don’t I deserve a goodnight kiss?”
I snatch my hand away, utterly pissed, but before I can lay into him, I see Tyler being grabbed by the throat, and slammed against the wall by a very pissed off guy. “Touch her again and I will break every single one of your fingers.” The mystery man says in a threatening voice.
Recognizing the voice, I see Aster, pinning Tyler to the wall as if he weighed nothing at all.
I knew it was him standing across the street. I knew he was watching me. I want to be mad, yell and scream at him for ghosting me. Then showing up like the villain he is, to break Tyler’s neck, but I’m not. I am over the moon to see him. The butterflies in my stomach are going crazy, I feel like my heart is about to jump out of my chest. The way Aster is squeezing Tyler’s neck, makes me softly touch mine, wishing his hands were around my neck instead.
Remembering he pretty much ghosted me, I go to walk away, shocked by the sheer audacity of him, when his voice stops me dead in my tracks. “Don’t you dare go anywhere, little lamb, this douche,” he tightens his grip around Tylers throat. “Owes you an apology for how he treated you tonight. Then I’m going to walk you to your car and make sure you’re safe.”
I cross my arms, the only defiant way I can show I’m pissed, but still listen and stay put. Aster thrusts Tyler towards me forcing him to his knees, and whispers in his ear, “Now beg for her forgiveness, or you’ll be begging me for your life.”
Tyler looks up at me, fire blazing in his blue eyes with fear. He grates his teeth and grinds, “I’m sorry, Serena.”
By the way he’s saying it, I can tell he doesn't really mean it. Plus, he’s being forced to. He looks pissed that he’s being submitted to do what he’s told, when he’s the one usually bossing people around. You can tell who a person is based on how they treat their mother, and wait staff. The way he spoke to the waiter, you could tell it was a power play he thought I’d be impressed by. Being controlled right now has to be killing him, and I’m enjoying every minute of it.
Aster grips his hair, knuckles turning white in the low light, “For what?”
Tyler says through his teeth, “For being a douche at dinner.”
Aster pulls his head back, making Tyler look him in the eyes. “If you are not sincere, and say specifically what you’re sorry for, your life ends tonight.”
I’m shocked and a little turned on at the sincerity in his voice. Never in my life did I think I would be okay with anyone harming someone else in any way, but here I am watching it all unfold before my eyes. Unable to look away, I stand captivated at the sight of Aster making Tyler beg for my forgiveness.
What he is doing is wrong on so many levels; I know, but how can something so wrong, look so right? He is awakening something in me and I don’t even feel sorry for Tyler.
The thoughts I had back at the table, about the fork, and now feeling immense joy in his pain. Literal pain I’m watching him go through. Since meeting Aster I thought Jessica was the only one changing, but I am too.
I have a sadistic side, and I kind of like her.
He thrusts Tyler's head back towards me, his head flopping around like a puppet. Tyler looks at me with watery eyes, desperation in his gaze.
The motion alone starts to make me wet.
I clench my legs and shimmy uncomfortably, shocked at how horny Aster’s dominance is making me. This is the kind of dominance I like, I need, I crave. Feeling eyes on me. I look up and see Asters staring at me with a dark and hungry look in his eyes.
His stare has my breathing erratic and making me even wetter.
I imagine his hands sliding down my stomach, into my panties, sticking his fingers into my soaked pussy.
Tyler starts to speak, reminding me that Aster and I aren’t as alone as I wish we were. “I’m sorry, Serena, for ordering for you, and talking about myself the whole time.” Aster shakes his head around, a low rumble coming from him. “And! And trying to force you to kiss me and not walking you to your car.”
Aster throws Tyler onto the ground, stepping on his hand, and making Tyler scream. He leans over, getting in his face, “Lose her number.”
I wish it was my heel crushing his hand.
He stands, his eyes burning into mine, and walks over to me, taking my hand and starts walking us to the parking garage.
I look back and see Tyler clutching his hand and crying. I stifle a laugh, I don’t know why, but seeing him in so much pain brings me so much joy. I look up at Aster and see he’s smirking in satisfaction.