Chapter Twelve
The drive to the Black Swan was made in silence, but not the awkward kind where I usually struggled to think of things to say. It was a comfortable silence where I sat back in the luxurious leather seats of Shadow’s silver Aston Martin DB9 and enjoyed the fiery sounds of Miles Davis’s trumpet resonating from the car’s crystal clear speakers.
I still couldn’t get Shadow’s tale out of my mind. It made me see Abraham in a different light--a loving father who lost his only daughter.
I suddenly had the urge to find the old man and give him a giant hug, but that would violate the promise I just made to Shadow.
Instead I closed my eyes and freed my mind from all negative thoughts.
It was a perfect night.
I examined Shadow’s profile as he drove, his pensive eyes fixed on the road. He was stunning to look at and the mystery surrounding him was nothing short of intriguing.
I really had to stop thinking about Shadow like this. I had convinced myself that there was no meaning behind these dates. The contract I signed proved that much.
“Are you cold?” Shadow asked, breaking the silence between us. I shook my head.
“Usually I hate the cold, but for some reason tonight, I find the air invigorating,” I replied. “Why? Are you cold?”
Shadow shook his head. “I’m never cold.”
“You’re one of those people. Don’t tell me you enjoy long winters.”
“I’m impartial to it.”
“Man, I absolutely hate snow,” I said. “Find me a warm place to be and I’m there in a heartbeat.”
“Like a destination resort?”
I shook my head. “Too typical,” I replied. “I’m not a fan of lying around while the sun bakes my skin. Give me exploration any day.”
Shadow cocked an eyebrow and smiled. “So you like adventure?” he stated in a playful way that had me wondering what his version of adventure meant.
“You bet. There’s so much history and so many interesting places to discover in the world that I just can’t see myself lazing around a beach all day.”
“Any place in particular you dream of visiting?”
I shook my head. “I try not to think about places I want to visit. Vacations have never been in my budget.”
“You have at least ten thousand in the bank from the gig at my place,” Shadow pointed out.
“No,” I replied. “I need to pay of my debt and that money’s going to have to last me for the rest of my University studies. Food and tuition don’t come cheap.”
“I can make some calls at the University,” Shadow said. “The Midnight Society has strong influences there.”
“Don’t you dare!” I snapped. “It’s bad enough I owe you for the condo. I’m not going to owe you for my tuition as well. It’s something I need to do on my own.”
Shadow shrugged. “Suit yourself. But the offer is always on the table.”
“I don’t even see the table,” I said. “I will support myself through my studies, thank you very much. I don’t need a sugar daddy paying for me.”
Seconds later we pulled up to the Black Swan. The establishment was a lavish affair, its patrons dressed in expensive outfits that were typically seen on a red carpet.
Inside, extravagant chandeliers hung from the ceilings that were decorated with beautiful murals that belonged in old European churches. The antique tables were hand carved with the highest degree of craftsmanship, intricate patterns decorating the rich wooden surfaces. Three-storied windows lined the walls of the room, offering a spectacular view of the tranquil night sky.
A waiter dressed in butler garb greeted us with a wide smile and led us to our table, though hidden underneath his pleasant demeanor, I sensed he was looking down on me, for whatever reason.
Maybe he could smell the scent of student poverty.
When Shadow and I were both finally settled in, I couldn’t hide my excitement of being able to dine in such a magnificent looking place. Sitting inside the Black Swan, with its renaissance architectural influences, made me feel like I was on a European vacation as the queen of fine dining this evening.
“This is amazing,” I said. “This place is like a natural treasure. I can hardly believe it’s only a restaurant. Just look at the building and how everyone’s dressed in this place.”
“The food here has been the talk of the town,” Shadow said. “It’s one thousand dollars for a three course meal. I hope it’s good.”
It wasn’t.
The appetizer was four paper-thin slices of raw beef, decorated with some fancy looking leaves and served in an over-sized bowl that gave the illusion that I was getting a substantial sized meal. As I stared at the two hundred dollar dish, all I could think of was, where’s the damn food?
“What is this?” I asked, pushing the tiny portion of food—that could barely feed a gnat—around with my fork.
“I believe it’s beef Carpaccio,” Shadow said, placing a thin slice of raw meat on his tongue and chewing it.
“Are we suffering from a famine or something?” I asked. “Did they also forget to cook the meat first before serving it?”
“Raw beef is considered a delicacy.”
“It’s also considered a way to grow worms in your intestines,” I stated. “How does it taste?”
“Try it yourself.”
“No thanks,” I announced, pushing the appetizer away from me. I try to keep my stomach insect free.”
Shadow shrugged and reached for my plate, scooping the meat onto his own. “All the more for me.”
“I wonder if they can bring some bread over here,” I muttered, suddenly noticing that my stomach was growling at me.
Shadow finished the last of the appetizer and set his fork down.
“The main course should be coming over pretty soon,” Shadow said. “I assume that primitive roar I’m hearing is your stomach?”
I nodded. “I hope they bring out the food soon before my stomach decides to revolt and devour the rest of my body.”
Just as I finished my sentence, our waiter came by our table and set down two massive plates in front of us.
More disappointment.
“You have to be kidding me,” I sighed. At the centre of the plate was a tiny speck of food, hidden within a forest of leaves and grass, which served more as décor rather than anything edible. The waiter informed me that the meal was wild goose.
“Great, you brought the goose’s egg. What about the rest of it?” I asked.
The waiter shot me an insulted look. I immediately wanted to eat my words as my eyes adverted from his gaze while he replied to my comment.
“We aren’t exactly the McDonalds down the street, if that’s what you seek. However this city’s elite are very satisfied.” Those simple words were like a slap to my face and suddenly, I felt very aware that I didn’t belong here. I was, and would always be, a poor college girl, no matter what fancy clothes I wore or whom I associated myself with.
There was something about being put down by a person in customer service—who’s only task was to make an individual feel welcome—that felt degrading.
Shadow leaned back in his chair, stared at the waiter with his fiery eyes and spoke.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” he said calmly. “You’re going to apologize to my lovely date for your idiotic remark. The exact words you’re going to say are ‘Ms. Valencia, I’m sorry for being the world’s biggest asshole. I beg for your forgiveness.’ Now, after you apologize to her, you’re going to head into the kitchen and remain there until we finish our meals so we don’t have to see you again.”
“Sir, you must be joking,” the waiter said.
“No, I’m not,” Shadow replied. “If you don’t do as requested, I guarantee you that you’ll never find a job in this city again. Hell, let’s make it this country. However, I don’t take pride in being cruel and vengeful so I’m giving you the opportunity to set things right. Apologize to my date and then get out of my sight and all will be forgotten. Does that sound good?”
The waiter opened his mouth, but failed to produce any meaningful words from it.
“It looks like you’re tongue-tied. Let me help you out a bit,” Shadow said. “Let’s start off with ‘I’m sorry Ms. Valencia…’ I’m sure the rest will start to flow.”
The waiter turned to me, wide-eyed and ashamed.
“It’s okay,” I said.
“I’m sorry Ms. Valencia,” the waiter began, “I am the world’s biggest—’ but before he could finish, I cut him off.
“It’s fine.” I knew the feeling of shame, and that was punishment enough for the rude waiter. There was no further need to publicly degrade him. “Just go.”
The waiter turned to Shadow, who nodded with approval.
“The lady has forgiven you,” he said.
Once the waiter was gone, Shadow rose from his seat and motioned for me to come with him, which I gladly did. I held him by his large, muscular arm and together, we strolled confidently out of the Black Swan.
Once outside, I turned to Shadow and smiled.
“You’re quite intimidating when you want to be,” I said.
Shadow shrugged. “You still hungry?”
My stomach growled again and I nodded. “Yeah, let’s get something to eat. You have any suggestions?”
“To tell you the truth, after the waiter mentioned there was a McDonald’s down the road, I’ve been craving a Big Mac. I haven’t had one of those tasty sandwiches in five years,” Shadow said.
“You’re joking, right?”
“Not at all; are you too good to stroll through the golden arches?”
“I do like McNuggets,” I laughed.
And that was how we ended date number one, filling our bellies with cheap, greasy fast food.
After Shadow finished the last of his meal, he leaned back in the round metal seat, looked at me and grinned.
“What?” I asked while my mouth was still full of processed chicken.
“I had a good time tonight.”
I was surprised. You’d think that discussing Abraham’s tragic past and making a scene at one of the top dining establishments in the city was enough to put a downer on the entire evening. But here Shadow was, smiling.
It was infectious, and I couldn’t help flash my pearly whites in return. I hoped I had nothing stuck in my teeth.
“Yeah, it wasn’t boring, that’s for sure,” I replied. “So what do you have in store for date number two?”
“I have something in mind.”
“So what is it? I hate surprises.”
“Everyone loves surprises.”
“I don’t,” I stated.
“Too bad,” Shadow said. “I’ll make the arrangements for our next date.”
“It better be a good on e then,” I teased as I finished the last McNugget. “Examinations are around the corner and I’m dying for a little bit of excitement before then.”
“If excitement is what you want, I’ll make it happen. I just hope you can keep up with me.”
He was flirting. A thrilling rush swept through me, and without realizing, my smile widened. While sitting in this fast food restaurant with the secret king of the world on our non-date, I came to a sudden realization; maybe Shadow was right. Maybe we weren’t so different.
“Honey,” I said in a half-joking tone, “Whatever pace you set, you’ll find that I have no trouble keeping up for the ride.”
“Challenge accepted,” Shadow said.
His usual hard eyes sparkled with a child-like excitement, like stars reflected against the ocean.
#