~Dinner Disaster~

Shira had facepalmed a hundred times that night. What was she thinking? She still felt so embarrassed about the bathroom incident. He seemed cool about it though and it wasn't like she stumbled upon him taking a dump or something but she still felt so awkward.

And She had nearly fallen onto her face in front of him. So embarrassing! He had caught her though. Shira was still feeling a tingling sensation where he had held on to her to prevent her from falling. But after that he didn't so much as give her a second glance and ordered her around all evening. He was so confusing.

What made matters worse was that she would be serving him all through the night and it was not going well at all. Shira and another waitress were setting up a table for what seemed like a dinner date. The CEO observed them with scrutiny. He had a very cold aura around him and seemed to have a problem with everything they did.

 He was presently sipping from his glass of white wine as he watched them set the table. He shot them cold glares from time to time complaining about this and that and just about everything.

“I asked for pure white table covers, not patterned ones, get rid of that immediately”

“Those flowers are hideous and that vase is too big for the table, get another one!” 

“Get rid of that cutlery set immediately. I don't like it.” This was for no particular reason whatsoever.

At this point, Shira was definitely positive that he had OCD. 

They were finally able to get the Dinner table to “perfection” and left immediately.

“What a nut-job” Shira whispered to Sandra, the other waitress and they both giggled silently. ‘A hot nut-job’ Shira thought to herself.

***

Cole sat patiently waiting for his date. He just wanted to be over with it as soon as possible. His secretary, John, had made the match and Cole had no idea who was coming.

It was getting increasingly necessary for him to just find a woman. Even his parents were now complaining. Grandpa Stuart was right. He definitely wanted the chairmanship position. It was rightfully his. He worked so hard for it. He imagined his Cousins taking up the position. Proud Smith or his sisters Jade the CEO of Stuart fashion and Rose the CEO of Stuart confectionery. They were all eligible but Cole still couldn't imagine having to report to them.

Cole’s thoughts were interrupted as a lady walked in escorted by John. The first thing he noticed when she walked in was her bright red lipstick. Her face was pale and pitched and hair was an artificial white blond. She wore a cream coloured dress which altogether made the lipstick color all the more popping.

“Hi, good evening.” She said as she walked in. The scent of her heavy perfume immediately clouded the room. That was Cole’s first ‘No’. He gave John a look raising his eyebrows and the latter shrugged his shoulders and scurried out. Cole stood up to receive the lady. 

“Good evening, how was your day?” Cole took her hand and bent to place a soft kiss on her knuckles and she giggled girlishly– second ‘No!’

He drew out a chair for her and she sat and thanked him with that high sounding giggle. 

Cole signalled over to the waitress standing at the end of the room and Shira hurried over to take their order.

“How are you doing today, Miss…” He barely stopped himself from calling her, ”Popping red lips”.

“Oh, call me Felicia.” She giggled again and Cole wondered what was so funny. “I had a great day,” She continued, “I took my dog Poodles out on a walk and he nearly broke his short legs while chasing squirrels. Poor thing. He’s usually not out a lot though so I guess he got so excited.” She said all this in one breath.

“Okay…” Cole said. “How was the drive down? I hope it wasn’t too far away. I picked this club because I thought it would be very convenient.”

“Oh yes, it was quite a journey. I'm sure my Poodles would be missing me by now. He wanted to come along with me but I just had to let him be on his own tonight.” She sighed looking soleful and that was the last straw for Cole. He felt like he should be having dinner with Poodles instead.

Just then Shira brought in the drinks and as she was about to set it down, she tripped and the whole thing landed on Popping red lips.

“Gee! I'm sorry! Oh No!” Shira said apologetically.

“You idiot!” Popping red lips shrieked. The orange liquid seeped into the fabric of her clothes and gave it a darker colour. “You ruined my dress!” 

She stood up immediately and ran out of the room ignoring Shira’s frantic apologies. 

Shira turned towards Cole then expecting him to be wearing one of his signature cold glares but he seemed somewhat amused and looked like he was suppressing a smile.

“I'm really sorry, I should have been more careful.” She said to him, She needed her job and couldn't afford to lose it. She was completely shocked by what he said though.

“That was perfect timing Miss Clumsy. You saved me. I don't think I would have been able to stand one more minute hearing about Poodles.” He said with an eye roll. “I owe you one” 

Shira stared at him blankly. Popping red lips’ rant had been exasperating to listen to for her as well but she definitely wasn't expecting that from Cole. Wasn't she his date?

“I should make you my personal server” He continued, putting on a fake thinking face. “Then if the date is getting unbearable, you can come drench them. How about that Miss Clumsy?”

At this point, Shira was wondering how the pretty man who had saved her could be this same arrogant ass. 

To his question, Shira just mumbled, “My name is not Clumsy.”

“Of course”