Hello, Dreamboat!

I had dinner with a dreamboat last night; he was late again. I didn't give him a hard time for his multiple tardiness. I suspect he was growing quite fond of doing it - intentionally or not, jams of a traffic nature or dog poo to clear. No matter, I'll grant the dreamboat that.

His arrival at C elicited varied female (muted) responses. The blatant once-over to, the good/bad girl combo: Brushing away an invisible strand of hair whilst drinking in the view. And what a view. Right, Tony? Did I just say his name? Sorry Tony, I didn't mean to.

At this point, the reader might be asking: Why did Jael hook up with a dreamboat for dinner and not her beloved? Her beloved was still at work so, Jael thought the best way to spend time on a lonely evening was to dine with a dreamboat, dim lights and the like.

Maybe not. Dreamboat needed to pass an item to me, that was all.

He wasn't perturbed by the attention yet. The predominantly glacial gait, he stood and moved like an Ice-god. Glistening jet black hair (I don't know how he can always keep it that way) and characteristically dishevelled. Let's not even start with the skin.

Dreamboat apologized.

Dreamboat: 'Sorry, I'm late... you always have to wait for me... ' (Smiled a tad self-consciously)

It was a mere 5 minutes, don't sweat it. I believe he blushed.

A wait person handed a menu to us. Dreamboat passed the menu to me, and proceeded to work his charms - to get a second menu - from the table next to ours. A table of girls, they were not very good at their espionage network: An expectant hush.

Dreamboat turned to the girl seated nearest to him.

Dreamboat: 'Excuse me, may I borrow the menu?' (Gestured at neglected menu near Girl's elbow)

Girl reacted a second slow, for obvious reason. She somehow regained composure.

Girl: '... ...' (Mouth slightly agape, wide-eyed, indicating unexpectedness of dreamboat's approach)

Her composure didn't hold out long enough.

Dreamboat: 'The menu? May I borrow it?'

Girl: 'Huh, I'm sorry... ?'

The bloody menu girl, the menu. I empathised with the Girl.

Dreamboat: 'Er, the menu... ?' (Mild incredulity swept his facial expression)

The Girl continued, one last time (huh?), her futility to comprehend dreamboat's request. I couldn't bear to watch one second longer.

Dreamboat: 'The M E N U?' (Very patiently. Bravo to that)

Girl: 'Oh, the menu!'

Hallelujah. I thought I heard the birds sang.

Me: 'You must have electrified her.'

Dreamboat smiled. The smile that said what-just-happened?

More Girls eyed dreamboat before their gazes stopped by to give me the Dirty look.

Me: 'Did you also notice the girls on theee other side of our table, checking you out?'

Sacrilegious.

Dreamboat: 'Yea... I noticed.' (Awkward smile)

I highlighted to him, how I must be seen as, an annoying linchpin of the Girls' dreamboat in the dim lit room.

Dreamboat: 'So... should I buy you a drink now?' (Clearly, he was amused by my highlight and immuned to my 'predicament')

And more spiteful stares? I really did not think so, Tony. His idea to make me feel better, or to feel less intimidated by the Girls, I wasn't sure.

So, I declined, because that unintended overture would had been wasted on me just to ward off catty stares.

It didn't help that dreamboat also picked fries off my plate. The Girls were on their best behaviour amidst the now-you-see-it-now-you-don't catty stares, aimed at the girl with the dreamboat.

PS You-know-I-already-know you are so gonna kill me.