Kings and Castles

4.Oliver

It's five pm just as I’m about to leave work to go home when I hear my phone ring. It’s an unknown number and I initially thought it was the driver that almost hit me when I remembered that I hadn’t given him my personal business card, but my business line is run by my manager. There’s only one person that could be calling right now. Leah.

I intentionally waited till the last ring before picking up. “Hello, who am I speaking with?” I said. She replied with a weird tone “It’s Aaliyah, Leah from this morning, I’m sure you remember”. “How could I forget,” I answer back, “Are you having any issues? Or is it that you want to see me again”. I’m very sure she still doesn’t know who I am, because if she did, I’m a hundred percent sure this call wouldn’t be going the way it is. I could have a lot of fun with this.

“Actually you’re not wrong, I was wondering if you'd be free tonight. As it’s one of my last nights of freedom, and I’d like to paint the town red”, she tells me. I see today becoming way more interesting. “Well, what do you mean about your last few nights of freedom? I think I just have to make it worthwhile”, I finally answered. I continued, “So what do you have in mind?”. “Take me to dinner and buy me a few drinks. Afterward, we’ll see where the night goes from there”. I don’t know what she’s implying, but my future wife had better not be planning on messing around with someone she presumes is a stranger.

Better me than anyone else. “When should I pick you up and where?” I asked. “I’ll send you an address with the time. Don’t be late” she says with a smile, then cuts the call. She’s in for the biggest surprise tomorrow. I almost smile thinking about it.

I wear my suit jacket and leave the office then the building consecutively. My driver, Lorent, is already waiting to open the door for me. I get into the car and appreciate the temperature change. The cold outside is definitely an experience I don’t enjoy.

My house is about a thirty-minute drive from the office and I appreciate the view on my way home, also thinking about the best place to carry Leah to this evening. I remember a place I haven’t been to for a while. Somewhere my parents took me when they were still here. Purple Olive Bistro on Canal Street offers riverfront dining and a beautiful panoramic view of the river. I have so many fond memories of us going there on either one of our birthdays. It was our staple fancy dinner location.

Lost in my thoughts, I only came back to reality when we pulled into the driveway of my apartment complex. I left the car saying a quick thank you and goodbye to Lorent before entering the building and taking the express lift to my penthouse. The view from here is always magnificent and never fails to take my breath away. The sun is beginning to set, and I need to take a quick shower before going to pick up Leah.

I go for a slightly more casual look with a simple sweater and black chinos, then pick up the keys to my BMW 2023 S class in matte black. The garage in the basement of the complex is empty when I get there. I walk to my car and start my journey to pick Leah up. I wonder why I’m nervous when this isn’t a part of my plan. The air outside is even colder, so the warmth of the seats and car is very much appreciated. As I drive to the house, I put on my favorite playlist. Drakes Chicago freestyle blasts on the speaker while I speed down to her house. The songs continue to change, and I continue driving till I find myself in front of her gate. The house is quite impressive with the outside lights making it look like a fairytale.

I see she’s online, so I text her that I’m outside and patiently wait for her to come and meet me. Not a minute later, I get a call from her saying she’s on her way out and another two minutes pass when I see her leaving the gate with a white silk cowl neck gown and a fur coat with black shiny boots. I took a moment to admire her black voluminous hair that she put in an up-do and her skin still tanned with winter approaching.

I step out of my car to open the passenger door for her, not before commenting on how good she looks. Her smile is obvious and she quietly thanks me. When I enter the car, I make sure she’s belted in before starting the engine. “I hope you’re ready for the ride of your life”, I told her, "I’ve experienced better, but I want to see what this baby is made of”. Our banter throughout the ride consists of laughter and small talk. I had no idea she had such a broad knowledge of cars and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride to Purple Olive Bistro, much to my surprise.

As I lead her into the restaurant, the waiter's eyes light up as she sees me. When she looks to my right and notices Leah, her face straightens. “Good evening Sir, do you have a reservation?” she tells me. "Yes I do, under Oliver Castle” I reply. She presses a few buttons then says “A table for two, right?” I tell her yes, and she leads us into the restaurant and up the stairs to the glasshouse on the roof. The sight is magnificent and the view of the river is absolutely stunning. As I looked at Leah I saw her hazel eyes shining under the view of the sunset. My heart skips at the sight.

I pulled out her chair and ushered her into the seat before taking a seat opposite her. The waiter then proceeds to take our drink orders. “What drinks can I get for you two?” She says, looking at me. I then asked Leah “What would you like, sweet?” After looking at the drink menu, she picked the Pinot noir and the waiter went to bring our wine. Before our conversations continue, her phone begins to buzz uncontrollably. I’m almost angry that our beautiful dinner is being interrupted, but after she says excuse me, I patiently wait for her to answer the phone. As she picks it up, I see the color visibly drain from her face and I wonder what on earth could cause such a great change in her demeanor. Minutes later, she looks up from the phone, her eyes filled with anger and the next thing I hear makes me realize that my fun is about to end. “It’s you, isn’t it! How could you?!” She whispers these words, but her voice seems so loud.