A Wolf in the City

15. Completely out of Character.

Raven.

"So, you're going on a date with a guy you met less than four hours ago?" Jackie says as I peek out of my little closet where I am busy hunting for my shoes and peer at the man perched on my bed, legs, encased in designer jeans, tucked beneath his lithe frame.

“Why? Is something wrong with that?" I ask, adjusting the towel wrapped turban style around my head. "It's just dinner, Jackie, not like I'm gearing up for a night of wild s*x or something."

Jackie shrugs his broad shoulders and bit into a chip, chewing for a moment before he replies. "Not wrong for me or anybody else, but it's so completely out of character for you. I mean, you're always so cautious and over analyze every single thing. For heaven's sake, it takes you a good fifteen minutes to decide on what flavor of ice cream you want. Now, you're going out with a some college senior you have not seen in years on a whim."

"I do not analyze everything," I huff, indignant. "I simply like to make sure I'm making good decisions. And Kai is not just some college senior. He was my friend in college and you know that too plus we talked for a while before he asked me out."

"Yes, you talked for like five minutes." He says as he swings off the bed and moves to the vanity, motioning for me to take the stool, so he can get started on my makeup. Jackie makes the absolute best makeups, all of these used to get people to think he is gay but he’s just very comfortable with everything feminine.

"He better be hot now though, for all this effort you're putting on just for one date.” He says as I move to sit, staring dolefully at my reflection as Jackie unwraps the towel covering my damp hair and fires up the hand dryer.

"The date might not even happen if I don't find something to wear, I really don’t have good dresses anymore, there's nothing suitable here." I say dejectedly.

He glances at the discarded dresses that littered the floor and sighs. He looks sympathetic, large brown eyes narrowing as he ponders the matter. "Hopefully, the online store will have something." He says.

"Yeah, I hope. You know how hard it is to find clothes that fit me." I reply with another sigh.

Blessed, or cursed -depends on who you asked- with a rather fuller figure than is currently fashionable made buying clothes, especially high couture clothes, a challenge for me. Fortunately, my best friend, Jackie, had introduced me to an upcoming designer who had gone on to design wonderful outfits that flatters my body.

Unfortunately, those clothes have been discarded for years now. Over the sound of the hairdryer, a loud knock comes from the living room. "That'd be my new designer friend with the dress," Jackie says while I look at him, confused.

“When did you call for a designer? And when did you get another designer friend?” I ask.

“Just trust your bestie to always be two steps ahead of ya, alright?” He says with a cheeky smirk.

He turns off the dryer and strides to the sitting room, me trailing in his wake, still clad in a terry robe. Jackie pulls open the door, admitting a lady, laden with dresses over both arms. "Here are the selections available in your friend’s size as required, Mr. Jackie.” The woman, obviously having a thing for Jackie, announces. She lays her offerings on the couch, "I hope she finds something suitable."

"Thanks - April, right?" Jackie asks the woman, who nods, her eyes lighting up at being remembered. Jackie smiles and moves to inspect the first dress, a maxi length burgundy gown, with sequins and tiny straps. He glances at me who is already busy, lips pursed, as he runs a critical eye over several dresses, quickly discarding several as unsuitable.

I feel my heart sink as the reject pile grows. I trust Jackie’s judgement implicitly, when it comes to fashion, and if my friend does not find anything, there is little hope that I can. I had already pulled out my phone, intending to call Kai and cancel the date when Jackie holds up a short, black, halter neck dress and grins in triumph. "This one." He declares, to the murmurs of approval from the woman.

The dress fit perfectly, much to my relief. It shows the right amount of cleavage, emphasizes my tiny waistline, and best of all, the hem, which ends mid-thigh, showed off my best feature - my legs. It is the one feature I like so much about my body. Straight and long, paired with the right pair of shoes, I can turn heads - I can turn legs with every part of me though.

Feeling buoyed again, I sit in front of the vanity while Jackie does my hair and makeup. Smoky, bronze shades for my eyes, and a pale, peach nude for my lips. I eye the finished product in the mirror and smile. "You're the bestest bestie in the whole wide world!" I tell Jackie.

"Of course, I am." He grins, already moving to the wardrobe to hunt for shoes. He eyes the few shoes, and shakes her head in bewilderment. "If these heels ever come back into this life renewed, I am so damn sure that they will not come to you at all. If it could talk, they would be yelling right now.” He mocks, eliciting a giggle from me.

“Well, at least they are expensive, remember?” I say lamely.

"Like I could ever forget, you sing it into my ears every darn time." Jackie chuckles. He pulls out a pair of bronze, glittery sky high designer heel and holds them up for my inspection. "These will go well with your makeup and jewelry."

"Well, of course, it is the one. It’s not like I have many others." I say as I take the shoes, slip them on, and stand.

Jackie beams like a proud mama and claps his hands. "You look stunning, Raven. Go forth and kill that poor man tonight." He says as we both collapse in a fit of giggles.

When it finally subsides, we sit side by side, each lost in our own thoughts. I can not help but hope that all this effort will not go to waste. Even though I knew the man as a nice man back in college, he changed so physically in years so who knows if he changed personality wise too. But then, he strikes me as a nice guy, bonus points for being drop dead gorgeous now. I will not be adverse to another date if this one goes well. I think.

Minutes later, I am before Kai who has come to pick me up. I offer him a seat at the dinning room first.

“Wow, you look dashing, Kai.” I compliment him. He chuckles and rakes a hand through his hair, a sheepish grin playing across his mouth. "I try to look presentable every now and then, particularly in the presence of a lovely damsel ."

I find myself responding to his charms, my mouth curving in an answering smile. "Are you always this charming, Kai Huan?"

"Depends on who's asking. Our professor will always remain convinced I'm the devil's spawn." He says as he slides into the seat opposite me, undoing the buttons of his suit. His gaze falls to the glass of water on the table before me and his lips quirks in a smile. "No alcohol?" He asks.

I laugh, pushing the half empty glass aside. "No. I'm saving myself for your offer. You did promise to wine and dine with me tonight."

"So I did," Kai nods, eyes twinkling in good humor. "Well then, shall we get on with it?"

"Of course." He says as he rises and holds out a hand to me. "I hope you like seafood? I made reservations at Klutchings, I hear it's the place to go for excellent wine and seafood."

I place my hands in his and rise too, using my free hand to tug the hem of the dress down then grab my purse. "I love seafood! And though I've never been to Klutchings, I've heard nice things about the place." I reply him.

Outside the building, Kai steers me to a sleek white BMW convertible parked by curb. I raise an eyebrow at the powerful machine, wondering what he does now and hiw much he must be making to get this.. Must be a lot.

I slide into the equally plush interior, the leather seat adjusting to my weight. Todd Kai shuts the door and comes round to the driver's side. "Nice ride." I say, running a hand over the dashboard feeling the sleek smoothness beneath my fingertips.

Thank you. Was a gift from my father last year for my birthday." He says as he switches on the ignition and the powerful engine roars to life.

"Very generous of him."

Kai switches gears, and pulls into the light evening traffic. "Nah, not really. He’s just extra like that, it did not take anything from his money, trust me."

"Oh, wow? Rich daddy, huh? That’s cool, I can not help but wonder though, what do you do now?"

He shrugs, steering the car with an easy grace. "Oh, I am a chief investigative officer for the sascavianian police department."

I nod and fall silent, unsure of what to say next without being too inquisitive. To occupy myself, I gaze out the window, watching the buildings and streets flash by until we get to Klutchings.