RUNNING FROM MY HUSBAND

TWO

I have to admit I had been looking forward to this date. The picture Casey showed me of the guy had me drooling. “Told you he's hot.” I remember Casey saying. “We were to meet at a bar and grill, so I'll give him your number then the two of you can talk.”

The date was to be at around 7pm, so I got there early so I could get us a table before people swarmed in. I got a table with a direct view of the door, I picked up the menu and was going through it thinking what would be the best choice of a meal. I would have loved to get the wings with maybe with onion rings and French fries on the side but eating chicken wings can get messy and that's not a good first impression. The door opened and she looked up. It was some random potbellied man wearing a suit. He said something to the waiter, he then walked past the tables and went straight to the bar. From the way his gut jutted over his belt, he was probably a Spark Bar and Grill regular.

She looked back to her menu trying to decide what to eat when the door opened again and in stepped a good-looking guy, jaw dropping handsome. I wasn't the only one who noticed him as different ladies even one's with partners looked at him. He seemed to be walking towards me and I thought maybe he downplayed his handsomeness and he is my date. She sat upright in anticipation when she felt a presence at her side. Thinking it was one of the waitresses, she turned to say she's not ready to order but a potbelly hanging over a belt greeted her.

Her eyes trailed up to look at the face of the potbellied man. They didn't have to trail far as the guy couldn't have been more than five feet tall. He seemed to have gathered most of his height in his weight. He smiled at me.

“Hello.”

I glanced back looking for the super model that just walked in but he was seated at a table in front of mine. He's probably waiting for someone, a girlfriend probably and I'm left here with this guy who cat fished me.

“You must be Love. Is that really your name?” Said the mouth above the potbelly at her side, she wished the earth would just open up and swallow her right now.

“You look nothing like the pictures Casey showed me.” I said still surprised.

“Oh, those are the photos of me back when I was a rugby player. I've never gotten around to update that.” He said with a nervous chuckle.

“This is the bar and grill. I've never been to one of these before,” he said as he pulled out the chair to seat. He had to pull it so far back that it hit the chair behind him. The guy looked up at him. I gave him an apologetic smile. He smiled back, oh he had a killer smile.

“Not exactly what I was expecting,” he said as he looked around at the place. “A little depressing, don't you think?”

Took the words right out of my mouth, I thought. Maybe he would be so turned off by the décor of the place and he'd leave.

I smiled, “the place isn't really everyone's cup of tea the first time they set foot inside. Some don't even stay.”

“Ah, a little dinginess doesn't bother me. The food must be nice if you suggested this place and people overlook the atmosphere.”

Guess he's not leaving anytime soon I thought trying to keep the smile from falling from my face. I was going to kill Casey for hooking me up with this guy. I have nothing against fat people but I have a problem with people who lie about it. It would have been easier if I knew what to expect.

“Ever since I saw your picture I have been looking forward to seeing you.”

She didn't know how to respond to that because she had also been looking forward to meet the guy on the photo, who wasn't the one sitting in front of her. A long, awkward moment of silence passed between them. She stopped trying to hold the smile on her face, her mind reeling trying to find an excuse to get up and leave.

Then he decided to fill the silence, “I understand that I lied and I'm not who you were expecting to meet.” He said, then whispered, “I also saw how you looked at the guy seating behind us hoping it was me but it's hard getting a date when I look like this.”

So, you lie? I wondered.

“But ladies seem more inclined to accept to come on a date with me when I look like I did back then.”

Ladies appreciate honesty which you lack. I thought.

“But I'm just the same guy only difference is that I've gained a little bit of weight.”

I think a little is an overstatement. I thought.

“I got an injury that ended my rugby career and now I have to work a nine to five job. Losing my passion hit me hard and for a time I wound up eating my feelings hence gaining the weight and now I don't know how to get rid of it.” He said chuckling awkwardly.

“But I hope to get back to my former self.” He said then he quieted down, “I'm sorry I'm talking so much about myself and I haven't given you time to tell me about yourself.” He said, “I'm sorry I tend to talk a lot when I'm nervous which is mostly on first dates and job interviews.” He chuckled again. I gave him a small smile.

“Oops there I go again talking about myself.” He said chuckling again.

This is getting awkward and boring really fast. I looked behind him and the handsome guy was gone, guess I was too distracted judging Lucas over here. The waitress arrived to take our order, I ordered exactly what I didn't want to, chicken wings, onion rings and French fries. I wasn't trying to impress him anymore. The handsome guy came back walking towards our table.

“Excuse me miss, but your car is blocking me from exiting would be kind enough to move it?” He asked. I looked at him confused, I didn't drive here, as a matter of fact my car doesn't come from the repair shop till tomorrow.

I looked at him and I was about to speak when it hit me. It's like a God given opportunity to leave this potbellied, lying, awkward guy. “Umm... Sure.” I said standing up and taking my bag.

“Lucas I'd be right back.” I said, his expression shrunk as if he knew I wasn't going to come back. I felt bad but there's no way I was passing up the chance to spend time with this fine wine of a guy.

We left the bar and grill, he looked at me and smiled, “I thought I'd help you. You seemed really uncomfortable in that situation.”

I chuckled, “I'm pretty sure you didn't think through what you did. You weren't subtle about it.”

“Yes, I was.”

“Considering you and I are strangers how did you know that my car was the one blocking yours?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh yeah. That part makes sense.” He said with a chuckle, “anyway I've done enough good deeds for a day. I have to leave there's someone I'm keeping waiting.”

“Uh... Yeah sure. Bye.” I said waving to him as he left. Guess I'm never seeing him again I thought with a sigh.

I took my phone out to check the time. s**t! I'm going to be late for my job at the club. I rushed to get a taxi since that's the easiest and fastest way to get home.

I got home and went straight to change my clothes, I didn't have time to shower and besides I showered before I went to my date. I took my short skirt and my white shirt and bow tie. I don't know why they make us dress like slutty school girls but who am I to question it. I usually wore a dress over that considering the neighborhood I live in. The club wasn't far so I opted to walk every day, free workout.

I got there and people where filled at the entrance as usual every night. “Hey Will.” I greeted the bouncer as I made my way into the club.

“Hey Love dressed like an old woman as always.” He said with a small smile.

“Obviously. No one should see me in that uniform out here.” I said.

I entered the club went to the employees’ area and removed my dress and went straight to work. Before I could reach the bar station Nick, he club's manager, approached me. “Richmond you'd be working VIP tonight. Cassandra can't make it today.”

“Sure Nick.” The VIP area gives the best tips.

“So, start by taking those drinks up now!” He said handing me a piece of paper with writings on it. I went to the bar gave the bartender the piece of paper and within minutes the drinks were ready because it's the VIP so obviously they are more important than I others I thought as I rolled my eyes. I took the drinks up to the VIP, it was a bit dimmer than the rest of the club at the request of those who occupied it.

I laid the drinks on the table ignoring the chatter around me. There was this guy who leaned back into the darkness and I couldn't make out his face but I could feel his eyes on me. I turned to leave when some drunk guy grabbed my hand making me lose my balance and landed on him.

“If you wanted me all you had to do was say.” He said smugly with a smirk on his face.

I got off him and looked at him sternly, “I don't want any of this. I said gesturing to him.” The smirk on his face faded and he stood up.

“You don’t talk to me like that bitch.” He said as he came towards me trying to threaten me but I stood my ground showing no fear as I looked at him.

The mysterious guy chuckled, “Gabriel leave the girl alone.” He said his voice seeming very familiar, as he leaned forward his face coming into view.

It was the guy from the bar and grill. So much for not seeing him again.