MATILDA MEYER-E

It would be a mistake to say that Matilda and Astrid did not turn heads, but they did as both strolled into Dome Bistro right at the corner of the WOW building. Several young men catcalled and some whistled at them. Matilda was dressed demurely today in a loose t-shirt and dark skinny jeans paired with a red stiletto, while Astrid dressed in a pink blouse with a bow below her collarbone pairing it with black skinny jeans and Dr Martens boots.

While Matilda basked in the attention, Astrid crunched her face to a permanent scowl. Men and their dirty mind will never change.

`Why the long face?', Matilda picked a table at a corner for privacy and a waiter brought them menu promptly.

`I don't understand men. You see girls and you become an ape. Next thing we know they will be banging their chest and running on all four!', Astrid spoke angrily.

`Men get excited when they see pretty girls. Must thank Darwin for his theory of attraction', she laughed.

`They was never a theory of attraction based on what you said just now', Astrid smiled and both buried their face into the menu momentarily and ordered their food.

Astrid selected baked spinach lasagne and orange juice. On the other hand, Matilda chooses lemon juice and a steak set.

`So, how has life been with you?', Matilda placed her elbow on the table and clasped her hands to allow her chin to rest on them.

`Same old. Wake up, exercise, gym, then school and back home. It's too mundane to be called a regular life', Astrid leaned back on her chair comfortably.

`Well, have you kicked some asses? Why gym and all these muscles? I mean I can feel your shoulders are toned and all', Matilda questioned and thanked the waiter who brought out their drinks.

`It's a long story but Enlil, my mentor is adamant about building up my body, so I had to quit work. His training sessions as good as marathon run', she shrugged her shoulder.

`So, he is financing your household as well?',

`Yeah, you can say so. He helps to chip in. Matilda let me get to the point. I don't want to beat around the bush. I joined the WOW as trainee', Astrid eyed Matilda carefully.

`And why are you telling me this?', she waved her hands around.

`I wanted to ask you if you were willing to quit your current work', Astrid looked at her hopefully.

Matilda looked at her tiredly and released a sigh, a sign of resignation to her fate. Her entire face dulled, and she looked hollow, no doubt the work taking its toll on her. Matilda's green eyes were not shiny, but they become cloudy and dim, almost allowing her fate to consume her.

`I wish I can leave it as it is. But I cannot. I don't have any degree with me nor diploma. My sibling is in college and another one is joining next year. Astrid, I need to earn as much as I can WHILE I can', Matilda held Astrid's hands.

`I figured you might say that to me. Jovan told me', Astrid replied.

`Who is Jovan?',

`He is my field Co Ordinator for WOW. He told me that despite the tough life, the easy money is the biggest lure. Are you sure? I mean are you really really sure you want this?', Astrid was hopeful for her to deny it, but deep down she knew Matilda won't stop easily.

`Babe, I wish I can say no. I mean after the rent and expenses I'm barely surviving. Mc Phearson job provides me with some kind of sanity and much-needed money for me to survive', Matilda spoke sadly.

`Does our co-worker knows?', Astrid was curious about how Matilda managed to hide it well.

`Only Alex Mann',

`What??!', Astrid was shocked.

`Give the guy some credit. He has a twisted history himself, Astrid. And he likes you. He saw me exiting a hotel just like you. And I was surprised to see him there as well. Apparently, his parents are loaded and cut his allowance when he refused to work in their company', Matilda spoke in between her meal.

`Is he still working there?',

`No, he quit after you left. Saying something like he is tired of his life direction', Matilda shrugged her shoulder.

`Did he keep his mouth zipped?', Astrid was worried.

`He did more than that, Astrid. Alex gave me a list of names to avoid fucking. He said some were beasts in disguise and could endanger my life', Matilda spoke with admiration in her eyes, that someone cared for her wellbeing despite her choice of work. 

`And you said he likes me. Sounds more like he is smitten with you!'

`No, you are getting it all wrong. The way he looks at you, his observations, and his eyes. I can see it. A sense of longing',

`I really don't want a romantic relationship with anyone else. One is more than I can handle right now', Astrid winked at Matilda.

`Bitch, I knew it. Spill the beans. It's one of the Wagner brothers, right?', Matilda gushed and sat closer to the table.

`Make a guess?', Astrid teased her further. She knew he would be coming to pick her up soon.

`Wow, girl I can't decide. Both sound yummy to me',

`He will be coming to pick me up later'.

`A date?', Matilda was happy for Astrid.

`Sort of', Astrid did not want to divulge further. `So tell me more about Alex. Did he invite you to his parent's dinner party?',

`Yeah, he invited the whole lot. Even our manager. Will you be going?'

`Yeah, I think Hadwin invited me to be his plus one and then Alex called. So I guess I should be going. You know the best part, Hadwin actually decided to turn sober until after the dinner. I didn't know he had it in him to NOT to drink', Astrid replied.

`Well. That is news I suppose. He is like a party magnet. And alcohol is like his lifeline', Matilda rolled her eyes.

`True. Tell me about it', Astrid finished her lasagna and motioned the waiter to pay their bill.

`Please, I invited you to lunch. Let me pay', Astrid was adamant, preventing Matilda from paying. They stood up and left to walk to towards an AmPm Mall which was located around 1km from Dome Café. Both walked hand in hand, basking in the sun kissing their skin.

`Matilda, I just have this nagging feeling about your safety and your escort job. I feel like a sore loser. I want to help you, but i don't know how', Astrid grumbled.

`Why don't you see it from a different point of view? I have a place to stay, meal on the table, education for my sis-', Astrid cut Matilda mid-sentence.

`But you have nothing with you. What will you do when ageing alone? With no one to share your life with? All alone and lonely?', Astrid turned to face Matilda with sadness in her eyes.

`I don't want to think about all that. I see my sister and brother's happiness as my own. I've suffered too much, Astrid. My mother being in jail is the best thing that has happened to me. I managed to pull myself together after she left. I can't love someone and get heartbroken all over again. I mean look at me. Who would want to marry a hooker?', Matilda's eyes were shiny, brimming with tears.

`Shall we walk to the park instead of the mall? I have an entire afternoon to myself', Astrid gripped Matilda's hand tighter and both proceeded to walk further south towards a nearby park.

`That would be great', she replied and side hugged Astrid.