DINNER AND NEW FRIEND-E

Ace parked his bike and he choose a well-lit table, knowing Astrid and Eli need to scribble on papers later. Eli joined them shortly and sat opposite Astrid.

A waiter came up to them and passed them the menu. Astrid flipped the pages in search of vegetarian food.

`Let me order something for you, love. Hungry?',

`I could eat a horse', she replied.

`What about you, Eli? Vege or non-veg?',

`I am all meat. There is a lot of meat here. I don't know which ones to choose from.' Eli answered truthfully.

`Waiter!', Ace signalled for the waiter and ordered. ` Cream sauce penne pasta, mint juice, lemon cake for missus here, 2 sets of grilled lamb steak, a basket of fish fingers, and a jug of Vodka mint lemonade',

`You okay with it?', Ace asked Eli who replied okay with the choice of dinner.

`Is that all, sir?', The waiter asked.

`Yes, thank you',

After clearing the table off menus, the waiter placed plates and cutlery for them.

`Eli, do you have any idea how to come up with a business model for clothes? I know we need market analysis, brand, product, strategy and financial situation. Can we divide this sub-points among us?' Astrid started writing her points in her notepad.

`Alright, which ones shall I take?', Eli asked.

`Hold up. Astrid. Eli. You need to work together, not just divide it and then sum it up on presentation day. There may be some strategy and plans that need further discussion before you guys agree to it', Ace spoke at length. He was being manipulative, wanting to spend as much time with Astrid.

`What do you suggest, Ace?', Astrid asked.

`I can help you with your project. Maybe you both can meet up at my office and I can provide actual resources and study material for you to use. What say you?', he looked at them both.

`Why do I have a feeling that you want to spend more time with me. And this is the perfect reason for it'. Astrid trailed her fingers at his face stopping at his lips.

`Wow, you are truly a genius. And I deserve a kiss, no?' Ace dipped his head lower to hers only to be pushed away.

`Sorry to interrupt but I think it is a great idea. Your boss is okay with it? I mean business plans are sensitive right?', Eli was curious by now who her boyfriend is. He looked familiar. 

`No worries, my boss is okay with it. He will provide non-essential business plans'; Ace cleared his throat.

`I am free from 10 am onwards Monday to Friday', Astrid made up a timetable on her notepad.

`I am available from 12.30 pm onwards Mondays to Fridays', Eli pencilled his timing on the chart.

`Ace?', Eli asked.

`1.30 pm till 3.00 pm, weekdays. Both of you okay?',

`Yeah', Astrid and Eli spoke unison. There was an awkward silence between them before Eli spoke again.

`I never knew you had a boyfriend. You seemed too quiet in class',

`I did not even know your name until today', Astrid said.

`Well, I am not good at socializing. I got to know Ace through an accident. I mean literally', she continued.

Ace slipped his hands behind her chair and gazed at her.

`Wow, that's news. So where do you plan to work after graduation?', Eli questioned.

`I am starting training with WOW next week onwards. For a good cause.', Ace squeezed her shoulder in response.

`That is amazing. I mean they are quite phenomenal in their approach and solution. They helped my cousin to rebuild her life', Eli congratulated Astrid.

`What happened to your cousin? I mean if you don't mind me asking', Astrid prodded.

`Oh, she was a junkie. And WOW helped her to overcome her addiction and set her life back on track. It took time but it worked. My sister is looking forward to finishing her college and join WOW', he concluded.

`You have siblings?', Astrid was surprised.

`Yeah, I have an elder sister and a younger brother. My parents are working in the health sector. Mom's a nurse and dad's a doctor', Eli answered sheepishly and scratched the back of his neck.

`That must be good, having a doctor in the family', Astrid gushed.

`Sort of. We still have to listen to the talk whenever my sister and I go for dates', he chuckled.

`Ha,ha ha ha. That is hilarious', Astrid laughed.

`Damn. Don't tell me they gave you free condoms, dude', Ace cocked an eyebrow and Eli's ears turned red.

`They did? Oh my god!', Astrid doubled over and held her stomach, but she winced when her bruise hurt.

`Are you alright?', Ace eyed her suspiciously.

`Trained too hard today. It was underwater', she locked her eyes into his. Ace nodded and pulled her in for a loose hug.

`We will look into it later tonight. Enlil will get his ass whooped if it's bad', he kissed her cheek lovingly.

`You guys remind me of my parents. They care so much for each other in their own ways. How long have you been dating?', Eli questioned.

`More than a month', Ace answered.

`Seriously? I thought years. I mean its good. Congrats.', Eli was surprised. Ace smirked, his eyes never leaving Astrid's face.

Soon after the waiter came and served them dinner. Astrid was too hungry to continue talking and dug into her food. Ace and Eli made small talks about drinks, work and clubs. Apparently, Eli worked 2 jobs. A day job as delivery boy and night job as a boxing trainer. He seldom drinks alcohol but enjoys clubbing mainly for the music scene. Ace and Eli noted a few clubs they both liked, sharing similar vibes.

Astrid's eyes roamed on Eli's body and she started making a comparison with Ace. Eli was shorter by a few inches, and he looked muscular. His face was round, and he had a button nose. His upper lips had a prominent deep cupid's bow and a full lower lip. Her eyes were darting back and forth between the two men and Ace caught her. He cleared his throat indicating the waiter for the check. Ace was adamant on paying for dinner. His little kitty seemed distracted.

Eli was taken aback by Ace's platinum credit card. He made a mental note to check up later whom her boyfriend was. He had an inclination, he was somewhat rich judging from the bike he rode and the way he carried himself, decked in designer jacket and expensive Louis Vuitton shoes.

Astrid seems nonchalant at the display of wealth. He knew most girls would swoon at having a rich boyfriend, and show them off, but Astrid seems so laid back. Eli could not help but see Ace being a gentleman as well. Helping her to put the helmet on, glancing at her throughout their dinner, constantly touching her hands, arms and cheek with a look of adoration. She seemed honest at heart, something of a rarity. And he wished to be her friend.

`Should we exchange numbers?', Eli mounted on his bike and asked the couple beside him.

`Sure, pass me your phone', Ace keyed in his number and saved it under Astrid. He calls his own number and saved his name as well. He made sure to send a quick test to Gordon to double-check on Eli's profile.

`May I know your full name, Eli?', Ace asked casually.

`Eli Edwards, sir', he joked playfully.

`See you, have a safe journey, Eli', Astrid waved him bye and zoomed off into the night towards Ace's mansion.