3 Is This a Date?

Lina rode the subway back to the Chaoyang district. The sounds of metal on metal, rhythmic click-clacking of the train and the soft vibration moving up her arm as she leaned an elbow on the window, made her reflect. She thought about what she was doing with her life. She didn't want to waste her twenties at home with Yanlin and dad. That is why she had pushed herself to accept Wen ShaoQing's offer to meet.

It had been years since she had went on a date, not since mom's death.

Although, he hadn't specified if it was a date?

She left the train station and got into a taxi,

"Village Cafe at Sanlitun please,"

On the way, she checked her natural, peachy toned make up in the rearview mirror.

She wore a fitted black, button down dress, ending above the knees with a white long-sleeved tee underneath and an oversized brown coat over the top, paired with her black ballerina flats.

Lina knew, being a frequent subway passenger, that it was important to wear an oversized jacket or coat over any tight outfit or else expect all kinds of stares and groping from strange men.

However she started to overheat and her glasses began to fog. She removed her jacket and placed it on the seat beside her.

Should I remove my glasses? she thought, but that would make me blind as a bat.

Note to self: Buy contact lenses.

She arrived at the small coffee shop. The atmosphere was warm and inviting; smells of coffee and freshly baked cookies filled the darkly lit shop.

Couples sat at two-seater sofas and held hands, exchanging flirty looks and sharing food.

Lina gulped when she noticed ShaoQing. He looked just as good, if not better than when he was dressed casually as opposed to the shirts and ties he wore at school.

She walked over hesitantly and sat in the seat opposite him, with just a small round wooden table between them.

"Hey..." she blushed.

He sat up straight, with a cellphone to his ear and smiled at her. Pointing one finger to signal for her to wait.

"Sure... sure, let me call you back later alright..."

Lina smiled awkwardly and placed her coat on the seat beside her, pushing her medium-length, brown hair behind her shoulders and adjusting her round glasses.

"Sorry about that Lina, well... you look great!" he said leaning forward with a charming smile.

He ordered two coffees for them both and when the waiter left, Lina saw the opportunity to find out if this was a date or not.

"Ummm... So Mr.Wen, what did you want to talk about?" she asked slightly confused.

Wen ShaoQing laughed softly,

"Right, well we've been working together for over three years. It's about time that we hung out. Don't you agree?"

Lina nodded shyly and accepted her cup from the waiter.

"So, Lina I needed something from you, if you don't mind?"

"From me?" she asked, wide-eyed.

"Yeah, I have to leave school early tomorrow. Would you mind covering my classes on the sixth and eighth periods?"

Lina laughed, "Sure... but you could have asked me that at school."

A sly smirk moved across his mouth, "True, but then I wouldn't have gotten to see you tonight... in that short dress."

Lina blinked at the words, she gulped a dry knot in her throat and clutched tightly onto the warm mug between her hands.

"Wen ShaoQing..." she started.

"Shao." he smiled, "Call me Shao...we are friends, right Lina?"

Lina nodded, "Okay... Shao."

"So tell me Lina," he said pushing a cookie forward for her, "Why don't you talk with any of the other female teachers?"

"Huh?" she asked with a piece of cookie in her mouth.

He laughed softly.

"Umm... I am just really busy," she explained, "Family issues and that, I don't have a lot of free time."

He nodded and smiled, "Great."

"Great?" she repeated.

He paid the cheque, "No... What I mean is, that it's good that you don't spend time with them. They are a bunch of airheads anyway... nothing compared to you."

Lina's pale cheeks blushed a soft pink and she smiled at the comment.

They chatted about general topics, and about the upcoming events at school.

"Shall we go?" he said standing up and pulling on his black casual jacket.

Lina nodded and finished her coffee.

...

They walked down the busy street together, it was getting late and some small stores began to close.

Lina checked the time on her watch with a worried expression.

She knew that she should be heading home, but ShaoQing walked beside her and his arm touched hers. Lina considered holding his hand, but she wanted him to make the first move.

"Let me drive you home," he said stopping at the corner.

Lina looked around the dark night streets and nodded, "Okay, that would be better than taking the subway."

So they walked to a nearby parking lot, and ShaoQing got out his car key.

Beep!

His car was a presentable, small Kia.

It smelled of lemon and the backseats were filled with folders and papers.

"Sorry, it's a bit of a mess back there." he said opening the door for her.

"That's fine," Lina replied agreeably.

She took a seat in the passenger seat and held her jacket in her lap.

"Haidian district right?" he asked pulling out of the parking lot.

Lina nodded and adjusted her glasses. Wen ShaoQing smiled and inserted the key, starting the car with a soft grumbling noise.

On the drive he would turn and look at her every so often, with a sneaky smile.

Lina continued to clutch her coat, scrunching it into a nervous ball of brown tweed.

Halfway through the journey he let out a soft laugh.

"What's so funny?" she asked with a slight frown.

Shao chuckled, "Well I think you have squeezed that coat to death..."

"Ha.." Lina choked dropping the coat at her feet, "Umm... I guess I am just a bit nervous."

He abruptly pulled the car over to a stop.

Lina's body fell forward, caught securely by the trusty seatbelt.

....