74. Hot guy in Bloomville

The hot stranger offered to buy me a drink, despite my rules of not taking drinks from strangers and my mentor's many warnings against the hidden dangers of free drinks at the club, I gladly accepted his offer. Besides, it was my last day embarking on these club excursions, so why not enjoy myself, and live a little bit, 'who knows maybe I will also trend because of this handsome figure, thus making it easier to find Walter', I said trying to convince myself otherwise and also ease the guilt and fears I felt about taking the free drink.

"One Cosmopolitan please," I said to the bartender who was patiently waiting for my order

The hot man chuckled, "Great choice. I'm Ntando, Ntando Sedibe". His voice was amazing, he looked like the next black James Bond meets Idris Alba, that is the best way I can think of to describe him and did I mention how delicious his voice was, he smiled and extended his hand for a handshake.

I blushed and giggled like a little girl, "Thandie ", I was star-struck honestly, bedazzled.

He got comfortable on the bar stool next to me, "Who are you waiting for Thandie?", he said in a more serious tone,

His question snapped me back to my mission, more like I was surprised, I wasn't even aware that I was that obvious. I probably looked like I was ditched or stood up. I was truly hopeless, I couldn't even fake the fun part of clubbing, I mean yeah, I was looking for Walter, but I didn't want to look like my problems. 

Still taken aback by his question, my tone also became more serious, "Uhm, w-what makes you think I'm waiting for someone?",

He smiled and I melted. All of a sudden he switched to flirty mode, and his face held on to the smile he flashed me as he explained, "Well, let's see, I have been watching you since you walked in; one-and-a-half hour ago (disclaimer: I am not a stalker). Anyway, you have been sitting here, staring at the door and playing with the same drink. Although you were physically here, your mind seemed far away...hmm, yeah, that's about right.",

Just like that, he confirmed it, I was being obvious. Although I was not dancing, I thought I blended in because of the occasional chats I had with the bartender or any chatty person who sat next to me. It seems I was mistaken, either that or the man was just paying too much attention.

At that moment, a part of me wanted to show him Walter's picture and ask if he knew him or had seen him around, but at the same time, I wanted to talk to him a bit more, I honestly found him intriguing. Besides, it was nice talking to someone who was not just passing by and his observation skills left me speechless, honestly, I was impressed. 

Once again, I found myself giggling, and I replied with a lively tone, "Well, Ntando. I'm not necessarily waiting for anyone, is more of I am hoping to see someone, but, I was about to leave anyway...". The whole club vibe was starting to give me a headache. I sighed heavily just thinking about how torturous this whole clubbing thing had been, the things we do for the people we love.

Ntando chuckled at my gloomy face, and his brown eyes suddenly lit up, with a big smile on his face, he uttered, "Oh, well, if you don't mind, there is another club not far from here, but way cooler and quieter, I promise you won't regret it. Since you are going home, let's rather go there. I have so many questions about this person you were hoping to see..." My eyes widened at his request, leave with him?

Okay, so I had a stranger inviting me to a club in a city I wasn't too familiar with. As handsome as he was and as spontaneous as my life had become, that idea didn't sound fun, instead it sounded dangerous, but I can't say I wasn't tempted. However, the idea of leaving a club with a stranger alarmed me. I admired the bravery of the girls who easily welcomed such an invite, but as for me, I watched way too many crime and serial killer documentaries to be that open-minded, and Ted Bundy wasn't bad-looking either.

As if reading my mind, Ntando laughed at my ridiculously tensed-up face, "I won't steal you, I promise. Is just a cool place I wanted to go with someone, and I happened to choose you. So, you can relax..."

I thought about it a bit more, and again, besides everything I knew, I found myself opening up to the idea of accompanying the strange handsome man to a club I had never been to, in a new city. "Well, okay, but on three conditions", Ntando nodded with an amused face,

I began to count, "1. I send a picture of you to my friends, 2. Share your home address and three, I share your license plate (if you're driving)",

He finally burst out laughing, and it sounded like had been holding it in for some time, "You are cute, but I get it. You can never be too safe. I gladly accept those conditions, in fact, we can take the selfie right now.." We took the selfie, and I sent it to Angela and Sandra, the two people who knew what I had been getting up to over the past weekends. Sandra wasn't happy about it though, the idea of putting my life on hold to save a man who technically ghosted me made her furious. I honestly appreciated her for feeling all these things I am naturally supposed to be feeling because blind in love me was not on that frequency, I was clearly missing the plot.

After the selfie, we didn't waste time, Ntando led me outside to where he parked his car, an expensive white sports car. I took a quick snap of the license plate, sent it to my girls, and went inside this man's car. 

"I promise you will love the place, and who knows, it might just become the best part of this whole night..."., he said enthusiastically as he fastened his seatbelt. The way he was so excited, you'd swear he was talking about my surprise party.