Chapter Fifty Nine

I was wearing black leather double-pleat trousers, a black FW 1992 Yohji double-breasted blazer, and black Margiela Tabissheer black polka-dot tights, Doc Marten monkey boots, a gold chain necklace, lilac hoops, and blue eyeshadow, all too extravagant. Jude had forced me to wear them, not like I had a choice. I was going to see Mister Magnificent, so I should be dressed as extravagant as possible.

I've been set up.

Not for a crime, but for a date. I walked over to the seat reserved for me. A young man dressed in a golden poplin suit sat, two body guards stood behind him. I was late, my nature. He's Tristian Tsee, the strange guy that got to my dad's heart. Or no? Jude Kam surely has a plan. His game, I wish I could fully play.

"Tristian Tsee?"I asked. He stood up immediately and shook hands with me. "Paige Kam. Nice to meet you."He smiled.

He was the perfect definition of cute. His smile, the flicker of light across a blade. His face is like a knife, and a flicker of light: it is delicate and fierce, has no color in it and scowls beautifully forever, and when he fastens his hard white fingers and his scowling eyes upon me, I had to think twice about returning the state. His short hair shined like that of a young boy—it was crinkled and crisp as lettuce, but... Not my spec.

No.

My spec!

But it's just not him. I love Damien.

"Nice to meet you too." I sat. We were quiet while the waiter took our orders. One of the men in dark sunshades moved away from his back while another stood still. I almost laughed at their robotic moves. Billionaires and Bodyguards!

Well, I should...

Let's not think that now. Focus babe, on your Date!

"So tell me about you, Miss Paige."

Sounded weird. 

"Paige. Call me Paige. It's supposed to be a date, isn't it?"I needed to be direct. This place, this guy, this whole thing nauseates me.

Tristian grinned. "Okay, Paige. I'm sorry I..."

"Tell me about you."I interrupted him.

"Oh."He stared at me for a while. I could tell what he was thinking. 'She doesn't want to be here.' That was what I wanted him to think.

He arched his thick black brows. "Do you... Have a boyfriend?!"

What the hell?! Who asks that on a date?! Wait... Have I ever been to one? I can't tell him I do. This damn date is probably recorded somewhere.

"Why do you ask that?"

"Well, you look like you don't want to be here,"He said.

"I don't have a boyfriend. It's just...my first blind date. I don't know what to make of all this."

He smiled. "Understandable. I guess I didn't make you comfortable enough. Pardon me, I'm a very busy man and I rarely have time for outings."

"And I'm a student. Do you know that?"

"Of course. "

"How old are you, Master Tristian?"

"Twenty Four..."

"Great."I shrieked, intentionally cutting him off. "Your life must be really hectic. Being so busy at this young age."

"What about you, Paige?"

"Oh Master, you don't wanna know."

"Tristian. That's my name."

I saw that coming, so I laughed. I felt like I was becoming Ria. "Sorry. I'm probably scared of your bodyguard. I don't wanna have my head cut off for disrespecting you."

He looked stunned and frustrated at the same time. He rolled his eyes and the guys standing at the door of the restaurant disappeared, also the one at his back. I didn't ask him to send them.

"I was joking man!"I exclaimed, behaving like a highschooler on her first date.

He smiled.

"Sorry, the atmosphere around here was too dull and I needed to add a little spice."I said. "What do you think about, these crabs? I don't like them."

"Really, but they taste really good."He took a bite stylishly.

"I've had one once and it was the best. A pity I can't cook my crabs to my taste. Can you cook?"

"We're in the same shoes. I can't!"He laughed.

Good job Paige! Now he doesn't look like the CEO earlier.

"I was told you liked me. And I was wondering if you'd actually seen Paige before. You know, my uncle might be a CEO but I don't do business things. We would never have met at a convention..."

"At the airport."He interrupted me. I didn't want to allow him talk. I just wanted to ramble off, waste enough time and leave this ... place.

"What? Airport? When?"

"A couple of months ago. We boarded the same plane and I sat right next to you."

I don't have a single idea how that happened. I never noticed him. Of course, I had my mind somewhere else.

He placed his warm hands on mine. I felt electrified. This should be a drama, or a show, but it doesn't feel like that.

"And I could not stop thinking of you since then."

"How did you find me? My name. How did you get to my uncle?!"I asked tactlessly.

"That was easy. Security footage. I got your name from the hostess and I found your uncle. Simple."He smiled. "You're beautiful and..."

I coughed. He got me a cup of water.

"Thank you."I said, withdrawing my other hand from his, still recovering from my choking. 

"Well, all I'm saying is, I like you and I'd love to be your boyfriend."

I didn't choke because of whatever he said other than him reaching out to my uncle, that means Jude knows I was out of the country for a while. Why then didn't he mention it

 "I...I would have to think of that. I never noticed you on the plane though. I..."I checked my wrist watch. "I should get going now. Here's my card." I dropped my complimentary card on the table, made a quick transfer to the restaurant account to pay for our meal, glad that I was faster than him. I stood up, he did too.

"Ehm..."I breathed out. "Did you... tell my uncle about how you met me? Like...at the airport."

"I had to."He loooked suddenly baffled, how sensitive. "Are you okay?"

"Of course, I am." I forced on a smile "I'm sorry, but I really need to go now. Thanks for the meal."

I didn't wait for any response. I dashed out of the building.