Alex ransacked her entire wardrobe, trying to look for the worst thing she could wear to embarrass her new husband. She had already chosen a nice dress, thinking that his mother would be there. Luckily, Catherine had informed her that it would be just the two of them. Alex's joy was unquantifiable. Her mum thought that she was already warming into the idea of her marriage. Alex smirked. Warming into the idea was certainly not on her mind. She changed her mind at the last minute and decided to just give his eyes some pain instead of eventually embarrassing herself. She settled for a red T-shirt, blue jeans, black boots and an awfully red lipstick. She pulled her red hair into a ponytail. She looked at her reflection in the mirror and smiled, impressed with her makeup. She didn't look bad, however, the sharpness of her hair, shirt and lipstick could blind anyone. She crept downstairs, trying not to alert her mother to her departure.
"Mum?", she called before reaching the living room.
She didn't hear her mum respond so she went to her room.
"Mum?", she called again.
"Yes honey? I'm in the shower", answered Catherine from the shower, her voice nearly muffled by the sound of the water.
Alex smiled. "Don't worry mum. I just wanted you to know that I'm going".
"Already? Can't you wait for me to finish? I thought he was going to pick you up".
"I can't wait mum. Besides, I want to make a good impression. C'mon mum, I'm going to show my husband that I'm responsible and can get to any place without him babysitting me".
Her mother's silence was all Alex needed. She was certain she got her right where she wanted her.
"Alright honey. That's good. I'm really proud of you sweetie".
"I know mum", Alex replied, nearly feeling guilty but she shook the feeling off. "I'll see you later".
Catherine smiled in the shower, genuinely happy.
*********
It had been over ten minutes but they just sat, looking at each other, sort of sizing each other up. At least that was what Alex was doing. She was gauging how difficult it would be to make him lose interest in her.
The man before her was immaculate, neat as a pin, just as he had been the previous day. He had brown eyes that gazed steadily at her face. His black hair was neatly done. He exuded power and a cool aura. He was devishly handsome with dimples. Alex couldn't imagine why such a handsome man would want to marry someone like her. Not like she wasn't good-looking or anything. In fact, she was the opposite- everyone but her thought so. She was also very pretty, hot actually. The tight jeans she wore hugged her figure perfectly, and fitted her like second skin.
For the umpteenth time, the young waiter came to ask for their order. His face showed a hint of frustration. His boss might have probably been pressuring him, believing he had done something to upset them. Alex kind of felt pity for him and decided to order. Besides, what was the point of having lunch with a rich guy if she couldn't spend his money on a lavish meal?
She smiled sweetly at the waiter. "I'll order now".
The waiter smiled gratefully. Alex opened the menu and looked through. She always thought herself to be conversant with the different life the rich lived but this menu said otherwise. Nothing seemed to make any sense. She used the menu to cover her face and quickly spared the guy before her a look. He was looking at her, rather amused. She rolled her eyes. She certainly wouldn't embarrass herself in front of this arrogant guy.
The waiter seemed to notice her predicament and subtly suggested she try out their daily special. Alex smiled gratefully and the waiter winked at her in a way that said 'just returning the favour'.
He asked if he would order but he just said that he would have whatever she had.
"So, husband", she said, pronouncing the word in an absolutely sweet way,"Are you gonna talk or what?"