|The Date|

                                    

                                          
RENEE
"I appreciate the change, ma'am." As I stepped out of the cab, the driver expressed his gratitude, and I smiled at him. 
My heeled feet were on the ground, and I straightened my hair sideways, brushing a speck of invisible dust off my shoulders. 
The taxi sped away, leaving me alone, and I began to take in my surroundings, staring at the grandiose restaurant Robert invited me to.
Looking around, I noticed the grand, quiet street, with everything looking like it belonged in some magazine. 
The buildings surrounding the restaurant were tall and imposing, and although it was a business area, it appeared to be anything but. 
This place was serene and lovely, and all I could think was—this place belonged to the elite.
I'd googled the restaurant before coming here, and the second Robert had sent me the address, I'd been blown away by the review I'd read and the added knowledge that it was a 5-star restaurant and the best of its kind in the city. 
As usual, Nicole was astounded and tempted to look up their food and drink menu, but I talked her out of it.
There was no way I could bear it if I heard the prices. A shiver ran down my spine just thinking about it. 
I knew Robert was ridiculously wealthy, but I hadn't gotten used to that fact yet. 
I took a shaky step, then another, until I was walking toward the gates of the posh building, and as soon as I told the security guard who I was here to meet, he opened the large steel door barricade for me.
Walking past arrays of sleek, expensive-as-fuck cars, I tried to guess which one belonged to Robert, but I failed woefully. 
I was standing in front of the swanky building's sizeable transparent glass doors now, and my shoulders dropped significantly. 
I clutched my small purse tightly as my nerves began to fray a bit. 
With my face downcast, I went over my dress again, assuring myself that I looked good and that Robert would like the outfit.
I was dressed in a strapless, floor-length red gown with a slit that reached up to my right thigh. The dress was designed with lace patches etched at the rims and edges of the clothing. Even though it was made of plain material, some intricate flower designs were on some parts of the body-con gown. 
I wore black high heels with silver sparkles that matched my earrings and necklace. 
My makeup was bold and flirty, and the bright red lipstick on my lips added to my sexiness. My hair was curled into waves and fell across my bare neck and collarbones. 
I dragged my face up and smiled shakily, knowing I looked beautiful—all thanks to Nicole—but I was shy and practically trembling inside. 
After all these days, I was finally seeing him. 
After all of my confusion and mental battles, I was finally doing this and it felt like I was about to meet a stranger.
'Renée, get a grip on yourself.' Internally, I warned myself, my frightening thoughts clouding my judgment. 
A cool breeze blew across me, and I shivered, rubbing my neatly manicured red-painted fingers across my body. I began to search through my small purse, intending to call Robert. 
As I reached for my phone, a text appeared on my screen, and as I clicked away, a small smile appeared as I saw that the message was from Robert.
Robert: Someone informed me of your arrival, and one of the restaurant staff would be there in a minute to pick you up. I could have come on my own, but I wouldn't have been able to control myself when I saw you, so this is preferable.