Bambola Merlot

My name is Merlot Chen. Yeah, I know. What parent names their kid Merlot?! Apparently, my Chinese father and French mother, that’s who. All my life, I wished I had a middle name that I could have used instead, but no, I’m just Merlot Chen. I would even take the nickname my dad calls me: “Little Blackbird” over my real name. I have midnight black hair and dark brown eyes, so it makes sense. Do you know how difficult it is to date with a name like Merlot? Speed dating with name tags are the worst! I can thank my best friend, Mina Whitmore for that experience. She begged that I go with her and the famous pick up line is still burned into my memory. . .

The tables were covered with a simple white table cloth and a pink and red rose centerpiece. As I waited, my first speed date sat down and I read his name tag which it said Franklin but it was very neatly written. He wore blue framed glasses, and a dark navy suit with a bowtie. He was a little overdressed for a quick and simple speed dating in my opinion, but who am I to judge?

He read my name tag and the words spewed out of his mouth, “Merlot? You are wine? I have a certain cellar I want to keep you in.”

Mina, who was sitting to my right busted into a fit of laughter while my face was stoic. I wanted to react, but instead I immediately got up and left.

That was six months ago. Now I’m sitting here at the hottest new French restaurant, Bonjour Les Amis. It’s a cute name, and the atmosphere is more of hip, and trendy café than a romantic restaurant. Who chose this place for my blind date? Mina and my mother. As I waited for my date, I took a sip of my water and patted the lap of my red dress. I looked up at the door and saw the cliché, tall, dark, and handsome. He had attractive dark blue eyes and sandy blonde hair. His tanned skin reminded me of the beach. He was wearing a white long sleeve button-up and dark jeans. He spoke to the hostess, who I swear blushed when he flashed his gorgeous smile. I rolled my eyes but his appearance was totally my type. Maybe this won’t be so bad. Then a pinch of disappointment came over me when he walked straight to the bar instead of my table. I wished my mother and Mina could have at least told me what he looked like instead of just his name and occupation.

I was waiting for Tobey Courtland, a local business owner. His cousin knows both Mina and my mother through Tobey’s boutique. Then he finally entered the restaurant. He wore a black business suit and had curly brown hair, and light hazel eyes. He spoke to the hostess and she began to lead him to my table. I stood up and smiled at him. “Tobey?”

“Merlot?” He smiled back and went behind my chair to help me sit back down. “You arrived early. People who are early or on time are respectful of others time. I like that.”

I gave him a strange look, because seriously, who says that? I shook off the thought, and asked, “So, how was your day?”

“It wasn’t too eventful. Just maintaining the boutique and placing orders.”

“What made you decide to open a boutique?”

“It’s a boutique that’s been my family for 3 generations and I’m the 4th. I have a strong sense of obligation to my family to keep it going and keep it in the family. Your mother and Mina are there often actually. I’m surprised I’ve never seen you there. Otherwise, I would have asked you out myself.” He began to stare at me intensely when the waiter arrived. “We’ll have the roasted duck, with a glass of merlot.” He chuckled and I rolled my eyes. Wait a minute! Did he just order for me? What if I was deathly allergic to duck or despised merlots due to my name? Oh no, he’s one of those types. Why did Mina and my mother think this would work? Yes, he’s handsome, but really?

“So, you’re beautiful. What’s wrong with you that you had to resort to a blind date?”

My mouth just dropped and stayed open due to shock of rudeness.

“Please close your mouth. It’s not lady like and please answer the question.”

“Where do I even start? Thank you for the compliment and no thank you for thinking something is wrong with me.”

Right then our food arrived and he kept going. “Forgive me but, something must be wrong if it takes your own mother and best friend to set up this date with my crazy cousin. . .” He then lifted his glass of merlot and took a sip. “Well, you must be good in bed if your as good as you look.”

That was it. I stood up, picked up my glass of merlot and chucked it at him. I didn’t even bother to look back at him as I quickly made my exit. I reached the fresh air and relief washed over me. I guess I’ll head to the bar. Does that experience top the speed dating experience? I’m contemplated that thought as I entered Elements Bar which was across the street and made a beeline for the bar and sat down. “Jack Daniels on the rocks.”

“You are ruining the whiskey that way.”

A deep voice laughed at me and I whipped my head and there he was, the tall, dark, and handsome from the restaurant, sitting right next to me. “Weren’t you at the bar at the restaurant earlier?”

“So, I’m not the only one who is a stalker. You saw me over there too? I saw what happened with your boyfriend so I had to follow and find out what happened.”

“He’s NOT my boyfriend.”

“Well, his lost.”

The bartender handed us both our drinks. The mysterious stalker raised his glass and so did I.

“So, what happened?” He laughed again which was infectious and I began to laugh.

“It probably tops my worst first date experience thus far. He apparently likes women who are on time, if not early. Ordered my food and drink, without even asking me if that’s what I wanted. Assumed that I’m some psycho because my best friend and mother set me up with him for the blind date. THEN, what topped it off, which resulted in his wine shower, he immediately expected I would jump into bed with him . . . on the first date.” That Jack Daniels burned my throat after that explanation but it was worth it!

Mysterious stalker laughed and took another sip of his drink. “I’m Jason, what’s your name?”

“Merlot. Merlot Chen”

“Nice to meet you Merlot. Beautiful and unique name for a strong bambola” he winked. Proud of himself for the compliment. A giggle came out of me and this is what began the romantic whirlwind with Jason Cameron. Who I found out later was the son of the famous winery owner Anthony Cameron. As a side ending note, I learned more about wine and now as Jason’s wife, I learned more about how to run a wine empire. I guess my name has more meaning now.