Swipe Right

Swipe Right

Viveene sat relaxed in the Antiqued white chair etched with gold in the delicate swirls. The delicate swirls reminded her of the first time she had visited the Du Sang many, many years ago. The room was draped in rich red velvet with gold sconces with candles scented with Jasmine, Lavender, and a hint of vanilla. The crackling fire also scented with a tiny hint of vanilla. The richly painted artwork that dotted the walls was exquisite. The newcomers assumed they were excellent copies but Viveene knew better. She had known some of the artists personally. She thought about the website that she had browsed last night. She knew when she saw Etienne’s aqua blue eyes that he was the one for this chapter of her life.

As she sat waiting for Etienne to appear she inventoried the room looking for small changes that had been made over the years. It also gave her a chance to see who exactly she was sharing the room with this evening. The candlelight gave the room a soft glow. The only electric lights were over the room's long 300-hundred-year-old mahogany bar and even those were a soft pink.

The quiet soft-spoken waiter stopped a respectful distance from Viveene as he gave her a quick and sharp bow. “Madame, will you have the usual,” he asked softly. Viveene answered him with a slow blink of her violet eyes and letting her long lashes cast a shadow on her butterscotch-colored skin. The waiter quickly turned on his heels and disappeared. Viveene glanced at her watch. Etienne was not late. She had purposely gotten there an hour early. She wanted to reconnect with this room where she had spent so much of her time through the years.

There was a tiny stir of air near the entrance. Magnificent was the word that reverberated in her mind. Never had a man’s presence filled the room so completely! She knew she had chosen well. Every eye in the room was on him, even though they pretended not to notice. This kind of beauty could not be ignored. Viveene had to will herself to relax as he slid into the seat across from her.

“Your eyes are captivating. You are the only person I have ever seen with violet eyes.” Remarked Etienne as the waiter placed Viveene’s drink in front of her. “And you sir?” he asked, with the same quick bow. “I think I’ll have the same as the beautiful lady.” He said with a mischievous smile crossed his face.

“No, no!” Viveene stammered. “Perhaps you would like a glass of Merlot? They tell me they serve the best one in the world here!” she gushed. Etienne let out a little trickle of his baritone goodness. The waiter was confused and nervously shifted from foot to foot. “That will be all sir,” said Etienne dismissing the waiter ever so politely. Etienne returned his attention to Viveene who was obviously a little ill at ease due to the entire situation. All she could think about was how was she going to explain the drink to him once he took a sip.

Etienne leaned back in his chair and said matter- of-factly. “I usually prefer AB negative but there’s a drought as I’m sure you know and punctuated his sentence with that same little naughty giggle. “I don’t understand why I couldn’t read you!” she said in confusion. “It’s a method of cloaking,” he said. “My maker taught me, and I will gladly teach you if like?” asked Etienne, looking sheepishly from under his luscious black lashes. “Yes, you will. That and all of the other secrets you’re hiding behind those aqua blues!” laughed Viveene. “You, my butterscotch queen shall have all that I have to give!” smiled Etienne as he took her hand across the table.