Four

"Sheila? You are the client?"I blurted out.

"Excuse me? Do I know you?" She didn't remember me. That hurt but at least she did not remember that embarrassing moment in the supermarket.

"Yes-uh- no. I know you but erm... you don't know me. Like- um." I stuttered shamelessly.

"Hmm" I took a deep breath and said "I work for the insurance company you called about your accident. My boss told me all about you and that's how I know your name."

"That's great but can we have this conversation after you've offered me a seat?" Sheila said making me feel really embarrassed.

"Oh I'm really sorry. I thought you would sit on your own instead of waiting for me to ask you to." I ranted.

She sighed and said "You still haven't offered me a seat."

"You may have a seat."

Crap. This isn't going well.

She gracefully took a seat and said "Okay. So about the accident with my car. I was minding my own business when another car rammed the side of mine."

"Ok so we are going straight to the point then." I mumbled.

"What?"

"Nothing. I would have to take a look at the car before I can begin the procedure. "

"It's at my mechanic's ;a little while from here."

"Would you like something to eat since we will be driving."

"No thank you I'm good." She declined.

"Come on Sheila. Anything you want. It's on me."

"Fine. If you insist. "

"I insist."

We ordered our food and ate it in silence. Then, she asked out of the blue "so... is this a date or something."

Her question nearly made me choke on my salad. I started coughing like crazy and drinking water didn't calm me. I could see that all this was making Sheila very uneasy. So I had to take deep breaths and hold my mouth tight.

That did the trick and in no time the coughing subsided.

"Sorry about that."

"It doesn't matter. I'm done with my food anyways. Thanks though but I'd like to get the paperwork done as quickly as possible. Or maybe you could get someone else to do it." She used the napkin to dap at her lips.

I don't have to be a psychologist to know that she was disgusted by me.

"No. I can do it. I promise. "

"I hope so."

There is an awkward silence for a long time so I ask the waiter for the bill. Because I wanted to impress her, I put in hundred euros more than the actual price. I hope she noticed it.

As we walked out, I made sure that despite the fact that we were walking side by side, my body didn't brush against hers.

It was extremely difficult since it's not a very big restaurant we are in. So I ended up bumping into almost everything in my way.

"Can you just take me home. I think we should go see my car another day cos I'm exhausted. " she said.

"Sure. Anything you want."

We drove in silence except when Sheila had to tell me which corner to turn. When we arrived, I expected her to get down but she didn't. So I thought maybe she wanted me to open the door for her.

But as I was about to climb out, she asked, "So tell me, is this your way of getting any chick you want?"

"What do you mean?" I asked confused.

"First you hug me at the supermarket while I didn't know you, then you cough all over my food. Not forgetting you bumped into everything at the restaurant. And now you won't send me off with a goodbye kiss. "

"No. Sorry sh*t. I didn't know you wanted me to kiss you. It's just that you look awfully familiar to my crush in high school. "

"You too."

What?? Does she mean I was her crush too or I just look familiar to someone else she liked.

"I like you very much." I blurted out. I can't believe I said that out loud but it was too late to go back now.

"Prove it." She said with a hint of mischief in her eyes. My heart skipped a beat. My own Sheila wanted to kiss me. I was shocked and happy at the same time.

She leaned in to kiss me when...

*gasp*

My eyes flew open and she was gone.