It must have been a week or two afterwards when I next saw my sister at a family lunch. My then-girlfriend was there, but my Mandy managed to draw me aside in the kitchen to tell me in a hushed voice (knowing that my girlfriend was extremely jealous) that Anita was "very interested" to get to know me better, and that she would not mind at all if I ever gave her a call. Knowing Amy, I was sure that she would have told Anita everything about me and my current relationship, and that she would have emphasized the fact that I was working at a legal firm in the city, and was bound to become a partner, as I was the favorite lawyer of our biggest client, one of the largest mining conglomerates in the country. Anyway, I felt flattered that such a beautiful young woman would be interested in me, nearing my thirties, but as I said, I was in a serious relationship at the time, and did not give it much thought.
About six months later, my relationship of two years came to an abrupt end, and I suddenly found myself single again. Having had to deal with a jealous girlfriend for so long, I was really not interested in getting into another relationship, and for the next few weeks, I enjoyed getting back into the bachelor's life, working hard at my legal practice during the day, drinking and socializing with friends after hours, and surfing on weekends. I said that I did not give Anita much thought, but she must have floated on the edge of my consciousness, because when I needed a date, she was the first name that sprung to mind.
Our firm has long been a sponsor of a child care charity, and when Tania, my secretary, told me some months ago that there were tickets available for an upcoming fashion show, I automatically told her that I would take two, not knowing that I would be without a girlfriend by the time the fashion show happened.
Anyway, late on Thursday afternoon, and just before she left for the day, Tania reminded me about the charity fashion show on the Saturday evening. It was to be a formal evening, and the picture of Anita's lithe figure in jeans sprung to mind. I tried to imagine what she would look like in formal attire, and whilst I was fantasizing, I phoned my sister to get Anita's number. Mandy did not sound surprised at all, and assured me that although there were a couple of guys chasing her, Anita was still very much unattached.
When I phoned Anita, I introduced myself as "Mandy's brother, Brian", but in a low, sultry-sounding voice, she said "I know exactly who you are". I explained my predicament about needing a date for a fashion show, and apologized for the short notice. Anita said that she would really like to join me, especially because she had a cocktail dress in her cupboard that was waiting for a formal occasion, but that she would need to arrange a babysitter. When she phoned back half an hour later, she told me that one of her friends who lived in the same apartment block would look after her son, and if I promised that we won't be back too late, it was date on. She volunteered that the arrangement with her ex was that he would have their son every second weekend, and that she would be free for the whole of the next weekend. Again, I did not make much of this information, but it did stick somewhere.
When I picked Anita up at her apartment, I was blown away. She was dressed in a simple calf-length black dress, with a slit running up the right side, exposing a knee and most of upper leg as she walked. There was a wide strap across one shoulder, leaving the other shoulder exposed, and she wore a plain set of pearls around her neck. She wore light make up with a little lip gloss, but with her natural looks, she looked absolutely stunning. She introduced me to her neighbor who was babysitting, but because her son was taking his pre-dinner nap, I did not get to meet him. On the way to my car, Anita asked whether she looked OK, and I had to confess that she looked stunning. This seemed to please her, and she coyly batted her eyelids saying "Thank you" softly.
When we arrived at the coliseum where the fashion show was held, Anita hooked one arm through mine, as we made our way up the steps. She had perfume on that I found intoxicating - a smell that was both sweet and spicy, and somehow oriental (I later found out that this was Opium). I thought that we made a stunning couple, me decked out in my tuxedo, and Anita looking like a movie star, but it soon became clear that everybody, especially the men, only had eyes for Anita. The pre-show drinks went by in a blur, as there was a lot of drinking and backslapping as there usually is when a bunch of lawyers get together with unlimited free booze on offer. The fashion show was bordering on the ridiculous, as new designers tried to outdo each other with outrageous designs that nobody will ever wear, accompanied with loud music and flashing lights. Halfway through the show, I could not bear it anymore, and whispered to her "This is a load of shit". She giggled, pressed her head against my shoulder, and slipped one cool hand into mine, giving it a little squeeze as though she was signaling that she agreed. I was very aware of the lecherous guys across the runway ogling this gorgeous creature next to me the whole time and although I was bored out of my wits, I pretended to watch the models, all the while fantasizing about making love to Anita later whilst rubbing her thumb with mine.
We left soon after the fashion show concluded, as she had promised the babysitter that we won't be late. On the way back, I learned that Anita was a secretary in the police force, but in a civilian role, and worked in the city, not two blocks from where our firm's building was located. Because she also lived in the city, she did not own a car, and got around by walking, and using public transport and taxis when she needed to. "
