Melanin Diaries Perfectly Imperfect

Men busied past as Grace played with her straw again, every man but Lucas Mcarthy.

It was shameful enough that she had been reduced to getting into a marriage deal, she didn't need to be stood up to.

Fifteen more minutes passed by before he walked in, checking from side to side for the table number she had texted him.

This was their fifth attempt at having a date and she had always been the one waiting, totally unmanly of him.

"I'm sorry," he had beads of sweat lined at the top of his forehead and a grim smile.

Maybe he hates my dress, she thought, or the color

She blinked to shut the voices in her head

"At least you made it"

He pulled the chair opposite her and took a seat and their eyes met for the first time.

It was a lot to take in; the Rolex on his wrist, the neatly designer tuxedo, the well-arranged hairline, the fragrance that smells like wealth.

As if pulled out of a trance, he shifted in his seat "At least I did. Lucas Mcarthy" he pulled out a hand "It's a pleasure meeting you."

The butterflies in her tummy curled in bliss… that voice.

"Same here" 

He brought her hand to his lips and planted a kiss on it "You look good"

So he likes my dress, she thought. She had been so unsure of the earlier look on his face.

A smile was her reply "Shall we?"

She raised the menu to her face, not to scan for something mouthwatering but to be able to release the tensed breath she had been holding ever since he walked in.

It wasn't the first time she had seen what he looked like, for he was all over the news, the billboards, and social media. Lucas Mcarthy was one of the leading forces in marine contracts and she had braced herself to meet him but the moment he walked in through the door, there was something about his presence that caused her stomach to churn, and in a good way.

"I would ask you to tell me about yourself but I'm not sure there's anything special I need to know," he said after the waiter had brought their orders and they were digging in.

Grace almost choked at his statement but before she could reply, he was back to talking "So let's get straight to the point" he sat back into his chair, "I would.."

"I am aware of all the deals," she cut in. His attitude was turning her off. He seemed uninterested in the meeting and seemed like he had something more important to do and couldn't wait to storm out. "I don't need them to be read to me physically."

For the second time, he took a good look at her and for a minute, it seemed like he was going to say something but he held back. "Good. Anything you want to talk about?" He asked

"I want to get to know you," her voice was soft. "If we are going to be getting into this, at least we should be on friendly terms."