morning as her mind continued to race. She constantly glanced at the clock positioned on the adjacent wall from her office space. Barbara felt like a school girl again, all excited about the mysterious date she was having that afternoon. As the hours passed by, she became increasingly nervous, yet thrilled at the same time.
She knew it would take approximately 15 minutes to arrive at the restaurant. At a quarter to one, she called out to her work colleagues to let them know she was leaving the office for lunch. Joe waved again, but did not attempt to move from his chair. That counted him out of the equation. Barbara took the elevator to the ground floor, smiled as she walked past security and headed for the exit. This was going to be fun!
Barbara arrived on Northern Boulevard and found a nearby parking spot to the restaurant. Her heart began to race as she locked the car and walked towards Antonino's. As she peered into the window she noticed a man wearing a Versace Leather Biker jacket and tight jeans. His hair was blowout burgundy and he had a neat goatee. It was Edward, a man who somehow made a cross between a SNAG and a bad boy look extremely appealing!
He smiled as she slowly walked towards his table. Barbara attempted to smile back but her nerves were almost out of control. She took a seat across from him and thanked him for the shoes. Edward leant across the table and whispered softly, "You are welcome." At this point, Barbara's legs were like jelly, wobbling underneath the table. She was totally falling for him, before they even had an opportunity to talk.
Talking just made him more appetizing. He spoke articulately and told her about his career and future ambitions. Edward worked as a photographer for magazines such as Vogue and Sports Illustrated. He also owned a boutique fashion shop near Broadway in New York City. As they dined, Barbara found herself fantasizing about posing with her voluptious and naked round body for Edward on a secluded beach. Just the thought of it sent chills down her spine.
The date had been almost perfect, however an incident occurring an hour after she had met Edward left her confused and very scared. Two men, dressed in dark suits and of European descent, stormed into the restaurant and approached Edward, yelling at him in French. Barbara had studied it back in school, but had forgotten many of the words. She hoped that what she could remember would allow her insight into the conversation.
There were words and phrases she understood quite well, and what she heard, from both the aggressors and her date, intimidated her. One of the men who approached Edward mentioned something to the effect of Edward photographing a 16 year-old model nude. The more he spoke, the louder he raised his voice, threatening Edward, who initially seemed unfazed by the accusation. Barbara glanced across the table, making eye contact with Edward, before he turned his attention back to the aggressors.
Edward, who had appeared quite calm, suddenly pulled a Swiss Army knife out from his pocket and flicked open the blade. He lunged towards the man who accused him of photographing an underage model naked and narrowly missed his neck. A woman on the next table screamed and a waiter ran towards the front desk to dial 911. The aggressors fled the scene.
Barbara was in a state of panic. She stood up and just as she went to exit alone, Edward grabbed her by the hand and whisked her out of the restaurant. Handing her a helmet, he lifted her on to the back of his motorcycle and rode off quickly. Barbara had never been on a motorbike and held onto Edward tight, feeling both scared, yet also exhilarated by the experience.
"What the hell happened back there?" she yelled, as he continued to speed down the road.
"French Mafia, known as the Unione Corse. It turns out I photographed the bosses daughter naked."
Barbara was really freaking out now, with multiple thoughts racing through her mind. Was she about to be hunted down