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Whenwegottothe restaurant, I saw that the private room was empty. It was a small room with red cloth walls, in the style of a Japanese room. I ordered some fish, and Lena ordered a salad. When I asked if she wanted wine, she politely declined.
“I’ve got enough of a job keeping up with my job as it is! Lord knows I won’t be able to manage it if I get tipsy,” she said.
“It’s good that you’re feeling focused,” I purred, eyeing her across the table.
“Well, I want to do my best,” said Lena.
“I’m sure you do,” I said. “But it’s hard if your attention is focused on something else.”
Lena nodded, taking a sip of water.
“Like the way things are at home …”
She put the glass down.
“Or your modeling career.”
Lena almost spat out her water when she heard me say that.
“I … uh … how do you know I used to model?”
I shook my head. “Not used to. Still do. I found your website.”
Lena sighed. “Okay,” she said. “Fine. I model a bit. I have done that. It’s not like I lied …”
“You did fail to tell me, Lena. You also failed to tell me that you moved out to Hawaii a few months ago. Why was that?”
“I was looking for work,” said Lena.
“Modeling?”
“Obviously.”
“And why did you move out here? Where did you move from?”
“L.A.”
“Any reason?”
“I don’t know. I …” Lena seemed like she was about to say something.
“May I make an observation?” I said politely. “A good-looking young woman like yourself doesn’t move out here, to the edge of the Western world, unless she’s getting away from something.”
“Oh yeah?” replied Lena, huffily. She’d balled her fists and they hung at their sides. I knew I’d annoyed her. And I just kept going.
“Yeah. In fact, Lena, I’d put my money on a breakup …”
That did it. She stood up and pushed her chair in, before folding her arms and looking at me.
“You know, Mr. Alson, if you think I’ve deceived you, I can get my things and just leave.”
“I didn’t say that,” I said. “I just wished you’d been completely honest with me.”
“Well, let me be honest. I don’t appreciate you prying into my personal life. Even if you are a billionaire entrepreneur, it seems to me you need some manners.”
My ears were burning at that. I couldn’t believe Lena had spoken to me in that way.
“I beg your pardon?” I questioned. The air was dangerous and quiet.
