AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I fought the urge to tell her I was going to show up at her office and accompany her. “I would suggest 3:00 p.m. See you then.”
I hung up the phone and clapped my hands once more, proud of myself that I’d cut the phone call off suddenly, like most formal phone conversations must. Now to begin with preparations for our date.
The scent of richly brewed coffee and Moon Dust Donuts permeated Starlight Brews. The smell nearly knocked me over as I pushed open the door and looked for a corner booth with a sturdy table. I slid in after ordering only for myself and awaited Vanessa’s arrival.
Not soon after my Cluster Cappuccino and Quasar Quiche arrived, Vanessa floated through the door. She zeroed in on me almost immediately, coming over and sliding in the booth across from me. She seemed surprised to see the table so sparsely set, as I suspected she had grown accustomed to my ordering for her.
“I’m doing my best to give you your space,” I said, indicating the empty table in front of her.
“I know,” she said, sounding disappointed. “I guess I had gotten used to you pampering me.” A waitress popped over to our table just then, and I fought the urge to order for her as she asked for a black coffee and a Moon Dust Donut.
We sat in silence for a time, each of us trying to figure out how to navigate the awkwardness of our relationship. I knew both of us were struggling with growing attraction to each other, yet feeling as if we needed to restrain ourselves, myself especially, to respect Vanessa’s wishes.
This has to work, I thought as I decided on the right moment to put my rom-com plan into action. I waited until Vanessa received her coffee and donut, then I dug into my quiche with exaggerated fervor. Taking a big bite, I set my fork down and immediately started moaning with delight.
“Oh, yes, that is sooooo goood,” I groaned, pounding on the table loudly for emphasis.
Vanessa’s eyes went wide with shock, and she looked anxiously from side to side as she leaned forward, hissing, “What are you doing!?”
“Oh, yes! That is delightful! That is exhilarating!” I pounded the table and writhed in the booth, sneaking a peek at her face to see if she was caught up in the emotion with me as I did my best to communicate my feelings for her with this display.
I could tell by the shocked and amused looks on the faces of the other patrons that they were enjoying the scene.
Strangely enough, Vanessa was the only one sporting an expression that didn’t resonate as pleased.
I became still and searched her face for a response. “I thought you’d be pleased with my display of affection and emotion,” I said, confused as to her flushed cheeks.
What started as seething anger on her face quickly melted into hysterical laughter as she realized the source of my information. “Were you and Dorjan watching romantic comedies again?”
“Yes, we were. Dorjan says that is the best way to learn more about human-Orkarian mating rituals.” I sat, confused, while the commotion in the cafe gradually died down and people resumed their meals once more.
“Do me a favor, Zorak. No more movies, ok?” Vanessa was still giggling as she wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Let’s take things slowly, keep it professional while in the office, and do our best to separate work and personal, got it?”
“I understand,” I said, giving her a quick salute and a tap of my heels to indicate that I was all business. “One thing you must know, though. I’m not going to stop courting you. It is my reason for existence now. I vow to do it right this time.”
Chapter 11
Zorak
I was having a well-deserved lazy morning when the phone call came through. The grand ambassador stared down her long nose at me, tusks twitching with fury. I tried to look like I hadn’t been sleeping.
“How may I be of service?” I asked with an awkward bow.
“We have a problem. I need you to get along, rather quickly, to Keanu Reeves High School. We have an incident that requires your delicate touch,” she said, eyeing me up and down. “I would send Dorjan, but the last time I sent him to handle a diplomatic incident at a school, we were forced to pay for the weak humans’ counseling.”
“Certainly, right away, reporting for duty!” I proclaimed. “I vow not to traumatize the humans.”
“Indeed,” she said before hanging up the phone.
As I pulled up at the school, I was greeted by a mob of angry humans. I made my way through them to the only one I could see who had a smile on their face, a small man in a tight-fitting gray suit.
“Ah! Mr. Ambassador, honored to have you here,” he said, performing an odd curtsey.
“Here to help!” I exclaimed.
He grabbed my arm and led me towards the school.
“We are, of course, huge supporters of the pan-dimensional transmigration of extraterrestrial beings across the cosmic nexuses of alternate realities for the express purposes of engaging in diplomatic outreach, implementing knowledge transfers, and facilitating mutual understanding between the original inhabitants of various celestial bodies throughout the multiverse.
