Rosie in the Restaurant
In another life, Rosie undertook a sort of apprenticeship to an older acquaintance in a different part of the city...
'You must choose your lovers as carefully as you choose your meals. You must consider at length what your appetite desires at that particular time, what you will regret not having, what will make you too full because you ate earlier. You are surrounded by morsels, all of them delectable, and there is no reason for you to settle for anything less than what you absolutely desire.'
Rosie, still smitten by the notion that the world was full of intimate encounters that she need only go out and find for herself, gazed attentively at Sylvia as she continued her lesson. They were in a restaurant they had not visited before, one that Sylvia had hinted was very good, and an important step in Rosie's journey. It was set atop a small cliff overlooking the ocean; one whole wall was glass, looking out to the horizon, where two shades of equally perfect blue met and disappeared. They had come for lunch, although Sylvia had mentioned they would visit for different daily meals throughout over the coming weeks.
Instead of tables set throughout the restaurant, the space was organised into booths surrounded by screens and plants, like little grottos, so that if one stood and looked around one could see the other patrons, but while sitting it was quite private. It was also hushed, the grottos serving to dim the noise to hushed tones, tinkling cutlery, and soft moans.
Moans?
Rosie kept her eyes on Sylvia but tried to tune in to the sound she thought she'd heard. There it was again, off to her right; the unmistakable sounds of pleasure. Suddenly Rosie's appetite was even more piqued. Were they about to receive more than just food?
'Darling, pay attention. Now as I was saying, you must make your selection discreetly, but also be clear. And it is perfectly acceptable to have your favourites, but it is also imperative to try new things. Why do you think they bring new dishes to the menu every week? Because they want to continue to thrill and delight us, their customers.'
Sylvia smiled in that way that Rosie had spent hours in front of the mirror trying to emulate; an expression of absolute satisfaction and insatiable hunger, one that spoke of everything she had experienced and everything she intended to experience. She nodded, excited to begin this new lesson.
Sylvia raised her hand ever so slightly and the waiter hovering politely nearby approached the table.
'Good evening my lady, how can we serve you today?'
Sylvia flicked her sparkling ruby bracelet down her dark wrist, looking up at the waiter through her eyelashes. Rosie knew this look. It said to the recipient, 'I am about to be pleased by your service,' but what it actually meant was, 'I am going to enjoy your company in ways you can't even imagine.'
'May I please have the charming waitress with the amber necklace who showed us to our table? And I'll have the seared tuna with greens, and a red wine, your choice.' And she winked.
Rosie felt her heart hammering. Were they about to eat a person? She'd told Sylvia when she took on this position that she was open to having her limits pushed, but this was not what she'd expected. She wondered, not for the first time, if she'd be able to say no to Sylvia when it came down to it. But Sylvia hadn't finished.
'This is my companion's first visit to this fine establishment, so something sweet and titillating for her if you please. And she'll have a chilled rosé.'
The waiter, apparently knowing exactly what this meant, bowed demurely and exited the grotto. Rosie opened her mouth to ask, but Sylvia waved her hand. 'You'll see, my dear.'