An Eight Minutes Date
Dominic looked exceptionally serious. Each word that came out of his mouth was spoken with hostility
toward me.
“Camille was too feeble to run after you, but she did so in order to catch up with you. Have you any
consideration for her? Are you going to take full responsibility if anything happens to her?”
Camille can’t run fast? What a joke! Then’s who’s that who challenged me for a race when we were
schooling?
I mean, I can understand that you guys are tying the knot soon and you care for your wife. Why do you
have to bring me into the picture and misjudge me?
“So, how does that have anything to do with me? Did I ask her to run after me? Moreover, does the law
say that I must respond whenever someone calls my name? Is that your rule?”
Dominic’s face was a mess as he glared at me as if he was ready to pounce on me and devour his prey.
Pushing him away, I growled, “Let me go!”
Not only did he not relinquish his grip, but he also went on to hold on ever more firmly. “Say sorry to
Camille.”
Enraged, I lifted my head. “Are you going to let me go?”
“Apologize,” he demanded, gritting his teeth.
In return, I sneered, “You want me to apologize to Camille, right? Sure. Camille, come over here.”
She hesitated before approaching me.
“Liliana, don’t fight with Dominic. I…”
Before she could finish her sentence, I raised my arm and landed a slap across her face.
Smack!
Camille froze. I could tell that she was not able to comprehend what had just happened.
The onlookers started gossiping and pointing their fingers at us three.
“Camille!” Out of a sudden, Dominic released his grip on me and hugged Camille.
I thought he wouldn’t let go? If he didn’t, I would continue slapping her.
Camille seemed to have found her much-needed moral support. Leaning on Dominic, she wept
uncontrollably.
He patted her back gently, trying to console her. Then, he picked her up and carried her bridal style.
He stared daggers at me. “Liliana, I’ll settle the scores next time.”
Swinging my numb hand, I replied coldly, “Sure, I’m looking forward to it.”
With that, I held Shannon’s hand and pushed ourselves out of the crowd.
Do they think that I’m an easy target? In the future, I’ll not hesitate to throw heavier punches at them if
Dominic dares to bully me with Camille.
He even wanted to get even? Come one, what is he trying to prove? I can go and get a man too.
“Shannon, regarding the eight-minute blind date you spoke about, what time does it start? Do we have
enough time to doll ourselves up?”
“Huh?” Shannon was flabbergasted.
Impatiently, I repeated, “Hello? I’m asking you what time is our date? We’ve got to dress up since we’re
going.”
Shannon was stunned for about two minutes and clapped her hands after regaining her senses. “That’s
the spirit! Let’s get nicer clothes, glam up, and wow the dudes tonight! Here we go!”
Hence, we spent the rest of our afternoon having a makeover.
At eight in the evening, both of us wore our best and stood waiting in the lobby of Century Hyatt Hotel.
It was such a magnificent five-star hotel. Looks like the standards for the eight-minute blind date tonight
are pretty high.
Being an amateur in this, Shannon briefly shared her experience with me.
It would be done at a round table, where eight males and females sat across each other.
Each person would have one minute to get to know the other person facing them. When the time was up,
the men would switch seats. This would repeat until all participants had a quick conversation with every
one of the opposite gender.
In the end, the singles were free to decide how they would want to take their newfound friendship further.
“Let’s go in, it’s time,” Shannon urged.
I hummed in response and trailed behind her.
As we entered the private lounge, I realized that everyone was already there, leaving only two vacant
seats.
There were actually five males and four ladies, including us. Four men were sitting around the table
whereas the fifth one was sitting on the couch next to it.
“Two beauties, you’re late. Don’t forget to bottoms up later as a punishment,” announced the man on the
couch.
Shannon and I exchanged glances and took our seats as we nodded at everyone present.
Right then, that man spoke again, “Good evening ladies and gentlemen, it’s fated for us all to gather here
in this wonderful evening. I wish you all the best and hope that you can find true love within eight
minutes.”
I see… So, he’s the host of the night.
After his opening speech, the timed conversations at the round table commenced.
Truth be told, I loathe this type of event, which I had joined by accident.
I’ve spoken to only two men and it feels like a lifetime. I can’t stand it anymore.
Nonetheless, the guys seem pretty decent. One is in real estate while the other owns a magazine
company.
I did not develop any infatuation with any of them. In fact, I wished that the clock would tick faster when I
was interacting with them superficially.
Yes, I regretted my decision to come with Shannon.
I was rather quiet and gave them very short replies. Conversely, Shannon was like a social butterfly,
chatting away with each new person met.
I’ve never thought that eight minutes are this long. Hang in there, we’re down to the last guy now.
The last man on the table looked quite familiar, but I was certain that I did not know him.
He introduced himself, “Hi, I’m Royce Horton, thirty-two years old. I own a company.”
“Liliana Zanetti, twenty-seven, a freelancer.”
Those were the standard conversation starters.
I finally understood the essence of the eight-minute blind date. First, find out about the man’s occupation
to ascertain if he has a strong financial background. Second, check if he’s pleasing to the eye.
Royce does have the looks.
When all the participants had met one another, we all had ten minutes of free time to exchange contact
numbers or carry on the conversation.
Shannon seemed to be at the top of it. In a flash, two men approached her, seemingly interested.
I was quite distracted the entire night. Nobody looked for me during the free-and-easy.
Although I think Royce was a looker, I had no intention to pursue anything with him.
Among all of the people present, I was the only one who stood by the side with a blank expression on my
face.
“Ms. Zanetti, do you mind giving me your number? Perhaps we can continue where we left off.”
Oh my heart! The request came as a surprise. Nonetheless, I was a little delighted.
I haven’t lost my charm, have I? See, the only guy who passed my benchmark took the initiative to ask
me for my number.
62fb1bb41dcb31934bd49bda