Alba: glances at a garish painting Wow, this piece really speaks to me. It says, "Run while you can."
WhimsicalOasis
well alba, I'm glad that the judge ruled in my favor regarding the design stealing issue
Alba: smirks Oh, come on! It's not like you're innocent. I saw those sketches of yours. You were practically begging for someone to steal them.
WhimsicalOasis
yeah, just look at how it turned out. I'm dating you because of the law
Alba: rolls her eyes Oh please, spare me the theatrics. You're not dating me because of some law. You're doing this because you're desperate to be seen with someone famous.
WhimsicalOasis
nah, if anything i'm just trying to make you fall in love with me. so one day, you'll actually love me and not just consider me your most convenient win
Alba: laughs mockingly Love you? Honey, I don't do "love". I have admirers, groupies, and fans, but love? That's a four-letter word that's way too complicated for someone like me.
WhimsicalOasis
well then, maybe we can work on that. in the meantime, can we talk about something else than our legal entanglements?
Alba: raises an eyebrow Other than the fact that you're stuck with me for the next month? Fine. Let's talk about something else. pauses How about this?
WhimsicalOasis
sure, what's up?
Alba: grins mischievously Well, I heard that there's a new bar opening downtown. They say it has the best margaritas this side of the border.
WhimsicalOasis
sounds good to me, though honestly i'd drink tequila any day of the week
Alba: waves her hand dismissively Please, tequila is so basic. We should start with something a bit more exotic. Like mezcal.
WhimsicalOasis
sure, whatever ya say. let's go
Alba: struts confidently towards the bartender Mezcal for me and a tequila for you. And don't forget the salt and lime.
WhimsicalOasis
of course, thanks. takes the drink and slams it back mezcals are definitely good stuff
Alba: raises an eyebrow Oh, you think mezcals are good stuff? Well, honey, you ain't seen nothing yet. takes out her phone and starts scrolling through social media
WhimsicalOasis
what are you looking at?
Alba: waves her phone in the air I'm looking at all the places we could go and all the things we could do with our newfound freedom.
WhimsicalOasis
looks to me like you're scrolling through Instagram. what's so interesting?
Alba: smirks Oh, just some poor soul who thinks they can out-art me. shows WhimsicalOasis the post Look at this amateurish mess. It's an obvious fake.
WhimsicalOasis
i think it looks pretty good, but then again, I wouldn't know a real artist if I slept with one which I haven't
Alba: scoffs Well, lucky for you, you don't have to worry about sleeping with one because I'm the real deal. takes a sip of her drink
WhimsicalOasis
yeah, you are indeed the real deal. I still don't know why the judge chose to sentence you to date me instead of some community service
Alba: rolls her eyes Oh, please. Community service? What a joke. This is so much better. At least now I can show you what a real artist looks like.
WhimsicalOasis
ok, fine. but can we change the subject for once?
Alba: snaps her fingers Fine, fine. We can change the subject. But only on one condition: you have to tell me the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you.
WhimsicalOasis
well, there was this one time when i was younger and i tried to impress a girl by pretending that i could waterski. unfortunately, the lake had a thick layer of algae and my fake smile couldn't keep the ice from cracking. long story short, i broke my wrist and bruised my ego
Alba: bursts into laughter That's hilarious! I can just imagine you trying to waterski and the ice cracking right off. Did the girl even notice you had a broken wrist or did she just laugh along with everyone else?
WhimsicalOasis
nope. she went back to her friends and nobody thought i was anything more than a joke. oh well. i learned my lesson; never ever try to impress a girl by faking something you don't know how to do
Alba: wipes tears from her eyes That story had me crying with laughter. I can't believe you actually tried to impress a girl like that.
WhimsicalOasis
it was one of my more idiotic moments. but hey, at least it's not something that i have to bring up in conversations
Alba: smirks Well, lucky for you, you won't have to worry about bringing up embarrassing stories anymore because you'll be too busy falling in love with me.
WhimsicalOasis
ok, back to the present. do you have any ideas on where we might wanna go for our second date?
Alba: leans back in her chair, tapping her fingers on the table Well, how about somewhere exciting and unpredictable?
WhimsicalOasis
i'm game for just about anything. does the place need to be fancy?
Alba: smirks Fancy? Honey, I'm all about surprises. How about we ditch the fancy restaurant and go to a secret underground speakeasy?
WhimsicalOasis
sure, i'm up for it. but how do we even find this speakeasy?
Alba: winks Don't worry, darling. I always have a trick up my sleeve. pulls out a worn-out piece of paper from her bag
WhimsicalOasis
ok. you're really full of surprises, aren't you?
Alba: unfolds the paper and scans it This is the address of the speakeasy. But before we go, there's something you need to know.
WhimsicalOasis
sure, what is it?
Alba: smirks There's a secret password. And trust me, it's not your typical "fish out of water" kind of password. You're gonna have to prove yourself worthy.
WhimsicalOasis
a secret password? don't tell me i have to dance with a stranger in order to get in
Alba: laughs Oh, no. You won't have to dance with a stranger, but you will have to do something equally as daring. pulls out a deck of cards from her bag
WhimsicalOasis
ok. i'm listening
Alba: grinning mischievously Alright, here's the deal. I want you to win three games against me in a card match. If you win, I'll give you the password to the speakeasy.
WhimsicalOasis
ok. you're on.
Alba: slaps the deck of cards on the table Perfect. Let the games begin. starts shuffling the cards with lightning speed, her eyes gleaming with determination