She was 13 minutes late and Troy was fuming with rage. He followed the simple rule – being on time is late, so he always showed up everywhere a few minutes early.  To scope the surroundings, check all the good stalking corners, and prepare the emergency exit routes. However, he tried to find the silver linings. The extra time allowed him to fully calm his nerves, almost stop thinking about Oswald and the potential implications of tonight’s faithful first date and scope the very poor wine collection. The place actually offered more beer than wine, which wasn’t very Spanish. Troy smoothed the paper napkin in front of him, polished the fork and knife with the corner of his shirt, and ignored the waiter who was shooting daggers at him for daring to question the state of the silverware.

Finally, the door to the completely empty restaurant opened and Andera graced him with her presence. In the dim light of the room, she looked rather unremarkable. Too fidgety, too alive. Almost nothing from the still, melancholic presence she exuded in her profile picture, was coming from her now. She took an awkward look around the space completely lacking any other visitors, noticed Troy, waved and made her way to his table.
Showtime.

Barnes waived away her polite and not at-all sincere apology for being late, while promptly rising from his seat to pull out her chair for her. He wanted to be perceived like the gentlemen he was, and that meant picking her up – which she wouldn’t let him do, arriving on time – something she wouldn’t appreciate, and tending to her needs before she even had to voice them – hopefully she’ll cooperate at least in that area.

— Not at all! – he said once Andrea was secured on her side of the table. – You are worth the wait. – He gave her a gentle smile, not too sleazy, not too eager, and pointed at the menu that the waiter left on her left.

He also thought of making a joke about how he reserved the whole place for them, but changed his mind last minute, just in case she was less bright than she seemed, and took that joke to mean, that he was a wealthy, cheesy jackass who would do something like that.

— I was actually waiting for you to hear the specials tonight, — partial truth. He did study the menu online, and then in person, but when the waiter suggested that he monologue the specials to him, Troy insisted that they wait for the lady of the hour to arrive. He suspected the specials weren’t that special and didn’t want to live through the experience of hearing them twice. – And I wasn’t sure what would you feel like drinking, so we only have water for now – he pointed at the rather unremarkable glasses filled with flat water. – Hydration is key! – He squeezed out an awkward laugh. – So, what would you like to hydrate with? Wine? A cocktail perhaps?

While Andrea was looking at the menu, Troy was stealing glances at her. From up close she was back to looking nice and approachable. Slightly pale, but we deep dark eyes that looked rather intelligent and thoughtful – either she was really into the menu, or there was something to her. Her hair was nice too and she clearly tried to dress up nice but so it doesn’t look like she put too much effort into it – fair and predictable. Troy appreciated that instantly. He liked predictable, he felt comfortable with predictable. He knew exactly how to act with predictable and how to lead this whole situation into the right route to achieve his long-term goals with Oswald.

— So, shall we hear the specials? – after giving her enough, in his opinion, time to consider the menu and the drinks, Troy waived at the waiter, who approached the table more eagerly than before. Evidently, the fact that an actual young and attractive woman appeared after all, made him reevaluate his commitment to the job.

— Good evening and welcome to the «CONQUISTADOR»! My name is Tony, and I will be your waiter tonight. Have you dined with us before? – Tony introduced himself with extra gravitas. After both of them assured him that this is their first time at this remarkable establishment, Tony proceeded to present them with the specials: - Tonight, chef Carlos is serving Paella Mixta with a side of Patatas bravas. For an appetizer we recommend the Croquetas de Jamón Serrano and of course our world-famous gazpacho.

Troy did his research and knew that despite the fact that Tony was rolling his “r”s to the best of his abilities, they world famous authentic Spanish cuisine prepared by chef Carlos (who was originally from New Mexico), at best would resemble popcorn shrimp and tater tots, but he was in the mood to play along and as a huge fan of turning every make belief into a reality, he was prepared to pretend as if they were in Barcelona for the night. So, he left the decision to Andrea:

— I’m down to try anything, what do you say?
Let the perfect date finally begin, 13 minutes late.