Elizabeth wasn’t sure where they’d be going for dinner so decided on a denim mini, red silk blouse and her black leather jacket with her high heeled thigh boots. She was touching up her fire engine red lipstick when Phodiso poked her nose around the door. “He’s here and he is seriously hot!” she whispered. “He reminds me of someone though. Who is it? I can’t place him.”

“Yes, I know. There’s something about him isn’t there? You remember Kagiso? I think he reminds me a bit of Kagiso.”

“That’s it!” Phodiso said. “The actor, right?”

“Yeah. He drives a bus now.”

“Hmm… well this Realeboga is much cuter. And your stupid dog loves him. Hurry up, he’s waiting.” Phodiso looked her up and down. “And he’s wearing a suit, you might think about changing.”

“A suit?” Elizabeth panicked. Off with the mini and the blouse and the jacket, on with the knee length black dress with the plunging neckline and the gold scarf. Thigh boots still in position, she was ready. She hoped she got it right this time.

She found Realeboga sitting with Chompie’s big head on his lap, talking to Phodiso and Odirile. Phodiso and Odirile were over to dog sit while Elizabeth went out. Chompie didn’t like staying alone at night. He often made his displeasure known by eating a piece of furniture.

When Elizabeth came into the sitting room, Realeboga stood up. “Don’t you look beautiful,” he said as if he meant it, as if it wasn’t just a social convention.

“Thanks,” Elizabeth said suddenly feeling awkward. “So…you met my sister… and Odrile…”

“Yes…I did.” They were all standing now filling her tiny sitting room with a big solid block of social ineptness. Chompie wagged his tail waiting for something fun to happen, he was always sure fun was in his future. “So? Should we go? I made reservations for eight,” Realeboga said.

“Yes,” Elizabeth said a bit too quickly.

Phodiso, Odirile and Chompie walked them to the door. “Have a good time!” Phodiso said, bending down to hold Chompie’s collar. He was under the impression he was going on the date too.

“No, you don’t have to do that,” Realeboga said. Then he looked at Chompie. “Sit.” Chompie sat down. “Stay.”

Phodiso looked at Elizabeth with an impressed look on her face. Anyone who could control Chompie got good marks in her book.

Chompie stayed sitting while they walked out the door. But once the door was closed and they were walking to the car, he started howling. He didn’t like being left out of the fun.

*****

They drove to the centre of Joburg to a place where Elizabeth was sure if there was a restaurant, they would both be over dressed. Realeboga parked the car in a lot behind a block of tall office buildings.

“This doesn’t look like a place that has many restaurants,” Elizabeth said as he opened the door for her.

“It’s not really. It’s a bit hidden, this place. It’s owned by a friend of mine. Slightly exclusive maybe.” He took her hand and they walked toward a nearby building.

Phodiso was right, Realaboga was looking particularly handsome. Elizabeth was coming to the decision that here was a man made for suits. He held her hand confidently and guided her in a way that made her feel safe and cared for. She couldn’t help but compare him to Oaitse. Oaitse, Mr Metrosexual, cared for no one except himself. The thought that his position as the man in the relationship might include him stepping forward to defend his woman would appear ludicrous. Oaitse would, maybe, open a car door for Elizabeth if she’d just had her arms amputated; otherwise she was on her own. Though Elizabeth considered herself a feminist and knew she could take care of herself, she also appreciated a man who acted like a man when he needed to. She was sure Realeboga was that kind of man. The way he walked, the way he touched her. He was confident in his male position. He was no bully, not overbearing, just confident being a man. Elizabeth liked that. She liked it a lot.

At the door the doorman stepped forward and opened for them. “Dumela Rre Matlhare,” the doorman said.

“Dumela, Jomo. How are you this evening?”

They got in the elevator and he pushed the button for the top floor, the twentieth. “So you come here often?” Elizabeth asked.

“Yes, sort of. I live down here. Actually, I live on top of my gym, it’s around the corner from here. And the restaurant is owned by a good friend like I said. I like to support him whenever I can.”

The elevator doors opened and the enticing smell of basil and oregano filled the small space. Elizabeth’s stomach growled. “Italian? I love Italian.”

“Me too.”

They stepped inside and Elizabeth couldn’t believe a restaurant like this existed in this part of Joburg. It took up the entire top floor of the building with walls of glass looking out over the night time city. Candle lit tables with red silk tablecloths were filled with people. A very tall, very beautiful woman in a too tiny red dress came up to them. Elizabeth’s jealous radar went into overdrive.

“Realeboga, don’t you look yummy tonight,” the woman said, not hiding her lust for Elizabeth’s date. She flicked her long blonde hair over her shoulder and stuck her ample breasts forward slightly.

“Monica,” Realeboga said smiling at her, “how are you this evening?”

“Better, now that you’re here.” She’d yet to acknowledge Elizabeth who was feeling even smaller than usual looking up at this glamazon. Realeboga looked at her and smiled, squeezed her hand tighter, and she immediately felt better.

“Meet my date, Elizabeth Nkala, she’s a journalist,” Realeboga said as if being a journalist might be the position you have just before becoming president. Still, Monica was not impressed.

“Your table’s ready,” she said, giving the introduction only the slightest nod of her golden head.

Realeboga placed his arm around Elizabeth, his hand resting in the small of her back and guided her as they followed Monica through the crowded dining room. Every table or so, someone would greet Realeboga. He’d stop to talk to them and introduce Elizabeth. He seemed to know everyone. Finally they sat down and Monica disappeared to get the wine Realeboga ordered. Their table was next to the window and Elizabeth looked out over the city lights. It was stunning from so high up.

Realeboga reached across the table and took Elizabeth’s hands in his, that small connection had her heart racing. “I’m so glad you agreed to come out with me tonight. I know we don’t know each other well but, some how, that first day at class, the day Chompie found me, I knew you were someone I wanted to get to know better. I was afraid something I said the other day might have messed everything up between us. I’m sorry for whatever it was.”

Elizabeth was surprised at the openness in Realeboga’s words and his intuitiveness. She was used to Oaitse’s games and lies, his opaqueness, his disinterest. What a change- honesty. She smiled. “No, it was nothing really. I just felt like maybe we were too different from each other but I see I was wrong now. We both love dogs, and sports and Italian food. I guess we need to really thank Chompie for nearly killing you that day so we might be together.”

He laughed, then he leaned back and looked at her. “You’re lovely. Do you know that?”

“Thanks,” she said. “You’re quite lovely yourself.”

***

Tell us what you think: Do you think Elizabeth should be wary of Realeboga’s natural ability to entice women without the effort?