Table for Two - Felipe (attn LizBeth)

[felipe]

The restaurant Felipe had chosen was a good hour's drive out of town but he hoped it would be well worth it. La Spiga on highway 111 heading towards Palm Desert. According to the leaflet he'd picked up, La Spiga claimed to be a magnificent Tuscan-style villa and one surrounded by rose gardens, herb beds and fruit trees. It sounded perfect. Patio dining with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The chef - and owner - had received multiple awards and past clientele included ambassadors, actors and even the Prime Minister of Great Britain. They couldn't all be wrong... could they?

Felipe had booked a table for 8 o'clock, allowing them plenty of time to get there. He'd even checked out their online menu. Organic food and all prepared to order and an extensive selection. There was sure to be something that appealed to LizBeth.

He peered at the road map he held before dropping it onto the passenger seat of his borrowed car. His mother had been more than willing to loan it to him again.

Flat River Avenue. How hard could it be to find it? Harder than he'd thought, apparently but Felipe finally turned into the driveway of number 9947...

An impressive white stone structure without a doubt and he glanced up at it as he headed for the front door.

He reached up and announced his arrival before stepping back a couple of paces, straightening his black shirt... and waiting...

[elizabethlivingsto]

Liz glanced at the clock one final time, knowing that Felipe would be there quite soon. She had chosen a rather simple dress for the evening. It was a free flowing silk number in black that tied gently around the back of her neck and ended in a handkerchief hem at her knees. Her hair was loose, cascading in gentle waves to her bare shoulders. A pair of Grecian looking heeled sandals completed the look.

The doorbell rang in the lower parts of the house, and within a minute, the front door was opened by an older, yet quite distinguished man. His face was kind, yet firm, and his eyes spoke of worldy experience. "You must be Felipe..please come in. I'm Spencer, Elizabeth's guardian...she is just about ready I think." Spencer led the young man into the foyer, closing the door behind him.

"What are your plans for this evening?" He asked, moving to take a white trench coat out of a nearby closet. he turned as he heard the tell tale clicking of heels on marble flooring as Liz slowly descended the staircase.

There was a definite, real smile on her lips as she saw Felipe standing in the foyer, her entrance meant to grab attention.

[felipe]

Spencer. The man had to be Spencer who LizBeth had mentioned... A fact almost immediately confirmed. He looked friendly in a strict sort of way. A man who would do whatever he had to do to protect LizBeth. Felipe liked him instantly. "Boa noite, senhor," Felipe replied with a slight dip of his head.

He followed the older man inside the house, waiting patiently to one side for LizBeth to arrive.

"Dinner, senhor," Felipe ranswered. "I have reserved a table at La Spiga. It is an Italian restaurant on the road towards Palm Desert. On my oath I will not keep LizBeth out too late."

Felipe turned to face the stairs when he heard footsteps approaching. How could he fail not to recognise the sound of those heels? He smiled in appreciation when he saw her.

"Boa noite," he repeated and this time to his date. "You look perfeito." Perfect indeed... and from the tip of her toes all the way up to the highest hair on her head. "I hope you are feeling hungry," Felipe added with another smile. "Otherwise we will be having something of a long drive for no other reason than sharing our company. That in itself is reason enough for me, I have to admit!"

[elizabethlivingsto]

Spencer nodded, inclining his head toward the well mannered young man. "It is Saturday evening, there is no curfew for Elizabeth tonight. Just drive careful." He handed Liz her coat when she came over, noting with an amused raised eyebrow, the smile on his ward's face. It had been a while since he had seen one like that.

"La Spiga is good, I have taken a few clients there, it's a good choice..have a good evening." The old man smiled at them both and disappeared back into his office down the hallway.

Liz tucked her jacket over her arm, smiling. "You look really godo...who knew you could clean up so well?" She smirked slightly. "I'm starving actually..i don't think I actually ate anything today.." Come to think of it, no she really had not. "I could think of a lot worse ways to spend the night...but food yes please..and then we see where the night takes us.."

[felipe]

The drive took a little longer than he'd guessed but they were in no hurry. The table had been booked for 8 and it was still only a little after 7 with half of the journey already behind them. They would still arrive early... Plenty of time to have a drink before they ate. Nothing alcoholic for him, though. Not with the return drive to be made.

La Spiga soon appeared ahead... A delightful building and exactly as their website had described. What they hadn't mentioned, though, was the heady scent of roses that hit them as soon as they climbed out of the car. Not enough to be sickly but definitely enchanting. As they walked towards the main building an exotic mixture of rosemary, basil and thyme mingled seductively with the rose perfume, adding to the already heightened atmosphere.

They were greeted on arrival and after offering his name they were shown to a secluded corner on the patio. The evening air was balmy enough for the thought of dining in the open air to be welcome and Felipe threw LizBeth a slightly anxious glance. After all, it was clear she was used to nothing but the best and while his own upbringing had been more than financially secure Brazil was very different to England. Would she like it?

Their waiter moved to draw out a seat for LizBeth but Felipe beat him to it, holding it back for her to sit before dropping down opposite.

"Something to drink while you read the menu?" asked the waiter and Felipe glanced at LizBeth once more.

"What would you like?" he asked.

[elizabethlivingsto]

The conversation in the car during the ride was soft, flirt and generally fun. Fefe could keep up with Liz's comments and throw them back just as well, and it was lovely. So few could give it as good as they got with her. He amused her on a very high level.

Getting out of the car, they were met with the softly warmed scent of roses, and Liz found herself closing her eyes and just breathing. A soft smile danced gently on her lips. "This place is beautiful." She looked over at her date, seeing the nervous look on his features. Yes, she was spoiled rotten and used to the best things in life, but she could definitely appreciate when someone took the time and effort to try and impress her, and she was rather impressed with one Felipe Luis Vila Nova.

"if the food here is as good as the atmosphere...we may have a new eatery.." She spoke, looking back at him with another smile as he held her chair out for her. Her words were a clear indication that there would be more then one date, if he wished it anyway. Yes, while he might be different then any guy she had ever gone out with, as was Ben from this morning, Liz could see herself involved with him. "Thank you." She said as she was seated fully.

The water asked if they would care for something to drink as they over looked the meal choices and Liz nodded. "I'd like a glass of white zinfandel please." She looked up at their server as if daring him to ask for ID. Perhaps it was her looks and mature air, or perhaps it was the full carat diamond studs in her ears, but he did not argue with her. He wanted a good tip at the end of the meal, and sparkly things usually meant money. Smart yank.

"Unless you'd like me to drive home after?" She asked Felipe.

[felipe]

"Absolutely not," Felipe insisted. "I am more than happy to have a bottle of mineral water. Sparkling, please," he added to the waiter who inclined his head, left two menus and then retreated. He opened one and scanned the items listed. They all looked enticing. A serving of grisini arrived and was set between them along with a small bowl of black and green olives.

"Would you like some antipasto before your main course?" he asked. LizBeth had claimed to be hungry, after all. "We could have something to share if you like...?" He'd also read the main courses. There were the usual pizzas and pastas, of course, but his attention had been firmly caught by the salmon con gamberetti... poached salmon in a creamy white sauce with mushrooms and fresh water prawns. It sounded delicious.

"The proscuitto di parma con melone sounds nice to set us off perhaps? Do you have any favourite? Or perhaps you are a vegetarian?" He hadn't thought to ask her that. Luckily there were ample non-meat dishes available.

[elizabethlivingsto]

Felipe was in charge tonight, and LizBeth very much liked that. Most guys tended to go weak and meek around her, so it was really good to see someone able to step in and take over. She opened the menu and began looking it over, flicking a look up at Fefe every once in a while.

"An antipasto sounds wonderful actually." She was beyond impressed with him by this point. He had picked a lovely restaurant, knew what he was doing, it was fantastic. "Sharing sounds good.." She grinned over at him, crossing her legs under the table and *accidentally* letting her foot brush along his leg gently. "No, I am not a vegetarian...I need my meat.." She gave him a sly little look as she said the last bit, having a double meaning behind the words. "The prosciutto sounds good, let's go ahead and order that."

She continued looking over the menu for her entree selection, and found herself favoring a Steak Gorgonzola-Alfredo. Grilled beef medallions drizzled with balsamic glaze, served over fettuccine tossed with spinach and gorgonzola-alfredo sauce. Her mouth watered just thinking about it.

[felipe]

Decision made, Felipe beckoned the waiter over who arrived, pad of paper and pencil in his hands. He placed their orders, along with another glass of Zinfandel for LizBeth, and the man vanished as silently as he’d joined them. So far the evening was going well... and Felipe hadn’t missed LizBeth’s double entendre regarding her need for meat. Of course, he took that as the joke in which it’d been offered, determined not to do anything what so ever to ruin their evening out... up to and including pawing at her in any way. Not that he didn’t want to... but date one? No, that smacked of serious bad form. No one could accuse Felipe Luis Vila Nova of acting in that manner.

Their antipasto soon arrived and was set down between them. In a far corner some musicians had set up to play... piano, violin and cello. Nothing loud and intrusive but more of a gentle soothing and mellow tone that filtered out into background noise... just as did the ambient conversations taking place at the other occupied tables. Relaxed and casual yet at the same time the atmosphere oozed opulence. Luckily Felipe was well off enough so as not to worry about footing the bill!

Felipe gently nudged the plate of prosciutto and melon towards LizBeth. He had a far greater reach than she did and could manage easily enough that way.

“So... why did you agree to come out with me?” he finally asked. “I admit I am curious to know. I mean, I’m not exactly your aristocrat... am I?” he teased with a crooked smile.

[elizabethlivingsto]

Liz nodded her approval of the wine as their server set it down. She took a sip, feeling the crispness run over her tongue and she let out a happy sigh. Her eyes glittered playfully at Felipe over the rim of her glass. She knew that he had gotten the double meaning to her words. He had this lovely mix of aggression and submissiveness, which meant that he may or may not step things up in the physical department. That was fine, it made for an interesting time, and Liz herself was definitly not shy when it came to that.

The music that began playing in the background made her smile. So many surprises. It was truly refreshing to see a man that really knew how to treat a lady, and make no mistake, despite being still in high school, Felipe was no boy, he was a man. Liz reached forward gently and plucked one of the prosciutto wrapped melon pieces. She slid it carefully into her mouth with an appreciative moan. Her lips curled into a smile as Fefe asked why she had agreed to come out tonight.

"You..." She started, lifting her wine glass to her lips and taking another small sip. "Intrigue me..." She answered, sweeping her tongue along her lower lip to catch any stray liquid. "Just because I have royal titles and money...it doesn't mean that I can't enjoy other things." She looked at him for a moment. "You keep me on my toes, you don't back down when I get mouthy..and I like that..I like you..and I hope you can deal with that." She spoke softly, a little more honesty in her words then he would have seen so far out of her.