The night was black; black like Ellen’s hair. The full, deliberate blackness that makes one think of being not quite alone in their darkened bedroom. Ellen’s hair was the darkest match for the sky, and full of curves and waves just like her seductive body which curved simultaneously with it down to the hips, where the hair ended and her perfect legs began. It countered, but complimented her light complexion. Her skin was fair, but full of blood, and not yellowish like so many with light skin. And her lips in turn countered that, the deepest scarlet by themselves but lipsticked even redder.

In her black lingerie, Ellen painted on her eyeliner in front of the mirror. Also in front of the window with the almost shut curtains. Then she turned, and He fell back further into the shadows to ensure He would not be discovered, but she did not turn to look out of her window. She had turned to retrieve a dress lain across the bed. A dress that matched her lips was allowed to slip over her head, its spaghetti thin straps laced one at a time over her shoulders, and it made Him lick His lips and shudder with delight. It was cut very high at the bottom, and very low at the top, it was just enough to ensure a man of what he wanted, and respectful enough to ensure him he would not have it. She draped a ruby necklace carefully around her desirable neck, and laid it gently against her exposed cleavage. She slipped on her red shoes which left her several inches taller than without them.

Ellen smiled in the mirror. It was a giddy, excited smile, and she had checked and rechecked her appearance many times. With her sexy attire, and without work the next day, He suspected tonight would hold a late-running date. He was not concerned with silly dates, however, let her have her fun. She would be His one day, there was no doubt. He was not anxious for that day to come, however. He enjoyed watching her now. Seeing her in all her glory in every situation… when she cried of loneliness in her room, or for her dead brother… When she put her makeup on, like now… When she chose an outfit so carefully, when really it did not make any difference what she wore… When she was undressing for the shower…

Ellen strung two more rubies through her ears, and grabbed a clutch off of the table with her crimson polished nails, and He watched her skirt flare as her legs took her to the door. She disappeared behind the wood, and showed herself again as she appeared on the doorstep. She looked around the street briefly, scanning for any sign of danger with half the attention she should have given as a woman out alone after dark. Doing just what her mother told her as a teenager, but disregarding it all the same. She turned and clicked a key into the door, and then dropped it into her clutch, and walked down the stairs. He watched her calves clench as she climbed down, and then watched from behind as she walked a way down the street. Then after a moment He followed after her, just far enough away that he was confident she would not notice.

He had expected her to hail a cab, but she did not even look to the street for one. It would be a shame to wreck those heels, He thought. They entered town only a few blocks away, where the lights decided for Him that He should fall back a few steps more but He hardly had the chance, for just inside the first busy street they approached, she turned inside a restaurant.

He stood back a few feet from the window of the restaurant. It was very nice inside, not extremely fancy, but it was appropriate to make a good impression on a date, though few people seemed to have chosen it for this Saturday’s entertainment. There were so few couples inside, and aside from the cooks only three waitresses and an usher working from what he could see. The mild lights against dark walls made Ellen look even more beautiful, and He sat and watched her for the few minutes before what He could only assume to be her unworthy date arrived.

A man too old for Ellen passed him, and went inside of the restaurant to meet her. The man was not ugly, but a bit overweight, and with a receding hairline, he had dark skin, and brown eyes, and what was left of his hair was dark…Nothing unique, or special to his appearance like the beautiful and voluptuous Ellen. Nothing to deserve her. Still the man went to hug Ellen, and her face lit at seeing the man and she tiptoed up with a kiss on the cheek. He smiled at her exchange with the man. It was almost a silly sight; practically a goddess, hugging this… worthless normality. Her lips form a name, and he reads it to be Juan. He chuckles to himself, with His arms crossed and with a cocky smirk. Juan was the name of a lover; this man had the appearance of anything but that. Still, He abandoned this thought, and as they were seated and away from the entrance, He went in after them.

It was chilly inside, but it did not bother Him much. He was seated quickly as there were many tables open, and from where the usher left him he had a clear view of Ellen and Juan, taking menus from a mousy young waitress, who promised to return with their drinks.

The waitress’ eyes averted to Him, and he nodded politely at her attempt at a flirtatious smile. She was not attractive. She was not dressed or made up expertly like Ellen, and though she was tall she had the presence of a very small person, as she was far too thin. Her weight mixed with the sight of the yellow tinge of her skin made Him suspect an eating disorder of some kind. He could relate. He had had nothing substantial for a while either. A glimpse at her nametag revealed her as Ricki. Her tongue flicked against her lip as she approached, and He knew suddenly what she was thinking. She wanted Him. How flattering. He supposed he was attractive, but he really had no way of knowing.

She held her smile as she approached, and handed him a menu. Her nails weren’t painted. He flung the menu open and skimmed the front page.

“Can I get ya something to drink?” She asked, clearly an attempt to sound charming was hidden in her mild southern accent, but had He not known what it was He would not have recognized it. He snapped the menu shut already.

“Water, and I will order now.” He said, He crossed His arms and leaned forward in the seat. She made a note on her little pad, and surfaced to perform her rehearsed waitress speech.

“May I recommend the…”

“No,” He stopped her. “I’d like a steak, the cheapest one.” He tilted His head around Ricki to snatch another glimpse at Ellen, who was laughing at something Juan had said, and Juan was looking relieved that she had liked his joke.

“Oukay…” Said Ricki; her accent toying around with the first syllable. She wrote on her pad. “How would ya like that cooked?”

“Rare.” He said simply and, annoyed, shoved His menu back at her.

“Be righ’ back.” She promised, took the menu back, and walked away.

He watched Ellen twirl her black hair, and bat her big reddish-brown eyes as Juan worked his charm. They were out of earshot, but He was certain Juan was none too skilled at charming a woman. He shook His head so many times at Juan’s expression. As He watched Ellen, Ricki watched Him, and her eyes grew more hungry by the second just as His did, though He was sure neither of their hungers were the type to be satisfied by steak. She brought His meal quickly, and He ate it, and barely noticed what he was tasting.

An hour later He was only half finished with His meal, and Ricki approached His table. His water glass was empty, but she had not come to fill it. She leaned on the table and spoke with disappointment in her eyes.

“My shift is over.” She said. “If ya need anythin’, Betty will help ya out. Have a nice evenin’.” And she walked away sadly. He watched her put on a coat across the room, and glanced back to Ellen. It was a gently tempting idea to follow her out. It was not the night for Ellen. Still, Ricki could satisfy nothing of what He hungered for, but a man could only last so long on watching a woman who forgets to pin the curtains shut…

He stood, and went to charm Ricki into taking Him home.