You’re Embarrassing Me
Victoria had a hard time with her personal life, but not because there was anything wrong with her. She was simply very focused on her job, trying to save up for her own place. In the little free time Victoria had, she preferred a quiet rest.
Her job was quite active, spending only a few hours in the office and the rest on her feet. Sometimes she traveled by public transport or took a taxi, but when the weather was nice, she preferred to walk.
As a result, Victoria was slender and fit. On average, she walked about six miles a day and only ate when she had time.
However, she also longed for that kind of happiness that comes from a relationship. She wished she could come home, lay her head on a close friend’s shoulder, and talk about her day.
But where could she find that happiness when she was always busy? Still, as the saying goes, destiny will find you. Victoria believed this and kept her spirits up.
One day, a client from her company took an interest in Victoria. He was older and financially well-off. Somewhat not to her taste, but as her grandmother used to say, you can’t judge a book by its cover. When he invited her to dinner, Victoria, after some thought, agreed. She didn’t want to forget how to have fun.
Oliver invited her to a fancy restaurant. Victoria had been there a couple of times before and knew it was expensive. But she planned to pay for herself if needed, as she was mainly interested in having a conversation with the man.
Oliver picked her up in his nice car. He gallantly helped her into the car, and Victoria felt it melt her heart. She had forgotten what such simple gestures of care felt like.
As soon as they entered the restaurant, Victoria’s mouth watered. She tried to remember the last time she ate, and it seemed it was in the morning. Then there was a lot of work, and she rushed home to get ready for the date, leaving no time to eat. Now, smelling the wonderful aromas and seeing the delicious food on the guests’ plates made her stomach growl.
Victoria had never pretended to be someone she was not and wasn’t trying hard to make an impression. She was very hungry, so she ordered plenty.
“I’ll have the steak, seafood salad, and… tiramisu!”
After placing the order, Victoria closed the menu and smiled at Oliver. He seemed a bit taken aback.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“No… No! I’m just surprised by your appetite.”
Victoria shrugged.
“I haven’t eaten since morning! Don’t worry, I can pay for myself!” she quickly mentioned.
“Don’t be silly! Money’s not an issue! Don’t even think about it.”
Victoria smiled and admired the restaurant’s decor.
The conversation was simple, yet quite pleasant.
Oliver was indeed surprised by how much Victoria ordered. He was accustomed to his dates eating a simple salad to maintain their figure. He gave Victoria a quick once-over, satisfied. She was quite trim; perhaps she really was just hungry. Although he was sure she wouldn’t be able to finish everything. That was more suited to a grown man, not a petite girl!
Imagine Oliver’s shock when Victoria polished off the steak and salad, then moved on to dessert—at ten in the evening!
Oliver had always believed that slim women didn’t eat dessert. Or if they did, only a little, and at breakfast. But Victoria enjoyed her meal, and you could tell she wouldn’t refuse another serving if offered.
Typically, Oliver was surrounded by women with model-like appearances, who were pleasant company when out in public. Yes, maintaining such company was costly, but it was worth it.
Victoria was different. She talked a lot, dressed simply, and didn’t seem to try very hard to impress Oliver. And she ate a lot. It wasn’t about the money; it was just odd, somehow.
Overall, the evening went well despite Oliver’s surprise. He drove Victoria home afterward and, feeling positive emotions, invited her to accompany him to a friend’s birthday party on the weekend.
Victoria, not giving it much thought, agreed. She didn’t have plans, and besides today, she hadn’t gone anywhere for ages.
“There’s a dress code, though,” Oliver cautioned. “You need a black dress.”
Victoria considered it.
“I think I have one. But if not, I’ll buy one, don’t worry.”
But Oliver was concerned. He hoped he wouldn’t have to feel embarrassed about his date.
“I can get you one. It would be a gift.”
“Oh, no need,” Victoria waved him off, “I can manage.”
Oliver had to trust her choice.
He wasn’t impressed with the dress, though it suited Victoria. It was evident that it was inexpensive, not designer. But what could he do, force her to change?
In his circles, a woman’s appearance was a reflection of the man’s wealth and generosity. Oliver saw himself as well-off and far from stingy. But he couldn’t explain to everyone that Victoria had refused money for an outfit.
If anyone at the birthday noticed how she looked, they didn’t show it.
Nevertheless, Victoria stood out among the women at the party. The others sipped champagne, nibbling canapés or strawberries. They barely spoke, only whispering to each other quietly. As usual, the men did most of the talking.
Victoria behaved completely differently. She chatted with every guest, and her laughter could be heard here and there. She refused champagne, saying it gave her a headache. Instead, she asked for whiskey—a manly drink!
She tried everything she laid eyes on. Other snacks remained untouched by the other women, mentally counting their calories. But Victoria wasn’t bothered. She didn’t think about her figure or how she looked. She was enjoying herself and having a good time.
When the topic turned to sports, and someone asked Victoria about her activities, the girl laughed.
“Walking, mostly. I have to move a lot for work.”
“You have such a great figure,” remarked the birthday boy’s wife, “don’t you go to the gym?”
Victoria smiled slyly. By then, all attention was on her, which Oliver didn’t like. He felt embarrassed, perhaps.
“Want to know the secret to staying slim?” The women nodded eagerly. “Work hard enough to forget to eat and save money to avoid spending it on food. Oh, and find a job where you’re not sitting all day in an office. That’s all.”
It seemed the women weren’t satisfied with this answer. Most of them had never worked, and the concept of saving money was foreign to them.
Oliver took hold of Victoria’s elbow and pulled her aside.
“Stop,” he hissed through his teeth.
“Stop what?” the girl genuinely asked.
“Behaving like this! You’re embarrassing me! Stop saying silly things and eating everything! You’re a woman, yet you’re acting like an uncouth man!”
One of the guests, who greatly enjoyed Victoria’s lively and cheerful presence among dull snobs, overheard these words. He approached Oliver and shook his head.
“Watch what you say! Victoria is the highlight of the evening, and you’re stuck in your stereotypes.”
“Mind your business!” Oliver barked.
Victoria pulled her arm free, embarrassed as she looked between her date and the guest who had taken her side. Andrew, wasn’t it?
“Sorry,” she said. “I think I’ll leave. I don’t want to embarrass you further.”
Victoria didn’t hear Oliver’s reply. She nearly ran out of the banquet hall, feeling tears prick at her eyes. Had she really done something wrong? Was it so shameful to talk to guests and eat food? It wasn’t as if she was wiping her hands on the tablecloth or blowing her nose in public… But was that worthy of embarrassment?
Victoria slowly wandered along the street, unexpectedly hearing someone call her.
It was that same guest. Andrew.
“Victoria, apologize for Oliver; he doesn’t understand what he’s saying. He’s used to silly standards and just doesn’t realize how lucky he is to have met such an amazing girl.”
“Thank you,” she mumbled. “I guess I just live in a different reality. When I hang out with my friends, it’s normal to talk a lot. And if guests don’t finish all the prepared food, the hosts get upset,” she said with a sad smile. “That lifestyle isn’t for me. And I don’t want to embarrass Oliver any further.”
“He’s just a snob,” Andrew chuckled. “And all of them, really. I’m sure, seeing you, they all wished to have a fraction of the freedom and lightness you possess. But they’re bound by rules they made up themselves. They’re the ones living in a make-believe reality.”
Victoria nodded gratefully.
“It’s late now. May I drive you home?” Andrew asked.
“What about the party? You should go back.”
“I don’t want to,” he laughed. “Spending time with you is more interesting.”
Andrew drove her home and suggested they meet again. She said she would think about it and let him know later. Andrew promised to wait, sincerely hoping Vitórian would give him a chance. After all, a girl like her was rare in his world.
