In a cozy corner of Hatter Street was a nice quaint little restaurant where a tall, affable looking man sat at a table. He was nervous. This was a second date with a woman he sort of liked and he wanted to make a good impression.

Noah Raleigh working in the graphics department of a software firm where Matilda Merryweather was a Business Analyst. Her job involved a lot of research, a lot of client side interviewing and a lot of arguments with the development team about how the features in their software product were to be made.

She was a scary woman, especially to someone as sensitive natured as Noah. She was curt and cutthroat and known for her sharp tongue and even sharper suits. Her suits were the subject of much debate, she wore them all the time like a uniform. It had propagated an assumption that she may not prefer men.

But the more dominant assumption was that she preferred no one at all. Seeing as she never was seen in any romantic entanglements.

There were also another rumor; that she was having an affair with her good friend, the incredibly handsome and popular Sebastian Spencer. This Noah knew to be false since Sebastian had been seen dating another woman from the office and his conversations with Matilda had more "Bro!" and "Dude!" than a fraternity reunion.

She was also rumored to be a vampire since she worked late into the night and came in very early to "avoid the sun, obviously," as one colleague had put it. There was also the issue with her birthday. HR had informed the nosy Kelly that they would not be giving out her birth date since she had requested it be kept confidential. What made it weirder that even Sebastian didn't appear to know what the date was.

"Yeah she's weird about her birthday." Sebastian had said, "I dunno, maybe it's a weird date or whatever. Me and the gang usually just celebrate it on a Friday the 13th. She likes that."

"It's to hide that she's a hundred years old!" someone in the office had reasoned at a later discussion, "She's definitely a vampire. She even dresses like one."

Many had agreed with that assessment, but Jeff the Janitor insisted they were all wrong. "She's a witch, not a vampire," the man had said claiming he had seen her levitating some heavy boxes to her desk but then again, Jeff also insinuated that he was a medieval Knight who was reborn as a janitor for abandoning his knightly duties so his word could not be taken seriously.

Still, Noah had found he liked Matilda despite her tough behavior. He respected her dedication to her work, seeing how she spent hours on her computer without a break, punching her back that ached from all of that sitting.

He had also seen how helpful she was to people who weren't even in her department. Like the time the snobbish Savannah in marketing had broken down crying when her rich father had cut off her credit card because she needed to learn how to fend for herself.

"How am I supposed to go to Milan now?" the woman had wailed. Everyone else had snickered. Matilda had put her arm around Savannah and empathetically told her she could simply discuss her problems with her father and that it wasn't the end of the world.

"He's your dad. He won't actually abandon you. He just wants you to act more maturely." She had said.

Noah reasoned that she was secretly a very gentle person who only had a spiky exterior. But that may just have been wishful thinking. A thinking he had accidentally blurted out to his work friends who had inevitably howled at his assumptions and challenged his manhood, saying that he did not have the guts to even ask her out for a drink.

Noah wasn't one to worry about his manhood, he knew that kind of thinking was useless. But all of the girls from the office were also watching and he didn't want them to think him a coward. So he had walked up to the scary looking suited woman as she frowned to her computer screen and typed away furiously.

"Hey Matilda, you got a minute?"

She looked up with brows raised curiously. "Sure Noah. What's up?" Her voice was professional with a little cold edge that warned 'Mess with me and I cut you'.

"I um," Noah gulped so loudly he was sure it was audible, "You wanna go out for a drink with me some time?"

Her stony face melted a little and she blinked, "Like a, like a date?" Did she stammer? Matilda Merryweather didn't seem like someone who would stammer.

"Yeah." He forced the word out.

"Okay."

"Okay?" He was in shock.

"Okay." She replied, "Though I don't drink alcohol. I have alcohol intolerance so no drinks for me. I'll still go to the bar with you if you want."

He did. So they went to the nearest bar from work, with a large group of curious workers also attending, silently observing the two as they sat on the counter and talked. The groups whisperings could be heard by Noah who pretended he couldn't hear a thing.

"She said yes."

"Did he pay her for it?"

"She must owe him a favor or something. She's always told me that she wasn't interested in dating."

"That's cause you're an idiot, Cal."

"How did he get her to say yes?"

Matilda looked slyly over to the whispering group as they contemplated the impossible occurrence of Matilda Merryweather out with a man. For a second, Noah thought she might have said yes to him just to dispel these rumors about her. But that sly look quickly passed and he told himself he imagined it.

Now he was sitting at the dinner table for their second date, hoping this would go well as the first one. Well enough for a third.

Matilda had been courteous and inquisitive about him when they had drinks last time. She had insisted he enjoy his beer and not feel obliged to stay sober on her account, that he take it easy and relax. But it was hard to around her. Matilda herself was a very stiff person. Dinner might be a better place for her to feel relaxed. 

Their table was in a corner by the window and they could look out into the street and enjoy the inky view of the sky behind the tall buildings. He saw her then, suddenly appearing on the sidewalk as if she had apparated out of thin air. He must have missed it when she had walked up the street. She saw him from outside and waved. His eyes followed her as she came in.

She was in one of her typical black suits but she had done her make up. He felt a little insecure. She looked so sharp and corporate and he in his blue sweater and beanie looked kind of like a millennial hipster.

She dressed well, but she wasn't pretty, he suddenly realized as she got closer. Then he felt bad about thinking that way and dismissed the thought. Every woman was pretty. That is what he firmly believed.

"Hey," they both said at the same time.

"I can't believe Andrew kept you so late." He told her as she sat down. Andrew was her boss. A flamboyant, metrosexual man who was grueling to whoever was on his team.

"I know! He always has to give us assignments at the last minute." She said and sunk into her chair. They looked at each other for a minute. She carried just a shadow of a smile, contemplative and mysterious.

"So."

"So."

"I'm actually surprised you said yes," Noah admitted, "I always thought you never went out on dates."

She clicked her tongue, "I'll be real with you. I only said yes the first time because I wanted everyone to back off about how I don't date." At first she was expressionless but seeing the disappointment on Noah's face brought made her backtrack, looking suddenly ashamed.

"Sorry. I can be a bit too direct at times. What I meant was... I didn't expect to like you. And I do... like you I mean. You were an absolute gentleman and I thought, what the heck. Why not give it a shot?" She explained but he felt she was holding something else back. Still, he didn't prod and simply nodded.

"I kinda thought the same thing," Noah admitted, "about why you said yes. People at work can... be a little intrusive."

"Nah, they're just curious." She waved her hand dismissively, "I don't mind it really. I just don't have a good answer to give them. I just don't date. That's it."

Noah leaned a little closer, "But why don't you? I mean I know a couple of guys who would love to take you out. Myself included of course."

"Of course," she smiled. "I'm guessing the other guy is Calvin?"

"How'd you know?"

"He's asked me out a million times. I've always said no. I think he's dating Cara just to spite me but—" she stopped, catching herself, "Please don't tell her I said that."

"I won't. My lips are sealed."

"But yeah, he's made his interest known."

Noah played with the menu on the table, "I always thought you and Bas were secretly... you know."

"Me and Sebastian?" She laughed. "Nope. Never. We're just good friends. Nothing would ever happen between us."

She was denying this a little too much.

"Why not? He's a handsome guy and he's popular and smart. He's rich too, I hear his brother is some big shot journalist. All of the girls are crazy for him."

"Yeah I get that, but I think, since I've known him so long, I guess I've become immune to his charms." She shrugged.

"How long have you known him?"

"Let's not talk about Sebastian. I wanna know about you. What do you like, Noah Raleigh?" She leaned forward now and he could tell it was a calculated move, to show her interest. Noah told her the first thing that came to his mind. He told her about his work in graphics but she waved her hand again.

"No, no. I work with you, Raleigh, I already know about that. Tell me about your hobbies. What do you like to do when you're not working?"

"I um," Noah gulped, "I like comic books."

He expected judgement; a grown man still reading comic books? But Matilda only nodded for him to go on.

"I've liked them since I was a kid. I wanted to be a comic artist but I don't really have any talent for making up stories so I went into graphic design instead. Its not the same. Not even close, actually. But I like art so that's what I do."

Matilda gave a small smile, "That sounds lovely. Tell me more about what got you started in comics. Don't leave anything out."

So Noah dived in, about how he discovered Superman as a nine year old and it changed his life forever. How his first crush was Lois Lane, "I know it sounds weird that I like a cartoon."

"Not at all. I used to have a real thing for the Beast from Beauty and The Beast. You know, after he changes of course. Pity he's only on the screen like that for a few minutes near the end. They don't even show that in the sequels."

Noah smiled, wondering why on earth he had never asked Matilda Merryweather out before. He had not expected her to be so easy to talk to.

He went on about his comics, the ones he had collected, the recent additions to his ever growing library, when the waitress interrupted them.

"Hello. I'm Lois I will be serving you guys this evening. May I take your order?" Noah had only looked up to say what he wanted to eat. He had been to this place a lot and already knew the menu by heart. But the words never left his mouth, which was left hanging open at the sight in front of him.

Ever since he was a teenager, he had had a dream that one day some black haired, Glenda Farrell type woman would fall for him the way Lois Lane had fallen for Superman.

And there she stood, dark haired with curious eyes looking for a scoop. Or rather in this case, his order. Thankfully, his brain kicked in where he himself had become lost in her vibrant green eyes. His mouth dictated the dish to her though he did not realize what he had actually said.

"And you ma'am?" the waitress broke eye contact and looked away.

No, look at me. Noah thought. His hands were sizzling and he couldn't explain why. Suddenly he became aware of Matilda who had her chin resting in her hands and was looking wryly at the waitress.

"I'll have the same," she said, expressionless in a way that made her look angry. Noah felt she was a bit rude. She could have smiled and been sweeter about it. The woman was just doing her job.

"And what about drinks?" The waitress said as she wrote down a x2 in front of Noah's order.

"No alcohol for me. Just water." Matilda's seemed closed off and stony like she usually was in the office. But colder. Much colder.

"What would you recommend?" Noah's voice came out huskier than intended. He felt parched, as if he had been in the desert for a long time and was just rediscovering water. The waitress was saying something but he was too lost in the movement of her lips.

"I'll have that then." He said automatically. The waitress smiled politely and he was gone. When she left it was like a cloud of haze washed away and suddenly there was noise. How had it been so quiet till now?

There was chatter of the other diners and oh, wait, he was with someone. What was her name again?

He looked at Matilda and suddenly, she wasn't so sharp or well dressed anymore. Suddenly her makeup wasn't so good looking. Suddenly, she was a pale comparison to the vibrant waitress. He almost wanted to kick himself for having invited her. He should have come here alone. But he remembered his manners and did not want to be rude to his date.

Damn it, this was a date, he thought.

For her part, Matilda's demeanor seemed to have changed. She was leaning back, far away from him. A disinterested scowl lined her face as she checked out her nails. Her arms folded in front of her.

Did she notice me checking out the waitress?

"So where were we?" He cleared his throat.

Matilda shrugged, "You were telling me about comic books." She said dismissively.

"Right." What was he saying? Comic books didn't seem like such an interesting topic any more. He took a sip of water to clear his mind. Every thought was tangled in some web he was having trouble getting out of.

"Hey Noah. I don't think we should see each other after this." Her tone had such a haughty tone to it, that Noah was almost offended.

"Why not?"

"Do you want to?" She asked with an arched brow.

No. "Maybe."

She tilted her head, "You see, you're not really my type. And I'm pretty sure I'm not yours."

"How so?" Was he not good looking enough? Was he weird?

Matilda made a face that said 'who knows?' "I think I would be too tough for you. You seem like a sensitive sort of guy and I just don't have time for that. I'm working all the time, I like making fast decisions and I don't give a shit about sitting down and working out feelings." She said the word as if it was some slimy creature that crawled on her skin. "I'm a take-action-girl, not a touchy feely person you know? Do first, think later. And you're... contemplative. We just wouldn't work out."

Noah was a little shaken by this quite abrupt change. But he understood what she meant. He felt that way too and was now wondering why he had even asked her out in the first place. He expected her to get up and leave but she kept sitting. When he looked up, she seemed to read his mind.

"You are going to buy me dinner though. I missed lunch and I don't cook very well." She told him flatly. He simply nodded in response.

They sat in awkwardness for a while, hoping the waitress would come back with the food soon. In Noah's case, he just wanted her to come back. Noah looked out the window, at the table, at the other diners. Anywhere but Matilda.

Matilda cleared her throat. "You know if we don't clear the air between us then working together will get difficult."

He had to look at her now. She was looking at him with the condescending gaze she usually carried around.

"What do you suggest then?" Noah gulped.

She put out her hand for a shake, "Friends. Or at least, workplace friends."

Noah looked at her hand. It was rough and lacked the delicacy most women had. Clearly Matilda hadn't heard of hand creams. He shook it and felt a little more comfortable.

"I wasn't insulting you before. Sorry. I just thought it would be better to say what we both felt you know?"

Noah nodded.

"Good."

Another beat of silence.

"I want to know something," She began. "Why did you ask me out? Truly."

If she was being direct, he would too, "Calvin dared me to."

Matilda nodded, not at all offended, "Thought so. Although you had me fooled at the bar."

"I didn't—"

"It's okay bro. No hard feelings." She said with a hard face.

"Sorry." He said, not sure what he was sorry for. But he did suddenly feel guilty. "I don't know what just happened to me." He admitted.

Matilda leaned close, "Do you want me to tell you what just happened to you?"

He didn't say anything.

"You like that girl don't you?"

HOW COULD SHE TELL? "No?" What was meant as a statement, came out as a question.

"Liar." Matilda smiled devilishly and Noah realized that it was the first time ever, that he had seen her smile so fully.

"It was love at first sight."

"I'm not sure it was."

"Trust me. It happens. More often than you think." She tilted her head to the side, thinking. "You want me to set you up?" She offered.

"You can do that?"

"I can do that."

Just then the waitress came over with their orders, "Here we go."

Matilda glanced at her name tag, "Well look here, Noah," Matilda said in fake surprise, "Her name is Lois Lane." Matilda smiled widely but it didn't reach her eyes.

Noah, upon learning this, clenched his fist. He felt his heart would burst. He did not look at Lois. He could not bear to.

"Yeah, I get that a lot. From Superman." Lois answered.

"You read comic books?" Matilda asked her. Noah suddenly wished she would just disappear.

"Yeah. I'm a geek."

"Nonsense! Comic books are illustrated epic tales. You are not a geek but cultured in modern arts. My friend here loves to read them too." Matilda said,

"Your friend?" Lois asked then blushed as if she wasn't supposed to have said anything.

"Yeah, he's buying me dinner for a favor I did for him." Matilda lied to the waitress. "He's a swell guy. Say, Lois, what time do you get off of work?" Matilda asked and Noah widened his eyes and shook his head in an effort to get Matilda to back off.

"In thirty minutes. Why?"

"No reason." Matilda grinned like the devil. "Thank you for serving us Lois. You've been wonderful." And with that she dismissed the poor girl who was confused about the interaction.

"We better finish this before she gets off of work." Matilda gestured to the food. They both ate in silence and with surprising speed. It only took ten minutes.

"Say Lois, do you guys have anything with macarons on it? Or just macarons?" Matilda asked when she came to collect their empty plates.

"No I'm sorry. We don't have those. There is a little French bakery down a couple of blocks that you could try."

"Hmm. Thank you. Then we'll just have the bill please."

When she left, Noah said "You don't have to ask her out for me. I can do that on my own." 

"Relax. I won't be so blunt."

Noah doubted it.

Lois came over to deliver the bill. Noah gave her his card. She turned on one heel to go process the payment but instead of walking away smoothly, she slipped and fell, right into Noah's lap. Noah, the gentlemen that he was, put his hands up in case he ended up touching her in inappropriate places. It was an awkward position to be in and even more awkward was Matilda flapping away the blue wisps of her magic under the table.

"I am so sorry!" Lois apologized, getting up immediately then slipping and falling in his lap again. This time Noah caught her in his arms. A couple of people turned their way to stare.

"No. No. It's totally fine." Noah said, beetroot red. He attempted to support Lois's back as she got back up but she slipped again and again and again, holding on to Noah for dear life. Wisps of glittering blue kept bursting and dissipating from below.

The other servers were too busy with their own tables to help Lois out. Matilda saw one of them turn their way in concern and a small blue wisp tipped over the glass on the table he was tending to. He began sopping up the spilled wine and furiously apologizing, forgetting Lois.

"This is so embarrassing." The poor woman looked mortified.

"Please don't be. It happens. How about we both get up?"

Noah got up with her, one hand supporting her waist, the other providing a grip for her to hold onto. She had her back to him and when they finally stood up. She turned towards him, their faces close.

He looked at her, really genuinely looked at her and from his slightly raised brows and slack jawed mouth it was evident he liked what he saw.

It was a thing of movies, of fiction, of fairy tales; to meet someone and suddenly know that they're "the one". To have a person impact you so deeply from just a brief encounter that your life changes forever. To feel so shaken, that you feel you will never be the same again. 

To feel complete.

 This is what Matilda's magical textbooks had taught her about the connection of true love. Uncontrollable, immeasurable and world changing. Matilda herself had experienced such a feeling many times, but it had never been returned. Now, she hated the very concept. She frowned like the Grinch on Christmas at the sight of this romantic affair, thinking, Ugh, soulmates.

Noah was looking intently into Lois's her eyes. With the way they stood it seemed they were poised to kiss. To Lois and Noah, this moment felt secluded, as if they were the only ones aware of what was happening in their tumultuous hearts.

And this was almost true, no one else but Matilda saw it; their hearts and their eyes, their parted lips and faces that said "I want you." Matilda watched all of this with her chin delicately perched on her palm. She rolled her eyes because for those like her, such moments were an annoyance.

Lois caught herself before anything else happened and quickly let go of Noah's hand, effectively ending the moment.

"I am so sorry for this." She sounded a little breathless.

"It's no problem." Noah sounded a little breathless too.

"I should... I should go." Lois said then hurried away, inwardly dying of embarrassment.

Noah nodded and sat down. He looked up at Matilda like he had forgotten she was even there. Matilda flashed her teeth in a sarcastic smirk. Noah gulped.

"She's likes you." Matilda said.

Noah said nothing.

"Exactly your type I'm assuming."

Noah continued to say nothing.

"Service entrance is at the back. Go and ask her out. She'll say yes."

He looked at Matilda, shocked and bewildered but mostly apologetic.

"I don't really like dating anyway." She said as she grabbed her purse and got up to leave.

"Matilda..." the words stopped in his throat.

"It's okay Noah. See you on Monday."

She walked out without looking back, her lips pressed together in a tight line. She walked into the cold air, which numbed her face in a way she really enjoyed. Making her way to the corner of the street, she thought about Noah in a bittersweet mood. He was going to have a good life with Lois. Ugh, Lois and Noah, she thought, I bet they will have such a typical , boring life together. Being single is far a superior lifestyle anyway.

Matilda approached the corner of the street where the light just changed and a crowd of pedestrians began crossing the road from the other side.

Matilda walked with the couple of people crossing from her end. She soon merged in the crowd and quickly vanished. Not into the crowd but entirely from it, leaving behind only a couple of glittery blue wisps.