[Shrouded]

Ann smiled at me.

"You wanted to sleep with me?"

Suddenly I felt a little embarrassed at my honesty.

"Why not? You're an attractive woman. And I have picked up less attractive women in pubs before."

Ann laughed.

"Ok."

"Huh?"

"You're honest enough. I like that. But you missed your chance."

"Oh."

I would be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed. But it didn't really matter. I don't go pubbing just to pick up girls. I go to chill with my friends.

"Are you disappointed?"

"Who wouldn't be? Having missed a chance to have sex?"

"Haha. You're just like a little boy."

"Well, at least I'm honest."

"Why do you pick up girls in pubs anyway?"

"Because I can?"

"Really?"

"You know sometimes you get lonely, then you go drinking, then you get horny..."

"Haha. I don't really get horny easily."

"Are you attached? Have a boyfriend? You were drinking alone the other day. I don't usually see girls drinking alone unless they're waiting for someone, or looking for something as well."

"Nope. No boyfriend."

"Not even dating?"

"Nope."

I really should have been more direct and asked if she was single.

"Wait... are you a virgin?"

That caused her to laugh out really loudly, attracting the attention of the other patrons.

"You're funny. No I'm not a virgin."

"Are you lesbian?"

I almost caused her to choke on her wine.

"Why are you asking all this?"

"I'm curious I guess?"

"Haha. What are you going to ask next? When was the last time I had sex?"

"Not really. I'm more interested to know about the next time you have sex, probably within the next few hours."

If they gave out awards for the lamest ways of propositioning a woman, I might have won hands down with that line.

"And who might I be having sex with?"

"Me of course. Unless you have someone else?"

"Haha. Your skin is really thick. What makes you think I'm even interested in you?"

"Well, I'm charming, humourous, kind-hearted..."

"Stop stop! I'm gonna get indigestion if I don't stop laughing."

Well at least I was making her laugh.

Three more Jack and Cokes and a couple more glasses of red wine for Ann later, I needed to pee and excused myself.

Upon returning, she had already settled the bill.

"Can we split it?"

"Oh god. We are not dating. I'm giving you a treat because you were nice to me."

"But I don't feel good freeloading."

"Ok, simple question, how much do you earn?"

"Gross or take-home?"

"Whichever."

"Slightly less than $3k take home."

"Well, my salary starts from five digits. So if you want to insist on splitting the bill, by all means. But not this one. I said it's a treat so it's a treat."

"Ok..."

We stood at the car park smoking.

"Are you sure you can drive? You had quite a lot of wine."

Without a word, she handed me the BMW key.

"Are you serious? I've never driven anything this expensive before."

"Don't worry. It's insured. And I'm sure you'll be careful right?"

She carressed my arm. I felt this weird sensation. Was she flirting with me?

"So I'll send you home?"

"It's still early. Do you have to work tomorrow?"

"Nope. I'm usually off on weekends."

"Would you like to go to the beach?"

"Which one?"

"The nearest? Changi?"

"Ok."

We extinguished our sticks and got into her car, driving towards Changi beach, passing by the dreaded SAF ferry terminal and parking at one of the car parks there.

It was strangely quiet for a Friday night as there usually would be some campers hanging around.