CHAPTER FOUR

Rebecca

 

Green Lake

 

I opened my eyes and got up from the bed to pull aside my bedroom curtains. I smiled as I saw the sun up in the sky. Today was surely going to be an amazing day. It was looking good already with the weather. I smiled as the events of last night flashed through my mind. I had met one of the most intelligent persons ever, and I couldn’t seem to get enough of him. Christopher knew so much about everything and to be sincere, I was more than impressed by him. I could still remember some of the things we’d said as we stood side by side, staring at the pond.

    “So, what do you do?” he asked that night as he gave me a side glance. I wasn’t one to get carried away by ephemeral things and reveal details of myself to someone I didn’t know.

“I don’t know anything about you. Why should I tell you what I do?” I asked as I continued staring at the pond in front of me.

    “I understand your skepticism. It’s quite normal. I would be surprised if you weren’t uncertain,” he said with a smile.

“That has still not answered my question,” I said as I turned to face him.

    “Beautiful and smart. That’s a terrific combination,” he said with a smile.

“Thank you for the compliment. Although that is still not an answer. Are you deliberately avoiding my question?” I asked.

    “Not at all. I own a company that is into renovation of houses. We are involved in both the interior and exterior of houses. I practically refer to us as the ‘makeover company,’” he said with a smile.

“Sounds quite interesting,” I replied.

    “Yeah, it is. Although nowadays it is more work than fun. Too much technicalities involved. How about you? What do you do?” he asked.

    “I work with a nongovernmental organization as an assistant secretary. We are the organizers of the charity event currently being held in the hall. Which brings us to the question of what you are doing here?” I asked.

    “I was the first to arrive here, so I guess I should be the one asking that question and not you. What brought you to the garden anyway, away from all the lights and the fun?” he asked as he turned to face me.

    “It’s obvious isn’t it? I decided to take a break. And besides, I wasn’t particularly asking you what you were doing in the garden but what you are doing here, at this venue,” I clarified.

    “I came around to drop off a donation for a friend and decided to take a look at the garden. You know, see some beautiful works of nature and inhale their beauty. I got even lucky; the most beautiful of them is standing right by me,” he said with a grin.

    “Do you always hit on every redhead at events or is it just me?” I asked, not knowing how to react to his comment.

    “Trust me. It’s just you,” he said, staring me straight in the eyes. There was so much sincerity in his voice that I couldn’t help but believe him.

It struck me as odd that I would believe someone I had just met. I could not, however, shake off the feeling that I could trust him and that he wasn’t someone who was dishonest.

    We talked some more and I was glad I had left the hall to come into the garden. it was really an interesting meeting

    “I have to go inside now. My colleagues will be wondering where I have been,” I said with a smile as I turned to leave.

    “Okay then. Can I have your number?” he asked, and I dictated my number to him.

He kissed me on the cheek and thanked me for sharing my time with him. I could not get the peck out of my mind as I left the garden. It felt so good, the warmth of his breath on my cheek. It sent jolting sensations down my spine. It made me want more.

    

The sound of my phone ringing brought me back to the present day. It was Christopher.

“Hey! What’s up with you?” he asked.

“I’m good. And you?” I asked.

“Not too bad. Hope you have not forgotten our date today?” he asked.

“I haven’t,” I replied.

He had asked me out on a date to one of the local diners and I had agreed. I liked him and had loved our conversation. It would be an opportunity to get to know him more and also to prove to Janie and Courtney that I could actually go on a date too.

“See you soon then,” he said, and dropped the call.

I picked out a three-quarter cream gown which clung to my body and brought out my shape. I paired it with green flats and a green purse. It looked simple but perfect, just how I wanted it to be. I took a nap and woke up at around 4:00 p.m., an hour before my date. I applied little make-up and did my hair to the side. I was barely done with my make-up when Chris called and asked for the description to my place. He wanted to come pick me up. I was a bit surprised by the request and protested a bit but he was insistent, so I agreed. I supposed he was one of those gentlemanly men who liked treating their women with care.

“Their women?” I asked myself as I realized the import of my straying thoughts. I was definitely not his woman and the sooner I stopped thinking in that direction, the better. I really liked him, and he did fit the specifications of the kind of man I would want in my life—after all, he was intelligent, humorous, and amiable—but it would be best if I stopped attaching emotions to it. He might only like my company and not want anything beyond that, so it was better if I didn’t start falling for a man whose intentions I was not sure of.

    “Hey!” he said when he parked in front of my apartment and saw me already set to leave.

“Hey!” I replied with a smile. He walked towards me and gave a mock bow. It was charming and funny at the same thing. I gave him a mock curtsy in return and he replied with one of the brightest smiles I had ever seen.

    “You look very beautiful. The dress really complements your skin,” he said as he continued staring at me.

“Thank you,” I replied.

“Shall we?” he asked.

“Of course,” I answered as I walked with him towards his car. He opened the passenger door for me and I entered.

    We arrived at the restaurant and ordered a bottle of wine. I had no clue about wine so I left the choice making to Chris.

    “How has work at The Springs been? Do you find fulfilment in it?” Chris asked as we sipped our wine.

“To say work has been good would be an understatement because for me, it’s the best job ever. I guess that solves the question of me finding fulfilment in it or not. The fact that I play a part in impacting lives of persons who live in remote areas of the world that do not have the luxury of the amenities we have over here gives me great joy and satisfaction every single day,” I answered.

    “That’s the goal, you know, that we find fulfillment and satisfaction in the things we do,” replied Chris.

    “It’s obvious you find satisfaction in your work. You were pointing out one detail or the other about several of the houses we passed by today,” I said.

“Wow! I never realized it was that obvious. I hope I didn’t make you feel awkward with all the talk?” he asked with an apologetic smile.

    “Not at all. Quite the opposite. I actually enjoyed it,” I replied.

Chris then summoned the waiter to take our meal orders and we continued talking for quite a while. It was surprising to learn that Christopher and I actually had several things in common; love for decorating, dancing, food, and several other things. We even liked the same songs and day shows. We were on a roll of several similarities.

Suffice to say, it was one of the best dates I had ever had. The food was awesome, and the company better. I couldn’t keep myself from staring into his big brown eyes all day. I just wanted to pull him close and kiss him deeply. We ended our date and he drove me back home.

    I wanted to invite him inside the house but I didn’t want to throw caution to the winds so I just waited on the front porch while we said our goodbyes.

“Thank you so much for the date. I really had a nice time,” I said as I stood in front of my apartment.

“The pleasure is all mine,” he replied.

“See you tomorrow then,” I said in anticipation of another date we had fixed for the next day. He had earlier informed me at the restaurant that he would be leaving town on Monday morning and that he wouldn’t mind sharing my company till he left.     

I had agreed, of course, because I also wanted to spend more time in his company. There was this chemistry between the both of us that I simply couldn’t explain, and I wanted more of it.

    He moved close to me as I turned to leave and kissed me on the lips. I immediately put my arms around him and deepened the kiss. It was brief but passionate. I had to force myself to stop. At that point, I knew I wanted more than just a kiss.

    “See you soon,” he said as he kissed me on the forehead before turning to leave. I stood glued to my front porch as I watched him leave. I could feel it ... There was a storm brewing, and I was right in the center.