CHAPTER SIX: NUTURING ROSES

 “Stop waiting. Feel everything. Love achingly. Give impeccably. Let go” – David Deida.

    Aurora searched within her wardrobe for that perfect outfit for her date, which was later this evening. She didn’t want to seem so provocative but to enhance her feminine charm to ensure she made a long lasting statement on his mind. ‘Aahaa!! There’s nothing in here for the occasion, how can I have so much apparels but nothing for proper a date’, she cried out. She remembered how she acted like she wasn’t interested in the date, ‘Was he expecting me to give him a call after he dropped his card, hell no! Not going to give him that satisfaction’ she laughed. Aurora knew that Neville dropping off his card with her was for her to reach out to him, in order for both of them to set up a date. But Aurora being herself and understanding Neville, choose not to, to avoid being tagged “stuck up on him” probably in future. But she was hoping he did reach out to her. She knew it won’t be impossible for Neville to source for her information, ‘I mean it’s Neville’ she thought. Getting a text from a strange number, inciting her on how rude it was to trash one’s card after formal introduction, got to her. Laughing out, she said: ‘what a weird creature”. The date was booked for a top notch restaurant settled in the heart of the cities’ capital, she heard it was a nice place and sort of a big deal here but that wasn’t her typical first date. She did prefer going into the street to experience its bubbling life and culture it’s got to offer, to mingle with the native and understand the inhabitants more. ‘Well, he is probably trying to make an impression, since the first one started on the wrong foot, plus it supposed to be business casual date’, she thought. She decided to go with the flow as well as source for a proper outfit.

    Aurora stepped into the restaurant wearing a deep v-cut golden flare dress; the material reflected every source of light that hits its, thereby creating a sequence of sparkles that seemed like a dust powder, not to mention about the full opening going on at the back. It had a long slit going up to her thighs, giving room for her exquisite glass shoe to be noticed, her hair was packed up to ensure all attention was directed to her outfit. The moment she sighted the outfit at the mall earlier, it took her over three hours to find the outfit but she knew it was IT, when she found it, as the fitting was perfect to none and it complimented her skin magically. Aurora seemed so magically as she walked into the restaurant, everyone gazed at her and she could hear the whisper of their praises, she was certain that this outfit was going to do the job. She got to the front desk, introduced herself and the possible reservation name Neville used to book the space, but the moment she called his name, she noticed how tensed the staff got, hearing his name. She wondered if he probably tortured them but well he could have tortured half the city. While being ushered down her table, she took a moment to glance at the restaurant. The restaurant was designed to portrait a great gods’ palace with its mighty statue as well as high roof that seemed so endless, designs were created with its beams and columns that was arranged to hold the space, it’s decoration was simple yet sophisticated, she loved the elegant look the whole place gave. The space was divided into an open space and the private space separated by simple partition, which fulfilled the need of its customer that might need their privacy, but it seemed to also have private rooms, as they passed through some of it, hers was the last one around the corner. The space seemed bigger than it looked from the outside, that fascinated Aurora the most, and she loved the concept.

    Walking into the reserved private room, she noticed the room lighting was subtle, creating a romantic feel; it had a little balcony that looks out into the city, the room was decorated with beautiful flowers, giving the room a fairytale ambience with the view of the city. Neville was already sited, waiting for aurora when she walked in; he was short of words when he turned to look over his shoulder, for a second he forgot to breathe. She was goddess personified, she was worth building a monument in her name, can he do that, he thought and that outfit damn! Did justice to her physique, he hadn’t seen a creature as beautiful as Aurora; she was an epitome of magic, he thought for a second if she was from a different world because her beauty was beyond this universe. Aurora could sense Neville desire all the way from the other part of the room, for the first time in her existence, she enjoyed the stare and attention her looks got, her gaze was on him all through her way to the table to join him. She felt he went a bit too far to impress her, as the table was filled dishes of all sort and it seemed like they were having a two-man feast, but she was happy at the effort she put on her end, to ensure she got the right outfit. Neville was looking like a perfect gentleman, with his hair properly made and gelled to his side, he was wearing a vibrant sky blue silk shirt that gripped him which complimented his eyes, and the first two buttons of his shirt was left open for one to have a view of his broad chest. As she got to the table, Neville got up and got her seat for her, ‘such a good looking gentleman’ she thought. They stared at each other for a second before Aurora cut off the tensed look saying, ‘I think this is way overboard for a casual business dinner’, feeling a bit awkward. Neville laughed saying, ‘I like to make an impression you know’ and winked. ‘Yeah I know, like our first encounter’, she replied. ‘That was totally on both of us’, he responded and they both busted into laughter. ‘With an outfit like that, you could make creatures bend to your will, now I understand what the fuzz in the restaurant was all about a moment ago’, Neville said. ‘The whole look definitely accomplished whatever its purpose was’, he continued. Aurora couldn’t help but blush, she had this accomplished grin on her face, then said; ‘I never took you for a being with flattering lips’. He responded; ‘there are a lot of things you are yet to know about and I do not mind showing you, if you let me’. Was this really happening? Was Neville picking an interest in her? He really does have his way with words she thought, knowing the right words and lines to use.

    The dinner started with the waitress pouring them some wine, taking a deep sip, aurora loved how the different flavors busted out in her mouth, she could taste the different flavor but mixed like perfect splendid to produce an exotic taste. ‘Wow, the wine taste so good’, Aurora cried out. ‘This is a really nice place, though it’s not my perfect first date location, but with the aesthetics, it’s ambience, services and now this wine, has definitely worn me over’, she compliment. ‘Coming from you, that means a lot, Thanks for review, it goes to show how effective my management staff here are, they deserve a raise then’ Neville responded. Aurora was confused but she sensed how genuine he was. She didn’t want to believe he owned this restaurant. ‘If I may ask? Is this one of your chains of businesses’, she asked. Neville responded with pride; ‘Yes, and you just give us the biggest review’ he grinned. Aurora had mix feeling of confusing and disbelief, now she understood why the staff at the front desk was tensed when she mentioned his name, or why they seem to have the best reservation in the restaurant. ‘Why didn’t you tell me’ Aurora asked. ‘Well, technically since I scheduled for a dinner, I thought why don’t I bring you here, and probably ask for your genuine opinion while also making an impression on you, I get to kill two bird with one stone’ he said. ‘And you being oblivious to the fact that I own it, makes your review less bias’, he winked. ‘What a sneaky bastard’ she thought, but she couldn’t deny the fact that she loves the place, the concept and the different privacy option the customers got to have. They had different variety of food for the customer to choose from and also a bar just in case you not in for any form of eating, the entrance was created for inhabitants to enjoy the view of the city, plus the price wasn’t as outrageous as she assumed it will be. It had a perfect mix feel of luxury and class, for every inhabitant to experience. ‘FYI, I wouldn’t have been bias’, she said but she knew she wouldn’t have been this genuine either. ‘Yeah yeah, tell that to yourself’ he replied chuckling. With such an obnoxious reply, Aurora decided to give him a full genuine review, while giving Neville an all-round review. Neville had this sense of pride and Aurora could sense it but she choose to let him be just this once because he deserved it. 

    ‘Earlier, you said this wasn’t your typical first date, what is your typical first date?’ Neville enquired. This got to Aurora, has it showed that he had been listening to her and wasn’t just in his head. She said; ‘I have a keen love for the beings here, and I love staying amidst them. So typically, I would love my first date to involve activities within the street’. Then she added; ‘but technically this is a business casual, so it doesn’t count’. ‘Okay, maybe we can schedule for that another time, maybe as a proper first date’ he said. Aurora was speechless; she didn’t want to believe that THE NEVILLE took a liking to her. But she knew better than to act recklessly in front of him, so she responded; ‘that could discussed elsewhere, I am certain we came here for a business meeting, well except this is a form of strategy on your part’. Her response frustrated Neville and Aurora sensed it, even though he tried masking it. ‘So back to business ’, he said. ‘Since you now a partner and our policies do not settle with the royals or technically you, what’s your opinion? And possible solution?’ he added. Aurora wasn’t expecting such direct attack; she felt it was going to be in form of a gradual discussion till they get to the actual point. But seeing has he addressed the elephant in the room so quickly, she knew he could have been hurt by her reply. Sensing, she noticed he seemed bored and not interest in the topic, she thought maybe she could use this to ensure all her intended policies are enforced. Taking this her cue, she expressed herself and the possible policies that could aid the business grow to what he wants as well as giving him the same control he has, without the inhabitants suffering and having phobia of losing their jobs. She created an inhabitant ambience business environment that has all potentially to grow as well as him retaining his authority. While Aurora was giving her mini-presentation, Neville was impressed with her new policies and could see it working in his various businesses, it was similar to his current structure, but it was more flexible than it. He was in disbelief that, she could source out his major bone of contention and device a means to ensure both party had their way. For the first time in a long while, someone actually gave him a candid advice that wasn’t selfish or a scheme to rip him of his money, but a genuine way to grow his business. He was happy for once in a long while, and didn’t think it was necessary to challenge her, as she had already done her research and all possible risks and loopholes were ascertain. He knew there was no one that could ensure these policies are followed through than her, so he decided to let her have this one. Moreover, there are more things he is interested in like; getting to know her and this policies was in the way. So he just wanted everything out of his way, so he said; ‘Aurora it is without a doubt that you are an expertise in your field, you seem to have done your research and understand these policies properly, why don’t you head the management team to enforce it. I don’t think I have any say in this.’ Aurora was in awe, with her eyes wide open, staring at Neville, she was trying to understand what kind of game he was playing. The Neville she met in his office and at the royal home would have never agreed so easily, let alone given her the space to enforce the policies without disruptions from him. She was wondering what the catch was, it seemed more psychological than business to her, so she asked him: ‘What’s the catch Neville’, he laughed and replied smiling : ‘It seems like  a good deal for my business, so why argue? Or you could go out on a date with me, not as business partners but as two individuals, getting to know each other’. Aurora couldn’t get hold of her emotions as she blushed over his request. She knew there was some sort of spark between them, so what was the essence of fighting it and acting like it isn’t there. That’s her lying to herself and she doesn’t like lying to herself, she chooses to be truthful to herself no matter how painful the facts are.  She responded: ‘since you put it that way I accept’. They both laughed and could see how much they enjoyed each other company. 

    They were done with their dinner; they had a nice mouthwatering chocolate cake afterward. It was so good that Aurora had to get some back home; she knew that it was just a matter of time for Neville business to be the topic of the town, and sealing this deal with the royals was going to be like a fast moving train for him. Instead of driving home, they both sent their driver’s home as they strolled through the night under the dusk skies, talking and laughing at their jokes.