Four

Sylvia raised an eyebrow when she saw the familiar features. “It is you,” She said softly.

The man raised an eyebrow when he heard this. “Yes you were probably fascinated by my looks that you fainted out of shock. Now I have no choice but to carry you back to my place” He said with a deep voice.

Sylvia's eyes narrowed, her eyebrows furrowed, and she gazed at him with an intensity that made her eyes flash. “What do you mean?” She asked glaring at him.

‘Why is he so flirty?’ She pitied his girlfriend, if he had one, and wondered why he was so flirtatious.

“The food is ready, master,” the maid said.

The man looked at Sylvia with a smile on his face. “Let’s go and eat instead of you looking at me” He said with a wink

Sylvia shook her head and followed him into the dining room.

Sylvia entered the dining room, her dress rustling softly on the polished wood floor. The aroma of roasted vegetables and fresh bread wafted from the table, tantalizing her taste buds. Her stomach growled in anticipation.

She wondered about his wealth and his flirtatious nature, feeling a mix of curiosity and pity for his girlfriend, if he had one.

“Sit down,” His voice said, breaking her thoughts.

“Oh” Sylvia nodded and sat down, while the man sat down opposite her, so they were literally facing each other.

In silence, they began their meal.

Sylvia took a bite of her food, the tender flavors of the roasted chicken and sweet potatoes exploding on her taste buds.

The crispy skin crackled between her teeth, and the aroma of herbs and spices wafted up, transporting her to a place of comfort and warmth.

The sound of her own satisfied sigh filled the air as she savored the delicious bite.

Sylvia finished her meal, the delicious flavors leaving her wanting more, though her stomach protested at the thought.

“Are you okay?” The man asked as he wiped his mouth with a hand towel .

With a nod, Sylvia's eyes sparkled, and she replied, “Yes, I'm fine!”

Stephen's lips curved into a warm smile as he asked, 'Do you want more?' His eyes crinkled at the corners, and his voice was low and inviting.

Sylvia wanted to nod her head but she shook her head, she was already okay eating more will make her bloated.

“No, I'm fine,” she said with a smile on her face.

“Coffee?” He asked her.

Sylvia thought about and nodded her head.

Stephen poured a rich, dark stream of coffee into her cup.

The aroma of freshly brewed beans filled the air. Before giving it to her, As she wrapped her fingers around the cup, the warmth spread through her hands. The first sip teased her taste buds with a subtle bitterness.

Sylvia's gaze narrowed as she looked at him, her eyes demanding an introduction: 'You haven't told me your name”

The man looked at her. “Stephen” He said his voice sounds so cool, she wondered if the cold voice she heard that night was an illusion.

Sylvia nodded her head slowly when she heard this. “Ohh”

Stephen placed the towel on the table, his gaze locking onto hers as he asked, “What about yours?” his eyebrow rising in inquiry.

“Me?” Sylvia asked in shock, she thought he will know her since almost everyone now knows her as a laughing stock due to Nicole abandoning her on the wedding altar.

The man nodded. “Or did you tell me before?” He asked with a frown as if he was trying to remember.

“Sylvia.”

Stephan muttered an “Oh” before nodding his head. “You have a nice name,” He said to her.

Sylvia smiled. “Thank you”

Sylvia's eyes narrowed slightly as Stephen asked about her name, his expression innocent. She wondered if he was playing dumb to spare her feelings, and her gaze lingered on his face, searching for any sign of insincerity.

“Why did you go to the forest alone at that time?” He asked her.

Sylvia looked at him. “Mind your business” She said and drank some water.

Stephan nodded his head when he heard this. Stephan nodded, then asked, 'Do you want to go home now?' His tone gentle.

Sylvia felt a sense of fulfillment and hesitated, reluctant to leave. She felt more fulfilled here when she experienced it. It made her forget about the fact that she has to go home.

Stephen's eyes locked onto hers and he leaned in, his voice taking on a flirtatious tone: “Or would you rather stay here with me as my wife?”

Sylvia's eyes went wide, her lips parting in a silent 'O' of surprise. She froze, her gaze locked on Stephen's face, her body tense and motionless, as if time had indeed stopped “Are you serious?” She asked him.

Stephan nodded. “Sure if you want to stay. Why not?” He said, shrugging his shoulders.

The memory of Nicole leaving flashed through her mind, triggering a swift refusal. "No, thank you," she said, standing up abruptly."

“I want to go home,” Sylvia said to him immediately.

Stephan shrugged when he heard this. “Sure” he said and stood up. “Let’s go” He said to her and led the way, they walked out of the house together.

Stephan opened the car door for her. “I’ll drop you off,” He said to her.

Sylvia's cheeks flushed as Stephen opened the car door for her, a gesture that made her feel like a princess. She hesitated for a moment, unsure how to react, before ducking into the car with a quiet “thank you"

Stephan closed the door gently before walking to the passenger side, he got in too.

The driver started the car and drove off.

The car stopped in front of her house, the engine idling softly. Sylvia turned to face Stephan, the fading sunlight casting a warm glow on his features. “Thank you for today” she said, her voice polite and grateful, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she smiled.

Stephan nodded his head when he heard this. “It is fine, you are welcome. Don’t go to the forest anymore” He warned her in a stern tone, it was unlike the gentle voice he has been using for her. Sylvia nodded her head when she heard this, she blinked her eyes softly.

This made Stephan's heart flutter no doubt because the stern look on his face became softened.

“Yes, thank you,” She said with a smile on her face, it looked like her eyes were smiling too because of the way they shone.. Sylvia turned and opened the car door. She got down from the car and closed the door.

Sylvia swung open the creaky gate and stepped into her house compound, the familiar scent of blooming flowers and fresh cut grass enveloping her. She turned her head over her shoulder, her eyes scanning the outside to see if Stephan was still watching her.

The car remained parked in the driveway, its engine silent, Sylvia's curiosity piqued, she wondered what Stephan was doing, her mind racing.

Sylvia's hand hesitated on the door handle, her eyes darting back to the car, before she took a deep breath and pushed open the door. She stepped into the house, her eyes scanning the house.

“Who is that man?” She heard a voice asked behind her which made her so scared.