CHOICELESS; I wish I am me

Leo stood up at the sight of Angela. His eyes were red with desire. He had never seen a beautiful damsel like the one standing in front of him.

"Good afternoon sir," Angela greeted Leo. After giving her parents a peck on their cheeks.

"Good afternoon, beautiful," Leo replied.

"Angela, meet Leo, the Mayor's son I told you about. Leo, meet Angela, my daughter." Her dad introduced the duo to each other.

"Nice to meet you, Leo," Angela spoke out, bringing forth her right hand for a shake.

"My pleasure, beautiful one," Leo replied as he landed a warm kiss on the back of her palm.

Aside from Edwin, Leo is the second guy Angela had ever referred to as handsome. She never knew Leo was a handsome young man; until that day.

He was tall, fair-skinned just like her. He was slim and hairy too. But despite all, his looks were nothing compared to that of Edwin.

To Angela, Edwin was the most handsome man she had ever seen. 

Handsome? Maybe that was an understatement. He was beautiful. Every girl who had seen him must take a second glance at him.

"So, shall we?" Leo questioned with his hands positioned in the direction that leads to the outside door.

"Sure," Angela replied, faking a smile.

"Alright, after you, my damsel," he replied. 

"We have to go now, dad," Angela uttered as she gave them a peck for the second time before she walked outside.

"Please take good care of my daughter." Angela's mum requested.

"I will, mum. You have nothing to worry about. She is safe with me." Leo replied as he walked out of the door.

Getting outside, he opened the front door of his black Toyota Corolla, closing it gently after Angela had sat inside. He hies to the driver's door, as he entered and zoomed off Immediately.

The restaurant Angela was taken to, was classic. It was decorated with beautiful artwork. 

There was no other person there, except for the orchestra, playing and singing love songs. Creating a serene ambiance with their melodious voices.

Leo handed the red flowers on the table to her. He pulled her seat outwards as she sat down.

He smiled warmly, sitting opposite her. From his body movements, he was tensed. He tried calming himself, as he breathed through his mouth instead; his nostrils weren't getting enough air.

Angela could sense his restlessness. 

'Does it mean he hasn't gone out on a lunch date with a lady in his life?' she thought to herself. 

"Hope you love this place?" He finally spoke up, after much silence.

"Yes, I do," she replied, staring at the beautiful tablecloths and napkins.

She had never been to such a place in her entire life. 

'He must be very wealthy to take me to such a classic place.' Angela pondered.

"What do you care to have?" He asked, handing the food menu to her.

She scrolled down the menu with her eyes. Not knowing what choice to make that will suit his taste.

She doesn't even know the kind of food he loves, let alone his favorite.

"I will go for Ofada rice." She replied, after giving it much consideration.

"Ofada rice? What's that?" He asked. 

"It's a local dish, from a small community called Ofada, in Obafemi Owodo Local Government Area of Ogun state," she explained.

"But, I can go for intercontinental dishes if you don't want to have that." She suggested as she tried taking the menu from the table.

"No, you don't have to." He replied holding her hand, preventing her from taking the menu.

"I will have whatever thing you are having." He said romantically. Looking straight into her eyes, he smiled.

The grip was long, he seemed like he had lost touch with the world around him.

"It's fine then," Angela replied, taming the silence, as she pulled her hand off his grip.

"Sure. Ah… I'm sorry about that." He replied, realizing what he has done.

He then called the waiter with what seemed to be a two-way radio that was on the table.

A few seconds later, a young man in uniform entered the scene with the local dishes, along with drinks.

"So may I know more about you?" Angela asked as they ate.

"Alright. My name is Leo Damilolah. I'm the only son of the sitting Mayor of Lagos State, Bello Damilolah. I'm a petroleum engineer; and the CEO of Bello's Oil and Gas Limited. I'm 27 years old, and I'm still single." Leo introduced.

"Wow, that's good." She nodded.

"I'm glad to hear such from a beauty like you."He winked at her, pouting seductively.

Angela lowered her eyes blushingly. She lost the boldness to look straight into his eyes.

"Don't you mind knowing more about me?" She questioned.

"Well," cutting a piece of meat from the drum, he continued. "I'm already okay with the little I know about you." He replied, shoveling the Ofada rice and the piece of meat down his throat.

Angela was startled at what he said. 'What exactly does he know about me? Who had given him my details?' She pondered.

Remembering that his dad was friends with her dad, answered her questions. She pondered why a man should be so vocalized just like a woman.

'What has my dad said this time about me?' she thought.' Could he have also informed him about my relationship with Edwin? Nah.., I don't think my dad is that daft.' 

"Is there a problem?" Leo asked, seeing that she had sunk deep in thought.

"Oh… no.., not… not at all. There is no problem?" She stuttered, covering up.

"Can you please tell me the things you know about me if you don't mind?" She requested.

"Is that really necessary? I mean, I should be the one worried and not the other way round." He stated.

'What the nerves! Who does he think he is?' She yelled inwardly.

"Forget it then, I've lost my interest already." She added.

Looking at the golden wristwatch, she had worn. "It's almost 3 pm. I think we need to get going." She uttered.

"Did I say something wrong?" He asked.

"Please I'm sorry if I have offended you in any way." He apologized.

His humility glued Angela to her seat, as she stared at his pale face. He really looked more handsome when remorseful.

Edwin's picture flashed into her memory as the orchestra played; 'All of me.' By Don Legend, which brought back her sense of reasoning. That was the song he loved singing for her whenever they were together.

She stood up Immediately, taking her eyes off his gaze. She didn't want his sexy eyes to cast a spell on her again. 

She had started developing some soft spots gradually, which has been what she had been avoiding.

"Please take me home." She said, in a cold tone.

Leo, seeing that her mind was made up, decided to oblige her, as they left and entered the car.

Right in the car, Angela faced the windscreen, uttering no words to Leo. 

He pulled over to the side of the road suddenly and offed the ignition.

"Is there a problem?" She asked, now facing Leo.

"I'm sorry to pull over suddenly; I couldn't wait any longer. I want to tell you something that has been bothering me." He explained. 

Taking in a deep breath he continued;  "Just that, I don't know how you will react to it." He added, in a low tone.

Angela was bewildered by what she heard. "What are you talking about?" She asked.

Leo held her both hands, looking straight into her eyes. The spell seemed to be stronger, and Angela's heart began beating fast.

"I love you, Angela. From the very first time I saw your picture, it stirred up something in me. I want to make you mine and mine forever. All I ask is that you give us a chance." He expressed.

His red lips, his halfway buttoned fitted shirt that gave an overview of his hairy chest; and his sweet words, were indeed mesmerizing, to Angela.

She lost her voice suddenly, she couldn't digest what she just heard. As much as saying yes to him was just like a dream come true. She knows she won't be happy knowing that what she had felt for him was a mere infatuation.

Regaining her voice, she replied; "you are a very handsome man. Any girl in my shoes right now will say yes to you but..". 

"Shh…." Leo interjected with his mid_finger on her lips. 

Looking straight into her eyes, he continued; "you don't have to say anything. All I want from you is to think about it. Just give us a chance, I promise you won't regret it."

His words were like Melody in her ears. Just like the two opposite ends of a magnet, their lips began to draw closer.

His hands caressed her temple, then her chin, as he drew it closer to his, creating a red-fired atmosphere. Angela had lost touch with reality.

Suddenly, her phone rang. The vibration from it stopped the kiss from happening, she pulled her face backward immediately.

Opening her red Fendi designer purse, she brought out her phone. It was Edwin. His call had come at the right time.

Looking at Leo; and the phone in her grip, she pondered if it was right to pick up the call.