An unexpected connection

“Hey there, small friend." The man says hello to Kionna who is clinging to Melanie's thigh like her life depends on it.

The man chuckles and Melanie beams, her cheeks slightly pink. Melanie didn’t get his name, but she felt the fleeting, dazzling link as they drove apart.

Melanie and Kionna had nowhere to sit in the packed restaurant but then her eyes strayed to the table across, where the man she just ran into sat.

He seems to be a brilliant, successful man with remarkable confidence and sensitivity in his late 20s.

Melanies mind rapidly deduces from their similar eye color that the woman he is sitting with is either his mother or his sugar mommy.

The man catches her staring at him and he smiles gently but Melanie's face stays blank. Her eyes narrow slightly and she turns back to Kionna, discounting the man from her attention.

An empty spot finally opens up and the man looks across where Melanie and Kionna are standing. Realizing that he won’t be able to forgive himself if he doesn’t speak to her and at least get her name, he walks from his table towards Melanie.

Melanie starts to experience a flutter in her chest from her intuition.

“Why does it look like he is walking towards me?”

“What does he want?" She asks herself aloud as she looks around to see whether anyone is staring at her in an odd way most likely related to hearing her thoughts out loud.

"Hi again," he says when he finally arrives, his steps steady.

Melanie turns away from the man as she notices an empty seat opening up right across his table.

“I merely wanted...” he starts but before he can make a coherent statement, Melanie cuts in.

"Could we maybe go to that table before someone picks it?” She asks him.

"I am really hungry and if someone takes that table before I can, I am going to cry,” she tells him. Melanie is on alert, but her voice is laid back and kind.

“Indeed,” he says, and they begin approaching the table.

"I just wanted to ask...if I may spend a minute with you?” He asks but Melanie furrows her brows in confusion.

“Why?” She stares nervously and then probes.

“My Mum is buried in her phone.” He explains and Melanie’s eyes stray to the woman she assumed to be his sugar mommy, only to find out that she is his mother, lost in her phone.

Melanie is awkward and she doesn’t smile at him after judging the way she did.

Melanie stops with awareness of caution so He decides to strike up a fascinating discussion about something Melanie would enjoy.

"Your little one here is so pretty,” he says as he smiles at Kionna.

“Her name is Kionna and she is in fact, my niece.” She clarifies.

"I could have sworn; the resemblance is outstanding." He says opening his eyes widely.

"I got that plenty today, but Kionna's mum is my twin sister and we are identical so I'm sure that is why," Melanie explains as she laughs aloud.

“That is quite intriguing.” He says and begins Sensing his interest in her, Kionna smiles and hugs Melanie.

The man then introduces himself as Ryan Blackwood along with his mother, Karen Blackwood and luck shines on Melanie because just then, Ryan's mother finishes with her phone and comes over to whisk her son away from the table.

“Mom...met....” he starts and he pauses because he didn’t know Melanie’s name.

“Melanie Carson” she responds, so they can just get things over and done with.

“It's great to meet you, Melanie." Karen smiles at

Melanie.

“Ryan, do not monopolize their table,” Karen says as she starts to drag her don away.

"Mom, I'm just trying to get to know these beautiful lady here so that I can see if she will be willing to be friends with me,” Ryan tells his mom.

"Perhaps, Can I just invite them over to our table since we ordered so much food that we can't finish?" he asks Karen.

"If Melanie is willing to join us, I don't have a problem with that," she replies, knowing that her son barely makes friends.

"I don't mind” Melanie responds and Ryan helps her to take Kionna to their table.

Ryan and Melanie cover all from food to family as they dine and Melanie sees that Ryan is a committed son and financial broker.

“Excuse me,” Melanie excuses herself from the table leaving Kionna with Rayan and Karen but she stays where she can still monitor Kionna’s every action while she is on the call with Kalinin.

After a brief call with Kalinin, she returns to Ryan's table, ready to go home.

“I am sorry but I have to go now” she apologizes as she gets to the table and starts to pick Kionna up.

“I had a lovely time with you and I would love to catch up with you more next time, but till then Ryan will drop you off at home,” she says and Ryan's eyes drift between Melanie and his mom.

“I will?” He asks confused.

“I wasn’t asking you…it was an order” Karen emphasizes.

"I will be happy to drop them at home". Ryan responds, amusedly focusing on his mother's command.

"Thanks so very greatly for this opportunity, Mom." Ryan gets off his seat and curtsies while Melanie looks around the restaurant ashamed on his behalf.

Melanie blushes a little but smiles since she feels comfort. Alex's mom’s effect was barely noticeable while she was dating him but in Ryan’s case, he and his mother share a close bond that just warms her heart

“Shall we, love?” Ryan starts with a curtsy and he works towards Melanie.

“Thank you but you don't need to drop me off…we can just Uber home." Melanie tries to object once more, but she keeps quiet when she sees the unpleasant looks directed at her by Karen and Ryan.

"It was lovely to meet you Love…” Karen hugs Melanie Ryan helps her to arrange Kionna’s things.

Ryan helps Melanie carry Kionna who is now asleep from the restaurant without anyone else seeing when she slept off.

"Where do you live?" Ryan asks shattering the silence.

“7777 Lavender Lane, Cedar Creek Estates,” Melanie answers him but she can tell from the confusion on his face that he doesn't know the place.

“Don't worry, I will direct you” Melanie assures as they start their journey.

Melanie gestures directions as he drives and Ryan goes ahead to ask her about her favorite music. They discover that they both like old rock.

Their drive is quick, and before Melanie knew it, they were rolling up to her house and Ryan steps outside to help her with Kionna.

“This was unexpected but lovely, so…thank you so much” Melanie appreciates Ryan again

"I'm glad I ran into you or that we ran into each other," Ryan says as he fixates his eyes on hers, sparkling and he speaks sincerely and gently.