Chapter 3

Adlan

After ending the phone call with my brother, my temper rose again when my phone rang and I cursed under my breath.

I angrily grabbed my phone, ready to unleash the rest of the words he had not heard but this time, it wasn't a call from my brother but an unknown number.

I dropped the pen in my hand and stared at the screen for a few seconds before quickly swiping to pick up on the third ring.

"Hello," I said but there was no response.

I took the phone off my ear and looked at the screen again but the call was still connected.

"Hello," I said again giving a second chance to the caller before I ended the call.

"This is Laura George. I would like to meet up."

I became alerted, checking the screen again to make sure I heard right.

"Hello. Are you there?" her beautiful voice came again and I smiled.

Finally!

"Oh, yes. Yes, I am here. Uhmm...yes, we should meet up."

"You have a place in mind or you'd want me to pick?"

"Are you truly Laura George?"

"Yes, I am!"

She sounded urgent with all sense of quickness and I'm trying to meet up with that pace. Of course, I have always wanted to meet her.

"Please, leave that to me. Let me bear the burden of getting a place." I don't know how that sounds but I hope it suits her mood.

The call was silent for a few seconds and I almost thought she was upset or I had said something wrong.

"I..." she paused and I could hear her swallow hard. "I don't want somewhere far away." she sounded softer saying that.

"Best believe it'd be somewhere within the right proximity."

She might not have noticed that night but I am a perfect gentleman.

"Thank you."

"No. Thank you. Thank you for finally reaching out. I almost thought that was going to be the end..."

"Please...please....let's just meet up!"

"I'm sorry. Okay...okay. I'll text you the address soon."

"Alright."

As the call ended, I stared at my screen in disbelief.

"She called!" I chuckled. "She finally called!" I laughed out of happiness before getting up from my seat, adjusting my suit and walking out of my office.

"Cancel all of my schedule for today," I said to my secretary before stepping out to get things done.

****

I was beaming with happiness, grinning from ear to ear as I imagined her taste in choosing the right place and fitting the aura.

I adjusted my suit and checked the time to the hundredth time.

"That's fine. She's only a few minutes late." I said to myself as I looked outside.

Was she with a car that day? Should I have picked her up instead? Was she having trouble finding this place? I was getting worried but I had no idea why but I guess I just needed something to think about while I waited.

I had managed to put in some effort. It was within short notice so it might not have been a lot but I made sure no one comes in and out of this place till we're done.

After sitting for about seven minutes, I got up and stepped outside, dialling her number.

As I got outside, a phone rang and I lowered my hand from my ear after seeing a lady standing in front of me.

She stared at me with her phone ringing in her hand and I immediately ended the call.

"Laura George?" I asked as I moved closer to her and she nodded.

I managed a smile as I led her inside and she nodded courteously.

She looked... I don't know what description to give but she looked absolutely different or I might be tripping.

I pulled a chair out for her to sit and she sat with an awkward smile on her face and hesitation.

As I sat, I stared at her face but she couldn't meet my gaze. She had no smile on her face and not a trace of makeup. She looked like she had been stressed and for a second, I was a bit worried.

That night, she had a beautiful black dress on; a dress that hugged every part of her curves, cupping her boobs rightly. I mean, the dress was made for her. She had black stiletto heels on and red lipstick that brightened the dark colours. Her wavy hair was folded up, wrapped in an elegant style so I had no idea how lengthy her hair was. She has a heart-shaped lip with big bright eyes. I couldn’t tell how tall she was since she had her heels on but she looked average. The summary of Laura George that night was that she looked like perfection, luxury and elegant.

“Was it hard getting here? I tried to make sure to pick a place nearby.”

She raised her face to look at me, staring at me for a while. I couldn't tell what was on her mind through her expressionless stare, so I spoke again.

“What would you like to drink?” I asked with a smile. “Cocktail? Mocktail? Juice? Water?…”

She gave no response and instead, looked around the whole restaurant.

“If this place isn’t to your liking, I could arrange for a better place.”

She settled her look on me as if examining me which kind of made me feel uncomfortable.

“You look different from that night.”

Her voice sounded as sweet as I could remember. Her heart-shaped lips remained as sexy as they were and her chest, was a little bigger than they were in that black dress but still perfect.

I smiled before speaking and she raised her eyebrow. “I look lower than your taste in men?”

“Oh, no. No. I mean, you look well-perceived.”

The waitress brought our meal and we paused a bit.

“I had arranged for your favourite meal. Specially made for you,” I smiled.

The waitress arranged the meals on the table before giving a slight bow and then leaving.

“The restaurant seems empty.” she pointed out and I chuckled.

“I made sure it’s just us,” I replied as I opened the plate of sirloin soup and abalone pasta. Her favourite.

She smiled as she stared at the plate and that filled my whole.

“Have a taste, please.” I handed her a spoon and she waited a bit before taking it.

I waited for her to have a taste, to get her satisfaction before having a taste myself.

“This tastes like perfection!”

“Argh…thank goodness you love it. I could have fired them all if you didn't.”

“You are in such capacity to fire the chefs?”

I nodded. “And the waitresses as well.” I tasted the soup and it tasted…well. As long as she loved it.

“It's enough reason to fire them if the soup doesn't taste good?”

“Isn’t that the point of a restaurant?”

She dropped her spoon calmly and rested her hands on the table. “I beg to differ.”

I sat up in my seat and looked at her.

She’s quite humble.

“Well, I was just being responsible.”

“I appreciate that but…”

“Have a taste of the abalone pasta,” I quickly interrupted.

“Abalone?”

“Yes. You told me that night that it was your favourite.”

“Ahh. Yes. Yes. It’s my absolute favourite. I love all kinds of seafood!” she said, rushing her pasta and I chuckled.

After spending satisfying hours in the restaurant, I got the confirmation I needed. She was indeed the same lady I met that night. A little different today but she was still the same.

My focus was on the road ahead with my hands firmly holding the steering wheel. I could feel her eyes piercing through the side of my face.

“What’s on your mind?” I asked, sparing a glance at her and placing my hand on her hands that were on her thighs.

She looked down at my hand before looking back at my face and I met her gaze with a smile.

“How did you get my address?”

Out of all the questions I expected to hear from her, this failed to cross my mind.

“I just…well…I just kind of figured it out.”

“Being truthful is sexy to me.”

I sighed in defeat before shrugging my shoulders.

“I had one of my men get it for me.”

She didn't say anything and I looked over at her. I was trying to be careful, treading softly so as not to get her upset but I think I was doing a bad job.

“Are you mad?”

“No. No. Just impressed.”

“Impressed?” I retorted, glancing at her.

“You can stop by the bus station over there,” she said, slipping her hands away from my hand.

“What? Why? We’re almost at your place.”

“You need to stop…right now!”

Her voice sounded a little harsh and I immediately stepped on the brake.

“I can’t do this!” she said before getting out of the car.

When I got down after her and looked at her, her eyes were red, swollen and her skin was as well red.