CHAPTER 05: Cruising lessons

…Frederic nudged Zed.

"What like that" asked Vania ironically.

"Well you know Vania it's something we should talk about with a clear head maybe when we get back to the hotel" cut Zed

"No, why not here?" Frederick insisted.

"Yes Zed you can tell me now it's okay." reassured Vania

"And I think I'm going to leave you alone for a while where would your girlfriends Vania be?" Frederic asked

"In the next room at the first table." replied Vania

"Great I'm going!" said Frederic

After Frédéric slipped away, Vania resumed:

"So Zed what did you have to say to me????"

"Uh you know Vania is…" Zed stammered.

"What is Zed you can talk to me honestly why are you stammering all of a sudden?" reacted Vania

"By the way, it was about studies, we thought we'd work after the debate" says Zed embarrassed

"Hm, was it just for that?" Asked Vania ironically

"I think so" groaned Zed who felt the heat invading him in his jacket.

"Okay, what time will we see each other?" asked Vania

"I prefer the evening, say 6 p.m." replied Zed

"It's fine with me, I need a hand for my intervention tomorrow" says Vania

"Don't worry, I'll help you as best I can" reassured Zed

"I'm counting on you so see you more and your jacket suits you well." said vania

"Thank you your dress is very fabulous too," Zed commented.

"Thank you tonight then."said Vania

"Yes to tonight." replied zed

Then Vania went to join her friends. Zed gave a sigh of a man who just got out of a tough case. He wanted to talk to his family. He tried to reach his mother, but his phone didn't go through. He tried to reach his older sister.

"Hello Denise, how is everyone?"

"Hi bro everyone is fine, how are you doing?" answered Denise

"Not too bad, I'm trying to reach mum I can't where did she go?" asked Zed

"Oh you know her, she must have forgotten to turn on her phone, she's in her room. She's taking her nap I think." answered Denise

"Okay I miss you" said Zed

" If only it were possible for me to come and assist you" said Denise

"Don't worry, I'll send you everything on w******p" replied Zed

"Great" Denise exclaimed.

"Okay see you later and take care of yourself." said zed

" You also." answered Denise

" OK Bye !" said zed

Then he cut off his call. Frederic was already coming to meet him.

"So buddy tell me you finally broke the ice." launched Frederic

"Fred I couldn't"

"Mdr if I say you're a gynophobe you're going to lecture me. But let me tell you that you're a coward" laughed Frédéric

"Oh don't make a mockery of it." said Zed

"You surely make me laugh, old man. But hey, I understand that when you find yourself in front of the girl you love, you miss the words and that's what's happening to you right now." answered Frederic

"Yes but how to fight against it?" asked Zed

"It's simple, it's just the phobia of believing that the girl can take it badly and you would have spoiled everything. I tell you that no woman in the world hates flirting." answered Frederic

"Um" doubted Zed

"Seriously man, I read it in a book" reassured Frédéric

"No wonder he has books in your closet that you don't want to tell me about." replied zed

"Obviously, those are my secret weapons. But it's all about willpower man. Don't tell yourself you're not good enough for her, go in with your head fucked and tell her how you feel. Maybe she doesn't wait for that." said Frederic

"Oh you think so?" Frederic asked

"You just have to see how she looks at you. You know female language is more often gestural than verbal if you don't interpret her gestures you won't understand her." answered Frederic

"You read that too in a book I suppose." said zed

" Yeah !" answered Frederic

"Great teacher, if you explained science like you explain your flirting lessons, I think your students will be the best," Zed said ironically.

"That's it, don't underestimate me on that side, it's not for nothing I was selected to represent the university." answered Frederic

"But don't worry, I promise I'll tell him." reassured Zed

"It's in your interest and the sooner the better, it's not just you who wants to hang this Vania bomb Have you seen how all the guys are watching her? Even I regret a little being the one who gives you advice" says Frédéric ironically

" You show-off, I've already had enough of your stupid lesson, we're going back to the hotel." replied Zed still on the ironic rhythm

"It's not stupid at all, man, be sure." said Frederic

"Anyway, we're out of here." replied Zed

"Oh wait a minute do you see what I see?" Startled Frederic.

At this moment, a young girl holding a book in her hand and a bag was advancing in the opposite direction. Probably a student attending the conference. The juvenile looked like a luscious and lovely bourgeois lady.

"You know, old man, I'm going to show you how to hook up with a girl you like" Frederic said, giving Zed a shoulder bump.

"Damn don't tell me you're gonna bullshit her?" said Zed

"Oh yes just observe." answered Frederic

At this moment the girl was advancing slowly like a miss on a red carpet at the beauty pageant. His face was glowing.

"Hi Miss !" Frederic threw when the girl was about to pass them.

" Good morning !" Answered the young girl with a suspicious look but a friendly smile on her lips.

"Please, I don't want to abuse your time, but you remind me of someone..." Frederic said, facing the girl.

Zed watched the scene.

"Really, but I'm sure you take it for someone else," replied the maid.

Frédéric gave a confident smile before saying:

"To err is human, they say. My name is Frédéric and you?"

The young girl gave Frédéric a wary look and replied:

"My name is Larissa"

"Wow! I've traveled half of this country yet I've never met a girl with a name that makes you dream like yours" commented Frédéric

This time, the juvenile smiles showing her incisors

"I'm flattered but to my knowledge it's not a spooky name as you might think." said the juvenile

"Oh, if it is," said Frédéric, "when you have a beauty like yours, everything becomes phantasmagorical. I find you very dazzling."

"Really okay." replied the juvenile

"By the way, what university are you from?" Frederic asked

"From the UDV in the south" replied the juvenile.

"Oh I've always dreamed of going there and what class are you in?"

"Third." she answered

"Great! You must be very smart to get your university to select you." reacted Frederic

"Let's say I'm just getting by." replied the juvenile

Zed had nowhere to enter the conversation. He had been content so far to keep his calm.

"You know, Larissa, the smell your perfume exhales reminds me of a brand. Wouldn't that be eau de cologne?" asked Frédéric

"Hmm not quite." she answered

"So what is it so maybe I could afford it too." said Frederic

"Well it's called Candice" she answered

“Lovely girls always use enticing things,” Frederic commented.

"Hum" reacted The juvenile

"Okay sorry, I've already taken too much of your time, now if you don't mind may I be kind enough to add your number to my list? Just to keep in touch maybe one day I would like to come and visit your university

The young lady took Frederic's phone and put in her contact details.

"So !" She said, handing the phone to Frédéric.

"Thank you" agreed the latter. "I'll call you on the last day of the conference, I still want to see that beautiful face again before I go home," he promised.

The girl was already leaving. She nodded with a dazzled smile and then continued on her way.

"Mom miya! Did you see that man?" Frederic roared at Zed.

"Ouff! I don't know what to say, you're a PRO, I admit," Zed yielded.

"Buddy you just have to have confidence in yourself and erase any negative thoughts. When you meet a girl for the first time it is logical that she is suspicious of you to put her in confidence and sometimes just with a smile." said Frederic

"Did you read that too in a book?" asked Zed

"Yeah!" Frederic replied.

"I don't know if I'm going to get there with Vania every time I want to address the sentimental question I feel my vocal cord dry up" says Zed

"It's called anxiety man. You have to take a deep breath and let your heart speak. I swear once you start you'll be amazed by the fluidity of your words because this is your heart that talk and always try to make her laugh with little jokes. It also reinforces the good intentions she has of you. You saw how good a laugh this Larissa had when I praised her name." Frederic

"Yes I saw. It turns out that I have an appointment with Vania this evening for a joint study." replied Zed

"That's it! This time seize the opportunity which may not come up twice. I know you can do it, I trust you man." said Frédéric

"Thank you man we have to go back" answered Zed

The students lined up in the parking lot waiting for the vehicle to take them back to their respective hotels. When Zed arrived in his room, he took off his jacket and fell into a deep sleep. His friend Frédéric was touring the city.

The members of the conference jury were all leading journalists from 4 corners of the country. In their deliberation they had regard for Zed's performance.

"It seems that his father Christophe was a great journalist." One of them said.

" No wonder he is so diligent in the field, added another. I think I knew his father we worked together on an article that hit the mark with the government of the time. " replied the other

"In any case, he embodies the soul of his father. And currently it is pronounced well for him. "

"Yes, but there are also 3 other students, including a girl, who are doing well so far."

"Anyway the debate continues and we just need two students for the final."

They were chatting around a table laden with drinks. Their conversation swirling around a few banalities...

Zed had slept at least 2 hours. It struck 5:44 p.m. He had run to the supermarket to buy some food. On his return he found Vania's missed calls. There were 5 in total. Heartbroken, he called her back… she picked up on the first ring.

"But Zed where were you?" thundered Vania in a vehement tone.

"Sorry, I had run to the supermarket." replied Zed

"And you never walk around with your cell phone?" asked Vania

"I accidentally left it Vania" replied Zed

"Okay anyway, I wanted to tell you that I'm ready, do you prefer that I come to see you? Frédéric is there?" asked Vania

"He went out. I'd rather come see you." proposed Zed

"But my friends are here and they will bother us" objected Vania

"Okay then you can come." gave in Zed

"Great give me 10min." said Vanya

"Okay." Zed replied.

Zed's heart was racing. He couldn't believe that he would find himself in the near future alone with the girl he certainly loved for STUDIES... 5min later someone opened the door abruptly. He jumped thinking it was Vania. But no, it was Frédéric who was back.

"Damn you fucked me up" Zed said in a low voice.

"How were you expecting someone else?" Frederic asked

"Yes. I just had Vania on the phone and she offered to come and work with me here." replied Zed

"Damn it makes things even easier for you, huh she just understood that with her friends you're going to hide your face exclaimed Frédéric

"Don't bring your comment." cut Zed

"In that case, I'll give you all your time, let me know when you've finished STUDYING," Frederic said ironically. "I will still enjoy the wonders of this city"

"Do not hang out too much you know that our hours of exit are regulated." said Zed

"I know man, I'll be back before 10 p.m., don't worry, ciao" replied Frédéric

Then he came out. By the time he closed the door behind him, Vania was already approaching the hallway.

"Hi Vania, how are you?" Said Frederic

"Hi Frederic, I'm fine your friend told me you were out" said Vania

"Yes, indeed… how shall I put it, I have only just arrived and I will now be leaving." answered Frederic

"Ah okay. Is he there, I hope?" asked Vania

"Yes, he is waiting for you" replied Zed

Then Frédéric continued on his way while Vania knocked on the door. Zed came quickly to open it.

"Oh you are there!" he said

"Yes, can I come in? Or are you with a girl?" asked Vania ironically

"Hmm no you can come in." replied Zed

"Wow, I hadn't noticed how small our room was, yours is even bigger." remarked Vanya

"Really, please sit down." said Zed

Vania sat down on the sofa and put two books and a pen on the small coffee table.

"So Zed where do we start???" she asked...

Can Zed manage to confess his feelings to Vania?

…to be Continued_ Next