Chapter 3

Knowing on a day like this she had to meet with the one person she didn't want to see right now,

Naomi twisted, turned and pull the sheets over her head wishing for him to cancel.

He wouldn't, she knew, but at least she could hope, right?

Slowly, Naomi rolled out of bed and did her regular morning routine; she brushed her teeth, took a shower, combed her hair then searched for the ugliest suit she had in her closet.

She drew her curtains, examining the weather outside. As she looked, she noticed that the climate looked as though it was going to rain. Could this be her get away?

Could this be God granting her wish?

Naomi shook her head, suddenly remembering the hefty amount of money Mr. Ferguson was paying to solve his case. That money would benefit her wallet, her bank account and her cupboards in the kitchen.

She couldn't lose him or the case for that matter...

Thinking positively at this moment, Noami looked up at her clock, noticing that it was almost time to get ready.

She fitted her suit and her shoe and threw her Louis Vuitton bag over her shoulder as she headed for the door. Just before she could step through it, her ringtone blared through her ears.

She didn't have to look at the caller ID to know who it was. It was Mr. Ferguson, but unfortunately his contact was saved as 'Don't answer'.

But she'd pick up just for today. Naomi waited until the phone rang three times before picking up, not wanting to look desperate or anxious. "Hello Mr. Ferguson, how may I be of help to you?"

"Daniel, Naomi...just Daniel."

Same difference. "Hello 'Daniel', how may I be of help to you?"

“Hi lovely lady, how are you doing? I'm waiting in a great deal of anticipation to see that gorgeous face of yours." He clicked his tongue, the sound almost blurred out by the wind that chased his voice. "Are you ready? Because I am close to where you live."

Where she lived...?

How did he know where she lived?

Noami took a few deep breaths before answering, "I am good, no need to pick me up. I am already on my way."

It was a lie, but so what?

“Okay, looking forward to seeing you."

Naomi hung up the phone after that and got into her car. She placed the address in her GPS map and then sped off into the distance.

****

****

It only took her fifteen minutes to reach the location Daniel gave her.

She searched for a comfortable spot to park and cautiously did so.

While she looked into her mirror to adjust properly in the parking lot, she noticed a tall, handsome young man dressed in a fashionable style from the bottom of his toes to the shoulder.

It was of course Daniel and upon seeing her, he moved his eyes in a charming way, not at all noticing that Naomi wasn't giving him the attention he needed.

He walked over to her car, offering her his hand as soon as she opened up the door. Naomi took it, stepping out of the car like the ball of perfection she was. She issued to him an ambivalent smile, then proceeded to ask. "Where is the video you wanted to show me?"

Daniel sighed at her question, unable to believe that she went straight to business rather than asking how he's doing... "Can we just go inside and have a cup of coffee or anything of your choice, before discussing the video?"

Even though Naomi didn’t want that she softly answers with an... "okay, fine, but remember I do not have all day."

Daniel gave her a look of disappointment. "Are you always like this?"

With a little anger in her tone she replies. "Like what?"

"Professional...Are you always like this? Distant to everyone you meet, or is it just me?" Daniel wondered.

Naomi glared at him, not wanting to respond to his question.

She stepped pass him, walking into the building where a tall, slim body waitress greeted her and Daniel who walked in behind her. Her eyes lingered on Daniel for a long time before she walked over to him. "Hi, I'm Stacy, your waitress for today...your suit is fabulous."

Noami looked back at them, her usual expression printed all over her face. "Which table will it be?" She asked.

“Follow me please." Stacy ordered. "It’s table number four."

As Stacy walked towards the table; Naomi couldn’t stop looking at her because her behaviour was noticeable... her hips moved as though it was a rocking chair and her smile although fake was extremely distracting, either way, she ignored it and took a seat opposite to Mr. Ferguson's by the table.

"Is there anything I can get for you?"

Daniel looked towards Naomi. "You can go first?"

"Can I have a cup of black tea, with a cup of milk?" Naomi asked.

Stacy looks at Naomi. "Is there anything else you would like?"

Naomi stared into her big, bold eyes. "No, that’s it for now, thanks."

Stacy turned back to Daniel, that look of seduction once again showing up on her face. Does this woman not know that she had a job to do? And that it also included providing good customer service to the man she was painting herself bad in front?

"And what for you, Mr. Handsome?"

Daniel ignored her way of describing him and started his order. "Do you have Macallan ‘M’ Scotch Whisky?"

Noami stopped looking at the menu she had distractedly picked up and started staring at Daniel. "I thought we were having coffee…."

Knitting his eyebrows at her, Daniel smirked. "Coffee at this hour of the day, no."

Stacy liked the way he responded, not only that, she liked how expensive his suit looked and how handsome he looked in it. "Would you prefer a glass or would the bottle suit you more?"

“A bottle and a glass please." Daniel replied.

"Coming right up." Stacy answered and as she walked off, only the thought of having her new customer's number popped up into her head. He didn't seem uptight, he'd probably have no problem giving it to her despite the fact that a woman was sitting in front of h—

Stacy gasped, her eyes drifting towards the other waitress who had apparently bumped into her. "Watch it, stupid."

"You're the one who should pay more attention to where you're going, maybe you would've seen me coming if you were."

"Were my eyes not open?" Stacy argued.

"Perhaps not..." the other waitress responded....

Stacy hissed, rolling her eyes before walking pass her co-worker...

Naomi couldn’t help but notices as the commotion took place, she wondered why a little bump on the shoulder was such a big deal to both girls...immature.

“Daniel, can I see the video you have to show me?”

"Gimme a second please, let me get it from my bag?" Daniel slipped his bag opened and started searching for the thumb drive

Seconds later, he came back up with a blank look on his face. "It seems I had forgotten to put the thumb drive inside my bag."

Noami glared at him, not believing what she just heard him say. "What...?"

“Let me look again before jumping to conclusion."

He shoved his hand inside his bag again, shifting and turning to see if he could find it.

Naomi pinched the bridge of her nose, frustration slowly captivating her emotions. "I don’t have time for this, you’re just wasting my tim—"

“I found it!" Daniel suddenly spoke up, cutting her off.

He hauled it out of the bag, handing it over to her, and as Naomi took it, Stacy showed up with the orders yet instead of on the table, the open bottle of whiskey ended up in Naomi's lap.

Already sour from a bad mood, Naomi glowered up at her. "You’re really no good, do you want someone to teach you how to do your job?"

Stacy's lips slipped open in surprise, then softly she apologized. "I’m so sorry Madam."

“Please don’t call me Madam, I am just 20+ and a J.S.D in lawyer." She pointed to her suit which was wet all over. "Are you planning to give me your pay check tonight to pay for the damage you’ve done to my suit?"

Stacy wanted to respond in a fiery tone, but she didn't want her boss firing her. "Can I get you a clean rag to get it out instead?"

"Are you going to dry clean it afterwards?"

“There isn’t a dry cleaner here" Stacy responded in a soft and vulnerable tone.

"And that's why next time you should focus on your job instead of on men because next time you'll be losing it."