Chapter 4

Eric decided he would take her to the Palazzo; it was a lovely little pub for the elite. He wanted a place where he could have a quiet moment with her. He wanted to express his feelings toward her, uninterrupted. He could see she was tense as she barely engaged in a conversation with him, putting in a few words here and there. He did not want to impose himself, he was going to be gentle on her, though that was never his style as he always got his way with women whenever he wanted. He was attractive, well-off, and charismatic.

As he parked his car in the parking lot, he ushered her in front of him taking a glance at her legs. He imagined how she would feel in his arms lying close to him. She was young and petite. He could groom her into the woman he wanted her to be. As they settled in at a far corner away from the drowning noise of the music, he quickly held her hands in his softly. She tried to pull her hands away but he held on to them with determination. He knew there was no rule as to where to start. He was just going to express how he feels holding nothing back in the hopes that she would yield to his request. Sandra, he started, I can't stop thinking about you since I laid my eyes on you. I don't mean to scare you away but I don't know if we could be friends, real friends, serious friends I mean….try dating and see how it goes. He could feel her shiver a bit. Still holding on to her hands he looked at her and brushed her hair away from her face. A bartender brought their drinks, a strawberry daiquiri fit Sandra and a martini fit Eric. She turned her glance away from him, she was shy, afraid she did not know what to say. Take your time, he continued as he proceeded to sip his drink. "I will wait". She took a few sips as Eric let go of her hand. She did not know what to say. How could she tell him she had never dated a man old enough to be her father? How would he take her response? She secretly admired him, he had a charm and it was not a bad thought. She can't give him any answer today. I like him, but I am not sure if this is what I need now in my life. Eric seems to be another distraction coming her way after her breakup with her boyfriend, she resolved to focus on herself, her education, and her family. She was just not ready for a relationship after her ideal relationship with her previous boyfriend. She had felt cheated and abandoned and was not ready to go through that same stress all over again. Why does he want me? She searched her mind for answers. He could have any girl he wanted, why did he decide he wanted me? We do not belong to the same social class she thought as she further determined her answer. He just wants me for a fling. No, his answer is going to be no.

They sipped their drinks in silence and Eric asked her for a dance as a way of evading the lingering question and answer which he was not sure what it would be. As he held her hand towards the dance floor, she knew she could not avoid him any further. The music was a slow jam….James Ingram, "Just once" He held her close to him, she could feel her heart pounding away. This was the closest she had ever been with him. She smelt his perfume, he pressed her close to him, his hands wrapped around her waist, and he could feel her breasts against him as his thighs closed in on her. This was it he thought to himself I'm not letting her go. She released herself giving up on this fight within her. I am going to enjoy this one moment after all he won't see me after tonight. They danced to the slow jam of the music for a few minutes when she suddenly broke away. I have a dance class at 6 pm she said. Why don't you call in sick Erick replied. I can't she continued, I did not attend dance class yesterday as I was exhausted from overworking myself due to a staff member who is sick. Okay, he replied. Do you mind if u drop you off at your dance class? I can also pick you up and take you home later in the evening if that is okay with you. No, I will take the train she replied,  Erick insisted and she gave in.

They drove in silence to her dance class after having given him the directions. He did not want to bother her any further. He wanted her to make her own decision. He will let her be, he thought to himself, just as he had promised her. As they arrived at the dance class he told her he would fetch her after class and take her home. She waved and walked into the hall.

Eric had gone home to shower and change into something more casual as he had on his work clothes all day. If he was going to pick up Sandra after her dance class which was just an hour, he needed to feel fresh. He was greeted by his dog at the entrance of his apartment. He would not be able to take him out for a walk this evening as he had to see Sandra. He placed a call to Bill. Bill was a stout Irish man in his late forties who equally had a dog which he walks every day as his way of relaxation. He usually helped Eric look after his dog at times when he was tired up with work or away on vacation. Bill willingly accepted as he knew the all too generous Eric was going to pay him for his service.