Chapter 22: Chapter 22
(Vivienne)
"Let your hair down" I heard the man say after a long time of driving. Why was he even driving himself when the driver was right there ready to render the services. I ignored him and fixed my mind out the window admiring the city. It was quiet since it was in the early afternoons. People were working.
"No...I like it this way"I said not in the mood to dance to his tune
Since it was nearing the weekends many chose to waste their time clubbing and relaxing at the bar. When I was in the US Alexis used to drag me to the club every Friday saying I deserved to do crazy things at some point and she always recited some proverb about 'all work no play makes Jack a dull kid'
I once or twice had a chance to go clubbing, danced a little and I had to say it was fun. Since I was young I never bothered about such worldly things especially going to the club or bar and getting wasted but Alexis made things fun.
She was like a sister I never had and thinking up to here I just wanted to relax and do crazy things to get some things off my mind and before I knew it my hand reached for my hair. I tied it in a neat ponytail. I slowly removed the bands I used for tying my hair down to my shoulders since it couldn't go all the way down to my waist.
Carefully I ran my fingers in my hair messing it up a bit while shaking my head. It felt wonderful to finally breathe. It was like tying my hair made me feel restrained and once I let it down. It felt good. The gentle breeze added to the moment when I struggled to keep the red strands off my face
Taking my phone and raising it in midair so it could act as a mirror. I played with my hairstyling with my fingers. Smiling to myself I continued doing my thing and when the car came to a sudden halt pushing me forward that if not for wearing seatbelts I would have hurt myself
"Huh...what's your problem...do you want us to get killed!"I lashed out turning to look at Victor with anger in my eyes but I found the man frozen in place. He was gripping the steering wheel so tight and sweat had formed on his forehead looking like some snowflakes or icicles
"What's wrong huh...this is a car and we could die you know!"I was still angry at him for driving like he was drunk. How could he be so careless as to stop the car without realizing the traffic lights were red and several cars had stopped to wait. He didn't reply to me nor look at me but I could see he was uncomfortable. Narrowing my eyes I reached out to feel his neck and forehead for any fever because he looked sick and was burning up like it was so hot and he couldn't stand the weather
"D...don't" he shoved my hand away when I was about to feel his skin. Why was Victor acting strange so suddenly? Back at the office he was acting all brave and invited me to join his lunch meeting but now he was being weird
"Okay now you are pissing me off with your behavior" it was too much for me "just chill" I added and slammed my back to the car seat and crossed my arms over my chest gripping my phone tightly. The lights turned green and the cars started moving, and so did ours. Silence fell between us that I was still wondering what got Victor so worked up and uncomfortable
But what Vivienne didn't know was that her actions caused the man to lose control. Victor secretly glanced at the redhead sitting there with a frown plastered on her cute face and shook the bad thoughts away. Did he make a mistake when he asked me to let her hair down? The way she was behaving aroused him badly.
She looked hot not like he wanted to use such vile words to describe a woman because he never used such words but what happened a moment ago was different. Vivienne looked hot and sexy just doing something silly like letting her hair down and playing with it. He was bewitched by her silly actions that he began sweating like hell
'Damn her' victor cursed mentally and focused on the road ahead. It was best he didn't look at her but it was difficult when the woman looked so damn gorgeous with her red hair. Different from other women and that was what made her so special.
She was a unique flower in the garden. So beautiful that he didn't know why he was lying to her about the lunch meeting. This was a date he had arranged for both of them. Just so he could get to know her more and once they reached their destination. He parked the car and got out to open it for Vivienne
"Thanks, sir," she said innocently as he closed the door and she adjusted her clothes
***
"Wow" I didn't believe this. I thought we were going to an ordinary place but what was I thinking when Victor was not so ordinary himself
"Welcome sir," the manager who approached us said with light now as he guided us inside the glorious restaurant. I was stunned as I looked around. The atmosphere was breathtaking, the interior design was somewhat vintage-like but prestigious.
"Relax" the man murmured and grabbed my hand so unexpectedly that I glanced up at him and he had his attention forward as we walked to the elevator. I wondered why we were going the other way instead of dining on the second floor where various people were. Victor tightened his grip on me as he led me into the elevator
"I'll send waiters to attend to you...have a lovely time," the manager said with a low bow and saw as Victor nodded and the elevator doors closed. By now I was confused and thinking
"Sir...I…"
"I hate crowded places…" he cut me off and said leaving me with no choice but to keep quiet. Of course, he hated crowded places he told me that several times in the past hence I relaxed and waited for us to reach our destination
Soon we came to a stop, the elevator door opened and Victor led me out still holding my head. I was stunned once we got out. This was another setup
"Welcome sir, madam...this way" the waiter, dressed professionally, said as soon as he saw Victor and led us across the vast room. This one was luxurious from the brown tiled shiny floors to the nicely painted walls. The beautiful chandeliers hung above us giving vibrant lighting even when it was early in the afternoon. I was so foolish that I couldn't keep my eyes on where I was going because the place was bewitching
"Please" the waiter guided us to our table. I thought it was for four or more because this one was a table for two and what surprised me the most was the rose petals scattered beautifully on the table. It was located near the window side which gave a breathtaking view of the beautiful city
"Thanks, sir" I muttered when Victor pulled out a chair for me to sit on. He was acting differently, more like a gentleman. He left my side and walked around the table and sat opposite. This was awkward, me sitting there scanning the table with roses on too. So beautiful, the soft music playing in the background had me sinking deep in my seat as my heart raced rapidly
"So...um…should we wait for others?"I asked, tucking my hair behind my ears. I was totally scared and nervous when Victor picked up a single fresh red rose. He brought it up to his nose as if smelling it and his actions brought discomfort to my soul. I averted my eyes away from him. I saw others eating gracefully. So elegant and classy that I felt out of place. Why didn't he tell me we were coming to such a place. I would have worn something nice and more presentable
"Ms. Payton relax...change of plans...I guess the universe didn't want the meeting to happen...it was canceled" he said, getting my attention I looked at him and he was serious. But was it necessary to bring me here, why didn't he tell me the lunch meeting was canceled "I didn't want to waste your time so...let's have lunch instead" he added clearing the question I had as if he read my mind and I was even more agitated. The whole setup looked like some romantic date. From the red roses on the table to the environment. The romantic song playing explained my situation.
Spending time with a loved one, he surprised you with a romantic dinner. Nothing special but being with him aroused some emotions, strong feelings which melts your heart completely. His soft gaze draws you in and the way he behaves so caring and gentle wins you over
"Thanks" Victor's voice brought me back to reality when I realized I had been staring at him just like the lyrics of the song said. I looked at him and saw that the waiter brought our food. My favorite food and there were two bottles of wine placed in a steel bucket full of ice. The waiter placed two glasses, one for me and one for Victor. The man was looking handsome sitting there. The waiter opened the bottle of wine and poured me a glass.
"Thanks," I said more frankly when he poured me the nice-looking red wine. He did the same for Victor and the man waved him off
"So...wine"I started, having nothing to say. This was not what I expected. Victor tricked me. There was no meeting whatsoever because this was a date. So romantic
"It's fine...if you get tipsy...I'm here to handle that" he said with a half-smile and took a sip of his wine. It was too much even when he took the same rose flower between his fingers. My heart raced as I picked up my glass to taste the wine and it was sizzling as it washed down the lump stuck in my throat. It tasted like grapes or cherries. Either way, I relaxed as the cold liquid worked wonders in my body
"Here...it looks beautiful just like your hair...you should have it," he said while keeping his eyes on the flower in his hand. Was he giving me a red rose? Did he know what it meant to give a woman such a flower? I was hesitant to take it but gathered enough strength. I reached for it and wanted to grab it as quickly as I could from him unfortunately the man held my hand instead
"Vic" what was he doing, we were in public, it was enough that he tricked me but holding my hand in such an intimate way had my heart thumping loudly against my chest. I grew nervous and felt cold liquid dripping down my face. It was confirmed we were on a romantic date. Our first date.