Chapter 16: Chapter 16

SIXTEEN- THE DATE

"Should I wear the red one or the beige one?" Louisa asked as she held the two dresses up so her friend could help her make a choice. She had initially decided to wear something simple, but as luck would have it, Naa Larley had voice called her right after she stepped out of her bathroom and when she had learnt of her dear friend's agenda, she had immediately switched to video call to "help her girl out."

"It depends on where you are going Lou. Do you know?" Naa Larley asked.

"Yes. I'm meeting him at the Robin Hood Hotel."

Naa Larley whistled in appreciation. "The man's got taste."

Louisa rolled her eyes. "Girl, if you won't help me, then I'll make my own choice. I don't want to be late."

Her friend raised her hands in mock surrender and muttered as she readjusted herself on the bed. "Jeez jeez. I didn't know you were that eager to meet him. Choose the red one."

Louisa pursed her lips in displeasure. She wasn't going to give her silly friend the reaction she wanted. She changed into her lingerie and then quickly applied her makeup.

"Don't use a lot of make up. We don't want you looking slutty." Naa Larley stated, and then with a gleam in her eyes, amended. "...Or maybe you should use a lot so that you can definitely get some tonight." She burst into loud laughter at the petrified look on her friend's face.

Louisa shook her head. "For your information, I don't need a lot of makeup to look sexy, I've got my own appeal... and you have been a considerable help tonight but right now you're just getting on my nerves, so..."

"No no, wait wait, okay I'll stop-"

"Bye Naa. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Louisa Mensah, don't you dare hang up on me... you'll-"

Too late. Louisa grinned happily as she ended their call and slipped into the red dress her friend had chosen for her. She glanced at her watch as she added accessories. 6:15. it read. She really had to get going if she was to be on time. Adding a dash of perfume here and there, she wore her black killer heels, grabbed a clutch where she put her phone, I.D, and keys and then headed downstairs.

Her mother and daughter looked at her in awe as she descended.

"Where did you say you're going again?" Mrs. Mensah inquired.

"A business meeting Mama." Louisa lied between her teeth.

"Why do you ask?"

"Nothing." She heard her mother reply but her attention was on her daughter who had a mischievous look on her face.

"Mum, are you going on a date?" The teenager asked with a grin leaving her mother in a cloud of confusion, horror and shock that she'd been found out.

She sighed in acceptance. "Is it that obvious?"

The duo nodded their heads so simultaneously, Louisa would have found it very funny if it didn't put her that much on the spot.

She pinched the bridge of her nose for a moment as the barrage of questions flooded her senses. Who is he? Do I know him? Is it Uncle Chris? Where are you guys going Mum?

"Okay okay. Enough." She scolded.

I'm going on a business meeting, take it or leave it. Isa, you'd better go upstairs and finish your homework and you Mama, go find something else to do and don't wait up for me." She gave them both a kiss on the forehead and quickly strutted out of the house to her car.

○●○●○●

"Mr. Blankson, we've been on the lookout for some time now to find the perfect base to set up our branch, and I must say, your company seems to have topped the list among all the other African countries."

William sat up with pride as he listened to the words of praise his Chinese investors graciously rained on his company.

After several months of trying to work out a deal, he was finally at the stage he enjoyed very well... the finalization process.

"I'm glad you all found what you were looking for in my company, and I can assure you that you're not going to regret giving us this opportunity." He concluded just as a couple of waiters brought in their dinner. Toasts were made and everyone dug into their meal. With business matters settled, the atmosphere was almost casual now, and food and drinks seemed to have loosened conversation and laughter, such that William could finally appreciate his surroundings. They were at the finest restaurant in the Robin Hood Hotel and he could tell that the place was only for the very wealthy. With its plush setting and wonderful cuisine, he wasn't surprised that the restaurant was located in a five star hotel.

"To our success as partners." He heard one of his guests shout again with loud laughter and he couldn't help but smile as he lifted his glass of non-alcoholic champagne to his lips.

He felt her presence even before he saw her and had to struggle to keep the coughs that came with his choking from shock at bay.

She looked so beautiful. Very beautiful. He wondered what business meeting had brought her out and so late at night too. She seemed to have everyone else's attention as she stepped into the restaurant but like the Louisa he always knew, she didn't even notice.

"Are you okay?" He heard one of the partners ask as he cleared his throat to end the bout of cough. The brief interlude made him lose sight of Louisa for a moment but when he did seek her out again, he couldn't help but clench his fists in anger.

It never, not even once crossed his mind that she could be here for romantic reasons, and to have seen her hugging a man he couldn't see quite clearly broke his heart. Before he knew it, he was asking to be excused and heading towards their direction.

○●○●○●○

"God, Louisa you look absolutely stunning." Chris whispered as he took her hands in his and pressed them to his lips.

Louisa felt shy all of a sudden, the action had unsettled her for a moment.

Pulling her hands away, she managed to answer back, "Well you don't clean up so badly yourself."

That was the truth actually, for in his dark blue suit, he looked nothing short of perfect. A waiter came to take their order as the two engaged in basic conversation... It seemed they were both shy all of a sudden but Chris managed to recover first.

"Tell me Louisa," He said.

"How is it that a beautiful woman like you hasn't been taken for so long?"

Louisa was surprised. Such a direct question, but then again, this was Chris... He said and asked whatever was on his mind even if it got him into trouble sometimes.

"Well... let's just say, I'm not looking for anyone to "take" me just yet." She managed to reply and then safely steered the conversation away from herself.

"How is it that you aren't seeing someone or even married yet Chris? You're not that bad looking, so I don't understand."

Chris raised his eyebrows in amusement and made to reply, but he wasn't given a chance.

"Chris?! When did you get back and what are you doing here man?"

The couple looked up to see who the intruder was... Chris wearing a look of irritation and surprise, Louisa wearing a look of shock... and well, more shock.

Chris recovered first. "Woah William man, what are you doing here?"

Louisa's head was down as she twiddled her thumbs. It seemed she was hoping her silence would make her unnoticeable and the action caused William to smile inside. He would spot her anywhere, in fact, she was the reason why he was here in the first place.

William turned his attention to his friend and made a sound that sounded somewhat like a growl. "I asked you first Chris. Aren't you supposed to be in Italy or something?"

"I came back today, and figured I'll just surprise you at the office tomorrow as I was quite tired." Chris replied.

"Not too tired to go out on a date, I see." He bit back in retort.

Chris decided to ignore him. No one was going to ruin his night. "Meet my dear friend, Louisa Mensah. I assume you guys have already met." He made introductions.

"Hey Louisa. I think I now understand the conflict of interest you were so adamant about." Will said sarcastically drawing the very same reaction he sought from Louisa. Pure unbridled anger.

"Look here Mr. Blankson, I'm not going to tolerate another round of insults again. You can see your friend is on a date, the least you could do is be more civilised and give us some privacy... but then again I didn't expect that much from you. Good to see you didn't prove me wrong." She lashed out.

William was hurt. Louisa was right though and as much as he wanted to think he was right, he knew his actions were unjustifiable, but that was what Louisa always did... either bring out the worst or the best in him, there was no in between. The least he could do was back away with arms raised in mock surrender.

"Well I'll leave you to it then... Have a nice evening." He nodded and left them alone.

Their food arrived a while later but Louisa couldn't enjoy her delicious lobster try as she did. Their conversation had also taken a lull. She cursed William for ruining such a perfect date. She couldn't bear the tension anymore.

"Chris, I'm so sorry but I think I'll call it a night. Dinner was lovely but I have to go." She stated sadly.

Chris was disappointed but he let it slide. "That's alright Louisa. I'll get the bill."

He walked her to her car after everything had been taken care of. Engulfing her in a hug, he breathed in the wonderful smell of her hair and muttered, "I'm sorry dinner was ruined, I promise to make it up to you another time."

Louisa managed a weak nod as she climbed into her car. "Thanks again for understanding. I'll call you when I get home."

Chris watched as she drove off, his fists clenching in raw anger. Damn William for ruining everything.