UNEXPECTED ENCOUNTER (EDITED VERSION)

CHAPTER FIVE: Coincidence

With a slight smile on the corner of my lips, I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Thank you, but I am only here on an invitation extended to my family by one of our family friends to dine with them. So, I am not here alone."

"I see. I guess it is both a relief and a shame." He says this as he draws closer.

"How so?"

"I am glad you did not come in the company of a gentleman, but at the same time, it would have been good for me to have you alone. That way, I could keep you company."

Surprised by his answer I responded, "Mr. Adams," I believe you said you were here for a meeting.

"Yes, but it wouldn't hurt to dabble in other matters."

Back at the table... "Sam, isn't that Shelley standing at the terrace talking with a certain gentleman? I thought I heard her say that she was going to the ladies' room."

"She sure did."

"I think someone is sorting your attention over at that table." It looks like they are waving in this direction."

Tracing his gaze back to my table, I exclaim, "Those are the people I came here with. I've been summoned."

"I believe you are not planning on getting back there without introducing me, are you?" he asked rhetorically as I made my way towards the table. Ben followed suit.

"Shelley, what happened? Did you get lost on your way to the ladies room?"
Sarah asks this as she looks at the gentleman behind me suspiciously.

"Nah, I just bumped into someone I know on my way there. Everyone, please. I would like you to meet Mr. Adam. He is a friend of mine back in the capital."

"Hello everyone! It is nice to meet you."

"Do you happen to work with my daughter at the hospital? You look like a doctor, if I may say so, and a very handsome one indeed."

"Dad! Come on, I do have life outside of my job, you know."

"I never said you didn't. I am just simply asking the gentleman here if he works with you at the hospital. Where are our manners? Please join us."

"He can't, He has a business meeting he has to get back to."

"I am so sorry, sir. It will give me great joy to take you up on your offer to join you for dinner, but I will have to decline today. I do hope one of these days Miss Shelley here will invite me to dinner with her family."

"Wait, what?"

"That is a great idea. I am sure my daughter will consider it. She never had her friends over for dinner before."

Dad says this as he looks at me closely through his glasses, awaiting my approval, and I am not ready to give it.

I can always count on my mom to rescue me anytime I am put in a tight spot to make a decision, and boy, how happy I was when she did.

"George, can you pass me the salad?" Mom instructed, and he followed without protest. This allowed me to pull Mr. Adam aside out of ear reach from the table.

"What did you think you were doing?"

"Never mind that." Listen, he says, I will be at the VIP lounge. Let me know when you are leaving. Just leave a message for the waiter, and they will see to it that I get it.

"Please, Shelley, I would like to talk to you before you leave here with your guest." He says this apologetically as he walks away.

Back at the table, I couldn't help but steal glances at the VIP lounge.

I am trying to catch a glimpse of Mr. Adam in his business dealings. Seated here, I have a clear view of him. As I look at him, he appears very serious, which I find appealing and attractive.

I can imagine myself in a room with him. As I watch him work behind a pile of paper in his study with his spectacles on, scanning through some documents, with the sleeve of his shirt rowed up and the front of his shirt open, exposing his bare skin and hairy chest,

'Damn!' That will make one fine portrait on my wall.

'Shelley!'

"What, Sarah?"

"I have been calling you for some minutes or so. What's got you thinking?"

"Never mind. You have got my attention now. What do you want?"

"I was thinking of making my way down to the pool. Do you care to join, or would you rather sit here with our parents?"

"I'll come with you. It's starting to get boring around this table," I said.

As I stood up to leave with Sarah, I couldn't shake off my disappointment. While I loved the idea of exploring the place with her, I really hated the thought of losing sight of Mr. Adams.

***

-The VIP Lounge-

"Mr Adam, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I must say we were very thrilled when we heard from you that you agreed to meet us on such short notice. We are grateful." Said the man in a well-tailed suit.

"Please don't be. The main reason I became a lawyer was for a reason such as this. Since we all have things to do and places to get back to, why don't we get started, Mr...."

"Of course, Nii Vanderpuye is at your service." He says this as he extends his hand for a handshake. "Shall we?"

"Mr Vanderpuye, please tell me how I may help you."

"Please allow me to order us some drinks first. What will you have, if I may ask?"

"Dry Martini, please, if you have one," I said.

"Martini, it is. 'Waiter,' two martinis and a bottle of whisky over here. Make it quick."

"Coming right over, sir," says the waiter as he moves out for the order.

"Mr Adams", I am not one to beat about the bush, so I will cut to the chase. First of all, we would like you to look at these licences and permits acquired to see if they are legit."

He confidently laid the document on the table before Mr Adam, its edges crisp and the ink still fresh, inviting him to dive into its contents.

"Also, we would like you to draft employment contracts that adhere to statutory requirements that protect the employer and employees of this establishment. It will also be a great help if you look into our contracts and agreements with our suppliers."

"All in all, what I am trying to put across is that we would like to hire you to be our legal representative in this business venture. We will pay you substantially for your service."

"Mr Vanderpuye, you've really put me in a tough spot," I remarked as I reached for the drink, which the server had just placed in front of me. "When my friend Matthew contacted me about your situation, I had no idea it would be this complicated," I added, taking a sip.

"What you are offering is a long-term commitment. One I can't keep. You see, I have come to this country for a few months. I will be going back. What you need is someone who is here with you. It will be good for the business."

Mr Vanderpuye leans in, his eyes focused intently. "We hear you, Mr Adams. We're always in pursuit of excellence, and you embody that. Take your time to mull it over. If the situation calls for it, we can explore offshore possibilities. Just give it a thought."

"I can't promise you anything but I'll definitely give it some thought and do my best to make it happen. I'll keep you updated on my decision, and I hope we can make this work together."

"Until then, I will need this to go through."