(Book 1)I Have Chemistry With My Tutor

Chapter 5. The Boyfriend And Me

"Richard," I exclaimed and greeted him with a warm hug before sharing a short but deep kiss.  Hopefully by flattering the greetings he could forget what I was talking about with Lisa.  I ruffled his short blond hair and sank into the sensations of just his presence.  I stared into his light blue eyes for a few seconds, wanting to relieve all my stress with just a gaze.

"Andrea," Richard greeted, returning the gaze before interrupting it by looking over my shoulder.  "Who's your friend?"

"Oh," I had almost forgot myself.  I turned and gestured to Lisa.  "This is Annelise, the librarian.  She's helping me with some studies.  Lisa, this is my boyfriend, Richard."

"Glad to meet ya," Richard said.

"Hello der," Lisa replied casually before standing.  "I should get going, I don't want to intrude on your date."

'Dang, I don't want you to go just yet.  That Golden Lotus story was getting us somewhere...  "I'll call you, Lisa." I said suddenly.

Lisa looked at me shocked for a second, a pained frown set on her lips.  It made my heart leap to my throat.  Her frown vanished before I could say a word and she smiled gently.  "Sure, I'll see ya.  Have fun with my gal, Richard."

"See ya," Richard replied.

And just like that Lisa left.  I never thought Lisa was that kind of person; very private and well-to-do.  She was kind and thoughtful, taking her time to help little ole me out.  But why?  What did I mean to her?

'Gal, she called me Gal.  Must mean she thinks of me as a close friend now.'

"I have a surprise," Richard joggled me out of my thoughts.

I pushed all worries out of my mind and focused on the present.  "What is it!" I gushed.

"Surprise surprise... come with me," Richard held my hand and dragged me out of the cafe.  WOW, he planned a simple date at a diner then jumps a surprise at me!  What's up with that?  My curiosity was overwhelming.  What could it be?  The last surprise was over a month ago when he got me really expensive jewelery for prom.  Was it jewelery again?  No, what if it was a dress!  I was pointing to catalogs all this Spring.  I hope I wasn't too pushy.

When we got to his white porsche, I couldn't help but ask and ask.  "Where are we going?"

"Surprise, surprise..." Was all he would answer.

"Ah, this is driving me crazy." I squealed.

"Ha, literally driving."

Richard laughed as he helped me into the car and got into his seat.  He stayed silent as if making himself not spill the secret while he drove off.  He was heading away from Leland and towards Wilmington, the sunset following us from behind.  I'm glad I brought my leather jacket it gets a bit cool at night despite the warm humid days.

"You better call your mom, you might be late for curfew." Wow, how thoughtful.  But then... late for curfew? How far is he driving?

I called my mom and told her Richard was taking me for a long surprise drive and I might be late.  Mum understood and just told me to be home by midnight, and if I wasn't home by midnight to stay at his house.  I told her 'okay love you' and hung up. My mom was always understanding like that and she trusted Richard.  He'd come over for dinner once a month and grew on my family, except my brother.  With him there was always teasing, which seemed playful but I couldn't help but think something more was underneath.

The wind blew my hair into even more wild ruffles.  I relaxed with my eyes closed, letting the warm air blow all my sorrows away.  This week had been a long drag what with trying to figure out the petrifying riddle of the century, or the millenia it seems.  I was eager to get back to Mr. Ghost, however possible that is, and ask him if he knew about the Golden Lotus story.  What if he did?  What if the riddle was something entirely different? Ah, too many things to be curious about.