"How did you get my number?"
Her reply boozed into his ear like packs of bees. So brutal yet caressing. He took a breath of relief. "I went over to your__"
"Don't tell me they gave you my number!"
"Believe me I won't tell you."
"What? Shut up, I'm being serious here. Don't joke with me…"
"Eva__"
"Answer me, Dan." Rolled her eyes when she silently swore she felt him smile. Knew the way to which she had called his name to had been the cause.
"I'm glad you still remember my name. Just the way you like to call me." He flattened from up his chest down his stomach in satisfaction. "It's been quite a long time, my cherrie." Bit the inside of his upper lips when he heard the desperation laced in his voice.
Where the heck was his control?
"Don't be slow-witted by trying to skip my question."
"We can talk over dinner… Don't you think so? Your choice. Pick any place you want."
Anything to say to soften the nasty battalion of commiserative ache playing chess tournaments in his head. Fisted his hand when he discovered he'd applied a strategy, miss Juliana, had initiated. What does that make of him? What does he care anyways… Hers was an ulterior motive, his as pure as the mind of a toddler… Or so he tried to convince himself.
"Mr. Daniel…"
He smirked.
"I've got no extra time to spare on…"
The smirk deepend. This time with a touch of disappointment. Glad she broke the remaining words off for he suspected it might hurt him.
"You couldn't get over me, right?" He wanted to merry at the thought. Opened his mouth to tell her of how he suspected she had been missing him. But decided not to. Knowing her fully well, she was capable of turning the tables around and exposing his vulnerability. What he kept trying to shield from her scotch.
"Too full of yourself. You weren't this arrogant… I mean how much did you pay in exchange for it?"
He couldn't help grinning. "Eva, we can sought it all out." He transferred his phone to the other ear. "Let's get done with it." Picked a pen, dropped it back. "I'm plucky when it comes to you."
The admission caused, Daniel a lot. He slowly leaned back. It wasn't like him. He could think of half a dozen reasons why he needed to back away. Two minutes back, he could count them off with no trouble. Even throw in a couple extra for better measures. He couldn't for the life of him, think of a single one at the moment. The way she'd called his name, her voice. It made him raw with the need for her. He didn't want to feel exposed, still here he was calling helplessly. Breathing in the scent that had clung to him for years. He didn't want to remember why he shouldn't touch her again.
Desire knotted in his guts when the delicate sound of her breath penetrated into his earlobe, and circulated his entire body. He didn't want her getting deep, so deep in his head. Yet, he wanted her to fill and perfect his world. He didn't want her grudge of the past, nor compassion either. Yet he crave the sense of absolution she unknowingly offered. The sweet fantastic and mind-numbing pleasure of her, mentally.
He imagined his mouth coming down on hers, pulling her to his body and tracing his fingers down the curve of her hips to her thick laps…
"Does everything always work your way?"
Daniel forced out the erotic images out of his head. Dispensed a silent growl only him heard. Probably existed in his head. "I have to see you, Eva." He blurted. Damn the desperation.
"I'm still unable to accumulate the reason why you want to meet with me."
"We can work things out, Eva."
"Enough!"
"No!" His fingers stiffened around the phone. Eyes mirrored impatience. "No… it's not."
"No..." Eva, helplessly agreed, her voice unsteady. "But we aren't compatible."
"Mind you explain why not?"
She had more control now. Barely, Eva dictated shakily. Nevertheless it was better than none. Time to establish strict rules; quickly and precisely. "Daniel, we are two different people with different motives. Each with different priorities. And…" She detached herself from the wall, straightened. "Your request isn't one of them."
"You bet?" Frustration surfaced inside of him.
Eva, narrowed her eyes more in surprise than annoyance. Off she'd missed the ruthlessness in him. It would be preferable if she considered that later when she wasn't hearing his voice. When he wasn't crowding her mind. When she wasn't picturing his hand smothering her neck to her jaw. When she wasn't feeling an imaginary lips that looked like his, on hers. Now she has to concentrate only on her begrudge of him. With that she was certain not to drive out of point and disgrace herself. "Nothing's going to work between us, if that's what you're nailing at."
Deciding to let that drop, at least for a moment, Daniel licked his mouth. "I'm clear on that issue now," he countered."So's this one… I need you madly."
"Ahh!" The sound escaped from her mouth right before she was able to hold it back.
"Are you alright?" His countenance changed to that of worry. "Hello, Eva?" He jerked eight inches off the chair.
"I'm fine!" Eva, snapped. Feeling so disgusted with herself.
"Sure about that?"
"Not at all"
"What's the problem?"
"I'm fine!"
"Is anyone there with you?" Daniel rushed out of his office. Still not believing she was okay.
The concern etched in his voice sent shivers down her spine. Sluggishly she rested her back to the wall again. Fully aware of the hindrance blocking her from grabbing what she wanted. Sequence of the wrong he'd inhibited… her losing her job in the processes. Eva, felt the return of her resentment towards him. "Straight and to the point__"
"Would be a whole lot more ridiculous to take a circular route at the moment," he cut in intentionally trying to make her forget what she was about saying. Not when his intuition already told him it wouldn't be good. "Some situations do with contemplation."
"No need for that." She retorted. Still she wanted to. "My concern duels with the fact that you are my ex, nothing's changed." Including my deep feelings for you. "It's best we stick with that."
"Fine. We'll go for dinner today._
Eva, paused her intake of breath. Doubted for a moment she heard him wrong. "No." She responded still.
"I'll pick you up by seven."
Skimming through her interaction with people, it was very rare anyone ignored a statement she had made. Raptly recalled, Daniel wasn't 'anyone'. He was naturally as stubborn as a bull. Determined as a phoenix. Rather than temper, Eva tried patience. She remembered to have worked quite a lot for that. It was bound to infuriate her, but that seemed to be the only option at that point. "Daniel, I said no."
If he was incensed, he concealed it well enough. Smiled flippantly down his desk as one might a fussy child. Moreover, two could play the game with equal capability. "Seven." He repeated, and flipped his leg across. "We can go to the cinema, if you prefer."
"You're annoyingly stubborn." Eva, fumed. Glared over at a pestle resting in a molter. Envisioned his head in front of her with that so very close to her.
"Of course I am."
"So am I, Mr. Daniel."
"Yes. Yes… that you are. See you at seven."
Eva, had to add in more pressure to the glare. She wanted to scream in frustration. Cry out of happiness. Laugh about the clear mixture of both. Then… she recalled he wouldn't know where we live. A good advantage.
She smiled.
"You're going to lose, Daniel."
"Why's that, miss Eva?
"Because you don't know where I live." The beam vanished when she heard the dictatorial chuckle that echoed from him. "You probably…" Drew her brow together when she remembered he hadn't told her how he got her number. If he was able to get that, then he knew her address too. Anger build up. "Who gave you my details?"
Daniel, blinked as the phase of amusement subsided. "Doesn't matter."
"Oh yes! It discouragingly does."
"All that will be explained when we meet." Glanced at the landline on his desk when it rang. "Eva__"
"I'll come by myself."
Daniel, smiled. "Will text you the address."
"You better have a fair explanation."
"You can bet on that." He disconnected the line knowingly to not give her the chance to change her mind.
Furiously, Eva tore from the wall. Stormed out of the kitchen and into the room all the way convincing herself that she had agreed solely to know how he'd got her number, rather than the annoying prospect of her having conceited for the purpose of seeing him once again.
Wait… a… minute… what had she just accepted to do? A date with her ex? Someone she had vowed never to go out with ever again? What happened to her strong lady resolve? How was he able to coer her into accepting that suggestion. Suggestion? Was that even a suggestion or order? She well prayed he hadn't dared think he commanded her to do something. Or the date will turn to bloodshed.
Eva, regarded her phone when it vibrated of message. So soon, she cogitated with a personified arch of a perfectly carved brow.
Six-twenty-three, Eva was drained of her strength. Lay down on the bed, atop her scattered clothes. Unsure and confused as to what to wear. She needed to look her best to let him know without word that she had been living sentimentally buoyant ever since their breakup. Vestigate to her transparent past success and failure.
There were a lot of decent and expensive materials which she had acquired when she was earning big. But she found it difficult to arrive at any. Not honoring the date might give him the impression of brokenness. She'd to prove to him… Why should she even care?
With that decided, Eva picked up a worn-out blue jean, threw on a faded red T-shirt that was unravelled at the hem of the sleeve. She impulsively chose a pair of old white sneakers. She didn't bother with makeup. Why should she? Fitting on a baseball cap, she smiled at her finished reflection in a giant mirror. Swayed her hip left and right. Satisfied, and totally excited by her strategy to send, Daniel running towards the opposite direction the moment sees her… so unkept and exactly not the kind of woman he would need.
At exactly 7:PM, she boldly proceeded into Vivic restaurant. Amanda envisioned him to be clothed in a richly sleek tailored suit, appropriate tie and customized leather shoes. As usual. His appearance always matters to him. And the, Daniel she knew wouldn't do otherwise.
With her shoulders held high, she marched past the classy attired couples enjoying their time, and some singles… Surprisedly throwing her a gape of shock as though her body was smeared with shit and urine, then followed by whispers behind her. So obvious the hugely built restaurant had been builth with the purpose of serving only the rich. Unfortunately, she clearly had broken their rule of conduct and that was immediately confirmed as from nowhere, a waiter appeared in front of her. A degrading scowl on his face as he sized and accessed her from up to down her old shoe. Evidently not impressed with what he saw, his eyes which had earlier been filled with disapproval, now turned to disgust.
"How may we help you… miss?" The word which he had added at the end must have cost him a lot of inner pressure to mutter. It would have well been forced out of him with a knife to the throat.
Eva, smirked. Unperturbed. Glancing down, she for the first time noticed a small hole on her sneaker. The more the merrier, she mused focusing once more on the young man. "Must I need help before coming in here?"
"You clearly need home." He mumbled.
"Excuse me?"
He suddenly glanced uncomfortably over his shoulder, and back at her. "Here is a place where people of high intellect eat."
Eva, raised a brow at him. "Nothing's obstructing me from seeing that. Anyways I'm here to meet with someone." She gazed over his shoulder to search for, Daniel.
"And who might that be?"
"Well… Mr. Daniel."
For a milli-second, his jaw countenance slacked only to return to its former position of defiance. It was just impossible for Mr. Daniel to even spare a minute of his time with someone like him. "I'm not sure I heard you."
"Well you should be rest assured not to hear from now onwards if Mr. Daniel reports to your manager about your bad conduct."
That did the trick. Faster than lightning, he stepped aside, pointed behind him. "He is over there." His still doubting self followed her with her eyes down to the secluded corner where Mr. Daniel reserved.
She should have simply called him, but she chose not to. She didn't want to offer him any instance whereby it would look like he assisted her. She was independent enough to overcome any unwanted and unwarranted obstacle. Busy with her thought, she rounded the corner, got the shocker of the day the moment she linked eyes with, Daniel.
He was tall, more tall than she'd remembered. He… wasn't clad in his signature suit as she'd expected. His black plain pant was carefully pressed. White shirt tucked in. Black jacket clung perfectly to his body accentuating his muscles. Clean black hair stylishly cut. Beards professionally trimmed. The scent of perfume from his direction so exotic it made her knees weak. He obviously knew she was a sucker for good body scent. Well… he had always smelled like that.
She inhaled deeply, and felt the urge to collapse right in front of him. Get a grip on yourself! She admonished herself. Suddenly she felt so aware of her appearance. Regretted not putting on something good. She hadn't anticipated the change of mind which surprised her all the more.
"Thank you for coming." Daniel, started with a warm smile. Stepped across the take for her and pulled a chair back for her.
She discovered herself becoming shaky all of a sudden and that made her wish for the ground to open so she would jump in and hide herself. When he extended his hand for a shake, she pulled her trembling ones together to avoid him. It was enough that she made her behave like a teenager on a date with her crush for the first time. Giving her uncomfortable state would be a severe blow to her guts.
However, he pressed a kiss on her forehead. A gesture that shuddered the both of them. For an instance, they froze.
"Uhm…"
"Yes… Sorry." Daniel muttered as he regained himself and sat on the chair facing her.
"If the night promises to be good…" She found her voice. It's best she takes off back home before she makes a mess of herself. "That will make me look dumb!"
"What?"
"What?" She looked up at him, confused. Immediately looked away when she saw the passion brewing in his. Ashamed and afraid that a reflection of his might be in hers.
"You look dazzling."
It shattered. Whatever hold he'd had on her the moment she'd saw him, vanished. Or to the frank, she comported herself. He'd lied! How could he say she look good in her messy appearance? Why isn't he running already? Is there something missing?
"Exceptionally beautiful."
"Wreck me!" She retorted, giving him a cut glare.
He frowned. Surprising her all over again. She expected him to laugh. To prove her point. "I know you purposely dressed like that to prove an unimportant point."
Eva, sulked. Upset her plan wasn't going as desired. This proved she didn't entirely know him as she'd though she did. How possible when they'd spent only a few times when they were together, she admitted to herself. Unconsciously.
"You're still beautiful."
"Never knew you to be soupy." She swallowed. "And cocky."
He narrowed his eyes. "I take an exception to that."
"Isn't deniable. You admitted it already."
Daniel, sighed. "This is not the best way to start off the evening with a long time lover."
"Ex… you mean." Eva corrected with a borrowed smile.
"Yes, ex." She motioned to a menu in front of her. "Go through it and make your choice before my personal waiter arrives."
"Is that an order?"
"Pardone?"
"Rephrase what you said about the menu."
"I said__"
"You don't use that tone with me."
"Don't be hard on me tonight, please."
"Then you better learn how to talk to me."
"What way am I talking to you? I'm being nice, ain't I?"
"I don't think so."
"Ok… Mind if you look through the menu and make your pick?"
"Yes I mind. Wrong choice of word."
"Are you trying to start up an argument?"
"Do you need one?"
"No."
"Good. So either you say it right or I'm out."
They stared at each other. Daniel, confused. Eva, fighting to regain control of the evening when he'd made her lose it with his luring smell.
"I'll be having white rice and sauce. What about you?"
Eva, grinned. "Pounded yam and egusi soup."
"Anything more?"
She frowned. Why isn't he uncomfortable that she wanted to have such heavy food. He should be annoyed that she didn't go for let's say: french fries, mixed fruit, avocado salad… something of that sort. Is he playing a game here?
"That'll be enough. For now." She added.
She wouldn't accept him if he made a move for it. On the other hand, he just might not. What if she was overthinking things and literally not on the same page with him? They weren't compatible. Maybe he wanted to apologize and they both move on with their respective lives.
She was avoiding eye contact with him, Daniel noted. Did she hate him that much? "I don't bite."
The soft way he'd said that made her gaze at him. "This isn't right." She blinked when she heard the uncertainty in her own voice.
Daniel, wasn't sure what she meant by that. But he didn't attempt to get a better clarification. He moved his hand toward hers, stopped to give her a chance to stop him. When she didn't, he good her left hand. Waited, when nothing happened on her own end, she eased from his seat. Their eyes connected.
What he hadn't intended to do nicked in his mind. His desire intensified when she licked her full red lips. Her hand trembled slightly. Losing his control, Daniel leaned further towards her. The rekindled fire in his eyes marched with hers. She patted her lips, the air between then warmed, every little noise around them seized as they could hear nothing but the need between them that demands to be satiated. Each inch he took towards her triggered his want. Slowly his mouth came down.
______________________________________
Another update after taking some time off writing. I'm back now, so expect the next chapter soon.
P.S: Well constructive criticism/corrections are very much welcome Feel free to comment or PM. Thank you.