Flora is so surprised that she could not hid her excitement as the waiters brought in the food. How did he know all her favourite food? As much as she wants to act cultured, these are her best food in front of her she was not going to take the chance of not tasting it all. Immediately the waiters left them she digs in, she totally forgets about Ray who is in front of her, all manner of reason thrown out of the window. She is almost done with her meal when she hears someone chuckle that was when It occurred to her that she is in the presence of a man, a man likely to like her and she also kind of likes him.

She clears her throat and face him then looks at his plate, he has barely eaten anything so what has he been doing?

“I can see that you really enjoy your meal” Ray says smiling

“Um,…… of course I ……. Really enjoyed it. Why didn’t you eat yours, its actually very nice”

“I enjoy watching you eat better, it’s a sight to behold” He says smiling

Flora blush and clears her throat “Um, …… I would have preferred you eat though”

Ray just laughed and didn’t say anything. There is an awkward silence and Flora is feeling so uncomfortable so she decides to tell him about James

“Um, about my husband who you’ve being asking for,” Ray face her and gives her his full attention to listen to what she wants to say and she felt much more uncomfortable. She has no idea why she is doing this, definitely not because Techna told her to do it. She just feels free to tell him anything, anytime he is around her.

She continues “I just think it would be best if I tell you. We are presently separated, well, I don’t know why but he didn’t just come back home after one argument and ……..” She says sobbing

“And he didn’t pick up my ……. Calls” Her words brakes as she is crying and talking. Remembering those days again brought back memories she wishes to forget. Ray shifts his chair closer to her and rests her head on his shoulder and moves his hands on her head. Flora loves the feel of his hand on her head and she didn’t even mind getting this close to him. She could smell him more, and he smells heavenly and spicy, all her worries wades away just buy smelling him. Just at that moment she cautioned herself and lifts her head from his shoulder and wipes her tears with a handkerchief Ray provides.

“I’m so sorry I ruined our lunch, its just that anytime I remember those times I just seems to brake down”

“I’m so sorry Flora if I knew that bring it up so much would have sadden you I would not have asked. Its all my fault I’m so sorry” He moves towards her and hugs her and pecks her forehead.

Flora wants to just melt like a pudding as she feels so pampered and highly intoxicated by his smell. She hugs him tightly and she felt relived.

If this is how liking someone is then she has been so unlucky all her life.

It is not only Flora who is enjoying this hug of theirs, Ray was all so excited his joy knew no bound. He finally gets to hug the lady he has been looking after for all this time. But It is short lived as Flora breaks their closeness and moves away.

“I think I need to use the restroom”

“Alright no p” He says when all he wants is to move her closer to him and maybe kiss the hell out of her but he controlled himself. He is a gentleman, he tells himself.

When Flora came back from the rest room they chat some more and eventually they left the restaurant. All that’s in Ray’s mind is to take her to another place and spend it with her, he never wants to leave her side at all. All this emotions were bobbling inside of him but he couldn’t say them out, he is scared she might run away from him if he tells her.

When he drops her at her front door, he could not help but ask

“Movie tonight?” He is internally shaking but he did not show it. All he wants to do is to take all her sorrow away and to make her stay beside him forever. He knew it was a wishful thinking he has but he could not help it either. He watches her brighten up as he asks and replys

“Sure, I don’t see why not”

“Alright, see you tonight”

“Yeah”

“Bye” Ray looks at her for the last time before he turns away and enters his car and zooms off. He is so happy he could not wait till the night when he is going to take her out. He has to start searching for the best theatre in city.

*********************************

She hears her door bell and peeps before opening even though she knew who is is before answering it.

“Evening, please come in” Flora says letting Ray in. As he enters he suddenly ask

“Do you bake?”

That was sudden and also unexpected but yeah she does bake once I a while, she just finished baking not long ago

“Well, sometimes” He seats on the chair facing her but something behind her cut his attention. She turns her head and sees that it is her mother’s picture

“My mum” She says

“You look so much like her” Ray says

“People say that a lot but I think I look more like my dad and less of moma” She says pointing at her dad’s picture. Ray turns her head and looks at the picture and he stands suddenly

“Your dad is Jones Bass?” He asks shocked

Flora is a little surprised but she answers “Yeah, you know him?”

“Of course I do, any career man in LA would know him. He is the number one business tycoon in LA” Ray says sitting back on his chair

“Well, that’s my dad” Flora says with a smile

“Well, should I say I’m honoured to meet his child or …….”

“No, no, no, not at all Ray, the last thing I want is to be treated differently after knowing my dad

I get it a lot but that’s not what I want so let’s maintain it on a normal level, shall we?” She asks with a smile

“Of course if that’s what you want”