2. THE PAST 2

He parked outside the place and sent her a text, saying he was waiting. She parked up her things, bade her secretary goodnight, and left. He waited till she got outside, "My car is a Camry brand and the only car parked outside." He sent her the text as she got outside. He waved at her to get her attention, she smiled and came in his direction, "Kitten." He came down from his car to greet her. She smiled at him, "Hey... You and this your nicknames." "I know you love it, Kitten." He winked at her, making her blush deep red. He went over to the passenger seat to help her in, "My Lady." He bowed slightly. "What a gentleman... Thanks." She entered the car. He closed her door, went over to the other side, and get in, "Where are we going precisely?" He drove away. "That's for me to know and for you to find out." She eyed him, "I want to be sure am not underdressed for the date." Pointing her suit pants and shirt. "You aren't. It's a place you should be familiar with." "If it's a place that my dressing is not appropriate for, you are dead." She turned away from him, folded her hands on her chest, and looked out of the window. He glanced at her, "You are forgetting something." "What would that be?" She raised her eyebrows at him. "You said only what you would do but not what I would do." "Meaning?" She raised her eyebrows at his statement. "You forgot to mention my benefits." "Hmmm... What would you want?" "A passionate kiss." He answered bluntly, looking at her. She gasped dramatically, "Wow... I love the fact that you added passionate to it. Now face your front, you are driving." He nodded and faced his front, trying to hide his disappointment at her reply. She called up her driver, "Hey... Evening... My car is still at the company... Yeah, I went out with a friend for dinner... Please take the car home... Thanks." She ended the call. They drove in silence to the restaurant. He parked his car in their parking lot and came out. She opened the door before he could get to her side. "You should have waited for me to open the door for you." "Better luck next time, Dear." She winked at him. She looked at the restaurant and around, he noticed, she was impressed with what she saw. He sighed in relief at her reaction and gave himself an imaginary pat on his back. She turned to him, "Now... I believe am not underdressed for the occasion." He laughed, "You are never underdressed... So... I won..." Looking at her expectantly as he got closer to her. "Okay?" She asked in confusion. "Seriously? You have forgotten? Never mind. Let's go inside." She looked at him confused, trying to get what he was talking about. He entwined their hands and led them inside. They were led to their seats at the VIP section. He moved the chair for her to sit before he sat down. She noticed he was avoiding eye contact with her which made her break the silence. "Why are you avoiding eye contact with me?" "Nothing." He called over a waiter that was passing. The waiter bowed slightly, "Sir, Ma'am... Your orders?" He picked up the menu to check through, "What would you like, Kitten?" Hiding his face from her. She chuckled at his childish behavior, " I want Lasagna and Oyster." She dropped the menu. "I will go for... Steak Chicken." He dropped the menu noisily. The waiter nodded, "I will be right back." He bowed slightly and left. She watched him for some minutes, shook her head in recognition, and went over to his side, "Is it about that benefit stuff?" Bending toward him. "I don't know." He turned his face to the other side, not wanting to look at her. "You sure? I was thinking of giving you what you asked of but..." The way he turned with speed, was as if he was being programmed to do so. She laughed at his reaction, "I thought you were avoiding me." "I wasn't just..." He looked away from her to see the waitress coming with their food. "The waitress is coming here." She went back to her seat. The waiter placed their order in front of them, "Your order. Have a nice time, Sir, Ma'am." He smiled and left. They took their cutleries to eat, "I thought kissing comes after the date, not during the date." She said. "We could change ours, we are different." He winked at her. She coughed to hide her blush, "Hm." Watching her drink her juice, "My wink got you blushing and coughing. Just don't choke on the juice while hiding it." She dropped down her juice and laughed, "Don't flatter yourself." After eating, Ray called a waiter over to park the plates and brought up a conversation, "Time for introduction... Am Raymond Russells." "I thought you won't ask, since the time met." He playfully glared at her, "Kitten, you were supposed to go with the flow." She laughed, "Fine... Am Yvonne Malconde by name." He stretched his hand for a handshake, "Nice meeting you, Yvonne." She received the handshake, "Same here, Mond." She winked at him. "I have gotten a new nickname for you." "Since I already like you, it's accepted." They talked for hours, Raymond called the waiter over, "Our bills." He gave them to Raymond. "We are splitting the bills, Sir." She spoke out immediately, opening her purse. "I didn't complain about the bills, Kitten." Starring at her. "It's either I pay fully or we split the bills or no passionate kiss." She said, staring back at him. The waiter cleared his throat to end their staring contest. Raymond shook his head negatively and sighed, "Fine... You are..." Yvonne blew him a kiss, "You love me like that." They paid their bills and left the restaurant. Outside the restaurant, He opens the passenger seat for her, "When will I be given the passionate kiss?" He stepped closer to her, grabbing her waist. Looking at everything around but his eyes, "I thought the kissing takes place in front of the girl's house." "Why aren't you looking at me?" He stepped closer to her. "You are... are standing too close for comfort." "I am making you uncomfortable? Huh..." He was waiting for her reply when his phone started ringing. He frowned at the ringing of his phone and stepped away from her to receive the call while she placed her hand on her chest, breathing in and out in relief. He told her after ending the call, "My attention is needed at home." She nodded, "Okay." "I will drop you before going home, Kitten." He opened the car door for her. She settled down and nodded, he went over to the driver seat, entered, and drove off. Not too long, they got to her house, He parked his car and came down to open the door for her. She came out of the car, "Thanks, Mond." "Yeah." He held her by the waist, looking into her eyes for permission, wanting to be sure, she wanted it but not forcing her to do it. She closed her eyes expectantly, standing on her toes, he took that as a yes and kissed her. She unlocked from the kiss first, to breathe. He smiled, "Your lips are... too soft and sweet, Kitten." She blushed deep red. He rested his forehead on hers, "I had a lovely evening with you." He whispered. "I did too. Thanks." She whispered too. "I would like to have more of these times with you, Kitten." "I..." He interrupted her, thinking, she wanted to reject him. "Yea. It's too sudden but truly I like you and won't want to be just friends or best friends not even tight friends. I want more than that. Please, give me a chance..." "Okay... I would." "Thanks, Kitten." He pecked her forehead and lips. His phone rang out again, "I have to get going." "Bye." She waved at him, he waved back, entered his car, and drove off. Half an hour later, he got to his house, beeped the security to open the gate for him. He drove inside as the gate was opened. He texted her as he got down from his car, "Gotten home, Kitten." He kept back his phone in his pocket and entered inside. In the sitting room, he met his sister, "Welcome, brother." "Thanks. Where are Mom and Dad?" "Mom is in her bedroom while Dad is in his study waiting for you." "Yea. He called me earlier. Thanks." He went straight to his Dad's study and entered, "Good evening, Dad." "Son, come in, sit..." He and his Dad discussed for some time, after, he bade his Dad goodnight and left. He checked up on his Mom but met her sleeping, he pecked her goodnight and left for his room. He took out his phone and saw her message, "I have been contemplating on either to call or text you. Welcome." "Thanks, babe." He replied with a kiss emoji. Her message came in immediately he sent his, "Goodnight, Mond." "Night, Kitten. Sleep tight." He went to clean up before going to sleep.