PRISS

Bending to pick up the purse that had fallen from my bag, another hand did. As I raised my head, my eyes met his and my heart did one quick back flip as I looked into his compelling eyes.
Cliff.
He was grinning at me and for a moment he just looked me in the eyes,we communicated through our eyes with shock and surprise screwed all over my face.

"Here",he pointed the purse at me as we both stood up simultaneously,our hearts were really in sync.
"Thanks", I mumbled trying to find my voice as I collrcted the purse from him.

"So why are you here?", he queried looking intently at me as if the answer was scribbled on me.
"I had to get something and you?", I urged as I returned the purse into my white faux leather satchel bag, the gift Dad had bought me after the ads became a success, I'd really appreciated it as I felt his fatherly love. He was getting into me as he made me feel love actually existed.

"Same reason as you", he responded showing me some papers as I gave him a small smile.

CLIFF

"Let's go for a walk", the words just came out of my mouth as soon as we walked out from MODUSOIL. I'd been wanting to have a good time with Priss. Throughout our stay in the elevator, we'd stayed in silence with none of us uttering a word, trying really hard to get something to say, I'd been short of words as I decided the best thing was to keep quiet, on getting out of the company, she'd headed towards her car as my words stopped her.

She turned to me with a blank expression and I actually thought she would lash me but instead she smiled and answered, "Sure".
Well, she was my friend for more than eighteen years, so why wouldn't she want to take a walk with me?

And then we sauntered towards the street ahead as we enjoyed the peace and quiet, we didn't say anything as an awkard silence fell, different thoughts raced in my head as we later sat on a wooden chair that was facing a beautiful garden, at the centre of the garden were people having picnics.

I could notice Priss's eyes were focused on a certain couple in which the guy was playing a guitar while the lady was singing, it was a beautiful sight as love was in the air.

"Priss", I called, waving a palm across her face as she was so engrossed in watching the couple. I really loved the way her name came out of my mouth to the fact that she was my penpal, truthfully I'd been the one that shortened her name to Priss as we both decided to call ourselves the shortened form of our names. I loved the fact that everyone called her that name that I'd given her.

"Cliff", she called with that beautiful voice of hers as I felt wonderful things in me, she turned to me and smiled.
"You enjoyed watching them right?",she nodded in affirmative before taking a glance at them and then turning to me with an affectionate smile, staring at me and smiling and for that period, I sincerely believe she was more than weird, not until she reminded,"You actually promised to sing for me if we ever come in contact and here we are sitted together".

WHAT!
I gave her a surprised look as I pondered on when I made that promise.
"You bragged about being a good guitarist in that letter, six years ago and I challenged you, that was when you made that promise, so I think now is the best time to do that", she expressed as she read my eyes as if the answer was there,，different smiles danced on my lips as my stomach clenched with quickened heartbeats.

She took my hand in hers as she pursed her lips and blinked her eyes pleadingly, Gosh!she was just too cute as she behaved like a baby,I felt like kissing her. Why is she doing this to me? How could I really decline? Withdrawing my hand from hers and placing it back on hers instantly, I smiled affectionately and mumbled,"Sure".

"Wow", Priss screamed as she jumped up and I wondered if something was wrong with her brain 'cause I'd never seen this side of her, she was just too free with me , she turned to me and gave a beatific smile, I couldn't help but grin. So Priss could really be this lively and she claimed to be a boring girl, I'd actually thought the copywriter Priss had a cold heart but then my penpal was actually lively,，her letters do make me smile a lot and here she was as my penpal and copywriter who made me smile and forget every worry.

We both went back to where my car was parked hand in hands, well good friends do hold hands right? Driving us to my house, Priss kept on mentioning different kind of songs she would like me to sing and all I did was grin, I'd always sent her different songs to download then as we both had the same taste in music.

I never thought I could meet my penpal, she'd always confided in me and had trusted me even though we'd never seen or spoken to each other. I was always eager to receive her letters then and I really loved the fact that she was now close to me,right beside me. My love for her was really growing deeper and I believed I should give love another chance to prove itself so far it was my Priss.

PRISS

After asking him to fulfill his promise, I couldn't fathom what really came over me as I rambled amidst different smiles throughout the whole journey to his house. I was more than excited as I wondered if I hadn't gone gaga. I just enjoyed his company and love being with him.

Frank and Zina weren't around when we got there and I didn't bother to ask for them, he took me to his magnificient room and I marveled at the sight, thank goodness my family were also well-to-do if not I'll have believed I was in the seventh heaven.

Sitting on the only sofa in the room,my eyes scrutinized the whole room, it was painted in white and everything in that room was white, note-white, yeah ,he told me his best colour was white but I didn't know he was that crazy over white, why didn't I notice when he's always wearing white almost everytime? This Cliff is definetely my penpal without any doubt.

"Priss", he called with that fine American accent of his, I loved the way my name came out of his mouth and I couldn't help but smile widely,he gestured for me to come. Dropping my bag on the sofa,I walked towards him, he patted his king-sized bed as I sat beside him.

In no time, a guitar, white guitar was on his lap, he glanced at me and smiled before turning to his guitar as he started, quickly I recognised the tone, it was one of my favorite songs, his voice started and I couldn't help but grin with my lips almost cracking as I joined him to sing 'Always' by Atlantic Starr. Our eyes was locked as it didn't leave each other for even a second. I loved that moment.I was lost in our world as I kept on fantasizing. The moment was just too beautiful and I didn't pray for it to end soon.

Minutes later, beautiful minutes of happiness, the song ended and I didn't realise until I felt his mouth on my...my what? Forehead. He just kissed me on the head, my subconscious screamed.

CLIFF

As soon as the song ended, my eyes rested on her soft and beautiful lips, I was dying to kiss that lips but the grumbling from her stomach stopped me as I decided to kiss her forehead.

She was stunned and speechless as she sat like a statue looking into my lingering eyes.
"You are hungry right?", I questioned as I returned the guitar to its rightful position, I hadn't touched it in a while but Priss had made me exercise one of my favorite hobbies today.

Her hand formed a circle on her stomach before looking up at me and saying, "I guess so".
"Well your stomach just confirmed it", I confirmed as I sprawled to my feet, she gave me a questioning look while I gave her a warm smile as I headed towards the door. I could see her following me.

"Spaghetti is your best food right?",I asked turning to her as soon as we walked into the kitchen, the cook was no where to be found, obviously she was with the other workers.

"How did you know?", she queried as she raised her eyebrows.
I smiled before turning back to the kitchen.
"You mentioned it in one of your letters, I think that was when you started staying with your grandma".
She clapped her hands before saying, "That's really true but how come you didn't forget?".

I turned back to her, she was just two steps away from me, smiling,I placed my right hand on my chest and admitted, "I have it all in my heart,I've never forgotten anything about you", I winked at her and she only pouted.

PRISS

He really cared for me.
I couldn't help but grin at this thought.
Sitting down on a table, I watched him as he prepared the spaghetti, though I tried helping him but he declined saying I was his guest, so all I could do was watch him prepare the food.

Minutes later, the food was done as he served it. It was looking delicious and I felt my mouth salivating. Sitting on the dining chair opposite him,my eyes trailed the food in front of us- spaghetti, ravioli, scrambled eggs, tilapia and coconut milk.

After taking a spoonful, I gave him a thumbs up and said, "This is really good".
He smiled before demanding, "Won't you give me a peck for preparing you a delicious food, you know I hadn't cooked in a while ever since Zina stopped us from cooking".

I didn't hesitate to do so as I planted a kiss on his cheeks, I'd always wanted to do it.
"Who is Zina to you?", I inquired amidst a mouthful of spaghetti.

CLIFF
"Who is Zina to you?" ,she inquired.
She just threw the bombshell. Why did my stupid mouth had to mention her name? What would I say now?
Darn it!
I dropped the fork on the table as I looked up at her, she was really curious.
How would I explain to her that Zina was my wife when we were having fun together. We were getting to know each other and I wouldn't want to ruin my chance with her just because of my God forsaken marriage to Zina. I had to keep it a secret from Priss if I really wanted her to give me a chance in her life. I mean how would she want a relationship with a married man?

"She's my cousin", the lie came out smoothly and I even believed the lie.
"You guys are really close", she drank from the coconut milk as I hailed myself inwardly.
Taking from the scrambled eggs,she asked another question,"What of Chloe?".

My raised heart heaved a sigh of relief at the question as I responded that she was doing great and would be returning to Paris after the New Year Celebration.

So guys,Cliff and Priss are very close to each other now but do you think Priss would really give love a chance in her life?
I hope you enjoyed this chapter.Please vote and comment,share with your lovely friends too.
Thousand kisses💋💋💋