I was still gawping when he cleared his throat. In a flash, he wrapped his arm on my waist and spun me around. Soon, I was lying on the floor with him doing press-up above me. I gulped and watched as he lifted himself up. He stood and offered his hand to me.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

His baritone made my heart skip. I placed my hand and his large hand engulfed mine. He pulled me to my feet effortlessly.

I don't know why but I am just staring like a girl who just met a celebrity she has a crush on.

When I saw his full figure, my jaw still dropped again. His angular features, toned muscles, broad chest, and height made him far handsome than I could imagine. He was wearing a white dress shirt with its top button undone and the sleeve rolled to his elbow. His black pair of slacks was fitted and hugged his long legs.

"It looks like you hurt yourself," he pointed out.

"Huh?"

"Your arm!" he said.

That's when I realized we were still holding hands. I pulled away and rubbed the scratch on my arm. "It's nothing. It will heal by itself," I replied.

"Sorry about that"

"Nah! It's my fault. I was the one running"

He cocked his thick brows and smirked. "You're right. It's your fault".

My brows snapped together. "I know. I just said so. You don't have to point the obvious and smirk, Mr Handsome," I sneered amd rolled my eyes.

If his brows could lift higher, he would totally do that. He stared at me with eyes wide in amazement.

Why did I react like that? Na wa for me oo.

I noticed the absence of my gown in my hand. My brows furrowed and I looked around me. I found it on the floor and stooped to pick it. The moment I turned around, his gaze became more intensified and his eyes flickered with an unknown emotion. His hot gaze seared me as he did a double take of me, his eyes gliding up and down my figure.

I cocked a brow in confusion. Why is he looking at me like that? I glanced at myself and my eyes popped out.

Jesus Christ! What have I done?

My thighs and belly were exposed to him because of my clothing. A mortified expression shone on my face as I placed my silver gown on my exposed body part.

What a first impression!

"So...um...I will leave now!" I voiced.

Feel free to ask for my number. I'm single.

He nodded and pulled out his phone for his pocket.

Wow! Did that just work out? Am I about to have a handsome guy as my boyfriend. Maybe I shouldn't play hard to get to this guy. I can just date and dump him later.

He tapped on it and place it on his ear.

"Hello?" his deep voice rang. "About the meeting I am on my way!"

Omo! He didn't even care to ask for my number. Chai! See snubbing things!

"I'm on my way! Calm down," he said and turned his back at me. He stepped to the stairs and paused. "See you soon!"

I pursed my lips and glared at his back.

Is he married? Is that why he didn't ask for my number? Chai! I don't like this thing. Fine guy like him doesn't have interest in dating me. See my luck! Why am I so unlucky with guys. It's only mumu guys that chase after me.

Surprisingly, Mr Handsome glanced at me. Our eyes locked and it seemed like hours as we stared at each other. I couldn't explain why but my heartbeat increased. My heart just kept slamming at my chest.

"Bye!" he said and descended the stairs.

My heart squeezed and I grunted.

Just like that? Bye? Who does he think he is? You know what, bye! I'm not interested in dating you. I'll find another guy. Oh wait! I won't find another guy. I need to concentrate on my job. I really want to be a surgeon. I don't need any distraction.

"Anita," Josie appeared at my side. "Why did you just allow him to go like that? You should have made a move. Maybe ask for his name then his number".

"You know me very well, Josie. I don't like to make the first move. I like guys to make the first move so that it can be easier for me to break up with them. I have my pride. I don't like to be used. I rather use them instead".

"I know but...look!" she pointed at the stairs. "That guy is handsome. He even looks rich".

"So? Do I look like a slut to you? I need to concentrate on my work"

"But I saw the connection between the both of you"

"Josie, that two hours sleep was not enough for you. I think you are losing your senses. Go to bed. Doctor's order. Go and regain your sanity," I said and marched into our house.

"Anita, I know you were interested. If he had asked you out, you would have said yes"

"But he didn't"

"And you are disappointed and angry"

When she said the word angry, I recalled that I was actually angry earlier. I frowned and faced her. "Yes! I am angry. My roommate decided to show how much she hates me by destroying my dress".

Her head dropped and she stared at the ground with gloomy eyes. "I'm sorry! I don't hate you. I love you. I will buy you more gowns. The best I can find. Forgive me it was a mistake".

I tsked and slammed the gown on her arm. "Keep it. If you can't remove the stain, never give it to me".

"I will buy an awesome gown for you. Please forgive me," she implored and clasped her hands together.

"I will forgive you if you can buy me a dress I will wear to Chi-girl's boyfriend party and a dress that I will fall in love with. So two gowns and you will have my forgiveness," I said to her and walked into my room.

"Okay," she replied.

I know that I have forgiven her. I just asked her to buy me those dress as her punishment. She works as a Secretary in a small company. She has expenses to pay for herself and her family. Buying me a dress might be a little difficult. I love her and I have forgiven her. But I want her to pay for breaking my heart. I fell in love with that dress and now it is gone.

I also had a lot of expenses. I was not paid a big amount in my hospital so I had to make ends meet. My dad had been ill lately. As the first daughter, I had to pay his hospital bills. They live in Lagos with me but far away. My father just had two children and they were girls; My sister, Naomi and me. So for now, the burden was on me. Naomi was just starting life as an independent woman and I didn't want to stress her.

After the weekend, it was a Monday morning and I arrived at work. I decided to see Clara before I started to tackle my busy work.

Her face lit up when she saw me. "Good morning, Dr Anita. How are you?" she greeted.

"I'm fine. And you?"

"I'm good," she chuckled. "The doctor said I am getting better. They said they will still do a surgery on me. Do you know that I am not scared? I'm a brave girl".

"Yes oo! You are a brave girl," I cheered and hugged her.

"So..." she stressed the word and smiled. "Did you meet your prince?"

A lump formed in my throat and my stomach churned.

Why did the image of Mr Handsome show up?

I looked at her and shrugged.

"You didn't meet any handsome man? You didn't meet any gentle man that acts like a prince?" she inquired and her brows furrowed. "But I prayed".

I felt guilty for lying. I did meet a handsome man but I don't know if he acts like a prince. He was a gentleman by helping me stand up but I wasn't sure he was a prince.

"Clara," I whispered.

"Yes?"

"I met a handsome man"

She screamed and hopped on the bed. The drip connected to her hand shook and I became alert. "Calm down. I don't want you to hurt yourself," I said as once as my doctor mode was switched on.

"But you met a prince. I'm happy"

"He is not a prince," I replied.

"We he kind? Was he gentle? Was he friendly to you?"

"We just met for a few minutes and he left. I don't know his name and he doesn't know mine. He is not my prince"

She sighed. "Don't say that. Just know that if you meet him again, then he might be the prince. I want to attend your wedding," she squealed.

Is it wise for me to be having a conversation like this with such a child? She is little. What does she know about marriage? That Mr Handsome is not my prince and I need to stop listening to what this girl is saying.

My thought went to my father. I clamped my lips together and groaned. He believed that he would die soon and he wished that his daughter could get married. He also wanted to see at least one of his grandchild.

Dad, you won't die. Stop being pessimistic. I am willing to pay any amount of hospital bill. Please just stay alive. I want you to see me and be proud of me when I become a surgeon. Naomi needs her parents to be alive. She hasn't achieved all her dreams yet.

       -------------------------

How is their first meeting? What do you think of the guy?

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Did you laugh?

Did Anita make the right decision of letting him go without asking for his number?

Thanks for reading. Vote and comment.

That's right!
It's Mabel✌