"But every memory of friendship shared, even for a short time, is a treasure, like sunshine and warmth in our lives, like a cool breeze on a humid day, like a shower of rain refreshing the earth"
-Unknown

True to his words, a man in a smart gray and white shirt and black trousers, arrived about ten minutes later in a shiny black Land Rover.

"Good evening, ma'am. Dr. Demola Davies sent me to you."

I smiled. "Good evening, thanks for coming promptly."

He introduced himself as Tonye and explained that he had been directed to hand over a package to me. He presented me with a big, shiny black box with a golden bow.

"Thank you, Tonye. Just a moment, please. I'll be back before you know it." I excused myself and went to my office to open it and saw the most beautiful formal gown I had ever seen. It was a sparking, purple halter neck gown with small cut outs at the sides. Purple was my favourite colour, did he know that or was it a coincidence? I wondered. It shimmered under the lights.

Suppressing my excitement due to my love of presents, I removed some more packaging and saw a cute pair of gold earrings and a lovely pair of gold stiletto heels with a matching diamond clutch.

There was a small make up kit at the bottom of the box and just when I thought he had done it all, I saw another silky paper package. I opened it and revealed a matching black, lacy strapless bra and panties.

I gasped but decided to just roll with it. After all, it wasn't as if he was going to see it.

Since I hardly ever went out, it took me everything I had not to squeal with excitement. Granted, the dinner date was unexpected, but I intended to make the most out of it. I freshened up quickly in the bathroom adjacent to my office and I was ready in about ten minutes. Doctors don't waste time getting ready.

Surprisingly, all the items were a perfect fit.

The cool evening air blew gently, and the full moon cast a silver glow over the night. As I stepped out of my office and walked towards the car, I smiled politely at Tonye who waited patiently for me. He assisted me into the vehicle and we headed to Flamingo House.

****

"That will be all Tonye. Thank you, and have a good evening." Demola said.

We had arrived at the Flamingo House, Magodo. The most exclusive area in mainland Lagos. Shortly after I was cleared at the reception, Demola called to ask Tonye to leave.

Demola flashed a million dollar smile. "That will be all, Tonye."

"Alright sir," he replied.

I smiled. "Mr Tonye, thank you. Have a good night." He was a cool headed man, and I appreciated how respectful he was.

He smiled back and handed me the key. "You are welcome, ma'am. Good night." he said, and left.

A waiter led me to the table that Demola had reserved in the rooftop outdoor executive lounge, and I was almost left speechless at the sight that greeted me.

Demola was looking even more dashing than he did in the afternoon. He was in a flawless black suit and bow tie. He must have gotten that suit tailored specifically for him. It wasn't tight but it fit his athletic, muscular frame beautifully.

My eyes were tracing him from his gorgeous face, to his shoulders, chest, legs and down to his shiny black shoes.
I thought I was checking him out discreetly but apparently I was caught.

Demola's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Good evening honey. I'm glad you could make it," he teased with his most obnoxious smirk yet.

He pulled a chair for me and rested his warm hands on my shoulders gently. "You are absolutely stunning, Amara."

After he lifted his hands, I could still feel the warmth and hated how much I loved his cologne. What was that? Pine? Honey? Musk? I could spend all day smelling him and not get tired. Damn!

Demola returned to his seat and looked into my eyes. "What would you like to drink?"

"Chilled water or fruit juice will be fine thanks." I replied.

Seeing that he raised an eyebrow, I added. "I don't drink alcohol. At all."

"Do you mind if I have some wine?" he asked.

I smiled gently. "No. Go ahead. I am okay with that."

"Alright since you don't mind. I won't have any," he retorted.

Huh? I guess he just asked to see if I would try to make him feel as if he shouldn't drink, just because I didn't.

"Alright honey," he said, "Let's enjoy our date."

"It's not a date," I replied hastily.

He smiled fully this time revealing lovely white teeth, and he chuckled. I noticed that he had a mild gap between the two front ones.

"Honey, I asked you to come here and you came. Willingly. We are sitting together, having a candle lit dinner, alone. I heard your short breaths when I put my hands on your shoulders and we haven't been able to take eyes off each other all evening. If this isn't a date, what is it?"

I didn't respond, partly because he was right, partly because I was tired.

He passed me the menu and asked me to order, brushing his fingers against mine. I ordered lamb stir fry and seafood salad and he ordered lasagna and chicken salad.

I narrowed my eyes at him wondering if he had any other tricks or treats, while he called the waiter to give him our orders.

Demola noticed my look and ignored it, winking at me discreetly. He continued with his charming attitude, and smiled at me every now and then.

The evening actually turned out to be wonderful. A pianist played classical music throughout the evening. He told me a lot about himself and a little bit about his family too.

He interlocked his fingers, and looked straight into my eyes as he spoke. The powerful, business persona was so deeply a part of him. "Well, you already know my parents," he said with a chuckle.

"Yes, I do." I already knew his parents, Chidi, his father, and his mum, Tiwa, a novelist, who also ran a successful publishing firm.

"I don't think you have met Ireti, my elder sister. She's a fashion designer, and she recently gave birth to twins. I love being an uncle to them." He beamed with joy when he showed me their cute, first photo shoot pictures.

"Oh my goodness. They're so adorable!" I exclaimed.

He nodded in agreement with a dazzling smile on his face. We settled into a comfortable continued chat about a wide variety of topics. Demola also talked about how he got his BSc. in Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Lagos and went to Massachusetts Institute of Technology for his postgraduate studies. His eyes lit up when he told me about the business ideas he came up with while pursuing his doctorate, the challenges he faced before he could secure investors and his projects started to become lucrative.

He also got me to talk a lot about myself too. Which is something that I rarely did.

I smiled when I told him about my family, "My mum, Ngozi, is a teacher, and she is now a proprietress of her own nursery and primary school. My dad, Bankole, is an architect running a private firm and my brother, Niyi, a petroleum engineer."

Demola nodded politely as I talked. I also told him about medical school at Ahmadu Bello University and life afterwards. I found myself feeling at ease with him despite all the walls that I had put in place against him.

After dinner, he asked me for a dance and I was shocked to find myself saying yes, before I could complain. Ordinarily, I would have felt tired but when he was looking into my eyes and holding my hand, I felt so strong.

He held me close as we danced gently, whispering about how much he was enjoying my company and how gorgeous I looked. His hands slipped around my waist as he drew me even closer than before.

Demola looked into my eyes and then at my lips and said, "Your lips are so inviting."

That was just what I was thinking about his! Didn't want to tell him though. "Um, thank you?"

He smiled and we danced a little more, totally caught up in the moment and losing track of time.
At the end of the evening, he held my hand as he led me out of the restaurant and assisted me as we went down the stairs, placing a protective hand on my lower back.

Another driver was waiting for us and Demola tossed him the keys to the car. I didn't realize how sleepy I was because by the time we got to my place, Demola had to carry me bridal style to my flat. When we reached the main door, he unlocked it and laid me on my bed.

"Honey, can I take off your clothes?" he whispered into my ear.

"Umm, yeah. Thank you." I replied, half asleep.

"Thank you? Really? Amara, you are mine for life and the mother of my children."

"Of course, I mean, what?" My eyes flew open.

He looked deep into my eyes with eyes twinkling with mischief. My breath hitched when he moved closer.

His lips were just an inch away from mine and my eyes fluttered shut. It was our first date, I mean, dinner, but at that moment it felt so right. My heart raced with excitement.

Demola whispered into my ear huskily. "Amara, you forgot to ask for your phone."