Raymond was getting more perplexed. He picked up his phone and dialled Jasmine's line for the last time before he could leave.

"Hello. Please I'm very sorry. Where are you now?". Jasmine spoke up as she received the call.

"Jeez! Finally. What happened? Why haven't you been picking up? Did you change your mind or something? I haven't even seen you come out of the supposed house address you sent me,or did you send me a wrong address?." Ray questioned all at a time.

"No. I mean I did not. Are you outside my house?".

"Yes of course! For the past thirty minutes I've been outside waiting for you. I even called severally but no response." Ray answered.

"Really? I'm so sorry. I'll be outside in a minute." Jasmine replied and hanged up. She glance at herself in the mirror one more time and smiled. She felt satisfied at what she was seeing. She took her black purse and stepped out of her room.

Ray was standing leaning on his car with his hands pocketed. When he saw Jasmine walking up to him,his mouth remained in agape.

Jasmine was putting on an off shoulder gown that got to her knees. A silver stiletto was what her foot had. Her hair was combed and fell on her shoulders. She was having a silver necklace on her neck which also comes with a an earring. Her cologne was sweet and mild one.

"Hi. Sorry for keeping you waiting." She said with a gorgeous smile.

Ray was still staring at her.

"Ray?". Jasmine called his name and then he jolted.

"Ye..ah. Sorry. You're here." He answered with a gulp.

"Yes." Jasmine said.

"You look so amazing. I was taken away by your appearance." Ray said emphasising on the so.

"Thank you. Why did you not come inside when you didn't see me?". Jasmine asked.

"Its because you didn't pick my calls. I thought you didn't want to go again, and me bashing inside might just blow up everything between us since you didn't want to see me. I respect people's home you know? So, I  didn't know what else to do but to wait." Ray answered.

"Oh.OK. I've wasted a lot of time already. Let's get going. I need to be back at least by 10pm." Jasmine said and walked to the passenger's door side. Ray jogged to the door before she could get there and open up the door for her.

"Please get in,my princess." Ray said bowing and stretching out his hand for her. Jasmine smiled and got in. He closed it and jogged to the side.
The rest of the car ride was in silence.
*****
They got Tinapa lakeside hotel. They were led to the table Ray had booked for.

"Wow. I love this place, its beautiful. No much people in the restaurant. Just few guest." Jasmine said as she took her sit.

"Yeah. Its because its a classic restaurant."
Ray said.

"Sure,it does looks like it. Its a perfect place no doubt." Jasmine replied with a nod.

The waiter came with a menu book and showed it to them. They placed their orders and he left afterwards.

"So,why did you bring me to such a nice place?". Jasmine asked.

"I... Well.. Because I have a lot of things I want you to be clarified with." Ray answered.

"Things like?". Jasmine asked.

"Regarding my up coming wedding... Its true I'll be getting married to someone in three weeks time but I don't want it to happen." Ray said.

"You don't want it to happen? Why not?". Jasmine asked with a furrow brow.

"Because i don't love her." Ray answered bluntly.

"Wh....what? You don't love her? I mean how wouldn't you love the woman you want to get married to?". Jasmine asked looking confused.

"Its a long story. That's why I brought you here. I'm gonna explain everything you need to know. But promise me you'll keep calm,will you?". Ray asked and she nodded.

"Good. Like you know, Sylvia is my fiancé's name. We've been,....." Ray was interrupted with the waiter that came to drop a bottle of Andrea on the table with two glass cups. He kept it and left afterwards.

Ray opened it and pour some contents in the cups. When he was done he took a sip and Jasmine did the same.

"So.... As I was saying, this is how it all happened. My engagement to Sylvia is an arranged one by my mum. The girl's mum also have a part to play because she's best friend with my mum. Initially I saw Sylvia as a friend who I could confide in, but out of the blues she started making moves on me and my mum started planting the idea of getting married to her. Later on I found out it was their plan for me to engage her in a relationship which was not what i wanted." Ray said and took a sip out of his wine before he continued.

"I never saw it coming. Sylvia on her wasn't helping matters. I tried convincing her not to accept this arranged relationship by our mothers but she didn't listen. Gradually she became so clingy on me,she began living a flamboyant lifestyle always wanting the latest and expensive things to herself and her mum which I didn't complain while doing all this for her", he paused and drank the whole content of wine in his glass cup and poured more on it.

"Looking deeper into her eyes and body language, I don't think she loves me. She's only concern about what I give to her,the places I take her to and other things she wants. She doesn't even care about my happiness,she only care about herself. I know, if I should breakup with her today,she won't miss me but she'd miss my wealth which is what she cares more about." He continued.

"I don't feel hurt for the things I've done for her,I feel hurt on why she should be using me. I'm a human and I have feelings. I've told her countless times let's forget about this arranged marriage by our parents since there's no feelings of love between us but she refused. She's more comfortable with it than you can imagine. I mean why be with someone you feel nothing for?", he asked with hurt and anger flashing in his eyes.

"Well, you already said is because of wealth." Jasmine replied with a sigh.

"I don't mind keep doing everything for her,but I can't spend the rest of my life with her. I'll be so unhappy." He said in frustration using his hand to sweep his face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know that's how its going with you." Jasmine said taking his hand to his and squeeze it.
"So what are you going to do now?". She asked.

Ray thought for a while. "Just one thing, I want to do." He said.

"One thing? What's that." Jasmine asked.

Ray sighed and replied.

"I want you to marry me,Jasmine." He said.

"What?!", she exclaimed in a gape.

"Yes,please marry me." He said again.

Jasmine gasp in disbelief. She was awestruck.
******

"Are you crazy?". Jasmine asked with disbelief after the long silence.

"No. I guess, yes. I'm crazy. And you wanna know why? Because of those three women. They got me crazy. So if you really want to cure this madness, marry me and we will elope together." Ray responded.

Jasmine gasp once more in disbelief. "I should marry you and elope with you?". She asked with a furrow.

"Yes. That's right." He answered.

Jasmine snorted. "Really? And you think that's a wise decision on your part? You think it will solve everything that's going on between you two? You wanna get me involved in a decision you made months ago before you met me? How does that sound? C'mon Ray, for crying out loud,I'm not a kid!". She whisper-yelled with a frown.

"I know. I know you're not. I'm sorry. I know its a week we've known each other, but to me its like I've known you a while now. Now I believe this words that says:'You can meet somebody tomorrow who has better intentions for you than someone you've known forever', in essence what I'm trying to say is time means nothing but character does. I've come to like you", he paused and saw her raised brow when he mentioned like.
He continued,"yeah,I said like because you might not believe if I say love right now,so that's why I used like instead. I really do like you, even if you don't really like me which I can understand why you don't like me,I'll still like to be with you instead because I know your intentions are pure and you do have a good heart." He huff loudly before taking her hand into his.

Jasmine stared right into his eyes. What she saw in his eyes were genuine. Right there she could see how worried and confused he looked. Just mere looking through his eyes,she saw he really liked her and being honest was what she likes most in a person. How can such a sweet and honest guy be with someone who doesn't love him but loves his wealth? I mean why,why should a Lady be interested in wealth than love? What if someday the wealth is no longer there,she'd be gone and leave him to suffer all by himself? No, he doesn't deserve to be with such a woman,he deserves better than that. She sat there with thoughts in her mind on what to do. She asked herself whether to accept his proposal and run away with him or to refuse it. The warmth squeeze of his hand on hers jars her out of her thoughts.

"Jasmy? Are you OK? What do you have to say for all what I told you? Don't you really like me anymore like I've assumed earlier?". Ray asked still holding her hand to his.

Jasmine took her glass of wine and gulped all the contents in the glass and then placed it down on the table afterwards. "I....I don't..." Her reply was interrupted by a song that was played in the restaurant.

"Isn't that the song you sang to me as a lullaby when we were at Abuja?". She asked with a raised brow.

"Yeah,it is. Why?." He asked.

"Ugh. Nothing. I just like it. What's the title of the song?". She asked.

"Perfect by Ed sheeran." He answered with a smile.

"Oh... OK. Nice." She replied with a smile as well.

"Uhmm. Would you like to have a dance with me?". He asked.

"Ugh. I'm not a good dancer. And besides the song is almost finished." She replied with a sheepish tone.

"Nope. The second verse is about to start,it doesn't matter if we just dance to the song for two minutes. And I also don't mind if you're not a good dancer. So may I have this dance?". He asked again with a smile standing up and stretching out his hand and waited for her to place it on his. She nodded with a smile and placed her palms on his and he pulled her up to his chest.

Clasping their right hand together, he placed his left hand on her waist and she placed her left hand on his shoulder. Step by step they moved to the rhythm of the song. Ray swirl her around and their face got closer when she turned to face him. Their eyes were locked and their lips was just an inch to each other. The ending of the song got them back to their right position.

"Uhmm. The... Song...is finished." She said with a stutter when she noticed the song has stopped and ray was still holding her close to his chest.

"Yeah, I know." He replied and pulled her to a hug. He wrapped his hands around her and rested his face on her neck.

Jasmine shivered when his breath took over her neck. She stood there without hugging him back.

"It feels so good hugging you into my arms. It eases my troubled mind. I wish I could hold you for long." Ray whispered to her and tightened the hug.

His breath coming out of his mouth and his lips almost touching her neck tickled Jasmine. She moaned softly thinking it was inwards not knowing it has been heard. Her eyes widened when he gently released her from his hold. 'Shit! I think he heard me.' She grunted inwardly.

"Did I just hear you moan?". He asked staring at her with a raised brow.

"Huh? N..o. Me? No. I did not. I was just feeling suffocated with the way you held me so tight that's why I let out.. A shout". She replied with a flushed cheek.

"Oh,really? A shout or a moan? I didn't hear you shout. What i heard was a moan. So?". Ray asked with a grin.

"No. You heard wrong,it was a m-shout." She replied defensively with an eye rolling when she almost made a mistake of wanting to say moan instead of shout.

"Hmm. OK. M-shout. Sounds somehow." Ray said with a wide grin mimicking her with when she said 'm-shout'.

"Whatever." She said with a pout and shoved him aside and she headed back to their table.

Ray chuckled and followed her behind.

Jasmine checked her wristwatch and it was already 9.30pm. "I'm sorry but I have to leave now. Its getting late." She said standing up.

Ray looked at his wristwatch and saw that it was getting late really so he nodded and stood up with her. He paid for their wine and led her out of the restaurant.

*********
Jasmine got home few minutes past 10pm. She was smiling all to herself. She entered the sitting room which had a dim light on. She expected everyone to be asleep and so she walked towards the staircase to head to her room. But just when she stepped on one of the staircase,she heard a female voice called her name.

"Jasmine." The feminine voice called out and Jasmine halted and turned to see who it was.

Since she couldn't see well with the dim light,she turned on the florescent light. She was surprise at the sight of the lady in front of her.

"Emily?". She said her name.

"Yes,babe. Its been a while." Emily said running to her friend to hug her.
The two friends embraced each other for some seconds before letting go.

"Hey,how come you didn't tell me you were coming? When did you even get here?". Jasmine asked roaming her eyes on Emily's body.

"I got here around past 8 I guess. I wanted to give you a surprise visit. But it happened you weren't at home when I arrived. I was surprise you know, I was like... When did you start staying out late? And now that you're here I'll like to know who kept my best friend out till this time and since when has this been happening?". Emily questioned with a folded arms on her chest.

Jasmine giggled. "I... Well,its not like I've been keeping late night. Today is the first time and I didn't plan staying that late you know,it just happened." She replied.

"Hmm. It just happened. May I know where you went to? It looks like.." Emily was cut in by Jasmine response.

"Please, no assumption. I just had my first dinner date with a...friend. That's all." Jasmine said.

"A friend? What friend got you dressing up so sexy to meet?". Emily questioned again with a raised brow.

"C'mon,Emi,you're asking a lot of questions. Why are you acting like  my dad? I'm not a teenager anymore for goodness sake." Jasmine said with a grunt.

"Oh. Really?". Emily asked with a smirk.

"Yes of course." Jasmine answered with a pout.

"OK. I actually thought you'd become a nun someday, I didn't know you'll..." Emily wasn't allowed to complete her sentence when Jasmine bounce on her.

"How dare you say that to me?". Jasmine asked with a glare pinching Emily's arm which got her squeal.

"Hey! Please calm down. I'm sorry... I was just kidding. Please let go." Emily pleaded with her friend.

Jasmine let go of Emily's arm and tugged her hair to the back of her ears.
"You better be." Jasmine said and made a move to hit her again but Emily had ran out of sight before she could get her.
"I'm coming for ya! Let me change up." Jasmine called out before she headed to her room.

An hour later, Emily was in her friend's room and was sitting on her bed. She had come to her room even before Jasmine could go to hers.
"You're looking more fresher and beautiful. I wish I was as beautiful as you. Tell me what's the secret?". Emily asked Jasmine with her palms on her chin and her elbow leaning on her laps.

Jasmine grin and nudged Emily arms.
"Quit the cooing. I'm not ready for that now." She replied.

Emily pouted. "But why? Please tell me the secret of your beauty I promise I won't tell anyone." She whined.

"Awwn. OK, I'll tell you. Listen well. To be beautiful as me, use urine to bath everyday. Both morning and night. OK?". Jasmine recommended to avoid her friend whining again.

"What?! Urine? Eeewww... That's gross." Emily said with a frown which only got Jasmine chuckling.

"But,I thought you want to be beautiful as me? That's what I use daily. Trust me, within a week your skin will be glowing." Jasmine said and chuckled again.

Emily tutted and said. "I know you're just kidding,since you don't want to tell me,no problem. I'll find out."

"Oh. OK. Goodluck. But just know that you're beautiful just the way you are. I wish I had a butt like yours." Jasmine said with a wink.

"Really? So you do admire my butt? Awwn, that's cool." Emily said with a giggle.

"Whatever." Jasmine said with an eye rolling.

"Durh. So tell me,who did you have dinner date with earlier on? Don't tell me you've got a man and you didn't tell me?". Emily asked with a frown.

Flashing back to her dinner date with Ray got Jasmine smiling. Her smile widened when she remembered how the both of them held each other while dancing and how they almost kissed while the music was on.

"Babe?". Emily called making Jasmine to snap out of her thoughts.

"Yeah?". She asked instead of answering.

"What's with the smiles and blushing?". Emily asked giving her friend a puzzled look.

Jasmine touched her cheek and shook her head. "Was I blushing?". She asked staring at her friend.

"Yes you are! I asked you a question on who you had dinner with and I haven't gotten an answer,instead I got a smile and a reddened cheek from you. Well,notwithstanding I'm waiting for an answer." Emily said with a folded arms on her chest and a smirk on lips.

"Ugh. OK. I.... I said a friend earlier." Jasmine replied.

"Jasmine?". Emily called with a glare.

"OK. Fine. His name is Raymond. I... Well....I...I... Like-love him". Jasmine said with a stutter.

"What? You mean you're in love with someone?". Emily asked with a raised brow.

"I... I guess?". Jasmine answered in a question like manner.

Emily snorted and gasp. She was surprised that her friend which she had known right from the first semester in the university that had no interest in guys could be in love.
"You've got to be kidding me." Was the only sentence she uttered after a short silence of what she just heard.

Longest chapter so far isn't it?😊

Thanks for reading and voting as well.

Equila loves y'all!❤