Its been two days now Ray has been thinking about Jasmine. Within this two days,he had checked up on her in her dad's company but she hadn't show up there after that day she gave her presentation. He even stopped by and hang around in his car if he'd see her come out of her beauty palace but it was a futile try as well.

Still lost in thought of her,his phone buzzed continuously on the lamp stand table. "Who should be calling at this hour of the night? And why am still awake is what I should be asking myself", he said to himself as he picked up his phone from the table.

"Hello,its Raymond on the line", he answered.

"Hello to you ,son. How are you? I miss you so much", the feminine voice replied in her end with a squeal.

"Mum,its you. I'm doing fine,how are you over there and how you enjoying your stay there?", he asked.

"I'm doing quite well. And Paris is really an amazing place to be. But I miss you guys so much,especially my husband. I can't stay here anymore, I'm coming back today." She replied.

"Today? I thought you still have one more week to go?", Ray asked with a furrow brow.

"Yes I know, son. But I can't stay anymore. Its boring here without my husband with me. If your dad had come with me to this place it could have been better, but instead he told me he has some business meeting and other important stuffs to take care of."she rambled.

"Oh. Mum,you should know dad is a business man and he doesn't joke with anything that is work related", he tried to remind her.

"I knew you'd support him", Clara replied with an eye rolling, "-well,I'm coming back to you guys today. I've already booked a flight and it'll be taking off by 9pm here that's like two hours time. So let's say I'll be in Nigeria before noon." She said.

"OK, mum. Have a safe trip down here." He replied.

"Thanks,honey. Please do let your dad know about my change of plans when he's awake", she said.

"I've heard you mum. Bye." He replied before hanging up.

After the call,Ray tossed on his bed several times as he kept flashing back to Jasmine's reply when he asked to be friends with her"no,I can't,I'm sorry". He sigh heavily and closed his eyes. Her face popped in his head,and those smiles of hers was all he could see as sleep took over him.
**
The persisting knock on his door woke him up. He grunted beneath his breath as he used his pillow to cover his ears and put his face down the bed.

Granny Joyce opened the door and walked when she didn't get any response. "My child, are you OK?". She asked as she walk close to his bedside and sat on it.

Ray growled in response still facedown.

"Get up sleepy head if not you'll be late for work", she yelled smacking his legs.

Ray jolted and sat upright immediately. "Ow,that was hard,granny." He said with a pout rubbing the spot.

"Stop acting like a child,you're a grown up man now." Granny replied pinching his jaw.

"But you don't treat me like one. See the way you're acting towards me now. And besides you call me your child." Ray said waggling his brows.

"You're such a...."

"Good boy. I know", he completed for her and gave her a wink.

Granny shook her head. "Why are you still sleeping up to this time? Its past 8am. Wait,did you sleep at all?", she asked noticing his eyes.

"Not much." He answered with a yawn.

"Why?", she paused and waited for his response. None was coming. "Uhmm,let me guess....because of your upcoming engagement with that girl,right?",she continued.

Ray frown at that. "I wasn't thinking of that,and I don't even want to think about it." He replied and ran his hand through his hair.

"Oh. So what then? What kept you awake? Is something wrong happening that you've not told me?". She asked.

"Not at all. Its just...just...", he paused and huff.

"Just what?", she pressed on.

"I think I'm beginning to like someone." He said.

"Really? Don't tell me you've finally fallen for Sylvia?", she asked with a frown.

"No,of course no. I just like Sylvia as a friend,I don't see myself fallen hills over her. I don't see that happening at all." He answered.

"Then why do you want to marry her? Why do you want spend the rest of your life with someone who you don't love? Tell me how?". She asked.

Ray has been trapped with the question. He ran his hand through his hair and huff. "You should know better,granny. I don't want to do this,but still I want mum to be happy. And I also don't want to break Sylvia's heart. I guess I'll just stick to it like that and...."

"And live your life in a miserable and unhappy marriage. Isn't it?". She interrupted with a scowl.

Ray didn't know what to say anymore. In order to change the topic, he decided to tell her about Jasmine. "Like I was saying, there's this girl I think I like. She's beautiful, adorable, got the best smiles I've ever set my eyes on,humble. And most of all,I get lost in her dazzling gaze." He said with smiles.

"Really? You're smiling so hard while saying this,Raymond. Are you sure you're not in love with her already?", she teased.

"Uhmm,no. I don't. Not yet. Granny I need to go prepare for work." He said getting up from the bed with a flushed face.

"Gosh,you're blushing. You must really like this girl. I really hope you fall in love with her so you could leave that proud girlfriend or fiance of yours. I I'll be the happiest if it doesn't work out for you both." She said.

"But why,you don't like Sylvia?". He asked.

"Its not like I hate her. I just don't like her attitude. She's too proud and loves a flamboyant lifestyle. I don't want such a girl for my boy." She replied standing up as well and patted his arm. "I'll go make your breakfast."

"Thank you granny. I know you always wanted the best for me." He said and touched her cheek. "That reminds mum is coming back today. She had change of plans." He added as she was about leaving.

"What change of plans?", she asked.

"She missed her husband so much so she said." Ray replied with a shrug and replied with a "oh" before she gave a nod. "Please prepare something up for her because she might be back before noon or noon time", he added before she left.
*****
"Honey I have a very big favor to ask from you", Williams said to his daughter later that same day when he got back from work.

"Anything for my dad." She replied with smiles as she sat up in the couch to listen to him.

"You'll be travelling this weekend to Abuja", he said.

Jasmine furrowed at that. "Travel? To Abuja? Why? And for what purpose?", she asked.

"For business purpose. Its in accord with the presentation you gave few days ago. You need to present it to one of the top companies that deals on the same game line with as us", he replied.

"No. No,I'm not going to anywhere, dad. I have nothing to do with your company", she said.

"Of course you will. You have to go,sweetie. You've got no choice but to accept." He said.

"Of course I won't", she retorted and ran upstairs to her room ignoring his calls.

Couple of minutes later, Williams realized his fault and decided to go apologize to his daughter. He knocked twice but no response. He knocked the third time and she opened up for him.

"What do you want now?", she asked in a nonchalant manner.

"I realized I was wrong with my approach. I'm really sorry. Please forgive me and let me in." He said.

She stood there for some seconds before making way for him to get inside. "Please come sit here let's have a father and daughter talk,please." He begged.

She dragged her feet to her bed and sat down beside him. "I'm really sorry once more. Is just that this is so important to me and also because you did this presentation yourself that's why I want you to conclude the processing."

"But dad,you have a GM to represent you there." She replied.

"Yea,I know. He traveled and will be back on Sunday. I can't have him travelling again when he's back. Please try and understand,sweetie." He said soothingly touching her hand.

Jasmine gave a little thought on it and then she replied. "Fine. I've accepted. I'll go for it."

Williams face lit up as he heard that. He pulled her to a hug with a wide grin. "Thank you so much, sweetie. You're the best." He said.

"Like I said,anything for you", she replied with smiles. "So how long am I staying there and when am I leaving?", she asked.

"You'll be leaving Sunday evening, and you'll be staying for two or three days." He replied and Jasmine gave a nod. "When is Rosa coming back?", he asked.

"Tomorrow." She answered.

"Very good because I need her to be around while you're away." He said.

"Sure thing. I was about saying that. You can go freshen up while I set our dinner", she replied.

"Alright, honey. Thank you so much for granting my request." He said given her a kiss on her forehead before standing up to leave.
****
Sunday evening was already here and Jasmine was all set for the trip as she kissed her dad goodbye before her dad's driver went drop her off to the airport.

When she got to the airport, she presented her photo ID and her E-ticket copy before her pass was issued.

On getting to the departure room,she dig out her phone from her handbag and dialled her dad's line.

"Hello honey", Williams answered on his end.

"Hi dad. I'm in the departure room now. You mentioned something like someone was joining me for the trip as I was about leaving the house earlier but since I was in a rush I didn't pay attention to that. Am I right with what I heard?", she asked.

"Yes,sweetie. Someone is joining you. Maybe he's there already or..."

"He?", she interrupted with a frown.

"Yes,he. Why?", he asked back.

"I was thinking its a she." She replied.

"Well,it wasn't my idea. I wanted to give an opportunity to the new business partner I told you about to participate in this business ideas we're about creating. So he accepted and decided to send a representative from his company." He explained.

"Oh. So who did he send ?". She asked again.

"Well,he actually called me immediately you left to the airport and said his son was going to represent him." Williams replied.

"His son?", she asked again with a furrow.

"Yes. I guess you should know him" He answered.

She snickered. "No,i don't think I know him. I don't know any of your partner's son." She said.

"Hmm,I have a feeling you know him. He was at your presentation that day", he replied.

"Really? What's his name?". She asked.

"Raymond. Mr Robert's son. Does it ring a  bell?", he asked.

Jasmine eyes widened in shock. Her mouth flew opened as she heard the name. Same time she heard her dad say his name, was the same time her eyes caught sight of him.
She gasp and clasp her hand to her mouth while the other hand was still on her phone on her ear.