Sara was feeling a little bit disappointed when Friday came around and she received not a call or text message from Lucas. It made her whole day dull as she spent the greater part of her working hours staring at her phone. She thought about calling him to inquire but refrained, trying not to look too eager. If he was set out to woo her, shouldn't he be the one making the efforts?

Work was boring for her as there were no new clients, no sales and practically no inspiration for designs that came to her. Surprisingly since she resumed work, she had noticed Jeremy kept his distance. He was very professional around her, almost as though he felt if he crossed that line, he would be drawn and quartered. It even went as far as him sending her back to Fifth floor to cancel their alliance. She was pleased with the decision but once he started meeting Kathy more often than not for company related issues, she knew to be wary of him.

Today, Kathy had gone to drop some files on the sixth floor and had not returned. Three hours gone and Sara could almost guess what they were up to. Sighing at her nondescript lowlife, she scrolled through her phone aimlessly.

At the close of work, a surge of hope went through her that her besotted suitor might be patiently waiting for her outside the building. Giddily like a child on Christmas morning, she quickened her steps, bristling past slow passers-by with random excuses. By the time she made it through, she was breathing hard and seeing no knight in shining car had her already dampened spirits fall deeper. Once that passed by, her anger rose. He'd better have a good excuse for standing her up like this.

She got home late in the evening, had a few discussions with Jules who came over to gist and had dinner from leftover spaghetti. She had just finished her night bath and was cuddled up on her sofa when a knock came on her door. Instinctively, she lowered the volume of her television, and crept up to go look through the peephole. Standing outside her door was her long awaited company.

She pulled open the door after unlocking the bolt to glare at him, hands crossed at her waist. "What do you want?"

He flinched at her clipped tone, realizing she had every right to be angry. If it was any consolation, this was not how he planned for today to go. "May I come in?"

She squinted her eyes, her lips pursed as she regarded him closely. It was then she noticed the weary look on his face. He was tired as he still had his work suit on, even his stubble looked despondent, and her heart mellowed at that.

"Sure, come in. I was expecting your call, that's all." She moved away from the door to allow him enter. He strolled to go stand in the middle of her sitting room to admire the apartment.

"My apologies. Something I couldn't get away from came up at work and I forgot I promised you a date," He replied, running two fingers across his collar to loosen the already loosened tie.

She smiled faintly, remembering how invested he could be whenever he was involved in a new project. Even though she admired that quality about him, she knew it was the prerequisite for other deficits. For example, the simple fact that they barely knew much about each other even though they were married for almost two years.

"Are you hungry? Do you want something to drink?" Courtesy forced her to ask that, seeing that their supposed date was a forgone alternative.

He shrugged non-committedly. "I would prefer if you could get dressed, nothing fancy. I promised you a date and I'm here to take you out," He said, eyes locked on hers.

She began to shake her head, chuckling quite mirthlessly. "What are you talking about? Do you not see the time and realize how late it is already?"

"Yes, I know." He nodded, "But it's nothing fancy. It was scheduled for late this evening and I'm certain you'd love it."

She looked at him now, trying to unmask his purpose. She was all for letting the heart have what it wants but she didn't want him stressing himself just to woo her when all this would be for nought. Sighing resignedly, she shuffled back into her room to go freshen up. When she was through, she slipped into black skinny jeans and a long white shirt. She pulled her weave-on into a ponytail to be free of its distractions even as she slipped into her sandals. Then pulling up a sling bag, she exited her room to find Lucas sitting on her sofa receiving a call. From the little snippet of the conversation, she knew he was talking to his son and the obvious bond between father and son had her heart swelling. He was dedicated as he was responsible, for that she was impressed.

"I'm ready," She murmured after he was done answering the call.

He swung around to stare at her, his lips lifting slowly as he considered her outfit.

"Is something wrong with what I'm wearing?"

He shook his head, expelling a breath. "You look beautiful, sweetheart," He drawled, turning towards the direction of her door.

She averted her gaze, blushing shyly at the endearment. It would not help her in any way if the slightest gesture from him unsettled her heart, she wondered.

They made their way out of her apartment, down out of the compound where a sleek black Rolls Royce was parked outside. She knew instantly it was his, even as he went to open the passenger side for her to climb in, completing the action with a bow. She giggled as she settled in her seat when he addressed her as my lady. Once he was settled in, he started the ignition.

"Whatever happened to the Explorer?" She asked when they joined the major road.

He cast her a glance. "Turns out fishing for a car key in the lagoon is harder than it looks. So my Ford is out of commission for now, until I have ample time to make another dive into the cold deeps," He replied, flashing her a smile.

She laughed out loud, trying to contain herself. She knew she should be remorseful as she had been party to the mishap but the idiot in the car with her didn't seem bothered about the car. He chuckled too when she laughed some more, shaking his head slightly at the amusing situation. He drove on until they reached the Civic center in Victoria Island and pulled the car into the car park. They climbed out and walked up to the sliding doors. Lucas said something to the concierge and was handed two tickets, then they were directed to the elevators. Once the door was shut, Sara piped up.

"Why are we here? And what are the tickets for?"

He smirked, handing her the tickets. Her jaw dropped open when she read the heading. The Nigerian diversity: an exposition on our culture and heritage. She couldn't believe it. She and Jules had talked about this just last week, wishing they had enough money to get tickets. Top musicians, traditional singers, art geniuses and dance groups were attending the three day long event. Today, however, was featuring The Cultura, a famous dance and drama troupe. Jules would be so jealous, she thought grinning from ear to ear. For once that day, she was glad she agreed to date him again.

"Is it not to your liking?" He asked concerned when she kept quiet, lost in her thoughts.

She flashed him a beaming smile, unable to contain her joy. Since she started focusing on her paint works, to attend a symposium or exhibition featuring important art geniuses had always been her dream. This was literally a dream come true for her.

"I love it," She whispered, her voice dropping at the emotions clouding them. "I love this. Thank you, Lucas," She said sincerely.

He nodded, a satisfied smile flickering on his lips. "It was my pleasure."

The hall was brimming with eager art enthusiasts and she and Lucas went to sit at the VIP seats his tickets covered. Normally, she would be skeptical about being seen with him to avoid media speculation but today, the dance and display had her completely enthralled. She laughed and cried when they displayed the controversy before the amalgamation of Nigeria by Lord Lugard in 1914. There was also the depiction of Nigeria's independence in 1960 and the Civil war of 1967. The Cultura thrilled the audience with their engaging performance and passionate acting. Then the night wore on with songs from the Fuji house and Fela movement.

By the time the event ended, Sara was tired and bubbling with happiness. She joined Lucas as he greeted guests and conversed with the cremè de la cremè. She was extremely pleased when he used his connection to get her backstage tickets to go talk to the dance troupe and chat with her favorite art mentors. Eventually, Lucas had to come drag her away, so they could have some alone time.

The ride home was pleasant as she gushed about the people she met, laughing and grinning as she recounted the evening over and over again. Lucas was too enchanted by her disposition to worry about the fact that he rarely had her all to himself today. Soon, he pulled up in front of her apartment and switched off the engine.

"I'm glad to hear I made your evening. And I'll be honored to have you agree to go on another date with me," He said, watching her expression keenly.

She had a flickering thought that they were probably moving too fast and she should be the sensible one here and slow things down. But her heart argued that he had been nothing but sweet and caring this past few days, why would she come against that? Smiling at him, she nodded, having a forebooding that she was going to regret this decision very soon.

"Alright, I accept," She replied, still smiling. The happiness of the night still bubbling about in her heart. "We can have another date, but if you leave me hanging, I'll change my mind faster than you can blink." She cautioned with mock seriousness.

He clutched his heart as though in pain. "Ouch, you offend me. I thought I had gotten on your good side with this date," He remarked.

She giggled at his gimmicks, whispering a goodnight as she climbed out of the car. He climbed out too after her, rushing to grab her arms and stop her march.

"You should let a gentleman open your car door always. This particular one would be happy to oblige," He murmured, his eyes trained on her lips.

She nodded and shivered slightly when a cold wind blew across. By how quiet the complex and the street was, she knew it was very late.

"You should get going, Lucas," She pointed out, trying to ease the tension circling around them.

He nodded, making no move to do as she bid. Then he came closer and cupping her face with his right hand, he lowered his lips towards hers to drop a fleeting butterfly kiss, but changed his mind when she kissed him back, exposing her eagerness. He deepened the kiss, pulling her flush to his body as he took them to the clouds.

A deep horn from a passing car dropped them back into reality harshly and Lucas barely refrained from throwing cusses at the fading vehicle. Sara recovered quickly and waved her goodbyes before making a retreat for her apartment. It would do neither of them any good to be this attracted to each other but she hardly cared anymore. Who was she to stop nature from running its course? If she was destined to meet and fall in love with Lucas, who was she to stop it?

Later on, as she got ready to climb into bed for the second time that evening, Sara realized that tomorrow was going to be a very busy day. Just before they left for their date, Lucas had informed her of a change in her visiting schedule and she was eagerly waiting for dawn despite her misgivings following their conversation earlier that evening.

"I'm ready," She murmured after he was done answering the call.

He swung around to stare at her, his lips lifting slowly as he considered her outfit.

Is something wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"I'm trying to decide if this idea was a good one."

She frowned, almost dropping her lid at the numerous disappointments she had received today because of him. "Really? Why then did I get dressed?"

His lips lifted into a sneer. "And who said I was referring to us?" It was rhetorical so she chose not to answer. It was too late for her to be playing childish games with him.

"Freddie has managed to blackmail me into agreeing on a Saturday visit in your apartment instead. In his words, he wants to invite Harmony to join his art lessons. He hoped you wouldn't mind," He explained, his lips pursed as he regarded her.

Sara reviewed his words carefully, seeing nothing wrong in the situation. Her apartment was conducive enough for a their art lessons and since he and Harmony were bestfriends, this was the best idea ever. She flickered her gaze to the smirk on his face. Unless...

"And would you be around like you were last weekend?" She quizzed, watching him as a prey would watch a predator. Even remembering last weekend made her stomach skittish.

As though he knew what was running around in her mind, he sniggered. "Of course, I'll be here. I need to act as chaperone for my son."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I already said this Lucas was too sneaky. Stealing kisses up and down as though they were standing under a mistletoe on Christmas morning. Please, that car horn was more than convenient😁

This chapter is dedicated to Princely_A_Seun He's a friend, a very important one and deserves some accolades 👍👏

In another news, Hurray! Over 800 reads. Thank you everyone for the massive support I've gotten for this book.

I'm pleading, however, for your votes and comments. This is my first book and I'm not getting enough words on how I'm doing. It would mean a lot to me if you tell me what you think.

Thank you 😍😘