Sara couldn't believe it. She was going to Calabar with a first class ticket on a plane with Lucas. It did not help her bewilderment that her Prince Charming had planned a romantic weekend rendezvous for just them. At this rate, she was bound to be deeply sated in love with him by Sunday. To bring herself back from her daydream, she pinched herself lightly and turned to her seat partner, the billionaire, who was dozing peacefully beside her.

It figures that he would be tired, she reviewed, sighing tiredly. He had shown up straight from work at her apartment by 4 this afternoon to pick her up and they had gotten on the plane by 6, as Lagos traffic was quite heavy. Now, the plane had just lifted into the air and was gladly making its way to the hilly landscape of Cross River State, or more precisely the Obudu mountain resort.

She expelled a breath to calm her rapidly beating heart, frowning at the organ for behaving foolishly anytime she was close to him. Although she told Jules and Tonya that she knew what she was about with Lucas, her subconscious betrayed her. She was clueless right now. If she ended up falling in love with him and he broke her heart again, she'd have no one to blame but herself. It worried her how fast she was letting him sweep her up in the trademark whirlwind romance he was characteristic of, but her anxiety sky rocketed when she admitted she already knew the end result. The glaring question was if she could do it again, and the obvious answer was, she didn't know.

Resignedly, she inclined her head on the headrest and just before her eyes drooped, she felt his arm cushion her head and she reclined into it and slept off.

A gentle nudge and she opened her eyes to lock them with hazel brown ones. He smirked at her, standing up from his chair.

"And I thought I was the tired one," he muttered, reaching above to pull out their luggage. She rolled her eyes at him while shuffling to her feet.

"You are not the only one that went to work, you know," she clarified to which he scoffed, setting the suitcases down. "And unlike a certain billionaire I know, I can actually lose my job if I take one too many excuse." She finished, coming to stand beside him.

He nodded with a smile as they made their way out of the section towards the door. "Which is why this weekend will be worth it. At least, if you get fired, you can get your boss jealous when you give him your reasons," he replied with a suggestive wink and she laughed at that.

Still talking about work and angry bosses, they made their way to the rental car that was hired to take him round the city and soon were headed towards Calabar. Barely an hour later, the car pulled up in front of the resort's driveway, and they made their way to reception. It was a long ride around the winding road built on the hill as Lucas had not made plans for a charter plane. Among making plans, Lucas had also booked different suites for them and though she was grateful for the consideration, she couldn't help but wonder at his act of chilvary. Wouldn't a playboy set out to woo you on a romantic weekend purposely get you two locked in the same suite? She didn't understand his plans but chose not to question it.

The bellboy helped them with their luggage and she and Lucas went to their rooms to settle in. The resort consisted of numerous individual buildings or cottages of different standards with modern aluminum zinc roofs built strategically around the resort. A swimming pool was located further down at the bottom of the resort and the ticket office for cable car rides and mountain climbing or the Canopy Walkway was adjacent the resort to the left side. The main buildings housed the presidential suites and Lucas had made reservations for them here. Her suite had a large queen-sized bed in the middle, a small wardrobe, bathroom to the left side and a balcony barricaded by a glass door to the far right. The room was painted in aligned arrangement of beige and grey and was well ventilated. She unpacked her suitcase and went to have a long, refreshing bath in the marble white tub. Then, she changed into her Maxi gown when Lucas called her for dinner down at the restaurant.

Finding her way downstairs, she met Lucas already sat at their table so she made her way over. He was dressed in jeans and button down light blue shirt and a black lather jacket which she admitted looked great on him. Heck, every piece of clothing looked good on him.

They made small talks, laughing about random life experiences especially with Lagos traffic and stress. As much as possible, they tried not to drift into their failed marriage, Lucas for fear of bringing up hurtful memories and Sara for fear of remembering why their marriage had failed in the first place.

The waiter brought to their table Fufu and Edikang Ikong soup assorted with different types of meat and fish. There was also hot peppersoup with goat meat called Afia Efere soup, chicken wings and the traditional Afang soup. Even though he had ordered too much, Lucas was more than eager to taste all the dishes. By the time they were done, they were so full they lazily made their way towards the Cable cars for a random trip in the skies.

The ride was surprisingly pleasant as they were the only occupants. Sara smiled at the relaxed, warm feeling brewing between them. Not once did Lucas get any romantic inclinations to kiss her or pull her into a hug and she liked it, a conscious pang letting her know she missed it, however.

"Why didn't you stop me? I feel so heavy!" Lucas cried, watching as the car started to move. According to the operator, the car ride was barely ten minutes but the sight of the hilly plains covered by the soft looking white clouds was worth it.

"I told you to slow down, but no, your mouth said to continue," she reminded him, rolling her eyes when he rubbed his slightly protruding belly affectionately.

He grinned at her eye roll, his brows lifting suggestively. "I really want to kiss you so bad but my big stomach will be a hindrance. Sorry."

She shook her head in amusement, watching the car slow down into the terminal. They stepped out and walked side by side down the long pathway to the swimming pool. A small party was going on and guests were dancing to locally made music and instruments.

"Will you dance with me?" He asked, producing his right hand in request.

She shrugged, feigning disinterest. "I thought your big belly would not allow."

He guffawed, clutching his stomach in the bid. "I am certain I've learnt my lesson, ma'am. Gluttony is bad," he agreed, watching her place her hand in his. With a smile, he led them to the dance floor.

Sara was glad she wore her Maxi gown tonight as it helped with movements. The organisers of the party were tourists, an older American couple who were celebrating 25 years of marriage. Friends, families, well-wishers and random guests partied along, remembering to drop congratulatory messages to them. Lucas and Sara made their way back to their dance positions after greeting the couple and the melody of the song changed into slow dancing, specially made for the older couple.

Sara watched the man twirl his wife around, laughing when she giggled, his eyes shinning with the love evident in their lives. She could see and tell his wife was his whole life and wondered if she'd ever get someone to look at her that way, someone who believed she was his whole life. She looked up into Lucas's oblivious smile and wondered if he would fill those shoes. Knowing he might never do that had her spirits fall.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He queried, his brows furrowed in concern. "You went from 'completely happy to I want to die' in ten seconds flat," he chuckled, his eyes twinkling mischievously.

"I was thinking, that's all," she answered offhandedly.

"Thinking about what?"

She cast the older couple a longing look and he caught on. "I was wondering if I'll ever get to that point in my life, if we'll ever get to that point." At his scowl, she amended quickly. "Not together though, not really."

"Why not together?"

Sara bit her lips to keep from answering. Of course, he would want them to have such relationship but she'd gone through pain to realize that kind of together forever took lots of sacrifices. Sacrifices she wasn't sure either of them was willing to make, sacrifice she knew he'd not make.

"We are far from perfect. We can't have what they have, at least not right away," she replied stubbornly.

He would not accept her reply, however. "I don't believe that. They are not different from us. They are two individuals who came together and discovered similar interests and chose to be together. They are not perfect, no, sir. I'm certain they have their flaws but it's their flaws that unites them. It's their weaknesses that completes them.

"We can have what they have if we strive, if we try, Sara," he began, cupping her face to force her to look into his eyes. "You know what? Let's take the present for what it offers. When tomorrow comes, we'll worry about it, alright?" He advised.

She nodded, accepting the infectious smile he offered. He was right, though. Why worry about later when they can make the most of now?

"Now, wipe that gloomy look off your face and dance with me, please?" He asked, twirling her around. A helpless giggle escaped her lips and she allowed him to pull her into the fast tempo of the music. Then it was like the old times when they were still married. He, being the charming gentleman and she, the demure lady. He commented about her being rusty and she retorted that he was not as elegant as before. That inspired laughter between them, reminding them strangely of the past they once knew.

The night wore on with a few dancing couples exchanging partners. Sara got paired with a happy husband who couldn't stop smiling at his beautiful wife that was Lucas's dancing partner. It was obvious they were newlyweds and watching Lucas twirl and dance with the lady confirmed for her that before this weekend will end, she would have fallen in love with him.

The new couples, the Oyebanjo's, thanked them for the dance and excused themselves to retire for the night. Then she fell in step with Lucas as they walked back to the resort in lieu of the cable car. She shivered involuntarily when a cold wind blew across, rubbing her palms across her skin to create friction. He noticed the action and removed his jacket, handing it over to her.

"So that I won't be termed a bad host if you catch a cold all because you went on a trip with me," he mocked, looking straight ahead.

She chuckled, thankful for the warm material. "No, you are not a bad host. Actually, I had fun tonight thanks to you," she clarified.

Feeling smug, he ventured. "Does that equate into a kiss as I am yet to get one today?"

He was trying to go slow for her sake, trying not to scare her. It was not in his nature to hide his attraction for her and she hated herself for giving him a reason to be skeptical about being with her. As much as she enjoyed this courting, she missed the fast paced whimsical romantic that he was.

She giggled again, watching hope rise rapidly on his face. "You remember how we agreed I'll be the one to set the pace for this courtship and random kisses, unfortunately, will not favor that."

"But kisses are the glue of every relationship," he protested.

She shook her head in despair. "You don't know the word celibate, do you?"

"If it involves me not kissing you, then I'm afraid I don't," he stated with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well, what do you say about the kiss?"

"You may have a kiss. One kiss only and nothing more," she said, watching his features turn from happiness to pure confusion.

"That is unfair!" He cried even as she burst out laughing at his pout. "How can you say one kiss? What is the measurement? What if I go over? What will be my punishment?"

She did not reply him though, content in enjoying him dissect her offer and try to scale through it. The car ride back to the resort was filled with banter over what one kiss was, that by the time they realised it, they were standing meters apart from her door. He eyed her and the door, gauging the distance.

"I feel cheated," he mumbled, blinking rapidly all in the bid to appear cute and failing miserably. "Can I at least kiss you goodnight?" He teased, winking his brows suggestively at her.

"If it is more than one kiss, I will take offence," she insisted.

"Oh, come on!" He threw his hands up in defeat, scowling at her. "You're going to make me sweat it out for this relationship, aren't you?"

She nodded, trying very hard to bite down the laughter bubbling in her throat. He sighed and she watched his shoulders drop before he turned around to leave.

"I never said I couldn't give you more than one kiss though."

He swung around quickly, nearly tripping on his feet and his face lightened up with a large smile. Slowly, she moved into the circle of his arms. Standing on tiptoe and holding his gaze, she planted her lips against his, welcoming home the ecstasy of a scintillating kiss. He allowed her to lead since she was setting the rules, accepting what she offered greedily. He moaned when as she deepened the kiss, his arms encircling her waist to hold him steady. Just as he was getting swept away in the euphoria, she pulled away slowly, breathing hard.

"I believe that is more than enough for two days."

His jaw snapped open and his face fell on hearing that. "What?"

She smirked at him before turning around to slot in the key to her room. Once she was safely inside, she said, "Goodnight, Lucas."

"I hate you," he mumbled in frustration. It was evident that the kiss had done more harm than good.

+++++++++++++

Sara woke up late the next morning. She felt refreshed though, having slept away her fatigue. Her eyes found the wall clock and she groaned. 10.am meant that Lucas was already out for the seminar he had that was holding at a hotel in the Marina. It surprised her to realise he could have lodged there instead of here but agreed she loved his decision to stay here rather. Stepping into the bathroom, she had a hot shower and wore her shorts, choosing to go mountain climbing while Lucas was away. That way, she wouldn't waste the weekend holiday.

A knock sounded at her door as she was almost ready and she opened it to find the bellboy with a note. Apparently, Lucas thought mountain climbing was also a good idea and had paid for her breakfast and lunch, while hoping they could have dinner together when he returned later in the evening. Accepting the card, she went to have breakfast and grabbed her hiking boots and hat and set off with a small group heading that way. She met the couple from yesterday, Yemisi and her husband, Daniel Oyebanjo and the trio chatted happily about the resort and the sights.

At the beginning of the canopy walkway, Yemisi, the petite but beautiful bride went on ahead with her tall and handsome husband, Daniel as Sara waited for her turn to cross. A hand slipping around her waist suddenly had her turning around sharply, nearly loosing her footing in the process. She heard Yemisi yell her name even as the stranger tightened his grip on her, effectively breaking her fall and saving her from plummeting down the hill to her death below.

Once steady on her feet, she snapped her gaze to his, a scowl etched on her face which dispersed when she recognized him.

"Hello, beautiful. Please tell me you missed me."

~~~~~~~~

So this is the second update for this week. I hope you enjoy it. Calabar is supposed to herald a wind of change for our couple. Can you feel it?

If not, don't worry. You'll still 'feel' it 😈

Randomly, if you want a taste of the various delicacies Lucas demolished or the music they danced to, ask OnolexTim. She'd be more than happy to teach you.

Remember, votes and comments go a long way.

Thank you 😍😘