Sara didn't get to check her phone until later in the evening when she returned to her room. She had lunch with Yemisi and Daniel while Donald had made a hasty retreat to go find his supposed girlfriend. She had no doubts about that though, he wouldn't say it if it weren't true, however her uncertainties arose from Lucas's message. She didn't see him at all in the restaurant and couldn't help but wonder how the random lunch date went.

She called his phone earlier to inform him about the dinner reservation and he sounded distracted. She could even swear she heard a woman's laugh in the background, and since she didn't press him about it, he didn't mention it. But it wasn't until she was brushing her weave-on while getting ready for dinner did her mind connect the two independent events, reaching the horrible conclusion that he had made a lunch date with another woman and sent the message to her instead.

Her teeth clenched and her fingers curled sharply around the hair brush. Of course, she knew he was too good to be true. The saying of a leopard can never change its spots was turning out to be true in this case and she'd hate to be caught in the middle of it again.

The shrill ring of her phone pulled her away from her awful thoughts like a disapproving mother over an errant child. She answered to let Lucas know she'd be out soon. It was the prompt to get her busy with finishing touches on her makeup. She was going light on her contours and highlight, with a blush to give off a relaxed feel to her appearance. Her hair cascaded off her shoulders and down her back, framing her oval face and giving her the chic feeling she was hoping for. Her knee-length black sequin gown, which clung to her body, sparkled against the light showing off her curvy figure. She had paired it with nude stilettos and a black clutch. A touch of her ombre ruby red lipstick with a puff of her signature perfume and she was ready.

After another call followed by an impatient rapt at her door by her companion for the night, she finally opened the door and stepped out. She paused at the open door for a dramatic minute, forcing his eyes to take in her appearance and roam helplessly over her body. He could see but he couldn't touch, there was nothing more tempting than that.

"Shall we go?"

His eyes snapped back from her long legs and lower region to her face so suddenly it was a wonder he didn't break something. "You look absolutely gorgeous," he murmured.

I know, she wanted to say, but this was not the time for vain glory. "Thank you. You look handsome as always," she pointed out, taking in his black dinner suit which was missing a tie and was tailored perfectly to highlight his lean frame and accentuate his masculinity.

He smiled, barely taking his eyes off her. She stepped into the hallway and locked her door, slipping the key into her purse.

He stepped beside her and briefly toyed with the idea of placing his arm at her lower back but guilty conscience wouldn't stop pricking him. Sara noticed he was fidgeting and smirked. It was good he knew she was unto him.

"Sara, I want to apologise for this afternoon," he began with a whisper, fighting to get the right words out. Women tend to jump to conclusions faster if the word play was not handled properly. Scratch that, Sara was known for such behaviors. "I know I made a lunch reservation for us but something came up and I didn't bother following it up."

Her brows furrowed at the blatant lie. "You mean a woman came up?"

He winced sharply at the accusation dripping in her tone and at the thick tension circling between them. "It was coincidental, really. I met an old friend and we clicked and got carried away," he rattled off like a child facing off the firing squad that consisted of only his mother, or in this case, his ex-wife.

You got carried away? "I see," she replied, sounding like she really did see. Lucas didn't know what to make of her response so he closed his mouth, willing the tension in the air to disperse.

They exited their lodge and walked to the cable car, sitting on opposite sides. Sara pursed her lips, giving off the aura that she was still angry with him for earlier. He swallowed hard and tried for a different approach.

"You mentioned the dinner reservation was for six people and I was wondering who the extra guests were," he said conversationally. "Do I know them?"

She looked at him then, wondering if inviting Donald to the dinner had been such a brilliant plan. Obviously, Lucas must have made plans for just the two of them tonight and even if the Oyebanjo's managed to shackle them to a get-together dinner, they would have found away to escape. An extra couple would make sneaking out harder.

"Yes, you do. Donald Donalds. He's an executive assistant at CAPPEL and he's my friend. I met him here at the resort when I went mountain climbing and we invited him to dinner. He has a girlfriend and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to meet her. I didn't even know he was seeing someone," she trailed off.

Lucas's eyes narrowed at her tone but he said nothing. To hear that the lazy sloth he had for an assistant was here on vacation was a surprise but not entirely. The workload in terms of production has reduced drastically, leaving Martin and the marketing team at the helm of affairs.

The cable car made its stop at the foot of the hill and they exited to walk to the restaurant. Yemisi and Daniel were already present, laughing and staring adoringly into each others eyes; their love so evident, it put Romeo and Juliet to shame. They saw the billionaire and his ex-wife when they got closer and pulled them into the warm atmosphere.

After random talks and plesanteries, the men went to book for their table, food and drinks and the women chatted animatedly about dashing princes and ravishing rakes'. Then after, followed the men to their table located at the back of the restaurant with an aesthetic appeal to it. They sat and conversed waiting purposely for their guests.

Barely thirty minutes later and Donald rushed to their table with an apologetic smile painted on his features. He looked handsome in his grey pants and black jacket. He greeted everyone, even had the audacity to laugh and joke with his boss about romantic getaways. It was awkward to say the least and wanting to clear the tensive atmosphere, Sara piped up.

"Um, shall we order? I'm starving," she asked with a smile, pleading for Yemisi to help her out but the younger woman must have a penchant for introducing awkward situations when she remembered their guest out of the blues.

"I don't see your girlfriend anywhere, Donald. Weren't you supposed to bring her to dinner?" She glanced around the restaurant with hopes of finding any single female.

Donald smiled slyly, the smile made a chill run down Sara's spine and she had a foreboding she didn't want to meet his girlfriend anymore. He pivoted towards the left side of the restaurant, at the door backing her seat and motioned for someone. Sara watched as Lucas's eyes narrowed at the newcomer and she knew her instincts were right.

She turned around in her chair at the same time as the lady in a shimmering red gown moved into Donald's outstretched right arm, accepting the embrace he offered. With the advantage of their elevated height, they scrutinized the room passively, taking in the numerous reactions on the faces of the four people sitting at the long table. Then Donald spoke up with an exuberant smile planted on his lips.

"Hello, everyone. I want you all to meet my girlfriend. Karen Thomas."

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

There is nothing worse than a backfired plan.

After the odd peculiarities of welcoming Donald and Karen were through and done with, Yemisi, who was oblivious to the strange air incurred by the foreign presence, invited them to sit after changing the sitting arrangement. Since it was a round table for six, the Oyebanjo's sat at the pair of chairs facing the restaurant's decor, Sara and Lucas sat next then Karen and Donald finally, such that Lucas was sandwiched between his ex's and Donald had ample opportunity to toy with the naive but equally charming new bride, leaving Sara to struggle out words past her lips in hopes of making a decent conversation with Daniel.

But if talking to Daniel was hard, watching Karen openly flirt with Lucas was so aggravating Sara felt like pulling her hair out. Why did she had to have the misfortune of meeting this woman again and on her forte too? The universe was being too cruel, she mused.

"I can't believe you're here, Lucas," Karen gushed, battling her eyelashes effectively at Lucas who ignored her. "You were so busy I didn't think you'd actually take a vacation, or that we'd meet here of all places!"

Lucas gulped as he shifted slightly in his chair, wondering why he was feeling hot despite the well ventilated room. "This is purely work related unlike for some employees I have in my company," he explained through clenched teeth, his scowl leveled at Donald for bringing Karen here and making dinner uncomfortable.

Donald did not get the gist as he continued chatting animatedly with Yemisi who giggled at every word that left his lips. Sara felt like smacking the young bride, and hard.

Then the waiters arrived and busied themselves decorating the table with assorted dishes and drinks. There was chicken pepper soup, Ofada rice, Jellof rice and plantain, Edikang Ikong soup with fofo and goat meat peppersoup. There were cocktail drinks, smoothies and a bottle of red wine to compliment the dishes. Dessert was to be a red velvet cake with chocolate drippings. Truly, Lucas and Daniel had outdone themselves.

"It is such an honour to be here, really," Karen began immediately the waiters left drawing attention to herself. "When Donald invited me here for the weekend, I wanted to refuse, thinking that the Tinapa resort was obviously better, but meeting lovely couples such as all of you has been nothing but thrilling," she commented, pulling off the charming, naive girl effectively for the others but Sara could see right through her façade. It was probably because she'd never liked this woman at all.

"Really? You went to Tinapa? How was it?" Yemisi rattled off in excitement, while nearly shrieking her head off when her husband mentioned that Tinapa resort might be their next honeymoon destination.

Karen flashed her a superior smirk. "Not went, I stay at Tinapa. It is way better than this resort and it's definitely warmer. You could even get to feast your eyes on gorgeous, single, rich billionaires while you're there," she answered, a knowing sneer drawn on her lips.

Sara watched Lucas squirm in his chair when Karen mentioned Tinapa and wondered if there was a connection. Since Karen had totally stolen the show, she chose instead to focus on the plate of sumptuous food and wine in front of her. That way she won't have to remember why she hated this woman so much.

"That sounds really enchanting," Yemisi clapped delightfully, her eyes shinning with excitement. Then her eyes found Sara who was so concentrated on her food as if it was a long lost lover.

"Sara, dear, have you been to Tinapa? Alone or with Lucas? If not, will you still go?"

Sara's eyes moved from Yemisi to Lucas wondering whether the thought had crossed his mind but her reply was cut off when Karen interjected with a snort.

"I think he has gone ahead of you, my dear."

Lucas choked on his food and Donald snickered at the absurdity of the question. Something was going on here, Sara revised but instead she shrugged and kept mute. Fortunately, Yemisi took the bait and faced the billionaire who was more interested in shovelling morsels of food down his throat than the present company.

"And what about you, Lucas? Have you gone there or will you still go?"

Lucas shifted slightly in his chair, his eyes darting first to under the table then at Karen before replying with a tight smile. "Yes, I've heard it's a lovely place. I'll be sure to invite Sara for dinner or a party sometime."

Sara watched him keenly, wondering why he was getting agitated and uncomfortable. Perhaps, Yemisi's line of questions were too direct? Her eyes found a smirking Karen and she frowned. What was that woman up to?

"If it's not too much bother, we'd like to ask everyone how they met their dates. My wife and I are life coaches and we were hoping to start up a romance helpline for older couples who don't feel the spark in their marriages anymore. Any feedback we get is appreciated," Daniel said, entwining his fingers with his wife's.

"Yes, that's true," Yemisi nodded in agreement. "In fact, we want to start it off as a sort of matchmaking site to show them how they can rekindle their lovelives. We could teach them using our experiences and yours, of course, various romance tips such as: how to kiss properly, how to make love, how to seduce him or her in case of Valentine's day, or on their birthdays or even on random romantic weekends like this one..."

Lucas suddenly jumped in his chair rattling the table, interrupting the conversation and in general, startling everyone while Karen who was almost facing his direction looked unfazed. His features were hard and his lips was set in a fine line as he glared at Karen who had a coy smirk dancing on her lips.

"I would appreciate it, Miss Thomas, if you kept your straying hands to yourself while at dinner. I'm sorry I'm not interested in whatever you're suggesting by using such antics," he gritted out through clenched teeth, shocking everyone.

He dumped his napkin on the table and stood up. "Everyone, please excuse me." Then he was striding out of the restaurant without a backward glance.

Sara's eyes narrowed at Karen's now that her suspicions had been proven. That shameless slut!

Squirming slightly, Karen picked up her purse and stood up instantly. "I need to go use the ladies. Excuse me," she murmured, barely holding anyone's gaze as she scrambled off, running through the exact door the billionaire had walked out from minutes ago.

~~~~~~~

'There is absolutely nothing worse than a backfired plan' 😂😂😂. I love this quote right now.

How many of you noticed what happened at dinner? (Snickers)

Second update for my lovely readers, yay!! This chapter is dedicated to: chidinmasdiary, twinnietiana, Prudy64, OnolexTim, and Lexistorm, because they were the ones that prodded me to increase number of updates. Thank you guys so much

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