SMALL WORLD
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ANGELA’S POV
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“Say what!” a worthy exclamation considering how things turned out. I had only gone to the beach party at Maimi to kill boredom, having being curled up in my bed for most of the day. I had gone for a mini-vacation to clear my head and prepare for the new job I would be resuming the next day when I met this near-perfect gentleman. He had the looks of a god with chiseled jaws comparable to that of Zeus. He made good conversations which was a plus for me when it concerned the opposite sex. He was also persistent in asking me out for a date and all, it made me feel good though, because it had been a long since anyone asked me out for a date, and also I found him attractive. The party was so casual, a change from the usual corporate world I was used to.
I had to leave early so I could get some sleep before my flight back to New York and work. When he pe
rsisted for a date the next day, I sent him on a wild goose chase because I doubted he would attempt to go looking for me but apparently he did.
Now imagine getting to the meeting which was also my first day to resume work and it turns out that my new boss was the same person I flirted with shamelessly the other day. I tried my best to keep myself composed at the meeting, however, I was a bundle of nerves, within me and could not wait for the meeting to end.
But there was no escaping for me, Caleb still remembered who I was even though my attire at the party and at the meeting were very contrasting, the company's COO also insisted on us all having lunch together. At the restaurant Caleb ensured that we sat facing each other, I wasn't too keen on rekindling anything with him. In fact and I had made up my mind not to enter into any relationship because of what was happening to me, but he wasn't deterred by my refusal, he sent flowers to my flat, invited me to lunch during lunch break at work though I kept refusing him. He made his intentions for me clear and I found it alluring. Though he wasn't a stalker, he didn't make me feel cornered.
“Okay, I agree to a dinner date,” I replied after two weeks
“Perfect, this time around, I will get to choose where we eat.”
“Any special reason for that,” I asked him baffled
“You sent me on a goose chase the last time we met.” he chuckled
I could feel my face wrinkle as I tried to understand what he meant.
“I will help you out.” he replied as if reading my thoughts, “you asked me to come to Sheraton around 8:00 pm and never showed up.
I smiled as I recollected the event of the night at his party “you went in search of me?.”
“Of course, I wanted to see you again.”
“Why?” It was a pleasant surprise to me that he had actually wanted to see me again.
“I don't know,” he shrugged, then he looked so serious, his eyes fixed on me unwavering, “I liked you the first time I saw you, you are intriguing and I just wanted to get to know you better.”
“If you say so,” I answered, his use of words softened my reservations about him
“I know so. I will come to get you by 11:00 am on Saturday
“Isn't that too early for a date?” I gazed at him wide-eyed.
“No, it's not. I want us to go for some sightseeing then have a late lunch afterward.”
“Alright then. We have a date,” I replied and left his presence
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It was a beautiful day for a date, I thought to myself as the weather was neither too hot nor freezing. Caleb showed up at my apartment some minutes to eleven in the morning and refused to take some coffee when I offered him some.
“We are going to be late,” he said and I quickly grabbed my hat and left the apartment with him.
He drove straight to the art gallery, which was a treat for me because I loved the exhibitions and always made time to visit once a month.
Caleb showed he was a good listener and had been paying attention when we talked. Because I had briefly mentioned how much I loved the art exhibition. It felt nice and much appreciated as there was an unveiling going on by a popular artist at the gallery. His effort endeared him to me, he was a perfect gentleman.
My only pain was I could not give him what he wanted, a relationship between us will never happen, after all, dating was for those sure of tomorrow.
Trying not to focus on what could be, I allowed myself to enjoy the day, we went to the game center and karaoke spot, Caleb could not sing to save his life neither could I.
From there we went window shopping and when he held my hands I didn't resist. It didn't make us intimate, I reasoned. We came upon a cafe and my tummy growled, I tried to ignore hoping Caleb didn't hear it.
"I'm famished, let's eat." He started walking into the cafe. I was sure he heard my stomach growl and didn't want to make me uncomfortable. Finally a man with all the qualities that I like, fate was really cruel at this point.