Chapter Six.

Lucas Steele" Zawadi whispered his name dreamily. He had a beautiful name, or so she thought. He had both English names while she had none.

Her parents had decided against giving her any English names. Her mother and father were both half cast, half black, half white.

So they both had one English name. It took the society long to accept that they were not pure blacks. They were even judged because of their names.

It was believed in the society that English names offended ancestors so they were not allowed in the community. Zawadi's parents did not believe in superstition, but in a place where culture and society. dictated everything, they decided to give her Swahili names.

Since she was a gift to them, a gift they received after losing all hope of having a healthy child after Jasiri, they called her Zawadi meaning present or gift. She took after her father, being as strong as him hence the name, Mwamba, meaning rock.

His name itself excited her. It was lovely. She looked at her watch, and she was late for work.

She quickly got up and raced to the bathroom to do her morning routine .

She couldn't believe that she had gotten late just because she was thinking of him.

She quickly dressed and left her apartment She hurried down the streets to the dinner

The day was moving painfully slow for Zawadi. She couldn't wait to meet Lucas. Maybe she was more excited than she cared to admit. With a heavy sigh, she went back to work.

She worked and worked, but time just wouldn't pass. When her shift was over, she raced back to her. apartment to get ready.

She showered and straightened her hair. It was a bit hard since it was so long, past her waist, she hadn't cut it in a while. It was just like her mother's used to be. she thought and smiled.

She quickly rummaged through her wardrobe, looking for the perfect dress. She didn't have very many nice clothes. Only the ones she could afford.

He had. agreed to pick her up at seven. And now she had only one hour to get ready.

She picked a small red dress. it wasn't too fitting and ended just above her knees. It had an open back but was long sleeved. She paired it with her black ankle boots.

She let her hair loose and did her make up. She combed through her hair one last time, it was fascinating how fast it always grew, but she loved it non the less.

She checked her watch for the time, it was already 6:58, she took a deep breath before picking up her clutch.

Suddenly a knock sounded on the door . She turned and walked toward it pulling it open. She was greeted by a very good looking Lucas in an Armani suit.

"Wow"She gasped out. He looked breath taking. His hair was well combed and her wasn't wearing a neck tie.

Two top buttons of his shirt were open revealing his toned chest. She inhaled sharply before looking up to meet his brown orbs.

"You.... you look breathtaking ." He remarked.

He stuttered, so I do have an effect on him, Zawadi thought happily.

"You also look good. Really good "She whispered.

At her comment, a smile tugged at his lips. He truly was happy that she found him good looking because the truth was that she had caught his attention in a way no other woman had ever done. He at least hoped that she found him good looking , and she did.

"I'll have to keep you by my side all night. you look so beautiful in that dress I don't want other men looking at you " He said.

"I don't think that anyone would stare"

He chuckled before saying "You underestimate your beauty cupcake"

He led her to the car and ushered her in.

"I hope the date is simple. I don't want any reporters or the media. I mean you are a billionaire, they follow you everywhere right? I don't want to be on the news" she said.

The truth is that she had wanted to stay out of the public view since everyone started judging her harshly for being the courtesans daughter. Of course she wasn't famous so the whole world didn't know her, but she feared that if they saw her with Lucas then they would dig deeper into her past and find out that her foster mother was a courtesan.

She didn't want Lucas to get called out for dating the courtesan daughter.

" Don't worry honey, it's just you and me" He replied.

Again, he used endearments and that made her heart melt.

The drive to their destination wasn't too long.

They arrived shortly after. It was a restaurant, a fancy place, she realized and frowned. She really didn't fit into such places.

"Don't judge it yet darling, come on" Lucas said offering his hand.

She sighed before taking his outstretched hand.

He led her into the huge hotel. It was fancy. Too fancy for her liking.

She gasped when he opened the door for her. The place was beautifully decorated. Flowers hung everywhere on the walls and petals were all over the floor.

The petals were of different colors making the room even more alluring. There was a huge chandelier, gold in color , that hung in the middle of the giant room.

"Wow" she let out.

"Great right?" he asked, with a grin on his face.

"Yes" she answered with a smile.

"You like?" he asked.

"I love " she said happily.

"I'm glad you like it love. Come on" He led her inside.

"Why is the place empty" she asked looking around.

"I rented it for our date tonight" he shrugged.

"What? Why?" she asked.

"Because, love ,I want our first date to be special. Now sit " He pulled out a chair for her.

This is going to be an interesting date, Zawadi thought.