CHAPTER 6

Mason and I went to Eleanor's restaurant and I was wondering why he took me there. "So you are the owner of Madison Restuarant?" I asked him again to be sure and he chuckled.

He was the type that usually wears casual wear. Maybe that was why I was caught off-guard. He looked like someone who was still in college. I never thought he was a millionaire.

"I thought Madison was a family business or probably belongs to an older person. Not someone as young as you." I added.

He smiled. "Let's eat first. We would talk about that later."

"I need to know more about you. You know virtually everything about me", I said again.

"That's because you never asked", he smirked.

"And you did not bother to offer some without me asking," I argued.

He stared at me for a while with a sly smile and said. "You look hot in that dress", I blushed and looked down shyly. "And beautiful."

I couldn't believe he found me beautiful and I couldn't remember the last time someone complimented me ever since the death of dad. I felt emotional all of a sudden.

'God bless Amy', I said inwardly. She did a great job on my face and coerced me into wearing the red dress despite my protest. At first, I felt uncomfortable with the shortness but since it was already dark, I began to feel more comfortable and confident.

When Mason complimented me, I felt happy and proud of Amy. "Thank you", I replied him.

"I love your dress also and the color of your hair. I never knew there are Nigerians with beautiful long hair like this." He remarked.

I smiled. "There are."

"What would you like to take?" He asked and motioned to one of the waiters.

"Macaroni and cheese is fine."

"Really?"

"Yeah," I said looking at the amusement on his face.

"I thought you would go for baked beans. I know you love it", he grinned as the waiter approached.

I covered my face with my palms. "My transparency...."

I was cut short by the presence of the waiter. "I will take the same with hers", Mason told the waiter.

"Alright, sir", she responded with a smile I found annoying and strolled away.

"You were saying?" He questioned.

"Never mind."

The waiter came back and I dug into mine immediately Mason placed it in front of me. I skipped lunch so I was damn hungry. We spoke a few words and remained quiet as we enjoyed the meal.

After we were done eating, the table was cleared as I wiped my mouth with a serviette. I took a sip of the remaining wine.

I was filled to the brim and I rested my back on the chair.

"How was it?" Mason asked, with a scrutinizing gaze.

"The food here is amazing", I replied.

"But not as amazing as mine", he opposed.

I laughed. "I did not eat the food you prepared yesterday, remember?"

"Yes, you didn't but you know the truth. Besides, it's obvious you are in love with everything about Madison restaurant."

I grinned in response. But I felt somehow. Mason is not supposed to know everything about me in just three days.

"What inspired you to learn how to cook and have a magnificent restaurant like that?" I demanded, all of a sudden.

He watched me in silence, with an expressionless look on his face. Within minutes, the look was replaced with a smile. "I would love to keep that anonymous."

"What?" I flared up. "I'm not supposed.....I don't deserve to know anything about you, right?"

"No. You can ask anything except that."

"But you know almost everything about me already, Mason," I growled.

"Not everything."

I sighed. The night isn't going the way I envisioned.

"I'm sorry", he placed his hands on mine.

That action almost soothe my nerves and I didn't allow it as I quickly removed my hand and wrapped it around my bosom. Mason was always apologizing at every slightest mistake of his, I pointed out in my mind.

I ought to be happy because that shows how much of a gentleman he was. But I couldn't bear to acknowledge the fact that I was hurt.

I told him about myself and I expected him to do the same. I thought I was special to him but he had just proved me wrong. Then I realized that not everyone would be as transparent as I am.

"There is a lot of pain attached to that story. That's why I avoid it as much as I can." That statement made me raised my head at him.

"Pain?" I asked within myself. "It's ok", I voiced out. "You don't need to say anything. I understand."

"Are you sure you do?" He questioned with doubt.

"Yes, I do."

Mason sighed with a dark look on his face. "I promise to tell you someday."

"It's not necessary. Let's talk about something else."

"Don't you have anything else to ask me?" He questioned softly.

"Don't worry", I smiled at him. "That would be for another day."

He nodded. "I saw a lady waving at you from upstairs. Is that your sister?"

"Oh no! It's Amy. The lady I was with the day we met."

"Oh? How come I didn't even recognize her?"

I shrugged. "So you stay with your friend?" He probed.

"Yes."

"What about your parents?" The smile on my face vanished. How do I tell him I do not know who my biological parents are? How do I tell him I ran away from home? I can't tell him this. Not now, I ranted mentally.

"I would love to keep that anonymous too," I muttered softly.

He laughed. "Is that because I didn't...."

"No Mason, don't think that way. I want to keep all of that in the past, that's why I don't want to talk about it", I cut him off.

He raised his hand in surrender. "Fine."

"You said you have a surprise for me", I reminded him.

"Yes, that's true."

"I just hope it's not something that will give me a heart attack."

"Definitely not", we both laughed.

"Do you know how to cook?" He asked.

"Of course", I answered sharply. "My mom is a..." Then I realized I was talking about mom.

"A what?" He inquired.

I sighed loudly and frowned my face. "I learned from my mom, she is a chef."

"Waw! That's great. I want to offer you a job in the restaurant", he announced. "You can start on Monday."

"What?" I exclaimed in surprise, attracting the attention of the couple beside us.

"Yes. You have been offered a job in Madison restaurant", he repeated and I began to shed tears.