Chapter 15— Attraction

"That was so fun!"

"Did you see that? I slipped on ice!"

"This is so unfair, I should've won!"

"Well you were too slow, boo-hoo!"

"In your face! Chubby". He stuck his tongue out.

"Oh my God! Kids kids! Calm down. Go to your room, shower and go to bed!" Amelia ordered.

They all had returned from the park. Some played on ice, some played football, others enjoyed bowling; even though the ball was too heavy for them.

The old folks were asleep somewhere in the house. William wasn't coming home today, Viola and her sisters-in-law, just had some quality time with the kids.

"Aww, mum! No dinner?"

"Not when you guys are so noisy". Amelia answered.

"Remember you kids are black, not barbarians!", Olivia added.

"Wow! Something smells nice". They began to sniff in the aroma. Everyone ran up to the kitchen to find the chef.

"Hey guys! Welcome, welcome. Have your seats, cause dinner's ready!"

"Yaaaay!" The kids happily reacted.

"You can cook?" Caro wondered.

"You are an interesting man!" Amelia exclaimed.

"How 'bout Mr Johnson is he here?"

"Oh no, William's coming home tomorrow".

The family and the bachelor, all ate to satisfaction, Joe's cooking truly pleased them.

"I'm glad you all loved it, I just wanted to show my gratitude to you guys for bringing me into your family".

"Wow, such a nice man!" Viola teased him and raised one of her brows.

"Stop that V, he's really nice!" Monica put in.

"Thanks Joe!" They chorused. The dining was cleared up and every one went to bed.

Knock knock, Viola came knocking on Joe's door, the door opened up.

"Enjoying your room?" She asked while managing to smile.

"Quite well, madame", Joe ushered her in.

"I brought you some doughnuts", she handed two pieces of doughnuts to Joe on a plate, and had one for herself.

"So-- how was work?" She asked dryly, trying to sound enthusiastic and caring.

"T'was really fun! I never expected my first day to be so easy".

"That's really good!"

"How's your salon?"

She moved her shoulders a bit and relaxed more into the sofa, "Today was stressful, just like every other day; but you know, I'll survive!".

"Yeah", Joe laughed. "Your eyes!" He whispered.

"Yes, what's wrong with them?"

"Nothing at all and that's the thing. I've worked on a lot of eyes and none is as beautiful as yours!"

"Hmm, some find it scary".

"To me, its exciting and I want to see it everyday".

Viola couldn't help but laugh, "Don't tell me you've fallen in love with my eyes?"

"And what if I have?" He paused. Viola lowered her eyes as her cheeks began to feel warm. "I think you're a very interesting book and a beautiful one too, I'd like to read every page", Joe flirted with her.

"I'm sure you'll find this book boring and indecisive, its pages doesn't have a sure path yet".

"Well, if you're lost I can find you. Tell me really, who are you? What makes you undecided?"

Viola smiled, "I'm Viola, creating beauty is what I do, I go to work six days a week, I come home to a house full of crazy people", she paused. "Uhh-- I meant that in a good way, they're fun! And at the end everyday, I get so tired. I'm twenty-nine years old and I'm still waiting for that right someone", she paused again. "Yeah, that's me! End of story".

"Wow, you're really an empty book", Joe teased.

"Hmph!"

"Well I'm here, aren't I? I'm a new page in your book, I can add colours to every page!" Joe placed a finger underneath Viola's jaw.

"Not so fast Joe, if you're lucky, you could only be a bookmark in my book!"

"Even more romantic! Without me, you can't find your way, see?!" They laughed.

"You're funny Mr Joe, very funny!"

"Admit it, you like me. I impress you don't I?"

"Well you still have six more days to go".

"Only you, can send me away, darling".

Viola smiled, "Goodnight Dr Joe!"

"Thanks for the doughnuts!" He followed her to the door and Viola left the room feeling satisfied, full of life and hope and feeling flushed. She was falling for the doctor and she knew it! He made it so easy.

Joe laid on his bed with a smiling heart and soon, he was fast asleep, he had a good night rest this time.

****************

Today, a third day at the mansion and also a second day at work. Today would be perfect! Joe thought to himself as he struggled out of bed.

Olivia served breakfast, everyone had their fill and they rushed out of the house like a blur. The grandparents, Uncle Millie, and Monica always stayed behind. Joe hurriedly packed up his food, and drove himself to the hospital. He had coffee and breakfast in his office, by 9am he was ready for the long day.

Some patients arrived quite on time, while others rushed into the hospital aware of their lateness. Already, Joe had a patient's waiting list. There was traffic at the reception, only emergencies were hurriedly attended to.

Joe cleared out the waiting list, and by 2pm, he had attended to all the patients who needed his expertise. He loosened his tie, fell on his chair, slouched comfortably, and let out a sigh of accomplishment. He felt exhausted, but pleased.

Mr Johnson would be home today, the kids would be home by 3pm and every other person would be back by 7pm. Joe had the routine in his head. He packed his belongings and headed off to his car, afterall, today's job was over, he thought.

A certain cool black Volvo parked in front of Viola's salon, a cute bronze-skinned man in his mid 30's, dressed in a decent style, stepped out of the car and walked towards the salon's transparent glass door. Viola's salon had been on Dixter Road for about six years. It was a six mile drive from Mermaid street.

"Oh my God! Who's that?"

Viola's workers had already begun gossiping about the man— while working on customers hair; there were four girls in yellow uniforms.

"I think he's a banker!" Charlotte guessed first, she was dark skinned.

"He must be a lawyer!" Mirabel; a fair skinned girl with freckles on her cheeks.

"Pretty sure he's a doctor!" Sharon added— the chubby white girl.

"Oooh, I do hope he's here for me!" She blinked shyly— the really thin talkative bronze-skinned girl.

"Cassie, I thought you have a boyfriend".

"Yeah, I do!" She rolled her eyes, "But that doesn't stop me from admiring other guys". They laughed.

"What are you all talking about there?!" Viola appeared with her hands on her waist.

"Look miss Viola, who'd you think that is?" One of them asked.

Viola looked and saw who they were talking about, "Get back to work girls! I'll handle him".

Dr Joe walked up to the security guard and asked for Viola, but before the man in a uniform could reply, Viola stood in front of the doctor.

"Hey Joe! What brings you here?" Her heart raced. "You won't get a haircut here!" She teased.

"Actually, I'm here to see you. I had no more patients to attend to at work, so I decided to come here!"

"How did you find my salon?"

"I had good directions", he paused. "So how's work going?"

"So far, so good! How was yours?"

"Successful!" They both nodded and kept silent for a few seconds. The girls behind spied on them and giggled.

"Would you like to have lunch with me, Viola? I mean-- that's if you haven't had one already", Joe asked feeling uneasy and somewhat shy.

"No I haven't!" She paused, trying to hide her eagerness.

"Just hold on a bit while I get my purse".

Joe couldn't help buy smile at his achievement. Returning with her purse on her left hand, Viola gave her workers some orders. Joe pushed open the door for his lunch date, and followed behind her. They sprang into the black Volvo and drove off to a nice restaurant to have lunch.

************

"Thanks for lunch Joe, you're too kind!" She smiled.

"Oh, it's nothing, I had fun!. Um-- would you like to see a movie with me or something?"

"Oh no, not today, I have to get back to work. Some other time okay?"

"Yeah, it's cool!" Joe shrugged. "How 'bout I drop you off?" Joe didn't want this day to end so quickly.

Once again, the cool car stopped in front of the salon.

"Thanks for the ride Joe. So where are you headed to next?"

"Well I'll check in at the hospital, just to make sure I'm done for the day, after that I'm going back to the mansion".

"Alright, see you later then!" Viola replied. They exchanged smiles, Viola walked into her salon and Joe drove off-- as swift as the wind!

"Whoa! Miss Viola he's awesome, where did you find him?" One of the girls asked.

"You silly girls", she chuckled. "He-- found-- me! I just pray he copes with us in the mansion", she whispered.

"He lives with you guys?!"

"Yeah he does, and you know what that means", Viola gave a hint with her eyes.

"Miss Viola, you guys must go easy on him, if you want him to stay!" One of them added.

"It's a test of trust girls, we can't go easy on him, he's not family. If he must stay, he has to go through my brother's tests!" She ended, and they all nodded. "Chop chop, girls! Get back to work!"