Chapter Nineteen

Chapter 19: Getting to know him

Daniel's POV

Jolla Restaurant

I didn't know what to do next. I just stared at my phone, unblinking as the beeping sound that came stung my deep into my heart. That was definitely a guys voice and he sounded like they were familiar with each other.

"Sir ." Stephen called out. I turned slowly towards him. "We've arrived." He coughed out.

I nodded and avoided eye contact with him and all my staff as I made a beeline to my office.

Of course, being in a relationship I should expect things like this, especially with a really hot lady like Alexis. Sexy and rich . I ruffled my hair and took off my suit jacket, crashing into my two seater couch.

I stayed up all night amidst the hangover to make sure I filled my entire phone and head with everything Alexis.

Her picture was my current screen saver and staring at her adorable pout all I could think of is that I couldn't lose her. The price would be too much. My thumb hovered and circled the dail button.

What would she think?

"What the hell is Daniel Perkins thinking about, that he didn't even notice the door?" I felt a vise around my neck, choking me with a force of about 170 pounds.

"Tap out." I croaked, slapping the forearm that was almost choking me into oblivion.

"Welcome to my crib. Why didn't you tell me before you came?" The handsome fella talking to me right now is Damien Peters Alokwe.

"I'm sorry about that." I said politely adjusting my neck tie. "Thank you so much for your help also."

"If I didn't come, k don't think you were planning on thanking me. Just a sorry and a thank you, won't do Perkins " He clutched his chest and closed his eyes

"Dinner tonight then, my treat." I laughed, "Coffee?"

He shook his head "You are not my girlfriend why would I have dinner with you?" He took his seat opposite to me crossing his legs. His eyes darted round my office. "Nice"

"Because I have lunch with my girlfriend. I won't be able to keep you company like old times anymore." I copied his position.

"You have a girlfriend?" He chuckled

"Yes. Damien." I said as a matter-of-factly

"Is that why you didn't tell me you arrived earlier?" He raised an eyebrow.

"No. I actually came earlier because of my therapist. He advised, I start a relationship somewhere I have never been too. Try to develop my trust in women again. Coincidentally I haven't been here before and I have to see how the branch here is growing and secure that contract with ALK."

"Dan, when did you get here?"

"Like a month ago."

"You got a girlfriend within a month. You just don't want to have lunch with me right?" He jolted up, buttoning his suit jacket.

"She's real and I have completely fallen for her." I folded my arms.

"How exactly did you get to meet her? A bar? Someone introduced her to you? Your therapist?" His hands slipped into his pockets

"This is the mind-blowing part. Through her dad."

"A blind date."

"Bingo."

"You went on a blind date, unbelievable. Who's the matchmaker?"

"Sam Martin. I was the one that catered for one of his parties. I met her dad there and boom."

"And she likes you back."

"I guess so. Yes."

"Congratulations dude. On getting a girlfriend and getting a slot to personally brief my brother."

"What? I'm personally briefing your brother." I gripped the cushion beside me.

"Now you owe me Dinner, breakfast and Lunch. I can't wait to taste your dishes again." I laughed and threw the cushion at him.

"Thank you. I actually came up with a new recipe yesterday during my date."

"Desert or a dish." He finally took his seat again.

"It could be both. I actually —" My phone rang at that moment and seeing the name that was written, I tried not to smile like a fool in front of Damien.

"Your girlfriend?"

"I'll be right back." I smiled

I walked to my table, resting on it, I picked up.

"Hey! Daniel." She sounded gleeful.

"Alexis." I returned the same amount of happiness.

Things went silent for a while. Was I not supposed to do that?

"I called to apologize for you know... I really don't know why I hung up like that. I'm sorry." She spoke softly. I couldn't help but imagine her facial expression right now.

"Don't apologize. You are still at the hospital right?" I am so glad she did. Should I ask her who it was?

"Yes. I will be till lunch time. How about you send me the address of the restaurant and I'd meet you up there." She was lively once again.

"Can I have the hospital name?"

"St. Williams. You don't have to come really."

"Well, just in case right?"

"Right." She chuckled "I have to go now, she's making faces. See you during lunch."

"Bye Lexi. Love you."

"I love you too." She whispered.

Now, this is the kind of goodbye a man needs. I smiled and laughed to myself as I clutched the phone tight.

"You never say you love me and we've been friends for two years." Damien scoffed, feigning disappointment

"I love you Damien." I walked over and took his hand, bringing it close to my lips.

"Really?" He tried retracting his hand but, the more he did, the stiffer my grip.

"Yes."

"Dan!" He half whispered. I laughed and dropped his hand.

"Good." He sighed heavily. He brought his wristwatch close to his face and sighed again. "Hey, I have to go now, I just dropped by to say 'hi' and we'd head to a bar instead of dinner tonight." He smiled

"You got it." I saluted. "I won't see you out."

"Tonight." He reminded.

***

"You said we'd be having lunch together. This looks like a date Daniel." She giggled, spreading her hands wide.

"Does it?" I opened the picnic box and arranged our food on the mat.

"Should that even be a question. We are sitting on a picnic mat. With food you cooked and you can't stop staring at me." she laid stomach flat on the mat, cupping her face with her palms and stared at me.

"There's literally nothing here that's more appealing than you. Correction. Nothing in the world." The sun kissed her entire face and I couldn't help but feel jealous.

"Cheesy." She got up and sat properly, blocking the sun from entering her eyes. "Where's the umbrella? Let me set it up."

"You aren't allowed to lift a finger." I retrieved the umbrella and set it up. "Better?"

She nodded with a gigantic grin.

"Have a bite." I forked out a huge chunk of lasagna.

"Oh my heavens. Yummy." She moaned and took her own fork, stuffing her face with more.

"You'd choke at this rate. Here you go." I passed her a bottle of water.

"Thank you." She wiped her mouth.

"Okay. First rule. No apologies or Thank yous anymore." I placed a plate of salad in front of her.

"That's not possible. I ask crazy questions out of nowhere and I kind of have to say sorry before asking them." She shrugged

"Don't. Just ask away."

"Not possible."

"Well, your eyes says you have something to ask me. Practice now. Ask without saying sorry."

"What do I start with then?"

"Babe?"

"What?"

"Darling?"

"Stop." She covered her face.

"Daniel?"

"Okay. Daniel, Do you ever think you'd fall in love with your ex again if you meet her?" Her hands were still placed over her face.

"Are you falling in love with your ex boyfriend?" I peeled her. hand off.

"No. No. I'm asking you. This is just too good to be true. I'm dating a really hot guy, my dad likes." She blurted out, her cheeks flamming up.

"Honored. But no. My love for you is way more than my love for them summed up together."

"If we break up you'd —"

"Don't jinx our relationship babe. This is our first day together as a couple. Be thinking about marriage instead of that other thing." I brought my face really closer to hers.

"Shut up and get away frome right now." She moved back and I followed till her back was flat to the ground

"I love you and only you Alexis."

"I love you too Daniel." She beamed.

"So, where did we stop in our little game yesterday?" I helped her up.

"It's my turn to ask a question."

"Shoot."

"Can you tell me more about your family?"

"My family?"

"Like, you've even met my dad and I don't know anything about you in that aspect."

"My parents are divorced. Actually my dad died a year after my mom and him separated. My mom didn't want me or seem to care so I was sent to an orphanage. I don't have never met my grandparents. I don't know if they are still alive. None of them talked about their parents and my parents didn't have siblings just like me."

"I am so sorry."

"No apologies and it's not your fault. I actually met my real mom years later and she kind of apologized and all. But, she's currently I'll now."

"Come here."

"I hope this isn't a pity hug cause I'm enjoying this embrace. I still have parents. Foster parents but, they are amazing. I also have a foster sister which I never talk about. You are the first."

"Why?"

"She's super popular."

"What?"

"Nessa from Spring girls."

"Shut up. She's your sister." She gasped

"We were both adopted."

"Same difference."

"What?'

"I'd love to meet all of them one day."

"Want to come with me this winter to the states?"

"What? You are from the states. I can't believe I never asked that."

"We were so in love."

"Hold that thought and book tickets for four instead."

"Why?"

"My best friend and her boy friend would be tagging along. Make sure they are first class, her boyfriend is not going to enter any class other than that."

"Why?"

"You'd know when you meet them."

"And when?"

"When she's out of the hospital."

"I keep forgetting."

"Have more lasagna then." She took a scoop and brought it close to my mouth.

"Cheers."

"To?"

"Us. Duh!"