Chapter 4: First Date

Isabella smiled she wasn't used to a man being that direct. Roman proceeded to his car. Isabella pulled out her phone and made a call.

 Ring. Ring. Ring. Ring.

 "Hello." The person on the other end said.

 "Hey Pooh!" Isabella said.

 Oh, hey Izzy. What's going on girl? The person replied.

 "Pooh, I need a big favor. Can watch the boys I have tonight with a guy from my building."

 "Girl, you know I got you. Tell me about this guy though."

 "Well, his name's Roman. Girl he flawless dark skin, dimples, the white teeth you have ever seen, and he tall. You know I have weakness for tall men."

 Her friend was silent. The silence was concerning. Isabella opened her mouth to speak but her friend cut her off.

 "What time is your date? What are you going to wear?"

 "He said be ready at 7:30 and he told me to wear a dress?"

 "Oh, he told you huh?"

 Yes, girl, he was all assertive and shit. You know I love me a man that know what he wants. I'm headed to the mall to get a dress if you wanna come meet me."

 While Isabella was having her girl talk session Roman was on his way to get himself some suits. He had checked his account before leaving home.

 Available Balance: $74,500

 He pulled up to the store. The parking lot is in the back, so he had to walk around. The first thing that caught his attention was the store layout. The suit jackets were up front, the shirts, ties, belts sat in the middle. The pants and shoes were in the back.

 Roman made his way to the pants rack. When he is building a look, he likes to start at the bottom. He found four pairs of pants, one is charcoal gray; another is black, the third pair is powder blue, the last pair is beige color. He finds his shoes next. Three pairs of shoes caught his attention all wingtips. One Black, the next is powder blue, and last beige. Shirts and ties are next. He got a black, white, light blue, and tan shirt. For the ties he went with black, blue, and tan. He found a suit jacket to match all but the powder pants. It wasn't a big deal he could try another store.

 There is a large jewelry case. Inside the case there are cuff links, rings, earrings, and tie clips. He matched a single pair of cuff links with all four looks.

 Standing at the counter waiting for help. A man comes off the sales floor to ring up Roman.

 "Did you find everything okay?" the cashier said.

 "Yeah, I think I got everything." Roman answered

 His total was $5,000. The man bagged the items. Roman swiped his card. Leaving the store, he got a notification from the system.

 [System Notice]

 Quest: Update Wardrobe

 Quest Status: Complete

 Reward: User receives +2 to his style stat

His phone buzzed in his pocket. There was a message from Isabella.

"Hey, can't wait for tonight."

"Me either I can't wait to see you." Roman replied.

He heads back home.

He needs to call and make reservations for two. He remembers a conversation he and Isabella had a while ago. Isabella loves Chinese food its her favorite. There is an upscale Chinese restaurant on the west side of the city. The Crimson Bowl is packed every night. The cities elite are in and out of there.

"Thank you for calling The Crimson Bowl"

"Hey, I would like to make a reservation for two at 8:00pm tonight."

"Okay what's the name on the reservation?"

"King"

"Sure thing Mr.King. I got you down for a table for two at 8:00pm. I would also like to inform you that we have a 30-minute hold policy. That we will hold your table for 30 minutes after reservation time. If you don't show in those 30 minutes, we will give your table to someone else."

 "Okay no problem."

The call ends just Roman pulls into the apartment building parking lot. Isabella still isn't back. Her car isn't outside.

 It's 2:30pm Roman decides to nap until 5.

 Isabella and her friend are shopping. Isabella finds this dress. It's blue with rhinestones across the chest. There is a slit down the leg that will show off her leg tattoo. She loves the dress. Isabellas takes the dress to the counter. She pays for it.

 "Girl that man gone be all over you tonight."

 "I hope so" Isabella said with a wink.

 The women laugh as stop by the food court. Leo and Teddy want pizza.

 His alarm goes off. He turns it off. Roman couldn't help but smile as he wipes his face. He shoots up from the bed gathering his clothes. He decides to wear the charcoal gray suit with the black shirt. He picks the black tie along with the black wingtip shoes. His cuff links are silver with black gems.

 He showers. He shaves, puts on cologne and gets dress. It is 6:30 now. He is getting nervous. It is a big step. He debates having a drink before leaving. Roman decides against it. 7:15 rolls around and Roman leaves to get Isabella.

 Roman knocks on the door.

 "Who is it?" a voice call.

 "Roman." He answers.

 The door opens. Roman can't believe his eyes. What the fuck is Morgan doing here.

 "What the fuck!" Roman shouts

 Isabella came running around the corner. Roman shouting had startle her.

 Morgan stood there her eyes locked on Roman.

 "What the fuck is she doing here?" Roman asked. He is trying to contain his anger toward Morgan.

 Isabella is confused. She didn't even know that Morgan and Roman knew each other.

 "How do you guys know each other?" Isabella asked.

 "Her asshole of a husband got me fired. He was the one that accused me of stealing. She knew he was planning to get me fired. She didn't say a word. She let me walk into that office looking like a dumb."

 Isabella is shocked. She can't believe what she is hearing. She thought Logan was nice guy.

 "Roman I am truly sorry for happened. I wish I could take it back." Morgan said.

 "Blow me your apology doesn't mean shit. I still lost my job, and you could have told me. That's why I'm pissed. You had an opportunity to say something in the elevator and you didn't. That's not how friends treat each other." Roman fired back.

 "Wait…Wait is blowing you an option tonight because I'm down." Isabella said, feeling the need to break the tension.

 "There is it that patented sense of Isabella humor" Roman thought to himself.

 He tried to keep a serious but failed. Roman was laughing so hard he was almost in tears. Morgan covered her mouth to hide her laughter.

 "Look I get why you're mad Roman, but Morgan isn't her husband. Should she have told you that he was after you yeah, she should've. But you also have to understand that she was in a fucked-up position. Telling you meant betraying her husband." Isabella said.

 "Yeah!" Morgan said in agreement.

 "Hold on Pooh I'm completely siding with you because you were wrong. If Roman was your friend. You should've told him. He lost his job because of Logan."

Morgan's head dropped to the floor. Isabella pushed the door open to let Roman in. Roman stepped into the apartment. Teddy was holding a blue bucket. Confusion was written all over Roman's face.

 "What's up little man"

 "You said a bad word. Mommy said that whoever says a bad word has to put a dollar in here." Teddy replied

 Roman laughed before reaching for his wallet. He dropped a dollar in the bucket. Isabella and Morgan stood behind him snickering.

 "Shut up" Roman said, sticking out tongue.

 "Don't be a big baby Roman." Morgan said with a smile.

 Glancing at his phone.

 "Shit we have to go."

 It's 7:25pm, the restaurant is a 30-minute drive from their apartment building.

 Isabella grabbed her shoes.

 "Hey Pooh, don't forget Teddy can't have apple juice. He is allergic. Leo will try to get all the cookies if you don't watch him." Isabella said, rushing out the door.

 Isabella kissed the boys goodbye. Roman told the boys to look at their Aunt Morgan.

 When they reached the parking lot. Roman playfully popped Isabella's hand because she reached to open the car door.

 Tonight, you don't touch any doors. Am I clear?" Roman said. His tone is serious but gentle.

 "Okay." Isbella replied

 The fact that Roman was taking charge was incredibly sexy to her. He open the door for her.

 "Fuck she looks and smells incredible" Roman thought to himself.

He walked around to the driver's side. Isabella reached over to open Roman's door.

 "Thank you so much gorgeous." Roman said.

 Isabella blushed. Her hand running through her hair. Roman made her nervous but he also made her feel seen. He made her feel protected. Even when she broke up with Jason. Roman let her and the boys stay with after Jason called and threaten her. He always offered to watch the boys when she needed time to herself.

 They talked and sang badly. They laughed. The car ride to the restaurant felt like they were just hanging out. Things were easy when they were together.

 As they pulled up to the restaurant Isabella's jaw drop. She always wanted to eat here. She had seen all the posts on social media. Dining among the city's elite. A girl from the North Side.

 Roman made his way around the car to open Isabella's door. She was about to open it herself until she saw Roman staring at her. Her door opened Isabella stepped out the car. Her heels were clicking as she walked. She reached for the door handle. Roman popped her hand.

 "You got in trouble a lot as a child didn't you because you sure are hardheaded" Roman said.

 "Or maybe I just like seeing you take control" Isabella countered.

 A smirk formed on Roman's face. He liked the flirty banter between them. It feels like a weight is being lifted. He can truly say what he is feeling and not worry about it affecting how she looks at him.

 "Reservation for King"

 "Right this way"

 Their table was near a window. Roman pulled out Isabella's chair.

 "What a gentleman" Isabella said jokingly.

 "Shut up and sit-down smart ass"

 Roman and Isabella sat waiting for their server. Looking at the menu the prices were nothing to sneeze at. Without the Wealth System Roman would have to save up 3 paychecks to eat here. After a few minutes a waitress came to their table.

 "Hey, guys I'm Courtney and I'll be your waitress for the night"

 "Hey Courtney, can I get a Pepsi." Isabella said

 "Sure thing." Courtney replied

 "Same." Roman requested.

 "Okay are we ready to order or do we need more time?"

 "Can we get some egg rolls while we look over the menu?" Roman asked.

 Courtney inputs the request for egg rolls on her tablet.

 "I'll get those right out to you guys." Courtney said with a smile.

They waited for their appetizer. There was a question nagging him. It probably wouldn't be the best move to ask the woman he is on a date about another woman. But the nagging feeling wouldn't go away unless he asked. He finally broke down.

 "So how do you know Morgan?" he asked.

 "Oh, me and Pooh go way back. We grew up together. Our moms worked at the same hospital. Her and her mom lived three doors down."

 "Okay"

 "Look Roman I know you lost your job. But will you believe me if I told you Pooh isn't a bad person. She might have made the wrong call, but she isn't evil by any means." Isabella said with a hopeful look in her eyes.

"I know she isn't a bad person. I'm just upset because she didn't tell me. I don't hate her or anything. I just wish she had told instead of letting me walk into a set up."

"So would you forgive her?"

"Yeah, I'll forgive her since you're the one asking"

Isabella is blushing again. Courtney came around the corner carrying a platter of egg rolls. They could see the steam coming off the egg rolls. Courtney sat the platter down. She took their orders. Roman got spicy sesame chicken. Isabella ordered sweet and sour chicken. Courtney realized she made an error. She never brought their drinks. She quickly ran to grab them.

Their time at the restaurant was a mix of laughs and flirty banter. Roman repeatedly told Isbella how good she looks. Isabella complimented his suit. They ate and laughed. The check came. Roman pulled out his wallet. Isabella reached for her purse. Roman gave her a look.

"What do you think you're doing?" Roman asked.

"I'm leaving a tip damn it" Isabella answered.

"No, you're not put that damn money back." Roman replied. His tone was assertive.

"Okay damn pushy much."

Roman paid and left a $50 tip.

[System Notice]

Account Balance: $68,500

During the car ride home Isabella called Morgan. Morgan informed her that the boys were sleeping.

"I can't get over how damn sexy you look." Roman said.

"Yeah…Yeah eyes on the road Casanova" Isabella said trying to hide her smile.

"I'm speaking the truth. The fact that you're single is almost criminal."

Her cheeks are strawberry red. Roman loved that Isabella's face always told him how she was feeling. She tried to play tough a lot. She's just a big teddy bear.

They pulled into the parking lot. Roman walked her to her door. Her eyes were darting all over the place. She refused to make eye contact. Tapping her foot on the floor. Honestly, she looked like a kid that was scared to ask their parents for something. Roman grabbed her chin.

He stared into her eyes. Leaning in for a kiss then pulling back when Isabella leaned in. Isabella started pouting, Roman laughed. He leaned in again. This time Isabella turned away.

"No, I don't want a kiss now you jerk" Isabella said.

She fumbled with her keys.

Roman grabbed her, pulling her into his arms. Her chest pressed against him. He could feel her heartbeat. Isabella's heart was almost in her throat. She snuggled into Roman.

"Where is my kiss?" Roman said with a smirk.

Isabella hesitated. Roman grabbed her face.

"Give me my kiss damn it." Roman commanded.

"Okay…Okay if you're going to be a big baby about it."

Roman pressed his lips against hers. Isabella mouth opened. Roman's tongue explored her mouth. She returned the favor. Roman grabbed two handfuls of Isabella's ass. A moan escaped her lips. Before they could go any further the apartment door opened.

"Geez get a room you two" Morgan said with a grin on her face.

Roman laughed. He let go of Isabella. As she went into her apartment, she said bye to Roman and Morgan. Her face flushed with embarrassment.

It was totally dark outside. Roman decided to walk Morgan to her car. Morgan is shorter than Isabella. A waist petit, boobs perky D cups, with a nice bubble ass.

When they reached her car Roman opened her door.

"Hey Morgan, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for how I acted. It isn't your fault your husband did what he did."

Morgan let out a sigh of relief.

"No, you were right. I should've told you."

"I bet she would look good bouncing on my dick" Roman thought.

Morgan closed her car door. Roman went back into the apartment building. So, he didn't know Morgan had sent Isabella a text.

"Share?"

Isabella phone buzzed in her purse. She rushed to her bag to see if it was Roman. To her surprise it was Morgan. Isabella replied to Morgan.

"Sharing is caring girl what's mine is yours."

Roman had no idea what he was in for.