Chapter 2

Gloria was in her office, eyes fixed on her computer screen. She was about to step out for lunch at her usual restaurant, located just a few meters from her workplace. She loved that place it had become her refuge during breaks, away from the stress of work. Just as she grabbed her handbag, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw Jacob’s name. Wondering what he wanted, she answered and put the phone to her ear:

— Hey, Jacob, is there a problem, or did I forget something in your car?

— No, nothing like that, Jacob reassured her. I just called to check in on you and make sure you’re getting something to eat. You mentioned your ulcer has been bothering you these past few days, so I wanted to be sure you weren’t neglecting your health. Or maybe I could bring you something since I’m still at the restaurant?

— Oh, I see. That’s really thoughtful of you. But I’m already on my way to the restaurant. Don’t worry about me. That’s very kind, though.

— Okay, tell me, do you have any plans tonight?

— Why do you ask?

— I was thinking you could accompany me to an event...

Jacob hadn’t even finished his sentence when Gloria cut him off, politely turning down the invitation:

— I’m sorry, Jacob, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to go with you. I have some work to do for my boss.

— Oh, I understand. No problem. Have a great afternoon and a good rest of your day.

— Thanks, you too.

Gloria ended the call, put her phone away, and left her office. The midday sun was blazing, but she appreciated the warmth after the cold air-conditioned office. She walked toward the restaurant, enjoying the fresh air with each step. Once she arrived, she settled at a table and placed her order. A few minutes later, her meal was served. She ate while scrolling through her messages on social media.

Not far from her table, a well-dressed man kept glancing at her. His gaze was insistent, but Gloria, absorbed in her phone and her meal, didn’t notice.

Meanwhile, Jacob and Mousse had finished their lunch. Though disappointed by Gloria’s response, Jacob wasn’t ready to give up. He decided to rearrange his schedule to better plan the romantic evening he had in mind. After a few more exchanges, they parted ways, each getting into their cars to return to work.

Back at the restaurant, Gloria had finished her meal and was sipping on a fresh fruit juice. She signaled the waitress to bring the bill. The waitress approached with a smile:

— Your bill has already been settled, miss.

Surprised, Gloria asked:

— Who paid for me?

The waitress pointed toward the elegantly dressed man who was now standing up to leave. Intrigued, Gloria turned to look at him. The man a gentleman with an irresistible charisma, dressed in a suit that accentuated his athletic build smiled at her before turning to walk away. Driven by an inexplicable impulse, Gloria stood up and called out:

— Sir?

The man turned back, his eyes glinting with amusement. Gloria, feeling her cheeks flush, stammered:

— Uh… thank you very much for the meal. You really didn’t have to do that.

He smiled disarmingly.

— Oh, don’t tell me you stopped me just to say thank you, he teased with a wink. I did it without expecting anything in return.

Still caught off guard by the unexpected gesture, Gloria didn’t know what to say. Seeing her hesitation, the man continued:

— Are you alright, miss? Everything okay?

His warm and reassuring voice seemed to pull Gloria back to reality. She nodded.

— Yes, everything’s fine. Thank you again for your kindness. That was really thoughtful of you.

— It was my pleasure.

— But why did you do it? she asked, curious. I don’t exactly look like someone who needs a good Samaritan, do I?

The man let out a deep, warm laugh, his amusement evident. He gestured for Gloria to sit back down at her table.

— Oh, I almost forgot. My name is Samson. Samson Johnson. But my friends call me Sam.

— Nice to meet you. I’m Gloria Nonla. Your name sounds familiar, but I can’t remember where from.

— Maybe, in time, I can help refresh your memory, Samson replied with a charming smile. What I did has nothing to do with whether or not you need help. I come here often for lunch, and I’ve noticed you several times. Your natural beauty and elegance caught my attention. And even though I know a woman as stunning as you surely isn’t single, I couldn’t help but do what I did. It gave me the chance to see you up close, to admire the beauty that haunts me for the rest of the day every time I leave this restaurant after catching a glimpse of you.

Gloria, her cheeks burning, smiled shyly. They spent a few minutes talking, discovering common interests and exchanging amusing anecdotes. Before leaving, they exchanged phone numbers. Samson excused himself, explaining that he had to return to work. Gloria, on the other hand, decided to stay a little longer. She felt a strange warmth inside her a mix of nervousness and excitement. To cool down, she ordered another fruit juice.

Meanwhile, back at his office, Jacob couldn’t stop thinking about Gloria. He knew that the evening he was planning had to be special enough to make her change her mind. He immersed himself in the preparations, determined to convince her to come.

Gloria, for her part, returned to her office with a smile on her lips. She kept thinking about that unexpected encounter with Samson. There was something about him that had deeply touched her, something she hadn’t felt in a long time. As she sat down at her desk, her phone vibrated. A message from Samson:

*"I had a great time. I hope we can see each other again soon. Sam."*

She wanted to reply to the message with a smile on her lips when she received a call from her boss.

A few hours later…

Samson had finished his workday and was about to leave his office when he received a message from Gloria. He smiled as he read her words:

"I’m looking forward to seeing you again too. See you soon, I hope. Thank you so much. Gloria."

Samson replied to her message and wished her a good evening. Then, he grabbed his bag and slipped out of the office. Once outside, he took a deep breath of the fresh evening air, a slight smile lingering on his lips. Seated in his car, he leaned back against the seat, reflecting on the day that had passed and his unexpected encounter with Gloria. He started talking to himself a habit he had developed to organize his thoughts.

— If I knew this woman was single, I would have made my move a long time ago, he murmured. That proverb, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained," really makes sense. I’ll do whatever it takes to make her mine unless she’s one of those girls who just like to play around.

Samson knew that this encounter had awakened something in him a desire to know this woman more deeply. With these thoughts, he started his car and drove home, determined to seize the opportunity before him.

Gloria entered the house with a palpable joy, her smile lighting up her face. Charlotte, her sister, had already returned from work and was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner. Hearing Gloria, she lifted her head and smiled at her.

— Hey, Gloria! How was your day? Charlotte asked while chopping vegetables.

— Very good, thanks! Gloria replied, heading to the fridge to grab a bottle of water.

She took a few sips, savoring the coolness of the water after a long day. Charlotte, intrigued by her sister’s unusual enthusiasm, couldn’t help but let her curiosity take over.

— Gloria, what’s the reason for this happiness? Did Jacob propose to you? she asked, laughing.

Gloria rolled her eyes and sighed.

— Please, Charlotte, don’t ruin my mood with that nonsense, she replied, visibly annoyed.

Charlotte raised her eyebrows, surprised by her sister’s reaction. Before she could say anything else, Gloria walked out of the kitchen, leaving her sister alone with her thoughts. She went to her room and closed the door behind her. There, in the quiet of her room, she let herself fall onto her bed, thinking about her day and that chance encounter with Samson. She smiled again, her thoughts drifting to the mysterious gentleman who had made her heart race.

She was lost in thought when her phone started ringing. She picked it up, thinking it was Samson, but realized it was Jacob. She put the phone down and undressed before heading to the shower.