Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Chapter 24

(FIVE YEARS AGO)

RAVEL

Stepping out of my room, dressed in black pants and a black shirt, I grabbed the key to the Lamborghini before making my way to the living room. Raymond jumped to his feet and righted his cloth the moment he saw me.

He grinned happily at me. “I think it’s safe to say Friday is my favorite day of the week.” Confused with his train of reasoning, I lifted a brow. “No offense boss, but you hardly tell your chef to fix something because you’re hardly at home to eat, but every Friday, I get to eat a variety of food at your mum’s, thanks to the Friday dinner family ritual.

“You’ll either sk ip today’s dinner or you go without me.” I rasped, bursting his happy bubble. “I have plans for tonight and I’ll be driving myself.”

He frowned. “Your mum is going to lose it if you miss the family ritual.” Crossing his hands, he slowly took in my dress code. “Where exactly are you headed?”

“None of your f ucking business.” I strolled past him towards the indoor garage. “I know you’re happy to attend the dinner without me, that way, you get to spend more time with Elenor without me breathing down your neck.”

Raymond sighed exasperatedly. “Nothing is going on between me and Elenor.” I’m not stu pid. He stopped next to the Lamborghini. “I mean it, sir, there is nothing going on between me and your sister.”

Elenor is a grown woman, and he’s a somewhat responsible man. I opened the door. “Don’t just get her pregnant or I’ll be forced to castrate you.” Getting into the car, I slammed the door and drove out of the garage.

After a few minutes of driving, I placed a call to Elenor and she picked up instantly. “Hello, Ravel.

Please tell me you’re on your way. I don’t want to be alone with Mum.”

I chuckled. “Why? Because she’s going to talk about you getting married?” I’m the only one who can put Anne on a leash.

“That’s not funny Ravel.” She retorted. “How far away are you? I need to know if I should wait a bit before leaving my house.”

“Sorry sweetheart,” I apologized sincerely, “but I won’t be showing up for today’s dinner.” She went awfully quiet. “I have plans for tonight that I can’t cancel.”

Elenor sighed. “Why did you fix your plan on a Friday night when you already know what Friday is about.” I heard a ruffle of a sofa in the background. “Well, if you aren’t showing up, there is no need for me to show up too.”

“Oh, I think there is.” I teased lightly. “Raymond is free for the rest of the night and he’s showing up for the dinner. I’m sure you know what that means.” She gets to spend more than enough time with Raymond without interruption from work. “Milk the opportunity now Elenor.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She lied, feigning ignorance.

“I know you do.” H o nking at the careless driver behind me, I gave room for him to zoom past. “I have to focus on driving Elenor, I’ll call you later. I love you.”

“I love you foo bluely.” More often than I can remember, I have warned her not to refer to me by the color of my eyes, but then those org ans on both sides of her head are just for decoration. Before I could reprimand her again, she dropped the call. Shaking my head with a smile, I stepped on the accelerator, driving myself to Hazel’s apartment.

Parked outside her apartment, I gave her a quick call, instructing her to step out. We’ve been officially dating for a month and a few weeks now, but this is my first time pulling over outside her apartment.

Putting my phone vibration, I kept the car running to keep it warm, my focus on the beautiful woman walking down the stairs. Dressed in a simple black turtleneck and blue jeans with black boots, I can proudly say my girl looks breathtaking.

Chapter 24

The moment she advanced closer to the car, I got down, leaned on the car, and waited for her to be within earshot. “I can stare at you all night and not get bored.”

She halted her steps, glanced at my car, then back at me. “What are you doing here Ravel?”

Closing in the space between us, I pulled her into my embrace and kissed her gently. “I’m here to pick you up for our date,

what else.”

Wriggling out of my embrace, she stared at me with a slight frown. “I agreed to the date, so I know that.

What I’m curious to know is how you found out where I live and why you came to pick me up.”

Raymond takes the credit for finding out where she lives. “I’ve been dating you for a month now, been on countless dates with you, yet you are uneasy about me finding out where you stay. Why?” Is she ashamed or does she think I’ll judge her?

“This neighborhood isn’t for you Ravel.” She argued as she rounded the car. Baffled by her words, I allowed her to get the door herself. She waited for me to get in before continuing to spill out ridiculously annoying words from her mouth. “Do you realize that you can easily get robbed around here?”

Turning on the engine, I stepped on the accelerator. “Are you trying to say that I cannot defend myself against petty thugs?”

“That’s not what I meant.” She quickly asserted. “All I’m saying is that you shouldn’t be here.”

“Then move out,”” I suggested causing her to tense up instantly. Glancing quickly at her, I offered her a smile to make my offer even more appealing. “If you really do not want to see me in this neighborhood, then let me get you another house.”

“That’s ridiculous.” She scoffed.

“What is ridiculous is my girlfriend expecting me not to drop her home after every date.” It annoys and frustrates me anytime she gets into a taxi after our date. “Let me get you a house, it won’t cost me much.”

Suddenly smiling, she leaned forward and kissed me. “I love you for wanting to take me to a safer place, but I’m fine.” I opened my mouth, ready to argue more but she shook her head. “I’m going to allow you to drop me home after every date, but you’ll have to bring Raymond along any time you’re dropping by.”

I don’t need to bring Raymond along any time I want to see my woman. Ignoring her, I focused on driving.

********

Stepping down from the car, I rounded the car, opened the door for Hazel, placed a hand on her waist protectively, and led her into the restaurant where I made a reservation for us. The moment we stepped into the building, one of the stewards approached us with a smile.

“Welcome Mr. Southwark, I’ll lead you to your designated table.” He turned his gaze briefly at Hazel and his brows twitched as he slowly took in her dressing.

Jaw clenching in anger at his condescending gaze, I took a step forward, ready to knock him out if he dares make my woman uncomfortable. “Is there a problem?”

He quickly tore his gaze away from her. “No sir.” Gesturing with his hand, he tried to offer another smile. “This way sir.”

We followed closely behind as he led us down the hallway into a private room with a private table.

Halting abruptly, I glared at the unnecessary arrangement at the table. Hazel on the other hand cooed at it. She let go of my hand and sashayed towards the table.

“Did you request this?” She asked, her back to me as she picked up the Daisy flowers. My nose slowly began itching. “How did you know they’re my favorite?”

Glaring at the steward, I pinched my nose. “I’ve always known,” she turned around and blinked at me whilst still clutching the daisies, “but I never requested them.”

“Really?” She turned her gaze to the steward.

Chapter 24

“It’s a compliment from the house.” The young man responded, daring to smile at me.

“Do I look like someone who needs a compliment from the house?” I deadpanned. The young man tensed suddenly, his annoying smile slowly vanishing.

“It’s fine Ravel.” Hazel chimed. “It’s not so bad after all, it’s just flowers, and besides they are my favorite.”

Pulling out my handkerchief, I sneezed into it and at the same time tried to case my itching nose. “They are not just flowers Hazel, I’m allergic to them.” I sneezed again into my handkerchief. “I’m allergic to flowers love and the flower I’m more allergic to are daisies which is why I detest them, no offense to you love.”

Browse slightly tucked together, she stared down at the flowers in her grasp. “So you hate anything Daisy?”

“I f ucking detest them.”