Chapter 20

I open the door to the car and settle myself comfortably on the passenger seat."Hi!" I turn my face to him, "Hello Paris, ready for our date night?" His teeth shone in the dark. "Yes, but I must be back by 22:00, we have work tomorrow", "Yes, mam" He ignited the engine, and the car roared its way out of the dry, sandy village.

"Are we going to your house or somewhere else?" I ask as I see the familiar wood plantations I saw last time during the night drive.

"My place, do not worry, I am a good cook, you will give me another chance for a second date" He smiles and drives into the estate.

"Everyone is confident until you taste their food" I smirk. "Okay, it is on" He quiets down the engine.

He leads the way into his home. The house smelled fresh and clean. The table was already decked with clean cutlery, empty wine glasses on the neigh end of the round wooden table, a small vase with three neat cut red roses, and a touch of rose panels on the table.

He pulls a chair, "For you my lady", I settle myself on the chair. He disappears into the kitchen, "What do you prefer, Chardonnay or Merlot or port? " He raises full bottles, " I prefer rose or sweet red" My lips contort to a a slim smile, and I brush my thighs. I quickly move my gaze from his disappointed face. I look at the rose panels on the table, this is a real date. I guess this is also an official declaration of his interest in me.

"I finally found something to your taste, there is no rose but there's Robertson's sweet red, shall I fill up your glass?" He opens the bottle puts a little in his glass and dips it down his throat, "Mmm....I forgot how nice Robertson can be". I move my glass to him, he fills it halfway through. "Starter is coming up, I am just warming it up..." He pauses as he sees me giggle, "I cooked it earlier on, it's just I wanted to spend more time with you Paris. "He looks at him with puppy eyes. "I don't doubt it" I take a sip. He disappears to the kitchen and comes back with two plates and places one next to me and the other on his side. The three small dumplings were neatly plated around the small soy sauce bowl decorated with chia seeds. He places chopsticks next to the plate.

"This is going to be a night of food experiences" I comment, trying to hold the dumplings with the chopsticks he just gave me. "Yes, because you love food and so do I. So...these are mushroom and leak cabbage dumplings I bought from Checkers, enjoy!" He dips one into the sauce and puts it in his mouth. I chew the bite I took. "Oh...I thought you made it yourself, I guess you have some good warming skills going on" I smile, "It is delicious" I finish the remaining bite of the dumpling.

"So...I am curious" I start the conversation, "Why are you famous at work? " I take a bite of the second dumpling. "I am handsome" He answers nonchalantly as he wipes his mouth. "That is it?"I look at him. How will I get around to asking him about his engagement rumor? "What else? What did you hear about me? That I play girls? Date old woman, especially Mrs Windhoek?" He glares lazily at the tip of the wine glass as he swirls the wine inside it. "Uhm...no?" I pause to grasp for air because how do I say yes? "Paris, just get to know me and find out if all of it is true. But give me a chance to prove it to you, can you? " He stares at me, I look at the empty plate. "Should I start the main course, come and help me. Bring wine with you to the kitchen" He takes the empty dishes from the table.

He switches on the oven. I watch him line the pan foil, cut the lemons, and place them on the foil, he seasons his salmon and places it on top of them. He beats two eggs, season them with herbs pour them over the full salmon, and place them inside the oven. He steams the green veggies and stir-fry them in the pan. He looks handsome when he is focused and cooking. I guess being a good cook is the only truth I know about him right now. I look at the bottle in hand, it's empty.

"Oops! I finished it" I burst a chuckle and quickly covered my mouth. "It is okay, I have another bottle" He raises his head as he wipes our plates, "Second course is ready" He looks at my lazy eyes. " I think you need water to sober up". He grabs a jug of water from the fridge. "I do not, I want more wine, I will drink water after" I walk to the table.

I cut into the salmon. It is scrumptious. "This is so goooood" I take another bite. "Lucas..." I pause and he looks up. "Your eyes are so beautiful do you know that?" I sheepishly smile. "So are yours Paris. I think you need that water" He gets up. "I don't need water, I just need to know if you are single or not..."I whisper. He places a glass of water next to my plate. "Please drink it" He leans in. I peer into his eyes. I can feel his eyes luring me into his world. I take the glass of water and lean back on the chair. He goes back to his seat.

"Are you single? " I put the glass on the table. "No, I am not" He answers plainly. "Engaged? " I continue. It is now or never. He burst a chuckle, "Okay, that is new but no I am not". "About to be engaged or in an arranged marriage or engagement? " I cut my fish. "Paris, I am not all that, I am single. If I was not why would I be pursuing you? " He leans back on his chair. "Paris...is that what you heard of me? " He sniffles. "Why were you on leave Lucas? " This wine is making me bold for sure, but it is alright, we can blame it all on the alcohol. "Because of the incident in the car, the class" He pauses, "Because Mrs Windhoek..." He pauses again. "You have a relationship with her? " I interject, my heart is racing. I fill up my wine glass. "Slow down on the wine and no I don't. She is close to my family and...". I gawk at him. "They think I can be a good suitor for her daughter but I don't care about all that Paris" He leans in and sips his wine. "What do you care about Lucas? " I can see his lazy gaze on the table, avoiding contact with me. "This, now, getting to know you" He raises his gaze. I peer into his eyes letting the warmth of his words sink deep into my heart. Do we want the same thing?

"Come here...I need help with standing up, I am a bit dizzy" I tear a lazy smile. "Of course, you downed the whole bottle by yourself" His lips contort to a smile, letting one dimple on his cheek show. He gets up and extends his hand for me. I grab it and stand up. I position myself in front of him. I put my arms around his neck. Our foreheads touch, and our noses brush against each other. "Kiss me, Lucas...."I whisper the words as our lips brush against each other.