7 The Flower Snake Slithers

I asked him to wait in the lobby as I took a quick shower. After, I invited him in. Water has already been boiled.

"Coffee or tea?" I asked, showing bags of tea and a small jar of coffee.

"Tea. Do you have jasmine?" he replied.

"Lucky you. I have," I smiled. I made two cups then I sat next to him. He took a sip then put the teacup on the table.

"Hmmm... this is crazy," he started. "I mean, we don't even know each other."

I chuckled. "My name is Allondrah! You?"

"Andrei... Andrei Martin," he said as we shook hands. I rounded my eyes in excitement, to his amusement.

"We have the same family name," I uttered. His smile became wider, gripping my hand tightly.

"Now, that's insane! So tell me more about you," he asked, as he held my hand, squeezing it gently.

I leaned back, closer to him because I wanted him to smell the sweet scent of my perfume. Surely enough, he pulled me closer. The heat from his body was electrifying and I didn't want it. I was afraid that instead of me luring him, I was slowly drawn closer by his charm.

"Why are you so sweet?" he whispered, still hugging me, caressing my hair. Then I spotted the gold ring on his finger and was sure that it's a wedding ring. I was too focused that he followed my gaze. He nodded, answering my tacit query. I cleared my throat.

"Uhm... I think you should go," I said, sounding disappointed and sad. "Your wife, maybe you also have children waiting for you." He stared at me intently then he sighed.

"Can I at least get your number?" he asked hopefully.

I smiled. "I don't think that likely. Anyway, thank you for driving me home," I replied as I stood. He didn't have a choice but to follow me to the door.

"Drive safely, darling. Too bad we can't get what we both wanted," I blurted. He inhaled, pretty sure, he's caught in a dilemma at that moment as he froze where he stood.

"Allondrah, I really wanna know you more," he urged.

I threw my arms around his neck and gave him a kiss that he would never forget. It was a long and ardent kiss and he was absolutely flustered.

"I can't give what you're asking, but I can give you a kiss to remember... as my parting gift. Bye, Andrei. Hope to see you around," I said as I gently pushed him outside. He exhaled harshly. I rejoiced inside.

I couldn't help but smile when I shut the door behind me. It was effortless. I didn't even sweat. That night, I had a good night's sleep. I even had a smile on my face for the first step was done and all I had to do was wait.

Thunderclaps and lightning bolts blared when I woke up the next morning. It's raining again. I turned on my bedside lamp then my eyes scoured the room, searching for the clock. It's still 4: 30 am.

"What a nice way to start a day!" I exclaimed sardonically. Then my phone rang.

"Who could it be?" I thought as I groped for my phone.

Unregistered number!

I creased my forehead, trying to remember whom I ever gave my number to. No one popped into my mind.

I canceled.

After a sec, it rang again!

I canceled it again. It rang... again. It happened a couple of times more before I annoyingly turned off my phone. I wasn't in the mood to fool around with unknown spirits nor was I awoke enough to answer any call.

That day, I used most of my time roaming around the city, going shopping, and satisfying my taste buds with delicious cuisines the city could offer. I wanted to know the city more, its in and out. I wanted to talk to people. How they interact, from the lowest person to the highest ranks of the corporate sphere. I wanted to learn them all. After studying the art of deception for years, it's time for me to put it to the test.

"Good afternoon, ma'am! Welcome to Haven's restaurant, how may I help you?" a waiter greeted enthusiastically as he took my umbrella and place it in a bin provided for wet umbrellas.

"I've heard about your best selling meal and I came to taste it for myself," I replied.

"Are you alone, ma'am or you've got company?"

"Alone. I'm afraid."

He looked at me and smiled amusingly. "This way." He led me to a single table near the window that was glazed by raindrops, streaking down the glass.

"So, you wanna order our Haven's special meal. What would you like to come with it? We have vegetable salads and mashed potatoes."

"Uhm... any vegetable salad will do."

"Right. How about your drink, ma'am?"

"A glass of red wine, of course!"

"Of course. So, you ordered a Haven's special meal with a vegetable salad on the side and a glass of red wine. Anything else?"

"Nope. That would be all."

"Okay. It will come in fifteen."

I nodded then he left. The food came earlier than expected. I was so delighted by the colors and aroma of the food in front of me.

"Enjoy your meal, ma'am!"

"Thanks!" I gleefully replied before digging into my delectable food.

I was in the middle of my meal when something caught my sight. Of all the restaurants around, how on earth did he choose here. And he wasn't alone, a not so pretty, but well-dressed woman was with him.

"Is she her secretary or his wife?" I asked. "The hell should I care?"

As I was taking a sip of my vintage red wine when our eyes met. His surprise equaled mine. He sat opposite the woman, facing me. I was fully aware of his occasional gazes that I tried to ignore. When the woman called him "Honey". My brows raised. So, she's the wife.

After finishing my meal, I asked for the bill, paid it, and left. I walked past them, wantonly brushing my hand against his bare arm. He held his breath.

"Thank you so much for coming, ma'am! Please come back," the waiter happily said.

"I will. Probably next time, with someone," I joked.

"Or I can join you, not to eat of course. Just sit next to you," he replied. We shared a hearty laugh. From the corner of my eye, I saw Andrei's sour reaction, even glaring at the poor waiter. I smirked.

"This is gonna be fun!" I muttered as I sauntered back to my hotel.