4. The Business Date

" What do you think about the project? About building a hotel which will be ran by my family and your family? " Alice asked. 

" Sounds interesting. We both have gotten nothing to lose. Seeing what we will invest in the project, I'm certain we both can wake up one day to be the richest families in the world as our payment of our investment____ "

" Didn't know you were this good in business, " Alice said with a fragile smile. 

" I am always good at whatever I do. Business? It's just a talent I inherited from my father, " Roger said. " You are not bad in business either. I have heard a lot about you. All are good things but to be sincere, you look business inclined just as they say and meeting you today has made me realize how true their words were. You are such an intelligent lady. "

Alice didn't smile at his words, she just nodded. 

" You are very beautiful too. And your inner beauty has been reflected through your behaviour. I love sensitive women like you, " Roger said. 

" Thank you. It happens that of all the few men I have gone out with, you are the only one who thinks and says a different thing. . . "

" What do they say? " Roger asked. 

" I'm a workaholic, I'm a bitch after more money, I don't deserve love, I don't appreciate the time they spend with me. They think I don't have time for anything outside business____ "

" I am sorry to ask but do you? " Roger asked. 

Alice laughed for a fleeting seconds. " That's a sincere question, so I will give you a sincere answer. I don't, though I try, I just can't. It's just like I can't see my life without career, without my business. "

" I wouldn't lie, you are the first woman I have met that is indirectly telling me, she has never had a love life or affair. "

" I did not say that, " Alice said blushing. 

" You made me believe that, " Roger said. " Have you ever thought of falling in love? "

" I wish I could. Those things doesn't bother me, " Alice said. 

" Then I think I should prescribe a drug for you___ "

" I am not sick. . . "

" Your heart is. You haven't had any heartbreak yet you do not love, this is interesting, " Roger snapped. " Have you ever had a crush on anybody? "

" No, " Alice said blankly. " But I do like people who can impress you. " 

" Through business right? " Roger asked. 

" How do you know so much about me, whereas I know little about you? " Alice asked. 

" This only means you are not interested in me but I am. . . I am interested in you, do you know? "

" Em. . . We were talking about the project____ "

" How you divert questions are shameful, " Roger said with a slight frown. 

" Perhaps, I don't have the answer for it, " Alice said bluntly. 

" You look so pretty this evening. If I asked you on a date, not a business type, would you decline? " Roger asked. 

" I will have to think about it first. But I wouldn't turn you down so quickly. "

" Then I want to take you out on a date tomorrow's evening, " Roger said. " Unlike other men, I am very emotional and impatient. If you turn me down, you'll break my heart. . . " 

Alice bit her lips and parted her lips to say something but no words came out. 

She was blonde haired, gorgeous and attractive with a pleasing facial appearance of expressive thoughtful bright blue eyes, sharp cute nose, defined lips, broad shoulders, maintained body and a soft and smooth skin. She also had a beautiful sweet smile and a shy look. She was above average height and slender. 

" I will let you think about it. Call me when you have made up your mind, " Roger said. 

Alice nodded and pouted. " I will Roger. "

" Can we talk about something other than business? " Roger asked. 

" Like what? " Alice asked. 

" Our love life, " Roger said transparently. 

" I don't have one, " Alice said openly. 

" As beautiful as you are? That's so sad. I am very prone to relationship. I have a girlfriend, an ex actually. I have a lot of exes. "

" Why? " Alice asked. 

" I realize that most of them don't really love me for who I am but for what I have, " Roger said. 

" None has ever loved you for who you are? " Alice asked in awe. 

" Only one and unfortunately, it didn't work out, " Roger said. 

" Why? " Alice asked. 

How do I let you know that marrying you will only make things not work out for me and Stacey? Roger thought. 

" Hello. . . Roger, " Alice asked bringing Roger back to reality. 

" You were saying? "

" I was asking why your relationship. . . "

" Oh. Well, it just didn't work out, " Roger said. 

" Where was your mind some minutes ago? " Alice asked. 

" I was thinking about the project. It's late, I have to make sure you are brought home safely. I will drive you home. "

" That won't be necessary, I have come with my car, " Alice said appreciatively. 

" I still have to make sure you return home safely. I will drive you home and have my driver take your car home. "

" Thanks. . . but. " 

" It's fine with me, " Roger said. 

Alice smiled. " Okay, thanks, " she said standing. " I will pay the bills. "

" I have already taken care of the bills. It was my treat Alice my dear, " Roger said. 

" Thanks once again for everything. I appreciate Roger. "

* * * 

" Hello Roger, " Alice said. 

" You didn't call, so I decided to call. So what's your answer, " Roger asked. 

" About what? " Alice asked impatiently. 

" You don't remember? It's been only a short while and yet you can't remember? " Roger asked unimpressed. 

" I'm so sorry. Can you just remind me? " Alice snapped. 

" I asked you out on a date with me tonight and you haven't given me an answer, " Roger said with a grave voice. 

" Oh Roger, how could I have forgotten? I will check my schedule and get back to you, " Alice said promptly. 

Roger ran a hand on his hair. " You won't come anyway. Just forget about it. I will cancel the date. "

" You must have put a lot into it, " Alice said depraved. 

" A lot. It ran into millions. I wanted your first date with me to be remarkably memorable and lovely, " Roger said. 

" I would be heartless if I turned you down. I swear, I would have turned you down but it's gonna make me feel like a bad person. So, you win, I lose. By what time will you come pick me up? "

" Look if you don't want to go on a date with me, it's fine. I don't care about the millions, I care about you and what you want. Like I said, it's fine if you turn me down, I will just cancel it. " 

" Oh Roger, you are such a good man. I will not turn you down. Tell me what time you will come by my house to pick me up. "

" Six thirty will be perfect. "

" Yeah, " Alice said frantically. 

" Dress casual please, " Roger said. " It's not gonna be about business, it's about us. " 

" Okay, " Alice said. 

" Goodbye Alice. Have a nice day. I look forward to seeing you, " Roger said. 

" Goodbye Roger. See you in the evening, " Alice said frankly.