CHAPTER FIVE

Imani was reading the accounts department report on the stocks and securities of the company when her phone rang . Picking it up, she saw an unknown number, she never got much of this so automatically she was reluctant to pick up but the caller was persistent and after a while, she finally picked up but kept quiet.

"Hello beautiful, hope you slept well?" the voice said

"Who is this?" Imani asked

"the man of your dreams"

"I don't have one same way I don't have time to waste so wrap it up"

"Ezekiel Cross"

"Oh Mr. Cross, how did you get my number?"

"I'm Ezekiel Cross, I can get anybody's number"

"Clearly and for your sake, I'll have this number blocked, good day"

"Wait!" he said through the phone, "When are we having our date?"

"What date?"

"I asked you yesterday, you said you'll think about it but you never called so I took your silence for yes"

"My answer remains the same Mr. Cross"

"That you'll think about it? How much thinking time does a lady need? he asked innocently

"God, how can a man this dimwitted be a CEO," Imani thought aloud

"What? Did you just call me dimwitted?" he asked annoyance clear in his voice

"It came out wrong"

"Hmm, I don't think it was supposed to come out at all"

"Don tell me you expect an apology"

"Actually I do"

"Well we don't usually get what we want, I also wanted an apology for your coming late for our first meeting and up till now I still haven't gotten it."

"Touché, so about our date"

"It's not happening"

"Come on, it's just one little date, what's the worst that could happen?"

"You'll be shocked?"

"If you still decline after the date, I'll never bother you again, it's a pretty good bargain"

"Hmmm, tempting"

"Right?" he added

"Okay Mr. Cross you have got yourself a deal, where and when is this date?"

"Eager are we? I'll come pick you up at your house by six pm on Saturday"

"Do you know my address?"

"No but I can find out"

"I'd like to see your try"

"We'll see, goodbye Miss Richardson"

"Same, Mr. Cross," she said and the line went dead

On Saturday, Imani was dressed in a lacy knee length, white gown and black ankle boots. She packed her hair into a bun and waited for Ezekiel Cross.

At exactly the six pm, the doorbell rang and when she opened the door, she saw a young man in a suit.

"Good evening Miss Richardson, my name is Daniel and I'm your driver for the evening. Mr. Cross is waiting for you at the venue."

"We have arrived ma'am," Daniel said and just then, the door opened to reveal Ezekiel in blue jeans and a blue polo.

"Miss Richardson, so happy you could join me this evening," he said grinning as he extended an outstretched hand to her.

Imani took his hand and out out of the car she said, "Pleasure's all mine, Mr. Cross"

"Excuse me," he said and tapped the driver's window with his finger and it came down.

"I'll call you when we're done"

"Okay sir," Daniel said and zoomed off.

"You look beautiful Miss Richardson"

"You're not so bad yourself Mr. Cross"

"Call me Ezekiel, we're out of the office. I don't want the CEO here, I want the beautiful sexy lady," he said wriggling his eyebrows which made Imani burst out into laughter.

"Okay then, I'm Imani. So I thought this was supposed to be a date, where are we?"

"One of my favorite places in the world, come" he said and he led them across the green vegetation to a picnic spot with the cloth laid out, basket and plates arranged with cups beside them. From here you could see the spectacular sight of the sunset, it cast an orange glow on the picnic spot making it more attractive.

"Wow!" Imani said

"I know right?"

"This is beautiful"

"Yes it is," he said looking at her

"You can take off your shoes and sit over there," Ezekiel said pointing to a spot on the cloth

"What!" Imani shrieked looking at him with outstretched eyes

"Take off your shoes, don't worry nothing's going to happen, trust me," he said looking at her with calm and inviting blue eyes

Reluctantly, she bent down and took off her boots and then sat down on the cloth beside him.

"So Imani, care for some wine?"

"Sure," she said and held out her glass as he poured in a bit of wine for both of them before covering the bottle and returning it back to the bucket of ice beside him.

"Cheers," he said raising his glass

"To what?"

"This beautiful view"

"Cheers," she said and clinked their glasses before taking a sip

"So why did you bring me here?" Imani asked

"What do you mean?"

"You could have chosen anywhere, a five star restaurant or hotel but instead you brought me here, why?"

"This is one of my favourite places"

"So you bring everyone woman you go on a date with here to sweep them off their feet"

"Is it working?" he asked chuckling lightly

"I'm afraid it is," she replied smiling

"I don't do dates, just business meetings and no I don't bring them here"

"So why me?"

"Well I guess it's because you're special"

"How so?"

"You intrigue me in a way no other woman has in a long time if ever, you don't seem to care about money or looks. You even had the guts to call me dimwitted, you're bold and hardworking, everything I want in a woman. Not to mention sexy," he said grinning as he faced her

"And you ruined the moment"

He laughed and then faced the sunset again

"So why'd you come. as far as I know, you don't do dates either"

"Honestly?"

"Yeah"

"I came because... I guess at first to get you off my back but I think a part of me wanted to know you better. I'm a naturally curious person so..."

"I noticed. Care for some sandwiches"

"Sure," she said and he reached into the basket and brought our sandwiches, he arranged them on their plates and they ate in comfortable silence.

They spent the rest of the night talking, laughing and pretty soon they knew each other as well as old friends did.

"I can't believe you did that," he said laughing

"I know right?" Imani said and finished up her second wine glass before looking at the time

"Oh it's late, I should probably go"

"Stay," he said holding her hand as she attempted to move, "Just for a few more minutes

"Okay," she sa7d after considering it for moment

"So what are we gonna do for the next few minutes"

"Let's play tag," Imani said suddenly

"Huh?" Ezekiel asked amusedly

"Forget about it"

"Okay, let's play"

"I was just joking"

"Well I'm not, come on, or are you scared" he replied challengingly

"Who are you calling scared, okay get up let's play right now," Imani said getting on her feet

"Okay" he replied and pretty soon the both of them were running barefooted with Imani trying to catch Ezekiel. Soon she caught up to him but accidentally tackled him to the ground.

Laughing they both tumbled in the grass and once they stopped, Imani was sitting on top of Ezekiel. "Your eyes are so blue," she blurted out unconscious and instantly started cursing the effects of the alcohol on her mouth in her head.

"Sorry," she said trying to get up but Ezekiel pulled her down for a long, hard kiss. He kept probing her kiss with his tongue till she opened up to him.

"