At evening hour, Priyanka was still in bed sleeping soundly with Justin beside her. Her phone buzzed on the little stool at the bedside. She woke up, yawning lazily as she reach for it. The caller ID displayed 'Brimsley' but she narrowed her eyes to read it properly. She helped herself to sit up briefly with one of her hands supporting the sheet on her chest. As she scroll to the green button, she lowered her voice so Justin doesn't wake up.
"Hello pretty lady." He greeted her first and she chuckled softly. "Brimsley," Her voice still sounding sleepy. He suspected something and he asked without hesitation. "Were you asleep, my dear?" She nodded like he was with her in the room, "Yes, I was. You just woke me up." She yawned again. Feeling super tired after a long sex drive.
"I called you in the morning but you never answered. I was worried about you. Are you fine?" He felt concerned about her. He hasn't been himself since she avoided his calls and text. He wondered if she was in danger but he knew she would barely be in one.
She laughed softly, still knowing she was in the room with a sleeping man. "Am good, Brimsley. My bad I didn't pick your calls. I was busy – today was a bit hectic for me." She lied, her words slurring from the sleep.
He smiled, "Today is my birthday. I want to make it special with you. Let's meet. Dinner. My treat."
"Oh, is it?" She paused for a while when Justin adjusted, then she continued. "I would love to. Venue?"
"My resident. I will send my chauffeur to pick you up at 8."
"8?" She glance up at the wall clock. It was almost 7:30. How come she slept so long? "Um…." She put Justin's arm which was resting on her thigh, back to its place then she pushed the sheets to one side and walked out of bed naked. "Okay. I'll go get ready now."
"Alright. See you soon."
After they hung up, she toss her phone on the bed and tiptoed into the bathroom. Justin was still deep asleep that he never knew when she left. When Priyanka arrived at Brimsley's mansion, his personal bodyguard led her to the balcony where he was. She followed him carefully and he left her when he got to the doorpost.
The moment Brimsley saw her standing there in a red strap handless dress, his eyes lit up in surprise and he stood up to meet her. "You look so beautiful." He took her hand, ready to kiss it. "May I?" He seek her permission first and she granted him access. His eyes went up to her face again. Her makeup and short bob hair matching with her dark red lipstick and her cleavages popping out on her chest and her cute appearance was breathtaking.
He never thought one day that she was this hot and good looking. He already arranged for her orchestras whom were playing when he led her to her table. She smiled and watched them play. "Did you really have to do this? For me?" She asked.
"If it makes you happy." He answered. His charming smiles made her chuckle and look around at the place fully decorated in red amiable designs and roses.
She loved the big fat candle stands in the right places, then her eyes went back to what he was wearing. Black pants to match with a black belt and a navy blue sleeve. He looked extremely perfect in his outfit and appearance. His hair was jelly curled neatly.
She assume if he was Justin sitting across her for a moment. She wish he was the one having this date with her. She knows he must be trying her phone by now but she left it in silent mode and kept it in her purse. She doesn't want distraction on this special occasion. "You look stunning." She complimented. "Silly me, I was carried away by that marvelous music." She said, after the orchestras left.
He took the bottle of wine and uncork it. "Thank you," He filled the two empty martini glasses, "But, am not a fan of compliments." He winked at her.
"I think you have great taste in picking up a date. I mean, look at all these you've done. I don't think for a woman like me, I deserve this kinda welcoming note."
He laughed, then offered her, her glass. "You are a wonderful woman, filled with wonders. And as the president of this country –" He clicked his glass with hers, "Toast to that." They took a sip from their glasses at the same time.
She kept her glass when he started opening the dishes on the table. A little round cake for dessert, bangers and mash potatoes, toad in a hole, steak and kidney pie and cottage pie. Damn the food varieties smells nice for Priyanka. She can't wait to dig in. Her taste buds unlock, waiting impatiently. "Tell me you didn't have to waste your chef's time for this occasion." She said, taking a bite of her cottage pie.
"All these," He referred to the dishes. "Where made with my own hands." Priyanka gave him a doubting look and he chuckled, "I know it's hard for you to believe. I made them myself. My chef only comes over to do his chores when my parents are coming for holidays."
"Where did you learn how to cook?"
"Home." He sliced his 'toad in a hole' and took a bite. "As the only child, my parents didn't had the time to spoil me. I go to college, living in a hostel with about two boys with me in a room. I did things myself. I cook, I clean, I mop, I wash – a lot of chores."
"Wow, didn't seem like a rich man's son." She chuckled. "Sorry, I know it's a bit flattering."
He sighed, "I learnt to be independent from there. Dad barely had time for sending me stuff. He wants me to be manly on my own."
"Struggles." She shook her head, "I only had the chance of living an ordinary life when my father passed away."
"I enjoyed it." He says. "Because I got to try life in two different dimensions. It made me know how to manage what I earn and not waste it."
She paused for a while to sip her drink, then she asked, "How many women have you dated, Brimsley?"
He kept quiet as he processes her question. His brows arose, "How many?" He laughed softly and shook his head. "I never had time to chitchat with a woman, Priyanka. You are the first woman I've come across to have as a friend. Though, am catching feelings for someone already."
She smirk, holding her glass halfway. "Hmm, that someone must be very lucky to magnate such a man like you."
"What if I say that someone happens to be your sister?" He said and she paused for a long time that seems to be forever.
Her brows furrowed lightly like she misunderstood him. "Sorry, my sister?" Brimsley is an handsome charmer. Any woman could fall for him if not for his good looks then it should be for his fat bank accounts.
He let out a deep sigh, knowing that he has come to the peak of his hidden secret. "Priyanka, I have never felt this way. The way I feel for your sister since the day she followed you to my father's birthday party." He began explaining. "I wanted to talk to you about it all these while but I just feel timid to let it out."
Priyanka is still trying to compose the whole thing he just said. "Wait – you, Brimsley, you like my sister, Mitali?"
"LIKE would be an understatement for me, Priyanka. I love her and I mean it."
From the look in his eyes, Priyanka could study that this guy seated across him is deadly into her sister. She only asked Mitali to be her right hand to the party that night since it was just a birthday bash and not a conference meeting. She met Brimsley for the first time and if she remembers, while they were busy exchanging pleasantries, his eyes where hovering around her sister at the drink's counter. Ever since that day, Priyanka became Brimsley's best pal to chat with because of her close bond with her sister, Mitali.
"Brimsley, you said you never had time for women and my sister caught you. How?" She needed to know.
He doesn't know how to prove himself enough. He doesn't even know where to start from. "I….I don't know. Maybe her beauty, her eyes, her sweet voice and how she walks and talks and smile all the time – she's the type of woman I want, Priyanka. Just one night, I saw all the requirements I need for a wife in her. You have to help me."
This is serious. Priyanka don't know how to go about this. "For now, I don't think Mitali has gotten herself back from her past relationship. Suresh took her virginity and only loved her for her money. He dumped her in the middle of life."
"Am deeply sorry to hear that, but you have to help me. Let her give me a chance, I promise to love her and always be there for her."
Priyanka kept quiet for a long time as she tries to reason out.