It was like a volcano suppressed by the earth's crust had been set free and like a fire that was dying had been rekindled with so much gasoline, Susanne swung into action, her hope and determination that everything was feasible came to life with the full support of Eric. He had means, connections, and above all, the sincere intention to help her fulfill her dreams.
"What a hunk … ahem . . . a man," she blurted out as she thought of Eric. Although his donation revived her passion for her dreams, his charm, and loving gestures had opened up another passion that could not be put out easily.
"Let's get planning," he had said one evening over dinner as Susanne was looking at him like someone who had been swooned and hypnotized. Susanne could no more tell what was drawing her to him, his enthusiasm to see her succeed was as enticing as his charm.
"We will go to South Africa, sit down with the local leaders, and see how we best can help," Susanne replied after giving him a full smile from ear to ear. Eric caught the cue as they both slowly dragged their hands towards each other on the dining table. Both could feel that sparkle as their hands touched . . . "I care about you, Suz, Eric spoke so gently as Susanne giggled uncontrollably.
"Is that my name now? Suz…? Who does that? She retorted as if the nickname was ridiculous. "What should I call you in return . . . Er?" They both laugh and become silent all of a sudden.
Susanne broke the silence. "I love it." Do you mean the food? Eric replied. "Don't be a smart ass. I meant the name," Susanne replied as she rolled her eyes in mockery. "Oh, I was going Sussy next," he said jokingly. Susanne replied with a loud laughter that caught the attention of everyone in the dining. "You must be joking."
Immediately, Susanne covered her mouth as she realized everyone was looking at them. "Don't worry. Next time, I will reserve the whole place to ourselves so you can laugh as loud as you want."
I can't wait to show you where I grew up. I am sure you would love it," Susanne said joyfully as Eric smiled and motioned to the waiter for the bill.
Eric became fond of discussing his businesses with Susanne and the plan to kick off the foundation was materializing at a very fast pace. They discussed their future passionately and life in general. Susanne loved fashion but Eric seemed not so keen with her fashion and entertainment gossips. Every day, they made it a habit to interrupt themselves. Eric would pop by and take her to a restaurant and Susanne would mischievously send her messages whenever he was in a boardroom.
"Hello goofball," Mimicked the voice of Cinderella's wicked stepmother
"What are you doing, Suz? I'm in a meeting . . . What…?
"I know goofball. . . your scary godmother is calling to see how naughty you have been."
"Suz? Is that you? Are you drunk or something?
"Hey, goofball! Don't interrupt your godmother whenever she is talking to you!
"Wait . . . Goofball? Is that my nickname? Is that your retaliation for calling you Suz?
"Bye lovey lovey," Susanne switched to her African accent and cut the call.
As Eric's eyes were filled with excitement, the board members looked at him with so many questions on their faces. They've never seen him that goofy before. At the same time, Susanne left the gents because she was too embarrassed to act in that manner before her employees.
"She said lovey lovey," Eric recalled thinking if she meant what she said.
"What have I done," Susanne also recalled. "Lovey lovey . . . who does that? She retorted.
Many months went by, and Susanne was deeply enmeshed in Eric's world: the parties, the excursions, and social functions with tap-packed elite members were far removed from the very humble life she grew up knowing. That night, as they crossed through Times Square, neon lights pedestaled in their surreal glow, Susanne couldn't help but consider how far she had come from being a little immigrant from South Africa to a CEO of a fully funded charitable organization.
"New York is a city of dreams," she said, squeezing Eric's hand. "No matter how crazy it gets here, sometimes I miss just going home and enjoying the simplicity of life."
Eric had smiled, his eyes soft. "I know, Susanne. But together we can have the best of both worlds. We can be unstoppable."
Not everything had been perfect, of course. There had been struggles—the adjustment to Eric's mad life, the occasional gossip that they both argued about, the working out of her identity alongside their strong feelings for each other. Eric had always been there to help her ease into her new life of fame and influence. She was a vulnerable woman with so manypainful experiences in the past she needed to overcome.
"You're amazing, Susanne," he had told her, one night as they sat on the rooftop of his penthouse, the city spread out before them. "Don't ever forget that."
His had always been words of reassurance to her, making her feel special, loved, and appreciated.
Because of their dinner appointment that night, getting ready, Susanne found a new eagerness. She wore a sleek, beautiful dress, which Eric loved her wearing, and paid more attention to makeup, hair-do, etc. She wanted everything to be just right.
She stood in front of the mirror and reflected upon her journey to get here from the fields in Johannesburg to these busy streets in New York, her life was a whirlwind of change and growth. And here she was, Eric by her side and his billions in her coffers, ready to go forth and conquer everything.
Eric showed up promptly at seven. His dark suit accentuated his wide shoulders, and the warm, genuine smile did wonders for his face.
"You look beautiful, as always," he said. His eyes shone with appreciation.
"Thank you. You never forget to dazzle as well," Susanne said, the now-familiar blush rising to her cheeks.
They went to quite an exclusive restaurant, the same restaurant Eric promised to reserve for them. It was sophisticated and dimly lit inside upon Eric's specification. As they sat down at their table, the conversation was smooth all through dinner. They discussed plans and dreams and how deep they were into each other. Eric was so charismatic that she found herself falling in love again.
As they walked out of the restaurant, Susanne remembered she had forgotten to share the major milestone of the foundation with Eric. As she passionately recounted her successful day to Eric, that light shone on her face once more, triggering the beautiful moment they shared as he saw her body glow in the light.
As she was lost in her report, Eric slowly moved his head towards her lips as he cast a big shadow on her beautiful face . . .
"Eric . . . What is happ . . . hmmmm," Susanne's breathe was taken away as his lips landed on hers and they shared their first passionate kiss for the first time after 9 months of friendship and passionate conversations. They could not let go for 15 minutes and everyone walking the street could not miss their passionate exchange.
Susanne's right hand on his chest and Eric's left on her waist, they shared more kisses as they giggled without knowing how much scene they'd caused.
"Is that Eric Garcia, GigaTech CEO, and his South African girlfriend? The rumor is true after all," one of many spectators spoke out loud as people watched them in amazement and excitement.
"This is what we've been waiting for," one of the TMZ paparazzi team shouted out loud as he intruded on their privacy with flashes and noises as he snapped impulsively with his camera.
At that moment, Susanne and Eric were too engrossed as they shared a passionate moment. The flashes from the cameras seemed to reflect her glow and beauty the more before Eric's eyes and all Susanne could see was Eric's body position as he shielded her with his 6 foot 1 body.
"Let's get out of here," Eric whispered into her eyes.
"Yesssss goofballllll," Susanne replied with her tongue curled and touching the roof of her mouth.
They were both escorted away from the paparazzi by Eric's bodyguard into the exquisite limousine and they continued kissing passionately. With all the glass tinted, Susanne was at ease that no one especially the driver was looking.
"No, Eric. Please stop," Susanne refused Eric's left hand on her chest.
"What's the matter, love," Eric looked worried and wondered if he had done something wrong.
"No, it's not you. I just feel uncomfortable."
"All right. I understand. Let's get to the mansion." Eric gave her a long passionate kiss as she settled down beside Susanne's excited and trembling body.
As they made their way into the mansion, Eric quickly carried her with so much anticipation for what was next and Susanne also trembled with so much excitement with her arms wrapped around him like she would never let him go. It seemed like an event both of them had fantasized about for a very long time.
"I love you, Eric," Susanne whispered into his ears.
Very quickly, Eric readjusted and carried her with both her legs wrapped around him as he supported her legs by placing her muscular hands beneath her thigh. Without struggle from both parties, Susanne bent down and kissed Eric passionately as he carried her to the mansion's master bedroom.
As he landed her back softly on the bed, Eric was eager to pull off his shirt as Susanne watched with so much excitement but as he attempted to do the same for Susanne's gown, her long-forgotten promise she made to herself was finally remembered.
"I'm a virgin, Eric."
"Can we stop, please?"
She objected with so much passion and regret in her voice. She wanted it but she could not go back on his word. Eric paused as she looked at him from under. He walked away gently without saying a word and Susanne covered his chest with the blanket. She launched herself into the bed and she wrapped the entire blanket around her. As Eric walked away from the master bedroom, he looked to his left as if he heard a faint voice behind the giant mirror but he quickly shrugged off the feeling and made his way to the study.