TIDES OF LUST (Episode 4)

 TIDE'S OF LUST

EPISODE 4

“Hi guys”......I greeted as I got to them. 

Sandra turned to me, letting out a relieved sigh as she enveloped me in a warm embrace.

The guy standing beside her, wore a thoroughly bewildered expression, his eyes wide with confusion as he stared at us.

I was taken aback by her sudden and unexpected display of affection, the warmth of her hug catching me completely off guard.

I greeted the guy once more with a friendly smile, extending my hand in a gesture of camaraderie, and he reciprocated warmly, shaking it firmly in return.

“Sorry bro, I guess she is your babe right?”.......he asked awkwardly.

Before I could articulate a single word in response, Sandra stepped in with her characteristic poise, initiating a warm and engaging introduction that instantly got me amazed.

“Stranger, meet my boyfriend the love of my life......sweetheart meet mr stranger”.......she muttered, flashing a set of white teeth with a beautiful smile to the guy.

“Guy you must be very lucky to have this beautiful damsel as your babe.........i envy you oh”.......The guy muttered, but Sandra quickly cut him off.

“Yea, he knows he is lucky and if you don’t mind we will like to go now”........she replied him,  pulling my hand as she walked away. 

I glanced over at the guy and noticed his obvious embarrassment. I discreetly guided Sandra back towards him, facilitating a proper introduction to ease his awkwardness.

“My guy, please don't mind us oh, we were only kidding.......I am Pascal, and she is Sandra.......News flash, this babe here is just my friend and nothing more”........I explained to the guy.

“No problems my guy, I’m Desmond”......he replied, stretching out his hands once again.

“and nice to meet you two”........he added. 

Sandra smiled, and apologized to Desmond for her rude behavior.

“I am actually going to have some drink inside, hope you guys don’t mind if we share a table”........Desmond requested.

“It would have been a pleasure, but we aren't going in......if you don’t mind, let’s do this another day”.........I replied to him.

“No probs, next time then”........he muttered, handing out a complimentary card to me. He also took my contact before we parted ways.

I flagged down a taxi, and I noticed that Sandra was casting a curious glance my way. Once we were inside the taxi, I instructed the driver to take us to Perk up Café.

As we stepped into the warm and inviting atmosphere of Perk Up Café, I couldn't help but notice that the same table where Charlotte and I had shared a happy moment the previous day  was now vacant, awaiting our arrival.

I escorted Sandra to the table, and once we were comfortably seated, a  waiter promptly appeared to take our orders.

“So why did you change the venue all of a sudden?”.......she asked.

“Nothing much, just didn’t want to stay there anymore”.......I replied, trying to avoid her gaze, then she chuckled.

“Or you think I have got something up my sleeves”........she said sarcastically.

“Do you?”........I asked, glaring at her. 

She stared back at me without saying anything, and then the waiter arrived with our order. 

She wanted to pay the bill but I bluntly refused.

“This meeting was my idea so I got the bill”.........She coerced, trying to persuade me to allow her pay the bill.

“This meeting might be your idea, but the time and venue was mine so allow me to do what I have got to do”.........I retorted, and paid the waiter. 

I served her drink, and did same to myself. Taking a bite from the meatpie, I asked Sandra a question.

“So do you recognize this table?” 

“Yea I do, this was where you and girl you came with yesterday, sat”.........she replied giving me knowing look.

Despite my lingering suspicion that she might be a trap, I couldn't shake the question that kept echoing in my mind.

“Why will Charlotte try to set me up?”........I wondered.

it’s not like we are dating already. I decided to keep Charlotte away for the time being.

“So to what do I owe this whole thing”........I asked her.

“Nothing much.....Just want to be your friend. And the truth is, watching how you listened to the girl while she talked, how you talked, laughed and your calmness and. composure the previous day, I couldn’t help but get attracted to you”.........she explained.

Her forwardness only intensified my unease, leaving me with an unsettling feeling that Something wasn't quite right.

“Wow! All this for me”........I muttered, while we both laughed. 

“Thanks Sandra, but I didn’t seem to notice you yesterday. Who did you come with and were where you seated?”........I asked curiously.

“I came with myself and I was seated right behind you”........she replied, smiling sheepishly.

“Well, the girl I came with is my girlfriend”........I said curtly.  

“I am not a kid bro. And I know first date when I see one, so please don’t play she is my girlfriend card with me”.........she retorted, rolling her eyes at me.

Sandra exuded a carefree and straightforward demeanor, leaving me perplexed about the strange phenomenon that seemed to be unfolding. 

“why did I keep finding myself entangled with beautiful and intriguing women?”.........I thought deeply.

First was Mirabel, then Evelyn, now its Charlotte and Sandra. Sandra is not just beautiful and endowed, she smells stinking rich. 

Yes rich but very humble. She told me she was in English department, 3rd year. 

After our lengthy conversation, we finally thought it wise to leave the café, as it was getting late already.

As we walked out of the café, we engaged in another conversation.

“Sandra, I really like your personality, and from now heneceforth, we are friends already......But unfortunately, I don’t think we can go beyond that"........I said politely.

 

“But why?”........she asked.

“I'm trying to see if I can build something with Charlotte, the girl you saw me with yesterday”.........I replied.

“Pascal, you know what?”.......she mumbled.

“What? Tell me”.........I replied.

“Stop getting me attracted to you with your sincerity. Keep up with that, and you will have  more of me coming your way”.........she said sternly, and I chuckled.

“You are funny and believe me, I feel honored that a beauty like you wants to be my friend.......Truth be told, I can’t walk up to you on a normal day and ask you out”........I muttered, as we waited for a cab.

“Why?”........she asked looking surprised.

“I don't want to get beaten abeg”.......I replied, as we both laughed.

“Maybe from this you can see how lonely I am. Pascal do you know that I don’t get up to 3 guys asking me out in one month? and when I do, it will be those lusting after my body or other things”.........She said soberly.

To Be Continued….........