CHAPTER THREE
1423 Words
"Hi, Good evening" Linda greeted Richard.
They had agreed to meet after working hours.
"Hey Linda, Good evening"
"How are you doing?" Richard replied
"I'm doing great" she replied as she sat opposite him
"It's so good to see you again" Richard said sharply
"Should we place orders for coffee while we talk?" Richard asked
Linda nodded
Their orders were served.
"So, what happened?"
"I need an explanation, " Richard asked her, as he tried to make a serious face.
"Uhmmm….I'm sorry, Richard"
"I deliberately stayed away from you because of what happened to me, I did not know how I would be able to face you and explain to you" Linda said, with a tone as if to persuade Richard into understanding what she's saying
"Okayyy….So what's it" Richard asked curiously
"I-I don't know how to say this" Linda fidgeted as she tried to avoid looking at Richard's face
"Hey Linda, look at me
I care about you, I don't know why
I can handle whatever has you have to say
I only need an explanation
It's not a death sentence, yeh
Be calm and talk to me" Richard said as he tried to calm Linda
"I was duped" Linda said sharply as there was a force that caused her to talk
"I don't know, Someone recommended a company's hair accessory agent to me, I thought it would be okay for me to purchase my goods through that means, unknowingly, he collected my money and ran away with it,
The company said they don't have such person as an agent
I tried all I could I couldn't reach him" Linda said as her eyes welled up
"I did not know how I would be able to call you to explain that I've been duped" Linda continued
"You should have contacted me, regardless
I won't harm you if you do that
It wasn't your fault" Richard said, though he was surprised but he could feel how pained she is
"You know what, I shouldn't have given you the money, I should have done with the entire business set up myself"
It's okay, Linda
We would work things out again"
"Just see me as your friend, okay?" Richard said, he tried to reassure her
Looking at her, he is convinced that his intentions towards her are genuine, he doesn't know why but he feels calm When he talks to her.
She is resourceful, her smiles are beautiful, her zeal to strive for a better living, he can't help but be attracted to her.
Linda was glad, it didn't turn out to be as bad as she thought.
"Why is this guy so good to her?
She doesn't even know him" she thought to herself
"Okay, let's eat dinner,
I know a good restaurant around here" Richard said, he thought it's a means to know more about each other.
They went for dinner, they talked about each other.
Richard gets to know who Linda is, her parents death and how she was able to survive till date
"My father is dead, my mother raised my younger sister and I single handedly, she runs a spa" Richard started as he tried to explain to Linda about him
"I'm into fashion, I own a fashion house" Richard said, he tried to avoid the fact that he is a billionaire and he owns the third leading Fashion house in Mexico.
He wants her to be free around him, he doesn't want a situation where she would be uncomfortable.
They had discussion on different matters across spheres of life
It helped them know more about each other and the perspectives about life.
"He's not bad for a friend" Linda thought to herself
They departed that day and decided to meet by the weekend.
"Hello, how're you doing today?" It was Richard.
He called Linda to discuss where and what time to meet the next day which is Saturday.
"I'm fine, Richard
How are you?" Linda asked
"I'm okay, had a stressful day at work though" Richard said
"So, what are the plans for tomorrow?" He asked
"Hummm, I don't know, do you have a suggestion?" Linda asked him.
"Let me think…." Richard said as if to think of a plan
"Okay….Can we meet at my house?" He asked
"Your house!" Linda exclaimed surprisingly
"No, don't get me wrong, my house.
My younger sister is coming over and since it is the weekend, we would have enough time to play, gist, talk and most importantly plan your business." Richard tried to explain.
"Okay, I guess that's a good idea,
Text me your address and the time
I would be there" Linda said
"Alright, see you tomorrow" Richard said with a concluding note in his voice
They ended the call.
Linda was trying to select the cloth to wear to wear to Richard's house
It was Saturday's morning already and she's to get there by 10am
"Where are you going to?" Gabriella asked Linda
"I'm going to Richard's place" Linda said blanky
"Did you just say Richard's place?
Like the same Richard that you told me about?!" Gabriella exclaimed surprisingly
"When did you guys meet again?"
"How come you're going to his house?" Gabriella asked with curiosity
"I'm lost here" she said as if to demand for an explanation from Linda
"Okay…okay, slow down"
"I get you and I will find you soon
But for now I need to prepare
I would explain to you when I get back" Linda said to Gabriella as she rushed into the bathroom.
"Good morning" a young lady of 22 years old said to Linda as she open the door to Richard's house
She wears a natural smile
Her fair skin looks so smooth with no blemish, she has a long black that runs over her shoulder
She is a beauty to behold.
"Are you Linda?" She asked
Her question jolted Linda back to reality
"Oh yes, I am,
I guess this is Mr. Richard's house " she says as she accentuates the word "Mr. Richard" with formality.
"Hey Linda, what's up?" It was Richard
He was in his bedroom when the doorbell rang, he guessed it was Linda.
Though he told his younger sister, Olivia, that he is expecting a guest.
"Hi, Richard," Linda said, smiling.
"Come in please,
Welcome to my humble abode" Richard said
"Wow, your house is lovely" Linda commented as she admired the luxury of the house.
It is the true definition of a wealthy home.
"Linda." Richard called out
Meet my younger sister, Olivia
Olivia, this is Linda, my friend" he continued as he introduced the two females to each other.
"And permit me to introduce myself
I am Richard, Olivia's brother and Linda's friend" he added jokingly.
They began to gist and play, they ate also
Linda and Olivia got along almost immediately, they played together, did some ladies talk, it was fun
Olivia's phone rang, she picked it and had little conversation with the caller
'Brother, mum just called' She said as she broke the conversation he was having with Linda
'Okay, so….?' Richard said as if to ask why she called.
"Yea, she said she is almost here, I'm going outside to bring her" Olivia replied
"Wait, did she tell you she would come here before?" He asked
"No, she didn't, I guess she just wanted to drop by since I'm at your place" Olivia replied as she headed to the door.
"Oh no ... .Linda is around, her mother would throw tantrums if she knows that Linda is not his girlfriend." Richard thought to himself
What is he going to do now?
"Linda, could you please act as my girlfriend for today?" Richard asked Linda
"What?
What do you mean by that?" Linda asked, you could tell how surprised she was.
"I am sorry but please save me just this once, I would explain to you later"
"Good afternoon, Son" Samantha, Richard's mum said loudly like a mother proud of her son's achievement as she walked into the luxurious mansion her son built.
"Good afternoon, mum" Richard replied as he went ahead to hug his mother
"How are you, you didn't tell me you would come today?" Richard asked almost immediately
'C'mon, I've always told you that I can decide go come into your house anytime, besides I came to see someone around this area, so I said I should drop by' Samantha said chattily
"Good afternoon ma," Linda said as if to announce her presence
Samantha gave Richard a look that speaks of surprise.
- Writer
