Chapter 3
932 Words
Chapter 3
Farida stared at the man in front of her. The guy from this morning. He was her client? He was the Breaker of Hearts? No wonder. He looked like he had broken a lot of hearts in his life. Nearly six feet tall, with a broad chest that his grey bespoke jacket and white shirt couldn’t hide. His hair was cut in a low fade with full curly brown hair on the top of his head. A light smattering of brown hair encircled the lower part of his face. And those eyes. Unforgettable.
“You’re Farida Yusuf? Wow. What a coincidence.” He said and then smiled.
She tottered on her three-inch heels. Dimples. In his cheeks. How much more good looking could one man be? Was it fair? Say something, her mind shouted.
Farida stuck out her hand. “Yes, I am. And you’re Kurt Achike.”
“Otherwise known as the Breaker of Hearts...” He shook his head, eyes blinking, lips dancing as he took her hand and shook it. “Stupid title. Totally undeserved.”
Nosa muttered, “Undeserved?” His gaze swung from Kurt to Farida. “You know each other?”
“We met this morning. On Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.” Farida flashed a glance at Nosa and then glanced back at Kurt with a smile. “This is Nosa Egbede, my assistant. Please sit down, Mr. Achike.”
Kurt nodded, unbuttoned his jacket and then lowered his taut body into one of the white leather sofas. Nosa plopped into another one, facing him.
Farida slid into the seat by Nosa’s side, her pulse skipping. Gosh, this guy was making her nervous. Was it only his looks? Or was it also his bold and sensual scent?
She crossed one leg over the other and plastered a business-like smile on her mouth. “So, welcome to One Plus One, Mr. Achike.”
He placed his hands on the expanse of chair on either side. His hazel eyes gleamed. “Call me Kurt. Mr. Achike makes me feel like I’m sixty. I’m just thirty-nine.”
He was only a year older than her. “Okay, Kurt. Why do you need our services?” She bit her bottom lip. “I mean... a guy like you shouldn’t have problems with finding good women.”
Kurt grinned, his dimples sparkling. “A guy like me?”
Nosa frowned. Farida glanced down at her fingernails. Gosh, this guy. He knew what she meant.
She swallowed and then said, “I mean... you have everything most women would want in a man.”
“Yet I’m single. And I don’t want to be. I’m ready to be in a committed relationship with a woman.”
“Hmm.” Farida nodded. Did he really mean it? She asked, “Do you mind if I ask you why you’re called the Breaker of Hearts?”
“No.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I was engaged twice. I broke off both engagements.”
“Why?” Nosa asked.
“Why did I break the engagements? I changed my mind. One woman didn’t challenge me. She got... sorry to say... boring. The other had begun to rely on me financially for every little thing and I couldn’t take it, so...”
“You mentioned you’re ready to be in a serious relationship.” Farida stared at his nose, avoiding those palm-wetting eyes. “Why now?”
Kurt smiled. Why wasn’t she meeting his gaze? “In a year, I’ll be forty. I had a plan for my life. By forty, I would be married. By forty-two, I’ll have a child.”
“So it’s a personal goal?”
“Yes, right.”
Farida placed her iPad on the seat beside her and steepled her fingers over her knee. “What are your preferences? And what are your must-haves?”
He forked his fingers through his curls. “Um. The usual. She should be friendly, fun, easygoing. She should have a job of her own, a means of income, and she has to be beautiful, in her twenties, late twenties, preferably. Slim. A UK size six or eight...”
Farida’s eyes darted to the midnight black carpet. In other words, he wanted a model. No surprise there. She picked up her iPad and made a quick list.
Kurt glanced around the room. He liked the simple, stark black and white décor. From the moment he had walked into the building, he had been impressed by the invitingly pristine surroundings. And to think that his Good Samaritan from this morning was the brains behind this matchmaking business. According to Osita, her firm had a very good reputation.
He flicked a glance in her direction. She looked the part of a successful businesswoman, in her royal blue dress and her shoulder-length bob. Although she was big, a size twelve probably, with a small waist and curvy hips, she moved sprightly. She looked to be in her late thirties. He couldn’t see a wedding ring.
Kurt asked, “I hear that your clientele consists of affluent professionals and executives. True?”
“Yes. Mostly.” Farida glanced into his eyes for a moment and then pulled her gaze away to the black pocket square in the front of his jacket. “From within Lagos and beyond. We also have matches from outside Nigeria. We prescreen each match with the Nigerian Police and with a private security company. So you can be sure that we’re focused on your safety and well-being.”
“I appreciate that.” Kurt grinned. One hand stroked his beard. His dimples flashed.
Farida fought to control her breathing. This guy. Every action he took, touching his beard, smoothing his hair, smiling and exposing those dimples, all seemed to be aimed at raising the blood pressure of every female within range.
Nosa said, “We usually draw up a list of three possible candidates. Then we can help set up dates with each one, if you wish. And if you like one of the three more than the others, then our work is done. Otherwise, we start from scratch.”
Kurt nodded. “That sounds okay.”
“Wonderful.” Farida gave him a smile. “I’ll leave you to my assistant. We just need you to fill some forms and you’re free to go.”
Kurt returned the smile. He had a feeling that he and Farida would end up being great friends. He already respected her. She was accomplished and kind-hearted. It would be a pleasure to work with her.
- Writer
