CHARLENE'S DILEMMA

CHAPTER TWELVE

At Keller’s house, Cherry was pacing up and down the living room, Keller sat on the couch looking absentminded, he was lost in thought, Laura had left, she left some minutes ago, leaving the couple to talk things over;

“ Why do you hate me so much?” Cherry asked Keller who had been snubbing her.

“ I don't hate you, I just don't like your attitude and way of approach towards people. It's a turn-off for me.” He said firmly.

“ What do you mean?” Cherry asked, looking confused.

“ Remember our first date, do you still know how it went? Keller asked, looking into her eyes.

“ Wow! So you still have that in mind?” Cherry asked, looking surprised.

“ Yes, I do; that was the night I said to myself that I was never going to settle down with you,” Keller said.

“ What! Are you real?” Cherry asked, looking shocked.

FLASHBACK

They arrived at the restaurant, it was a luxury restaurant. As they walked hand in hand, the security opened the door for them. As they were walking in, a waitress walked up to them and said.

“ Welcome, sir and ma; it's good to have you here.”

“ Thank you,” Keller said, looking at her.

“ You can look for any suitable spot to sit while I take your orders.” The waitress said

“ There will be no need for that because I already have a reservation for the private sector just for my girlfriend and I,” Keller said politely.

“ Oh! I guess you're Mr. Keller?” The waitress asked.

“ Yes, I'm Mr. Keller,” Keller replied.

“ We've been waiting for you, sir; please come with me.” The waitress said as she led the way.

“ Thank you, let's go Cherry.” He said to Cherry as they walked hand in hand.

The waitress took them to their dining area; it was a beautiful sector; it was luxuriously beautifully decorated; one could tear up walking into that beauty; it was luxurious and classy. It was a perfect space for their calibre. Keller helped Cherry with her seat, she sat down and he also took a seat. The waitress left them to go bring the menu, Cherry said as she left;

“ I love it here; they did a great job putting all this together; I must confess I'm impressed.”

“ I'm glad you love it,” Keller said with a smile.

“ Yeah,” Cherry replied, looking around.

“ Should I pour us a drink while we wait for the waitress to come take our orders?” Keller asked, holding the champagne that was on the table.

“ Sure, go on,” Cherry said, demonstrating with her hand.

“ Ok!” Keller said and poured the wine into the two glasses.

He gave Cherry a glass and said;

“ Let's cheer.”

“ Sure,” Cherry said with a smile.

“ Cheers to friendship, to a new beginning and more money, cheers!” Keller said happily

“ Cheers!” Cherry said as they toast.

A few minutes later, the waitress came with the menu and collected their orders, she left and came back with their orders, she served them as she was about to leave, Cherry said to her;

“ And who do you think will open the drinks, we?”

“ I'm sorry about that.” The waitress said calmly.

“ Never mind, we'll open it ourselves,” Keller said to the waitress.

“ And who are we? I hope I wasn't included in that statement?” Cherry asked Keller.

“ What's wrong with you, Cherry? You can open the drink yourself, why stress her?” Keller said softly.

“ No, I can't open the drink; it's her job to let her do it; you don't expect me to pay such a huge amount of money here and still stress myself, do you?” Cherry said firmly.

“ You are not the one paying the money, I am,” Keller said, looking pissed.

“ I don't care! But I won't open this drink, let her come and finish her job.” Cherry said, rolling her eyes.

“ It's fine, sir, let me do it; it's my job. I'm so sorry, ma'am, for the inconvenience.” The waitress said and rushed to open the drink to avoid more argument between them.

“ I'm disappointed in you Cherry,” Keller said.

“ The feeling is mutual,” Cherry replied, rolling her eyes.

Cherry stretched her hand to pick a serviette, but she mistakenly hit the waitress’ hand, who was pouring the drink into her glass cup, and the waitress spilt the drink on her dress.

“ How dare you? Are you mad?” Cherry said at the top of her voice angrily.

“ I'm sorry ma'am.” The waitress said in a shaky voice

“ What happened?” Keller, who wasn't watching earlier, asked.

The waitress was about to explain herself to Keller when Cherry slapped her out of annoyance;

“ Why would you slap her? We both know it wasn't intentional, .” Keller said, looking pissed.

“ So you're taking sides with a stranger over your wife,” Cherry said angrily.

“ Wife to be, mind you, we're not married yet, and if care is not taken, we might never get married………..I'm so sorry. Please, I apologize on her behalf; I'll see the manager later; please, you may take your leave.” Keller said to the waitress.

“ I didn't ask you to apologize on my behalf and who were you threatening not to get married to you? Do you think if I had a choice, I would choose you, never! I don't roll with weaklings, only a weakling will take sides with strangers over their partners.” Cherry said at the top of her voice.

“ Me a weakling?” Keller asked, pointing at himself.

“ Yes, you're a weakling Keller; I said what I said,” Cherry said.

“ I can see you're dumb, you know what? I'm done here; this date already died on arrival, and all thanks to you, thank you for ruining my night. It was a bad idea going on a date with you in the first place.” Keller said as he picked up his phone and car key and stood up to take his leave.

“ Same here!” Cherry said at the top of her voice.

Keller left her there; he went to the reception, made the payment, apologised to the waitress again, gave her some money for the embarrassment and left without Cherry.

“ Now, you remember right? You made me detest you from that night.” Keller said, back to reality.

“ But I've apologized, what else do you want?” Cherry asked faintly.

“ You apologized but did you change?” The answer is no, you keep treating those beneath as trash, which is bad. I have nothing against you apart from that, honestly, and it will be good if you change for yourself; nobody knows tomorrow, remember?” Keller said

“ Fine! I promise to change.” Cherry said calmly.

“ I'm not ready for this right now; leave my house when you're done; I'll be in my room,” Keller said and left for his room.

“ Keller! Keller!! Keller!!!” Cherry called but he didn't respond.

She picked up her handbag and left his house angrily.