Love Against All Odds

Chapter Six

The recently opened hotel turned to be Julius' latest family investment . Rose did not know this from him directly , she discovered it from other sources . A five-star hotel , it dwarfed the hitherto popular facilities in the city in not only having the most spacious accommodation , but also in boasting of the largest swimming pool . It was the in-place for the big shots in the city , charging from the many people enjoying their meals .

" Welcome , Sir and Madam ," the Manager welcomed them as he ushered them to a table specially reserved for them .

" Did you call ahead to reserve this ?" She asked him , indicating the well-decorated table .

" Nope ! I think it is one of their excellent services ," he responded .

Minutes later , they were served delicacies , among which was her favourite dish without them ordering .

" Someone must be telling a lie here !" she observed . " I mean , I didn't order this but someone just happens to know what I could have ! Isn't it mysterious ?"

" Perhaps they happen to know what's right for beautiful angels like you !" he said , chuckling .

As they enjoyed their meal , she could not help noticing several people throwing side-way glances . Most of the ladies working in there kept making courtesies towards him . She wondered whether it was due to his family's fame , or that he was a frequent patron .

" I must confess that this is the first time that I have enjoyed a meal for a long time ," he said as they were dipping into their desserts .

" While I can say that I have also enjoyed the meal , I can't help wondering why you say so ."

" May be it's because I have never had the company of such a wonderful creature beside me ," he said , smiling .

" Given your status and physical stature , am prepared to swear that that's a big lie . Well , since you have mentioned it , would you mind briefing me on your life ? Seems I know little about you ."

" Nothing much to write a biography about . Am the only surviving son of Mr. and Mrs. Dim , the elder son having been murdered about three years ago . There are two sisters , one married and the other one is an ignoramus who doesn't know what's good for her . Majored in Genetic Engineering and Allografts and currently running a facility that specializes in the same ."

" That's almost common knowledge . Don't be dodgy about your social side ."

" I haven't been lucky on that side . One cannot have it all . Anyways , I had a two months' stint at marriage which ended in great disappointment about three months ago ," he said , in a sad tone .

" Am sorry , I didn't mean to excavate bad memories ," she hastened to apologise . " But that's life ."

" Never mind , I just don't want to go down memory lane . Some memories are better left buried in the annals of history . Well , I have done my part . You owe me a brief inkling into your sweet self ."

" Am the eldest of three daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Tom . My follower is married while the last born is still persuing her studies . Am sure you are already acquainted with my other side ."

" You are being cagey about your social life , you know !"

" Nothing much to make out of it for now . It is not as decorated as yours ," she giggled .

" Am sure that since you are now celebrated , there must be many a men scrambling for your attention . Seeing anyone currently ?"

" There might be someone , or there might not . Time will tell . Are you ?" She asked , looking into his eyes .

" I don't know , memories of the last relationship are still fresh . Been giving it a wide berth untill I saw you ."

" I never said , or did anything to suggest that I could be on sale !" she said , chuckling a bit . " I don't want you to be presumptuous because as already said there could be someone stalking my heart ."

" I could give anything to know the lucky chap ! However , am hoping against all odds that you could give me a chance to prove my worth . Please , find it in your cute heart to indulge me ."

She did not have time to respond as she saw headed in their way was the Jose , the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Nutrition accompanied by Jannet , her old friend .

" Hello , Doctors !" Jose greeted them . " I can see you have introduced Rose to this fantastic hangout ," he directed this to Julius . " I can swear that you have the most magnificent hotel in this region ."

" Welcome , your Honour !" invited Julius . " Am flattered , but it's a pity that am not often here to enjoy its services ."

" It is my favourite when it comes to having my meals . Moreover , it happens to be a stone's throw from my office . This here is Jannet , a close friend of mine . She happened to pass by my office when I was planning for my lunch . I managed to convince her to accompany me for the same ." Apparently , he was not aware of the fact that Jannet was the ex-wife of Julius and that she and Rose were old friends . Julius seemed to be discomforted , and as such did not say anything .

" It is fine , Jannet and I know each other well ," responded Rose . " Look , why don't the two of you place your orders , lest you starve ? As you can see , us two have already had our fill . In fact , I was at the verge of leaving ."

" That's okay ," he said as a waiter hang about waiting to take their orders . While he was making the orders , Jannet gestured to Rose to step aside .

" So , how is the going since the launch ?" Jannet asked as they walked away from earshot .

" All is well . I can't complain . How is Mike ?"

" I think is doing fine wherever he is ."

" Sorry to ask , but I thought you two were an item ?"

" You are doomed to fail if you took any man seriously . I have learnt to play their game as they do to us ladies . Never put your eggs in one basket , so goes the saying ."

" And him ?" She asked , gesturing towards Jose . " Are you two dating ?"

" Dating yes , but for my own convenience . He has been stalking me for some time now ."

" Oh ! Am sorry if I sound nosy , but I thought he was married ?"

" Married , but divorced . One teenage girl as the product of the union living with him . And you , anything going with that philanderer ?" She turned her lips to indicate Julius?

" You know him that much ?"

" Long story that requires another occasion . Are you two dating ?"

" Nay . They invited me for a business proposal with his father . After the meeting , he convinced me to this lunch as I was heading to my place . Can we meet again for old times sake ? This weekend ?"

" Sure , we have a lot of catching up to do . Look , why can't I give you a call on Friday to let you know if I could be free ?"

" That would be great ! Looking forward to it . I must go as my partner would be wondering about the outcome of the meeting ."

They both walked to the table where Julius and Jose sat discussing everything but matters relationship . It was obvious that the former was not pleased in seeing Jannet who had been looking at him with a lot of disdain . Only Rose noticed this cold war as Jose could not see anything strange .

" It was nice seeing you , Honourable Jose . I really wish I had time to chat , but am afraid I have some urgent issues to attend to . See you another time ."

" What a pity that you are leaving too soon ! I was looking forward to hearing more from you . Nevertheless , there's always another time . Hope you enjoy the rest of the day ," Rose excused herself .

" Am afraid I must also get back to work before my old man gets inquistive ," interjected Julius . " See you some other time . Enjoy your lunch ."

He got up , and holding Rose's hand , he led her out to her parked car .

" Am sorry to say that our privacy was encroached upon ," he said as Rose got into the car . " Nevertheless , I must say it was great chatting with you . It would be really nice if we could have dinner some other time ?"

" I don't know , but may be an occasion might pop up . However , frankly speaking , I have known myself to be averse to secretiveness , especially when it comes from one in a business relationship . Nevertheless , I must admit it was nice having lunch with you . I enjoyed every course of the meal ."

" Am sorry if I sound hollow , but you are confusing me . Am not sure what secrets you are talking about . Besides , you suddenly seem to have changed after conferring with Jannet ."

" What does your secretiveness have to do with her ?"

" If you could allow me to have dinner with you , am willing to make things straight . I could defer my travel to the East for some time ."

" No need to . There's nothing to straighten up other than business . Where particularly are you based in the East ?"

" We are on the outskirts of the town , near the confluence of the East River . The lab is Dim Genetech and Allografts ."

" My youngest sister is coming home next weekend and we are planning a visit to our grandma those sides . Perhaps I might give you a call while there ."

" That would be generously kind of you . I will be expecting your call . Meanwhile , may I request you not to be sensitively dubious of my intention ?"

" I can't help it , especially since you have not shown cause why I shouldn't ." Suddenly , her phone rang . It was a call from Jason .

" Hello ," she answered .

" Hello , Darling ! The meeting still on ? Seems your absence here is screaming in my ears ," Jason complained .

" Sorry , but am on my way . See you in a minute ." She disconnected .

The call was loud enough for Julius to hear the conversation . He was disconcerted when he heard the word ' darling' , but he did not show it .

" Well , I must be going . Business calls . See you ."

" Thanks for the company , and don't forget about the call should you visit the East ."

''That's end of any more lunches or dinners with you !" Rose thought as she drove off . "What would come of a man whose tongue is synonymous with lies ? Was it difficult to let me know that they owned the hotel ? And , what was it that was the matter between him and Jannet ?" She could not wait to feel the sweet the company of Julius and hear is honest words . His was frankness itself . He was much worthier than many birds in the bush .