Swimming pool

Chapter 3

Levi looked into the frame of his Jacob and Co. wristwatch. It was almost 8:00 ET, and while he drove through the city at a casual speed limit, accelerating beyond 30–40 km/h, his mind imagined her. Now that he was sure of taking her to dinner, he felt an equanimity that she was the one for him. Draped in a Cedarwood polo, coupled with Denim blue jeans, his simplicity betrayed his billionaire status. As a mogul in Real Estate, Oil and Gas, Agriculture and more, Levi still pondered why she had refused his proposal. He had the kind of money that could make her happy. Although no girl had ever resisted him, he understood her type. He knew just what to do.

He didn't want Alessia today. In short, he wouldn't give her the chance to call him while on this perfect date. No! Not to talk about things that didn't matter. She had called earlier today to ask him foolish questions. What does she mean by telling him that Chiara needed him to be present at her graduation, when she knew well that he was the entire family holder? His duty was here in America and he could visit Italy when he was sure it was the best time.

Parking his white Range Rover Velar on her porch, he made straight to her front door and then lightly jammed the door with his knuckles. He could hear someone unbolt it from inside. Behold, it was she at the door. Moonstruck by how beautiful she looked, his eyes were unsure if she was his front desk clerk.

" You look so beautiful, Ms. Fisher."

"Grazie per essere venuto" Mary said shyly

Mary's mother is Italian, so she has acquired many Italian words from her. Levi is Italian, and he understood perfectly what she had said, Thank you for coming.

"È un piacere per me." It's a pleasure for me, Levi replied to her, revealing immediately his Italian accent. Leading her to his SUV, he held the door open for her to enter. As she slid into the Range Rover Velar, Mary felt enveloped by the soft, Windsor leather seat. The perforated design added a touch of sophistication, while the suedecloth headlining above gave the interior a luxurious, high-end ambience. The Ebony colour scheme seemed to glow in the dim light, making her feel like she had been engulfed in a sanctuary.

When he was sure of her comfort, he resumed the driver's seat, speeding casually as he drove through the illumed city.

A smallish man stood before them holding a big food catalogue. He took their orders, and afterwards he disappeared for about five minutes, before reappearing with their orders borne in a food tray. Offloading the meals, he proceeded to pour them the bottle of champagne which he had brought with him.

"The taste of food never falls short here." Levi initiated.

"Mm-hmm, I see." Digging into the cuisine with her cutlery, Mary savoured the meal in an informal delight.

Casting his gaze on her at intervals, he slowed down to contemplate the next word to engage her romantically.

His knife slowly dissected the beef that lay on the plate before him.

"Miuccia Prada could offer you an endorsement with her brand." He insinuated her colourful date fabric. Mary blushed at his seemingly genuine compliments.

"Not sure what my reply would be, but I think she had seen folks rock it better." She said.

"I'm sure you would still be the centre of attraction if she happened to be in this room right now." He concluded, with charm that made her almost taste his sweetness.

Peering straight into her eyes, she held and then faltered in holding his gaze. His undeniable confidence and calm announced seemed to announce his high status.

Levi was aware of Drew, but he wasn't sure if the Buck was still in the picture. The number of women willing to fall to his feet was enough conviction for him that he was attractive. Even the blind knew he was wealthy, he reasoned to himself. Nevertheless, her beauty was second to none. There was something about her that roused a sensation in him, although he could not yet find the word that explained it. It was her splendour. Yes! He had found the word. Her magnetic splendour shone brighter than the gloss on her lip. Levi began telling her about how his mother's red velvet cake would be a perfect dessert.

He spoke concomitantly of Mrs. Morelli, and how much he loves her cooking. Mary listened quite intently as he spoke.

"Oh! birthdays are still my best days." He said, mingling a flawless smile, which Mary thought she would not mind seeing more often.

"I never get tired of eating my favourite velvet, courtesy of my lovely momma"

He evacuated his story with a smile that radiated through his eyes. Mary sipped her wine, feeling a little more comfortable in a moment that got her to see a new side of her boss. A side of him that might probably wear off soon, she thought. She was beginning to like him. Aside from being wealthy, he was even soft spoken and knew how to hold a conversation with a good laugh, she thought.

The room was decorated with fine decorations, especially the flowers set on each table. Its composure was finely nit with the ambient musical instrument. Mary had an ear for musical sounds. She attuned her senses to the violin sound as it strummed, bringing her mind to her veins. To him, those strings were an extension of the human vein.

"Ever thought about the idea that music is a part of our spirituality as humans?" She said throwing a question at him, to possibly know the extent of his brilliance.

" I had read..." He began. "In quotes amongst the sayings of the Church of Latter-day Saints that 'music is given of God to further his purposes. Sweet melodies mellow the souls of men and help prepare them for the gospel. After men receive the truth, songs of praise to Deity help to sanctify and cleanse their souls.”

Mary grew intrigued by his words, and before she could pick up on what he said, the billionaire continued.

"Aristotle said that music ought to be used not as conferring one benefit only but many such as education and cathartic purposes, as an intellectual pastime, as relaxation, and for relief after tension.” Levi summed with a soft smile. Mary blushed, peering at him with a silent attraction.

After their date, he had repeated his gentlemanly dispositions towards her, holding open all doors, a gesture that made her feel very special.

"The world could be about metaphors." Levi began as he drove through the city.

"I mean, what if smokers are right after all, and nature is simply trying to communicate to us to 'smoke up!' You know. By the clouds looking like eternal smoke that hangs in the sky to remind us." They both fell into uncontrollable mirth about his analogy.

"Do you smoke?" She asked him

"Too bad, but no. I once tried weed as a teenager. It shook my mind." His revelation caused a relentless mirth between them.

"How about you?" He asked her

"No, not my thing." She said.

"Look I have one conundrum for you. If musicians are mostly introverts, how come they make such extroverted music?"

She had ingested a pill before her date, and it had eased her of the inner chaos she battled due to her depression. They both wished it lasted beyond her front door, but the night had not succeeded in convincing them that it was right on a first date. Levi, on his way back home, began reasoning about her. She was the beauty he needed in his life. Everything about her reminded him of something he had almost had but was deprived of by his parents' selfish contract that didn't concern itself with his happiness. After over 5years of his marriage to Alessia, he still never truly loved her like he should. All he did was for the sake of keeping his family name and her's in business together, and as long as his father was concerned, true happiness was in protecting the family's legacy. He manoeuvred the city at high velocity, till the cops pulled him over.