Lunch Date

Chapter 13 Lunch date Myra 'I don't mind but just so you know I'll be ordering everything expensive on the menu," I said with a polite smile. 'Of course not, I don't mind." He said and stood up. He straightened his posture and took his phone from the desk and switched off his monitor. He walked past me and opened the door for me. 'After you Myra." He said and I followed him out. Immediately we got to the lobby, he told his secretary to cancel all his appointments for the day and went in his car and told his driver to take the day off. The smell of the leather chair in the car exudes sophistication and luxury. He closed the door after me and walked to the driver's side. He slid in and ignited the car. We drove in silence in the streets of New York and the tension between us grew. I knew I had to do something about it though. I needed to have him feel safe and comfortable while with me so, I had to up my game a bit. 'You do know that this isn't really necessary right? I didn't expect you to be grateful, much less take me to lunch," I said, breaking the silence and in the process reducing the tension in the atmosphere. 'You didn't expect a thank you from me?Nah.. that'll be uncouth of me. You went out of your way to get me something I thought I had lost and you don't expect me to show gratitude? Of Course not. You know there's an African proverb that says when a child is grateful for today, he'll surely collect more tomorrow." 'Oh, so you mean you want more in the nearest future?" I asked grinning 'Well, you can't blame me for wanting more, " he said , shrugging. I looked at him and saw that he was calmer than before and smiled. He was exactly where I wanted him to be, feeling comfortable. 'Jokes apart Myra, I really appreciate this. I wish there's something I could do or say to show you how I really feel. You really went out of your way and in such a short time at that." He said and I almost believed the sincerity in his voice but I knew it was all a lie. It was just a matter of time before his attributes show 'You are my business partner Royce,I hope you don't mind me calling you that?" I asked, looking at him and he smiled negatively. 'Supporting you is like me doing myself a favour. We rise by lifting others after all." I said and he sighed as he parked at the front of the restaurant. He walked to the side of the car and opened the door for me. The restaurant was exactly like the one we had the late lunch days before. Royce had been one who loves classy and sophisticated stuff while I wasn't really like that. In our marriage days, he'd complain about how plain I was but I'd pay him no attention. For me, simplicity itself is classy. It's no surprise that Britney was able to get close to him. I'm sure it was what fascinated him. We were both ushered to our seats and a waiter waited patiently beside us. As we ordered, he poured us a glass of sparkling water and left to prepare. 'To be honest Myra. I think I get how you earned the name ‘Mysterious Myra.' Honestly,it suits your personality. And you are really unpredictable. Most people would have gone ahead to get the contract for themselves. But you?...I'm fascinated. You are different and intriguing and calculative." 'Calculative? I'd take that as a compliment but you know what they say about intriguing people? They can be quite dangerous," I said and he laughed out loud. 'I doubt if you are dangerous Myra. With what you did today, I'm sure you can't even hurt a fly. So, that saying about intriguing people, could be a mistake after all." He said and this time it was me who laughed because he sure is blind to see what was right in front of him. It was he who is blind and didn't see that he was playing with fine and when I'm through with him, he'll never remain the same The waiter returned with our food and we ate in silence at first but with time we began to make small talks about politics, challenges that came with running a company and the diversity that clients want. He told me that he's even looking into politics in the near future but that I'm the first person he's told about it. We had just finished our meal and were getting ready to leave when Britney waltzed in. 'Royce? Is that you?" She said and we both turned,she saw me too and she smiled as she walked up to us looking like the Barbie princess she was. 'Myra? Wow,"she said as she got close,her Jimmy Choo heels clicking against the marble floor. 'Britney, how are you here? You didn't tell me you had business outside the house," Royce said as she got to him and kissed both of her cheeks. Royce clicked his fingers and the waiter added another chair to the table. 'True, I was just bored all by myself. I decided to do a bit of shopping. I was about to leave when I saw a car that looked like yours,so I thought to check if I was right and here you are. How are you two together?" She asked, looking from me to Royce. 'We just thought to have lunch together," I said 'Oh, don't be too polite. Britney, remember the Crest Oils deal that fell through? Guess what? Myra here used her influence and I got back the deal. Amazing right? I thought of buying her a meal to show my gratitude." He explained. 'Which I told you was unnecessary," I added while Britney looked at me with surprise. 'Really? That was kind of you Myra. You need to see how grumpy and cranky he was this morning before he left the house. I'm glad you had it sorted baby and Myra, thank you so much," She said happily and I smiled back at her. 'You both need to stop thanking me. What I did is nothing, compared to what more opportunities we'll gain from each other. Besides, I just happen to have someone there, he owed me some favour some time ago so I used it. It was nothing, really." 'Even at that, we are happy to have someone like you in our corner. If the deal had fallen through, it would have been a lot of trouble for my husband," she said and I smiled. ‘Her husband' he thought. She's got some guts claiming him. 'I still have a couple of meetings before the day runs out," I said minutes later and we all got up and went outside. 'Thank you again Myra. I'm glad we are getting somewhere. I'm glad that you are trustworthy," Royce said, stretching his hands towards me. I took it and shook it firmly. 'I'm happy we are getting somewhere too." I said. Britney moved closer and pulled me into a hug. 'Where's your car? It's at my office, why don't we drive you back?" Royce offered but I declined. 'I've ordered a cab, it should be here any moment from now." I said and the cab arrived just in time. I waved to them before getting in. As the driver drove me to my destination, I wondered what Royce would do when he finds out who he has been dealing with all this time. Does he now trust me? I thought and scoffed. Trust is a two way thing, he might trust me, which I doubt anyways but I don't trust him. He's a cheater who slept with my sister.