-Adam-

On this beautiful afternoon, I couldn't help but look around and wonder why we were at the pub. I cast an accusing glance at my companion seated next to me and enquired, "Matthew, what are we doing here exactly?"

He responded, "I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing. That and everything else. Two weeks have passed since our last encounter. So, tell me, what's been going on with you recently?"

"So far, I've only been occupied at my flat; I haven't been doing anything else."

"Doing what exactly?"

"Living life," I said casually.

" Matthew, this is the last place you should be now that you are a married man." I gestured at the place. "If you wish to check up on me, you can always swing by my apartment rather than meet up here at the pub."

"True," he acknowledged. "It may not be the right place for a married man like myself, but it sure is the right place for you, rather than concealing yourself in your room and doing god knows what."

"Are you planning to live a life of celibacy?"

'Nope, I don't intend to,' I muttered

Matthew responded, "I am sorry, but the way you are going about it, I am afraid you will end up that way."

Hearing myself sigh, I finally spoke up: "Listen, I'd like to take my time finding someone. There is no haste on my part."

'You mean to say find someone like Miss Dickson?' For heaven's sake, Ben, she is not giving you a minute of her time. Forget about her and move on to the next best thing. Don't get me wrong, I like her. She will be a good partner for you. It's just that I don't like how she is toying with you."

"Why waste your time with her while there are a lot of women here to choose from."

"I am not being toyed with by her, I said bitterly. Simply put, she is taking extra precautions to avoid suffering any harm. Well, I get her. I need to figure out how to earn her trust."

Leaning forward Matthew says, "I guess that a lady of her character is not the type to trust readily."

"Nobody said anything about it being easy," I Snapped. "Listen, I understand and appreciate your concern for me, but really, I will be fine."

Matthew watches me as I throw back what's left of my drink. He then arches a brow. "Surely you clearly don't see what I see."

"Which is?"

"She is a challenge you can't win."

Without thinking, I slam the empty bottle down the counter, drawing a few stares from onlookers. I then look up to my companion and ask, "Could we perhaps shift our attention to something else?"

Matthew throws his hands up in surrender. "Fine, we can leave if you want."

"No. Now that we're here, we might as well make the most of our time."

-Shelley POV-

"Argh damn it! I can't seem to get Ben out of my mind." I violently pound the pillow as I try to find a better position to lie on the bed.

Lying flat on my back, I found myself gazing up at the ceiling, lost in thought.

What I need is a distraction, something to get my mind off of him. I need to leave this room, but where to and with whom? It's not as though I have a large number of friends with whom I could hang out over the phone.

I have lost touch with most of my friends. Mabel Owusu Benson will be my only close friend all these years.
If I want to know where she is, I could give her a call. My last communication with her was quite some time ago.

After getting out of bed, I plopped down on my desk and carefully retrieved a directory, hoping to find Mabel's number.

As I flipped through the pages, I thought, I seemed to recall jotting down her number here. "Yes, there it is."

I reached for my phone and dialled her number, patiently waiting for a response. There were several rings before a beep came from the other side of the line.

"Hello?" A lady's voice answers on the fourth ring.

"Hello and good afternoon. Am I speaking with Mabel Owusu Benson?"

"Nope, this is her younger sister. I could get her on the phone for you. Please hold on."Mabel," A call for you."

As I sat on the bed, waiting patiently for her on the phone. I couldn't help but fidget with the pen in my hand. I mean, it has been so long since I spoke to her. What if she does not want to keep in touch?

"Hello, and good afternoon," a voice said, which I presume to be hers. "Who am I speaking to?" she asks.

"You're on the phone with Shelley Dickson, Mabel."

"Shelley, Is this you? God, it's been ages. How have you been?"

"Not good, because I'm sitting here bored to death. What I won't give to go out at this moment. Where are you?"

Mabel replies, "Home at my parents' place."

"Good; that means you are close by. What do you say to an afternoon out? You and me. We could catch up on what we have been up to since graduation. It has been so long."

"Where do you want us to meet?" she asked.

"Papillon Restaurant? Three pm?" It's not far from your area. I'll meet you there in 40 minutes.

"Nice," Mabel muses. "I will see you there." I ended the call.

"Well, that went well." All that is left is for me to dress up and make it to the place.

***

Upon my arrival at Papillon Restaurant, I carefully perused the establishment in the hopes of catching a glimpse of my beloved companion. As I scanned the area, Suddenly, a lady in a navy shirt with glasses on beckoned to me and waved me over. Reaching the allocated table, I couldn't help but squeal with delight at the sight of her. After coming to terms with how much I had missed her, I embraced her tightly.

Two years have passed since our last conversation. "Get a good look at yourself. Whoa, you look stunning," I said to her.

'Thanks. Truly, you look absolutely amazing as well.' As soon as I stepped foot in this establishment, I proceeded to order double drinks. Am I to ask if that's alright with you? She Inquires.

"Sure, that's fine."

"For what it's worth, I know you prefer non-alcoholic drinks. I placed an order for one for you," she said.

"Thank you, Mabel; it was very thoughtful of you."

"Hey, Mabel, how's life been for you since school?" As I settled into the chair across from her, I posed this question.

"To be honest, I must say, it hasn't been too kind. I had a baby right after school, and it wasn't easy for me."

"Wait a second, I had no idea you were married. How long ago was that?"

"Come on, Shelley. I am not married." She dangles her left hand at me, showing no ring on it. "I had a baby out of wedlock. It happened after school."

"What caused that to occur?" I asked. "Your certainty in your future stood out among the rest of us. It was all in your plan. If my recollection serves me right, your agenda consists of meeting a responsible man, getting married, starting a family, and then, to make up for the monotony of married life, obtaining a respectable job. How did you proceed from that to becoming an unwed parent?"

Sighing, she says, "It's a long story."

Intrigued and eager for more details, I jumped into the conversation, ready to uncover the secrets within.

"Well, I have time for one. So, out with it." I stated as I made myself comfortable in the chair.

She began. "In our senior year of college, I started seeing someone. Things weren't serious at first, but I began to trust and love him as our relationship progressed. Things started to fall into place when I graduated, and I found out I was pregnant much too soon."

"Then why, upon learning you were expecting, did he not pop the question? Did you inform him that you were with a child?"

"I was afraid he would believe I was trying to get him to marry me, so I resisted telling him at first. Eventually, though, I hunted him down and informed him. He informed me that he was already engaged to someone else, therefore he couldn't marry me."

"That bastard!" I replied.

"Don't blame him. It wasn't entirely his fault, you know. The marriage was an arranged one. He couldn't refuse, even if he wanted to. I just wish I had known; otherwise, I wouldn't have been involved with him in the first place, but I don't regret having the child. He is the best thing that has happened to me. You will love him."

"I am already looking forward to meeting him. Since you're living with your parents, I assume they're assisting you with him."

"Yes, they have been very supportive. Anyway, enough about me. What of you?"

"To begin with, I am not married, and I most certainly do not have children, but I have met someone."

"That's great."

"Nope, that's not great. You know how I feel about men."

"Shelley, I refuse to believe that your views on males have remained unchanged throughout the years. I really hope you don't intend to spend the rest of your life single."

While thinking about Mabel's query, I clumsily hold my drink. "Well, there are moments when I long for marriage and other times when the thought of tying the knot makes me gag. Even if I've heard that not every one of them is the same, what are the chances?"

"Oh, I get it. Tell me more about this man. You said before that you despise having him in your life, yet your expression betrays your true feelings. Is the gentleman's name known?"

"Yes, he is known by a name and much more."

"I hope you don't intend to keep me waiting for that long," she asks, raising an eyebrow at me. "Tell me."

"Mr. Benjamin Adam McLean is his given name. With his kind voice and warm gaze, he is the most gorgeous and amiable man I have ever encountered. I adore it when he escorts me into the door and puts his soft hands on my back.

Although people treat eye colour as though it were important, his eyes would be beautiful in whatever shade. They are born with an exceptional level of candour and passion. He possesses an irresistible charisma that enchants me. I yearn to experience the intimacy of his lips kissing mine and his hands stroking my curves. This man's intimate proximity has an effect on my body that you are completely unaware of. I can't resist being captivated by his charm, despite knowing it would be naive to fall for him."

"So, succumb to his charisma. Give him a chance, and you might be shocked by what you find," she says.

"Are you nuts?" That's the last thing I want."

-Adam POV-

With every passing minute I sit at the bar, I can't help but gape at the screen of my phone as if expecting a call.

"Expecting a call from someone? If I may ask." Matthew asks as he takes a concerned look at me.

"Nope. You know, I want to text her. Just to find out how she is doing, even if I can anticipate the response she might give me. A rather annoying response, I must say." I gave off a soft laugh.

"Christ, Ben. You are in love."

My eyes meet my friend's as I muses, "It wouldn't be bad if I were in love with her, would it?" While I drink from my glass.

Matthew responded, "Not when she doesn't give a crap about you or your feelings."