-Adam-

Seated on my sofa, I am leisurely reviewing a stack of papers that I brought with me from my meeting with Mr. Vanderpuye, which pertains to the licenses and permits that the resort has obtained.

Although I did not accept the job of being their legal representative, I did agree to go through them. Not to mention the employment contract that I had to draft for this establishment. Every single one of these things needs doing, but I just can't seem to get around to it.

Dammit! It appears as though I have become sidetracked. I need to have this contract draft before tomorrow, and yet all I can think of is Miss Dickson.

She has been occupying my thoughts lately. There is nothing special about her, and yet I find myself drawn to her. Of course, throughout my youthful years, I have met far more beautiful ladies than her. Those with angelic, beauteous, alluring, and captivating smiles and juicy lips. They didn't affect me.

Until now. Why her?

I can't believe last night's dinner got ruined," I sighed as I sank into the sofa. Everything was going so well. The table was beautifully set, the food was delicious, and the conversation was flowing smoothly. Actually, way too well, if I may say so myself. However, one false move and everything went down the drain. She virtually said nothing to me on the way home. The whole ride was torture for me.

I doubt she will want to see me again. Ugh, this is frustrating. I knew I was fucked the moment I laid eyes on her at the mall. Everything about her screams danger, and yet here I am.

A sharp knock at the door interrupted my train of thought. Who could be at my door at this time of day? In my black trousers and bare chest, I make my way to the door. "I am not in the mood to entertain."

Another impatient-sounding knock resonated through the hall. I quickly asked for a minute and approached the door to see who it was. As I opened the door, I found Matthew standing there, leaning against the hotel door with his arms crossed.

"What's up, man?" Sorry to drop by without calling first. He says. Man, you look like shit. Do you want to talk about it? He asks this as he walks past me in the living room to my messy workspace.

"What I want is a drink, and a rather strong one," I says.

"You never drink, especially at this time of the day. What's going on?"

"'Shelley' is what is going on, and before you ask me who she is, let me have my drink first."

"This will be juicy. A woman finally caught your attention." Matthew teases. She did more than catch my attention, I thought.

"Where should I begin?" I said this as I drained the remains of my D'Oliveiras Madeira wine in one swipe. Leaning against the counter by the bar, I fill my friend in on the events that transpired between me and Miss Dickson a few months ago to date.

'Shit man, You are fucked.'

"My words exactly."

"So, what are you going to do about it?" Matthew inquired.

"What can I do about it? After what nearly happened between us, I am sure she is going to ghost me."

"You are probably right. I mean, she has been avoiding you way before you went out, but I think you can prevent her from ghosting you if you go looking for her and talk. After all, you know where she lives."

"I thought it would be wise to give her some space, you know. I don't want to come out desperate," I said while pushing myself off the counter.

Bursting out laughing, Matthew said, "Do you really think you're not desperate? Look at yourself, bro."

"Fuck off, Matthew."

"Woah, woah, slow down. I'm just trying to help."

I ran my hand along my face and said, "I'm so sorry for coming at you like that. I know you are trying to help. I think I will give her the morning to cool off and then pass by her place tonight."

"That is not a bad idea. Anyway, what are those," as he points to the pile of documents on the table.

"Some documents and contracts I brought home with me from my meeting with the manager of this resort. A meeting you organized yourself and yet failed to show. You made me believe that it was a problem that they needed my help to solve in just a few days. Instead, they offered me a job. You know very well that I do not plan on staying here in this country for long. I need to get back to my life."

"Hey, before you go pointing hands at me. I had no idea they were going to offer you a job. Mr. Vanderpuye happens to be my father-in-law, and so when he asked me if I knew any lawyers I could recommend to him to handle some business of his, I suggested you. Since you are good at your job and a good friend of mine, I know you will go your way to make sure he gets the very best service."

"I had no idea he would go out of his way to offer you a job. I am sure he ran a background check on you, and he liked what he saw. Being a businessman all in all, I'm sure he couldn't resist the temptation to cash in."

"Well, I haven't given them my answer yet," I remarked as I made my way back to the sofa.

"That means you are thinking about it," asks Matthew.

Shrugging my shoulders, I said, "Do I have a choice? Since he is your father-in-law and all."

"Hey Ben, Before you make your decision, please promise me that you will carefully consider whether it is truly in your best interest."

"Fine, if you say so. Now let's change the topic. How is that wife of yours?"

***

"Where is that daughter of mine? It's almost 10:00 in the morning, and she hasn't come out of her room to eat."

Turning to her husband, she asks, "You don't think something must have happened last night with Mr. Adam, do you?"

Shrugging his shoulders, he said, "How will I know if something did, in fact, happen? If it did I hope it is the good kind." He laughed and winked at his wife.

"You are a dreadful man. Not everyone is like you, who gives it away on their first date. Will you get in there and speak to your daughter?"

"Well, I did not hear you complain about it when we were dating. Besides, why me? You and I know that I am the last person she will like to talk to about these things." He says as he lifts his gaze from the newspaper he was reading, to his wife at the kitchen table.

"If anyone is to get in there, it should be you, not me, Julia."

"Don't you think it's too early for you two to be arguing?" I said this as I joined my parents at the kitchen table.

"What is it this time?"

"It's nothing, my daughter. We were worried when you were not coming out to eat. Is everything okay?" My mom out of worry, asks this as she takes my hand in hers.

"I'm fine, mom. I am just not hungry."

Who am I kidding? Of course, I am not alright. I couldn't come down because I couldn't get Adam from my mind and our near kiss last night. Agreeing to that dinner was a mistake.

"You don't have to be worried about me, Mom; Sarah will be coming to pick me up. So I can accompany her to a friend's party."

"At least eat something." She said this with pleading eyes.

"Listen to your mom, child. The last thing I want is for you to be thin. Men don't like thin women, you know."

Rowing my eyes, I said, "You mean men like you, Dad, doesn't like thin women. Anyway, I don't mind eating something as I wait for Sarah." I settle in a chair in front of my dad as my mom serves me breakfast as I await Sarah's arrival.

As we pulled out from my house's parking lot, I couldn't help but ponder. Something seems to be wrong. Sarah is not someone who chooses to be quiet in the company of people. So why is she so quiet on this ride?

"Is everything okay?" I ask her. "You seem to be quiet today."

Turning to me, she smiled as she tried to keep her eyes on the road ahead while driving. "I am ok. I'm just glad you decided to join me. I don't want to go there alone."

"You should have declined their invite," I suggested. "No, I can not. If I do that, it will give them the impression that they have won."

"Won what exactly?"

Sighing, she said, "The party to which we are going is being hosted by Clara. She used to be my best friend until I walked in on her sleeping with my fiancé a day before my wedding. It hasn't been easy to move on. It was because of that that I had to move abroad to stay with my brother while I healed."

"Just as I got back, I received an invitation from her inviting me to her bachelor party."

"That bitch doesn't have an ounce of remorse. How can she do that? She had no shame," I said bitterly.

"To be honest with you, Shelley, I don't think she has. If I refuse the invitation, she will think she has broken me, but I refuse to be broken. That's why I need you by my side. I can't do this alone."

Placing my hand on hers, I said, "You are not alone in this. I am glad to be with you on this."

"Thank you, Shelley. You are a good friend." She says this as she pulls into an empty parking space at the lake club.

"Seriously, She couldn't pick a better place to have her bachelor party than here."

"Well, I decided to host my bachelor party at this location. Surprisingly, it seems that she has also chosen to have her celebration here as well."

'Please remind me why you two were friends again!' "Anyway, Sarah, before we enter, you need to know I can't stay here for long. I plan on going back to the capital today."

"Today?! What the rush, Shelley?"

"Tomorrow, I go back to work. I need to go so I can unpack and prepare for work."

"That's fine. I don't plan on staying here for long either," said Sarah.

Once inside, we looked around. "Well, she may be a bitch, but she certainly knows how to throw a party," I said. The decorations are really out of this world. "The drinks are delicious," I said as I sipped one of the drinks from a tray carried by a passing waiter. And the music, oh my goodness, it's my favorite song, 'Anadwo' by Sarkodie ft. King Promise. "I'm sorry, Sarah, but she is good."

"Don't be. I am really not offended since all this was my idea that she stole along with my man."

Well, I'll be damned! - Looking at her, I wish there were something I could say to make her feel better. This can't be easy for her, and yet she looks calm. She might be dying inside.

"You can look at it this way. You are the one who got away. After all, you wouldn't want to be married to an unfaithful man for the rest of your life, would you?"

She looks at me with an unreadable expression as she busts out laughing. I must say it warms my heart to see her laugh.

Approaching where me and Sarah stood was a dark-looking lady in a low-cut red dress in her twenties with an Afro-Kinky Ponytail. Before I could ask Sarah who she was, she spoke out.

"Sarah," you came?! She says this as she draws Sarah into a hug, planting kisses on both sides of her cheeks. "How have you been? You look good."

'That bitch!' Sarah thought. Smiling, she said, "Of course, I came. I wouldn't miss it for the world, and I am doing exceedingly well. Thanks for asking, Clara."

"How is the baby?" Sarah ask.

"You cannot be serious; there is a baby too?!" I blurted before I could stop myself from asking.