CHAPTER TWENTY
FATHER AND SON DATE
Michael sat on the seat with his father. They sat in the middle of the VIP section of this hotel. There was no one there except for them. Some waiters entered and served them their meal. The chef came himself to explain the meals served and what each meant.
Not long, they started eating. Mr. Alfred quickly cut the steak and exchanged the plate with Michael's own.
"Thanks, Dad" Michael mumbled softly.
"Mm!" And they continued eating.
They weren't talking, just focused on the food. There was a comfortable silence as they ate. When they were through with the main dish, the waiters came and cleaned up the table, making room for another set of waiters to serve them dessert. It was now they started talking.
"Do you like this place?" Mr. Alfred asked.
"Yeah!" Michael nods. "The place is so cool" looking around. "I also love the colors used for their internal decor. It's warm. The paintings around also depict good meanings, and I love that from here, I can see below the city and the bright lights through the windows. The waiters are well-mannered, and the chefs know what they're cooking." Michael gave his honest opinion. "I'll give them a 5"
Alfred Watts chuckled, shaking his head.
"Would you love a hotel for Watts?"
Michael didn't reply. Just shrugged.
"Dad, for the funding of the new company, what do you think I should do?" He asked.
"Don't worry about that. I'll be the major sponsor, but I will bring in more. Five or six maybe. In between, I'm glad that more investors are willing to buy into this idea. I'll also get a new director to start its management so you'll focus on something else"
"That would be great. I also wanted to tell you that. A lot of people are trying to schedule meetings with me but George is helping me out on that part. I also think we would need more assistants"
"They are also trying to gain your favor. Just know that" Alfred Watts said, and Michael nodded.
"So...Dad..." He began to say. "I'm sorry I caused your break up. What are you going to do now?"
Mr. Alfred thought for a while,
"Mmmh! Don't worry about me, Michael. I'll be fine. If she's the one meant for me, you'd have supported it. Okay? Don't blame yourself for what happened. We've not gone that far yet" he smiles.
Michael nodded.
Mr. Alfred leans back on the chair and twirls the wine glass in his hand slowly.
"About Michelle..." He paused, watching Michael for any possible reactions.
"C'mon, Dad..." Michael rolled his eyes while a small smile danced on his face.
"You like her, right?"
"No...in the aspect you're asking." he shook his head. "We're just friends. Very good friends," he smiled, looking at his dad.
"What if something blooms between you two? Something beautiful, mmmh!"
"Dad...I have no interest in any woman...not yet"
"Okay," his father answered playfully and took a sip from the wine glass.
****
When Michael got home the next day, he had a video call with Kelvin and Sylvester and they asked him to join them at the computer village for games. He did and they had so much fun. He wasn't good with the games they played but he definitely picked up after one or lessons. Sylvester and Kelvin let him win a round and that was the round that gave him a trophy. He was so happy. When they were through, it was dusk already; and Sylvester entered a bakery shop and bought them soft drinks and burgers. They quietly sat on one of the tables by the window side as they ate.
"What's the extra bag for?" Michael asked pointing at the bag Sylvester kept on the empty seat beside him.
"It's donuts and ice cream for Michelle. She knows we're out here and so we're gonna go give it to her?" Sylvester told him.
"Okay," he said quietly. "Won't her aunt be home by now?"
"The woman doesn't have problems with us coming to the house. She's been seeing us since middle school. Don't worry, Micheal. We'll just call her out"
Michael nods.
When they were done, they entered Michael's car and drove to Michelle's place. Sylvester sat in the front seat with the driver, while Kelvin sat at the back with Michael.
They got to Michelle's place, and the buildings around were quiet. If not for the lights in most houses, there was nearly no noise.
"Oh! She's out already" Sylvester paused. He had held up his phone to call her when he saw her standing in front of the gate. She was wearing a pink tank top and black shorts. She held her hair together with a pink hair band. Little strands were also all over her face and neck.
"Sylvester bought a new car?!" She wondered when she saw the car stop in front of her.
They alighted, but Sylvester alighted first and gave her a hug. Kelvin did the same. Michael alighted and stood on the other side, both hands in his pocket as he watched her.
She didn't see him at first as she exchanged pleasantries with the boys.
"Here" Sylvester hands her the bag.
"Thanks for buying extra. Ivy's home" she winked at Kelvin.
"Ivy?!" Kelvin asked.
Michelle smiled at him, then looked into the bag which she opened with both hands. She asked,
"Which one of you got a new car..." She paused when she looked up on the other side and saw Michael looking at her. "Oh!" She exclaimed softly.
She suddenly became conscious and quiet.
Kelvin quickly said, "He went with us to the computer village" he turned to Michael. "Michael!"
"Mmmh!" Was his soft hum a reply?
"You wanna come closer and say hi," Kelvin said.
"Oka,y" Michael answered and took slow strides to where the three of them stood. His gaze didn't leave Michelle's. Neither did hers. "Hi! Michelle"
"Michael! You're back. How was your journey?" She asked him.
"It was fine" he paused for a moment before saying. Tomorrow's Saturday. If you're not very busy. Can I come to take you out?"
Kelvin and Sylvester look at each other smiling. Michelle darted her eyes to Kelvin who winked at her.
She smiles looking at Michael. "Okay. I'll text you." She had to look away this time. His gaze was seriously making her shy.
"Okay," Michael nodded and walked back to the car.
"We'll see you later, Mich. We have to go now" Kelvin held her shoulder, smiling.
She smiled, "I'm trying to believe this. Is...he asking me out?" She said looking from Kelvin to Sylvester.
Sylvester nods. "Wear something nice...and hot. We'll call you at night, mmmh!" He patted her back and they entered the car.
Michelle stood there waving at them until they left. After standing there for a while, she sighed and walked into the house.
****
The next day, by evening, Michael arrives in front of Michelle's house. He knocked and the gateman let him in. When he got to the door and rang the doorbell, a very tall, beautiful girl who looked a little like Michelle in facial features opened the door and gasped at seeing him. He was dressed in simple casual attire. A Prussian blue long-sleeved vest on top of the white colored tee he wore underneath and black slacks with white sneakers.
"Welcome!" She finally greeted him with a warm smile. Michael smiled at her, too, which made her look away shyly.
"I'm Michelle's friend, Michael," he said.
"Please, come in." She opened the door and led him into the large living room. Michael took a seat while she sat on another.
"What do I offer you?" She said still smiling.
"Oh! No! I'm fine"
"My name's Ivy," she told him while placing her palm on her chest.
"Ivy" Michael nods. "You have a beautiful name. I'll make sure to remember that"
She giggled so hard that she almost screamed, "Okay!!" Smiling, she said, "I'll go tell Michelle you're here"
She ran up the stairs. Seconds later, he saw Michelle walking down the stairs with Ivy closely behind her.
Michael almost forgot himself while staring at her. She was looking so beautiful. Her hair was weaved in two places with little curly strands escaping the weave. She was wearing a sleeveless, black colored dress that suited her figure well and stopped above her knees.
"Michael, you really came. I thought you were joking when you said you were coming" she said excitedly. She wanted to hug him but she didn't.
"No, I wasn't" he replied, standing.
"Meet my younger sister, Ivy." She holds Ivy's hand.
Ivy smiled at him. In fact, she has been smiling. Michael nodded.
"Can we go out now? Or do you need to change?" Michael asked.
"I'll just get my phone," she said and rushed up the stairs.
When she got to her room, she quickly picked up a small purse and put her phone in it. She went to the mirror to check out her appearance. She nodded but then picked up a nude-colored lipstick and applied it to her lips.
Ivy entered at that point. She stood at the door with her arms folded.
"He rejected me. He said he has a girlfriend"
Michelle didn't reply, just chuckled softly while smacking her lips.
"He looks familiar. He's from a rich family, right?"
"Mmmh!" Michelle nods.
"Do you like him? Are you his girlfriend?"
Michelle walks up to her shoe rack; Ivy stands beside her and points at rich black-colored sandals. Michelle smiled at her while collecting it from the rack.
"Thanks"
"You didn't answer my question"
"I can't answer that now. Okay?"
Ivy nods. "Should I tell Mom about him?"
By then, Michelle was set to leave.
"No, Ivy. I'll tell her myself. For now, let's see how tonight goes. It's not a date. I guess, it's a friendship"
Ivy nods, "He's very handsome. So much my type"
Michelle chuckles, "I'll see you later"
She walks out to go and meet Michael downstairs. He was on a call with someone but hung up immediately when he saw her. They walked out and entered the back seat of the car. After they are done fastening their seat belts, the driver turns to them,
"Are you set?" He asked.
Michael looked at Michelle, and she nodded. And they drove out.