Chapter Twenty-Six: Dangerous Game

Romans POV

After anticipating to see her the next day ruining my sleep, what I got from her was a snub?

Really!? She ignored me!

Argh! I sit on my seat in the office tapping my finger continuously on the desk.

Last night was full of dramas from Jane down to Jennifer including my happy moments with the Ganes. I couldn't sleep as my mind remained restless, all I wished for was morning to dawn so I could see her again.

Was I being stupid?

Sometimes in life, there are things one can't control... I have said this before.

"Sir. Madam Jennifer is here" Paige announced after a soft knock on the door and I just nod.

I wasn't ready to see Jennifer, not this time.

"What does she want?" I asked myself as soon as I heard the light platter sound that came out from her expensive heels.

"Babe," Jennifer calls out.

"Hey" I lift my gaze towards her sitting upright.

"What's up?" I asked anxiously.

"Well I should be asking you that" Jennifer said curtly as she placed her iphone on the desk pushing it to me.

"What?" I asked, taking the phone from the desk.

"Half billion dollars was debited from our Trust Guarantee account in the name of Mr. Romans new Toyota Corolla car" Jennifer crossed her arms.

"What's going on?"Jennifer asked anxiously.

I laughed loudly.

"What?" Jennifer asked annoyingly.

I made her look stupid.

"Can't I get myself a car?" I asked slyly.

"You can but not with the Trust Guarantee account, we promised the money in there is for our wedding" Jennifer reminded angrily.

"I'll replace it back" I assured her confidently.

"Why didn't I see it at the mansion park or company park? ... I mean, the car?" Jennifer asked suspiciously.

"I got it for a friend, it isn't mine" I said.

"A friend that I don't know about. Can I ask your secretary to print out the address the car was sent to?" Jennifer asked obnoxiously.

"What's this? Has it gotten to the point where you keep tabs on me and monitor all my actions?" I paused in annoyance.

"Jennifer, I'm the man here so you don't dare control or monitor me. I do whatever I wish to do" I said angrily.

"We haven't gotten married yet and you're already being monopolistic and full of suspicion over me" I added vividly, my eyes caught with Paige staring anxiously through the smaller window thus I exhaled trying to calm my temper.

"Leave my office," I said softly.

"Babe I'm so sorry, I never meant to upset you." Jennifer said sadly.

"I didn't know what came over me and I was also curious to know your friends... Sorry, I stepped the boundary" Jennifer pleaded pitifully and I sigh.

"It's okay, just leave" I said.

"Are you sure babe?" Jennifer asked anxiously.

"Yeah. Prepare my favorite tonight" I assured her with a smile.

"Sure babe. Thanks" Jennifer smiled.

"You can leave now" I handed the phone back to her.

"See you later" Jennifer took her phone and left with a smile and Paige walked in immediately.

"Sir, are you alright?" Paige asked anxiously.

"Yes I'm good" I nodded.

"I overheard your conversation with Ma'am Jennifer, hope nothing wrong is going on?" Paige asked skeptically and I smiled.

"We are good. It's just a lovers quarrel" I covered up in pretense.

"Sure sir. I'm outside" Paige said.

"Go on" I beaconed a short wave with my hand and she left.

"What has come over Jennifer? Is that the reason she came here? Gosh!" I sighed, rubbing my forehead.

Shoot! Another thought ran into my head and I opened my eyes.

"Paige," I called loudly.

"Yes sir" Paige shouted from outside as she knocked on the door and came into my office.

"Have the address received the package?" I asked anxiously.

"Yes sir. Since morning" Paige said courteously.

"Then why hasn't she called me?" I stare back at my phone anxiously.

"What did you say, sir?" Paige asked politely.

"Nothing. Nothing. You can go" I said.

"Okay" Paige bowed shortly and left the office.

She can't avoid me forever though, I have my eyes on her.

What do I do with these three wishes of mine? I need to think about this... thoroughly.

"Ding."

"Ding."

"Ding."

Triple notification bings from my laptop woke me up from my thoughts and I clicked on the incoming messages.

I saw two pictures and a message from my private investigator, the picture kept me speechless.

Eliora and Tony.

What was she doing with him? I think it's time I make my first wish.

I angrily hit the mouse on the desk still staring at the pictures on the laptop screen.

Eliora's POV

Jennifer and I walked into my estate, I had my jacket on my arm.

"You're really a crazy driver," Jennifer laughed slightly.

"At least we got to our destination." I said boastfully and we laughed.

"Pretty Eliora and Ms. Jennifer." Desmond called us out and we turned to him.

"Good day Desmond." I waved shortly.

Desmond was standing in his passage holding a white hairy puppy, he was dressed in a short black jean and men singlet.

"Desmond" Jennifer smiled happily, walking closer to him.

"I'll change up" I said sheepishly.

"Sure, I'm outside," Jennifer said.

I nodded and walked to my passage, I shot a last look at Jennifer and Desmond before unlocking the door and entering the room.

I threw my car keys on the living room center table and walked straight into my bedroom.

I arranged my documents on the desk and hung my jacket on the hanger inside the wardrobe. I had a quick chilled shower before changing into a mini skirt and white polo.

I took the heavy leather chair with my earpiece and left the room. I opened the door and set the chair to my comfortability before sitting on it in the passage.

I placed the earpiece on my ear and started operating my phone. It's been a while since I checked out trending things and latest news, I haven't even read any books.

I quickly opened the online reading application, sorting through for hottest and latest romance novels, then I reduced the volume of the music "I surrender by Natalie Taylor" playing softly. The volume was around ten or fifteen percent high thus it was warm and cool in the air.

I dived into the first novel I saw on the paid section titled " Eat Me".

Though reading the novel, I couldn't ignore the conversation between Jennifer and Desmond. My eyes were on the phone but my ears were with them.

I had no choice but to listen, we were far from each other but I could still hear them... you can call my ears 'spring', I don't care.

"How's Ted lately?" Jennifer asked, caressing the hair of his pet.

"It's good and how are you beautiful Jenny?" Desmond asked politely letting out a toothy smile that shows his white set of teeth.

"I'm so good," Jennifer nods.

"I missed you though, hoped to see you earlier than this" Desmond said.

"Sorry" Jennifer had a slight frown.

"It's okay. So are you back... with Eliora and to your apartment?" Desmond asked.

"True friends never break, I and Eliora are back" Jennifer smiled.

"I'm not back to my apartment, I will stay at my fiance's place for some time," Jennifer added.

"Your man is so lucky to have a pearl like you. I'm still pinning on you though." Desmond said flirtatiously and Jennifer blushed.

"Stop it dear. We are both lucky." Jennifer said happily.

"How about you, when will you get yourself a date?" Jennifer asked anxiously and to me, behind her anxiety she is expecting a negative response.

"When you give birth, then I can ask your daughter out." Desmond said sarcastically and Jennifer laughed.

"You're funny." Jennifer slapped Desmond softly on his arm.

What is all this? I can't believe they are this close because the last time I saw them, they were fighting like cats and dogs. How come? Are they in love? But Jennifer was....

I yearned to hear more from them.

"How about we drink at the bar later?" Desmond asked.

"Who drinks on a Monday?" Jennifer recalled rhetorically in mockery and Desmond realized.

"Oh. We can adjust the date" Desmond insisted with a new suggestion.

"Sure. Sure. I'll raincheck" Jennifer rattles out with a cute smile.

"I have a huge crush on you, Jenny," Desmond admitted.

"Really. It will fade off soon. I can't believe I got on your good side with a brownie cake." Jennifer said teasingly and they laughed.

"Maybe you added some love portion in it." Desmond said teasingly.

"Never!" Jennifer squealed and they laughed loudly.

I couldn't focus on what I was scrolling, I paused the music while taking off my earpiece then I approached them.

"Jenny," I called out to her.

Their attention turned to me. I feel as if I have scattered something... Did I cause anything?

"Babe," Jennifer said, smiling.

"What's going on?" I asked cryptically.

"Oh nothing much. Desmond is just being silly" Jennifer explained and I nodded.

"And who does this beautiful puppy belong to?" I asked, touching the white hairy puppy on Desmond's arm.

"It’s my cousin’s. He went to school so I'm obliged to care for it" Desmond said.

"It's pretty," I said.

"Jenny. When did you become so close to Desmond?" I asked sarcastically in order not to make anyone uncomfortable.

"We have been close" they said nervously in unison and I smirked.

"Nice one" I nodded and Desmond walked away from us a bit.

"Are you leaving?" I asked giving him a scornful mocking stare.

"I.. eerm... I .. is" Desmond stutters nervously but when he noticed my mischievous stare, he sighed.

"Yes I'm" Desmond said vividly and left the mansion, Jennifer and I laughed.

"You finally apologized?" I said rhetorically as we both walked back to my passage.

"We are adults," Jennifer said confidently.

My phone beeped and I immediately checked out the new notification but instead it was a message.

["First wish: Meet me at the city square immediately."]

It was a message from Romans whose contact I saved as Danger with ghosty emojis.

"Liora."

"Liora." Jenny called, tapping me and immediately I shut my phone shaking as if I had seen a ghost.

"Are you okay?" Jennifer asks, concerned.

"Yeah. I'm good" I nodded.

"I'll leave now. I have to prepare my hubby's favorite" Jennifer said happily and I just nodded like a coward.

Like I don't know the hubby she was referring to, I mean, her hubby just texted to meet with me... insane right?

Jennifer plants a soft peg on my cheek and leaves the estate, I sighed reading the message again.

What is his wish? Do wishes come true... Well, wishes do come true when there's a person to put it to action... But I was not some wish maker.

Argh! I scratched my hair in confusion as I went into my apartment.

Wishes do come true, when it's being shared.

I changed into a black jean and a white polo, I added a long light brown blazer on it, I applied white powder on my face with a red lipstick then I hastily brushed my hair. I took my car keys and left the room impatiently.

City Square, I set the location on the car GPRS as I started the engine.

It was a twenty five minutes drive from my estate, so I arrived at the park and started searching for Romans.

The city park was bustling with life then I realized there was an event going on in the city park, more like a city fair event. There were a lot of people and fun activities, as my eyes searched for Romans I also saw plenty of games and things I would love to try out.

"Why does he want me here?" I wondered in silence.

"Hey!" a familiar voice calls from behind and I gradually turn.

"Romans" I called out in a low whispering tone as I was in daze staring at his wonderful personality.

Romans wasn't in suit, he didn't have this businessman aura for once.

Romans was dressed in a blue Hugo Boss jean and a black artistic Edge polo which showed the imprint of his stomach packs, he wore a white canvas and his hair was shining as if it was just being brought out of water and his hand was tucked in his trouser pocket.

Romans looked hot and yummy, I continued staring at him speechlessly.

"Are you done?" Romans asked loudly and I reacted shocked.

"Good evening" I greeted in a stuttering tone.

"Let's go," Romans said.

"Where?" I asked anxiously.

"It's up front," Romans said, taking hold of my empty hand and I stared at him, shocked.

Shivers went up my spine to his touch and I lost my sense of speaking, Romans didn't care he pulled me through the crowd while I tried to take in the whole event slowly.

His hand was warm.

Romans and I walked into a snack bar, it was almost full with patrons but he managed to get seats for us.

"Woah! Why is it so full?" I asked in astonishment.

"The meals they sell here are delicious," Romans said, smiling.

"How did you know?" I asked anxiously.

"I have been here once when there was no event." Romans said as he lifted his hand calling unto the seller, I nod my head staring around the bar.

"Two plates of hot seaweed soup and beef barbeque." Romans shouted politely.

"Coming!" The cool voice from the old looking feminine seller came from the circulation counter and we nodded.

"So, what are we doing here?" I asked anxiously as the old lady first placed two bottles of beer on the table and left.

"To fulfill my wish." Romans said as he used the metal to open the beer.

"What wish?" I asked persuasively as Romans turned the beer into big glasses.

"Be patient," Romans said, lifting the big glass from the table.

"Cheers?" Romans said rhetorically.

"I don't drink beer." I lied.

"Liar." He caught me red handed.

"Sure" I admit defeat and cling to the big glass with him.

Soon, the old lady placed our orders on the table and left smiling happily.

"Let's eat," Romans smiled.

"Sure" I took the spoon and started turning the seaweed soup when the patrons beside me discussed in loving tones.

"Babe. Hurry so we won't miss it" the man across from the fair young lady said.

"Miss what?" the fair lady asked anxiously.

"It's a surprise," the man smiled.

I started staring around the bar again and I noticed other patrons discussing the same thing, thus I got curious.

"Is there anything happening at the park?" I asked nervously.

Romans was turning the beef on the hot roaster with a fork.

"What?" Romans asked slyly.

"I don't know" I shrugged my shoulders as I took the spoonful into my mouth.

The soup tasted delicious, indeed.

"Let's go," Romans said impatiently.

"But... I just started eating" I said, confused and surprised.

"Were you hungry?" Romans asked anxiously in a mocking tone and shame got me.

"No" I rattled out and stood from the seat.

Romans dropped dollar notes on the table and we left the bar.

The sky was now dark and cloudy but thanks to the lights around the park and shops, the lights lightened the place.

Romans took hold of my hands again and this time, I tried to pull away from his grip.

"I don't want to lose you in the crowd" Romans stared at me and I nodded shamefully.

We proceeded down a wooden-like path, the place was bustling with joy and it was as if all the city residuals were present, thus one found it hard to hear the sound from the violins.

"River?" I asked in astonishment.

When was there a river in this park? Well... I don't go out but...

"It's an artificial large tile that almost looks like a river" Romans corrected and I nodded.

"Oh" We walked closer to an edge away from the ' artificial river' then I rested my stomach on the wooden edge staring at the glittering river in happiness.

"This is beautiful," I said, smiling so happily.

"You like it?" Romans asked softly.

"Yes" I nodded impatiently.

Immediately, I started seeing flying beautiful colors on the surface of the water and I lifted my gaze to the sky.

"Fireworks!"

"It's beautiful!"

"Baby, this is amazing".

The crowd cheered in happiness with their eyes and hands on the sky, screaming voices filled the air.

"Fireworks are nice" I said with my eyes on the sky, I smiled so bright.

"Do you like them?" Romans asked lovingly.

"They're so beautiful. I haven't seen these patterns before... I love them" I said absentmindedly, still holding my smile.

"This is my wish," Romans said softly.

"What?" I asked anxiously.

His wish? Was it to see me smile or what? Has his wish come true?... Having such a romantic scene with him... Was that his first wish? Are our hearts on the same page, now?