Chapter 3

They walked into the fancy looking restaurant and located an empty table almost immediately. Not long after they took their seats, a waitress approached their table and served them water and some bread for them to eat while they waited for their food. She then presented them with the menu to make their orders. While Edmond studied the menu, he noticed the waitress and George giving each other amorous looks and George saying something to her, making her giggle. The waitress was pretty though and quite young, she looked to be around eighteen to twenty years.

Edmond wasn't very conversant with Kenyan cuisine and there were a variety of dishes to choose from so he just chose the meal that seemed more familiar to him. George ordered the same without even looking at the menu and winked at the waitress who blushed before leaving. He stared after her until she disappeared into the kitchen then turned back to his friend who was shaking his head at him.

"What?"

"We just got here and you're already flirting."

"Come on, she's such a beauty."

"You won't even be here long, don't break the poor girl's heart."

"Who said I was going to date her? I was only admiring God's creation."

Edmond scoffed and looked around, admiring the restaurant. The decor and setting was just magnificent and unique and he couldn't stop himself from taking a picture. It was clear that a lot of money was invested into this restaurant. While he was still busy looking around, he caught the eye of a woman sitting alone at a table. They held each other's gaze for a couple of seconds before he looked away.

Few minutes later, the waitress along with a waiter brought their food and served them. "Enjoy your meal," the waitress said, more to George than to the both of them.

"The food here is amazing," George commented with a mouthful.

"I would suggest we come here more often if it wasn't so expensive," Edmond said.

"It certainly is worth it, though. This place is beautiful."

"Tell me about it."

They continued chatting over their meal until a phone vibrated, distracting them.

"It's mine," George said and took his phone out of his pocket. He took one look at the caller ID and excused himself to go answer the call.

He was barely gone for a minute when the woman who had locked eyes with Edmond earlier sauntered over to his table and beamed at him.

"Mind if I sit here?" She asked and took a seat before he could respond.

"Ever since we made eye contact a few minutes ago, I just had to get a closer view of you so I couldn't stop myself from coming here after your friend left."

"He's coming back, he just went to take a call."

"Till then," she said and crossed her legs, placing her designer purse on the table.

"Uh..." Edmond paused as he was out of words. What did this woman want from him?

"My name is Imani, and your name is?"

"Edmond."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Edmond. You are one good looking man."

"Thank you."

She picked up George's wine glass and drank from it. Edmond stole glances at her and took in her appearance, which portrayed her as a woman of class; she was wearing a black and white strapless dress, statement earrings and nude makeup. He also noted that she was a beautiful woman, with glowing dark skin and sultry brown eyes which were now staring at him with a hint of amusement. He looked away quickly.

"You are free to stare at me, mister. I'll allow it cause it's you," she said, finishing up the wine in the glass.

Edmond cleared his throat and continued eating his food out of lack of what next to do.

"Are you Kenyan?" Imani asked and he shook his head.

"I thought as much. Where are you from, then?"

"South Africa."

"Mmm, that's nice. So you're a tourist here?"

"I am."

"You are welcome to the Heart of Africa. I would love to be your tour guide during your stay here."

"I'd appreciate that but—"

"What is going on here?" George asked, cutting Edmond off.

Imani didn't move from the seat and just turned to look at George who was standing beside her.

"Hello, I'm Imani, Edmond's new friend and tour guide."

"I see," George muttered and looked at Edmond, raising a questioning brow.

"Well, we just met so—"

"Let me leave you guys to it. Goodnight."

George went to the counter to pay for the food before leaving. He mouthed a 'get out of there' to Edmond as he walked past their table. Edmond's brows furrowed in confusion before turning to face Imani who was ogling at him. She pushed George's unfinished food aside and rested her arms on the table, leaning forward. Edmond tried not to stare at her cleavage which she was now baring to him.

"Are you single?" She suddenly asked.

Edmond thought of Juliana and anger overwhelmed him. The purpose of this dinner was to get his mind off her so he didn't want anything that would remind him of her. By law he was still married to her, but to him, that marriage ended the moment she decided to elope with her ex.

"No," he found himself answering.

"I guess today is my lucky day."

He wondered what she meant by that.

"I have been searching for someone who can get my attention the way you did. The universe brought you my way no doubt and I am not going to let you go so easily."

At this point, Edmond had to stop eating to comprehend what she just said. She was a straightforward woman and he couldn't deny the fact that he was starting to get attracted to her. She was a beauty to behold and her confidence and poise made her even more beautiful. So he decided that since he didn't consider himself married anymore, he might as well play along with this amorous woman and see where this would lead.

Edmond offered to buy her food but she refused, stating that she was only interested in him and nothing else. She engaged him in conversation and they talked at length, getting to know each other and discussing topics of mutual interest.

When it was starting to get late, Edmond suggested they left and most especially her because she was a lady. She laughed it off and told him she was safe because she had her driver and personal bodyguard with her. They exchanged contacts and she promised to keep in touch.

Edmond admired her figure as he walked her to her car. She was not very tall but was endowed in the right places and he chided himself for regarding her in such a manner.

"Like I said, I'm only letting you stare at me this way because I like you, so you can look as much as you want," she smirked at him then entered her car.

"Goodnight Imani, it was nice meeting you."

"The pleasure's all mine, Edmond," she said and he shut the door. He watched as the car drove off before going to find a cab.