Ch 2: The Autograph
1091 Words
Not wanting to seem needy, Lisa waited far more than 3 hours before sending Gabriel a text.
“Hope your meeting went well,
Lisa.”
She waited for two minutes and was about to send another text – talk about not wanting to seem needy – when her phone’s ringtone started.
She did a little happy dance before taking the call. “Hey,” she greeted coolly.
“I was wondering when you’d call,” he replied, sounding a tad bit amused, “or text in your case.”
“Well, I wasn’t sure whether you still had work to do or not,” she explained, rolling her eyes.
“I do work late sometimes but I’m not a workaholic,” was his soft response, “it’s 10 pm. I was starting to think you weren’t interested in having dinner with a successful businessman.”
She scoffed. “Aren’t you full of yourself?” She told him sarcastically.
“Are you rolling your eyes at me right now?” He asked.
Although she wasn’t she lied and said, “Yes. In fact you’re more of a spiteful businessman than anything else.”
“Oh, I’m hurt,” he choked on a laugh.
“Yeah, right.” She did roll her eyes this time around.
“Do you like Mexican food?” He then asked, sounding genuinely curious, and that made her smile.
“Yeah, I’m not picky,” was her soft reply.
“Can you dress up for me?” He asked hesitantly.
“I think I can do that,” she laughed.
“Good. Good. Because we’re going to Havana.” He informed her.
The guy’s straightforward. I like that, she thought.
“You have it all planned out.” She told him jokingly.
“Do you not like the place?” He asked and she could picture him tilting his head to the side in puzzlement.
“It’s okay, I guess.” She told him hesitantly, wanting to sound clueless.
And he took the bait. “You’ve never been to Havana, huh?”
Straightforward and gullible, she thought with a smile. How can he be a successful businessman? Or is it just that he believes I’m so broke I can’t afford Havana?
“I have been there twice actually,” she rolled her eyes anew.
“Oh, my bad.” Was his attempt at an apology. “Where do you live?”
“Don’t mind me,” she told him dismissively. “I’ll manage.”
“I insist,” was his firm retort.
“And I don’t care,” she bit out.
“Feisty,” he observed for the second time that day.
“You bet.”
“Okay. Fine. Meet you at 8?” He asked.
“Sure.” She replied sweetly this time around.
“And please don’t be too late.”
“I’m a rather punctual person. Don’t worry.” She reassured him.
“Good. Good. I guess that’s it,” he concluded. “See you tomorrow.”
“See you.”
*******************
“Ferreira,” Lisa asked the manager upon entering Havana.
“Uh. Oh…” he stammered on his words while looking at her.
“He’s not here yet?” She asked, tilting her head to the side in an innocent manner. She knew full well Gabriel was already inside, for she had texted him to apologize for the slight tardiness, and she knew just as well that the manager was just checking her out hence his confusion… but she let it go.
“You came in a cab looking like this?” She heard Gabriel from behind her, sounding rather outraged, “What are you, crazy?” He grabbed her shoulder and brought her to his side, “You could have been kidnapped.”
“I take it you like my outfit,” she told him simply, a smug smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. Her make-up was simple, kohl and a dark red lipstick. Her hair was down in ringlets. But she was wearing a sexy strapless navy blue dress that squeezed her bosom just nicely. It had a white ribbon sitting across her waist tied into a beautiful knot, and then the dress flowed down into a nice cascade, with a slit on the left reaching her mid thigh.
In a word, the dress was stunning.
Gabriel sighed and shook his head at her. “I don’t believe there’s a single man in this room who doesn’t… which is why I’ll ask you to kindly stay by my side.”
“Possessive much?” She teased.
“I find you… refreshing.” He told her sincerely.
“Let’s hope I won’t end up like a rose and wither to your eyes.” She winked.
“Let’s hope so,” he winked back, his beautiful gray eyes twinkling with mirth.
Just as they were about to sit at their table, two women approached them.
“OMG, I’m such a fan, can I have your autograph please?”
Gabriel smirked smugly but was surprised to see the women looking at Elisabeth.
“Sure,” she replied softly.
“I’m huge fan of your book,” one of them said.
“I’m glad you like it, sweetheart.” She replied.
“Oh, I LOVE it.”
Lisa smiled warmly at them and then at their retreating figures.
“I never caught your last name,” Gabriel told her, looking troubled.
“No, you didn’t,” she told him smugly, a smirk breaking through her features, “My name’s Elisabeth Cayemore.”
“Doesn’t ring a bell.” He muttered to himself.
“I’m mostly known as Sweet Lisa.” She added after a small pause.
“Oh.” He let out, seeming astonished. “I understand now how you can afford the dress you’re wearing.”
She smirked at him anew.
“Aren’t you full of mysteries Miss Lisa?” He grinned at her.
Her smirk only widened at that.
Let the fun begin, she thought.
- Writer
