Chapter 4 - Love at first glance

"Good evening sir" I greeted in a polite voice as I gradually brought myself to a halt and stood beside the man who dipped his phone back into his pocket and slowly turned to face me.

"Yes good evening" He responded, giving me a questioning stare while placing both hands into his trouser pocket, as if shielding them from the biting cold; it was the winter season and the night during this period was always cold.

I could tell from the man's casual outfit and expensive shoe that he was an up and doing fellow - someone who was financial stable and in his late 40's. Whatever I was about saying to him had better be well constructed as I was looking to make a good impression.

So I cleared my throat briefly - wearing a courteous smile on my face and said to the man "Please pardon my intrusion, but I overheard you speaking on the phone that you were in need of someone who could work for you in taking care of the lawn in your house"

"Yeah sure, I am looking for someone for that... Wait" The man said with an affirmative nod and paused instantly - giving me a curious look with his eyebrows narrowing in questioning. "Are proposing to work for me?" He asked, sounding rather unsure than certain.

"Yes sir.. I wouldn't mind working for you, unless you've already found someone for the job" I chuckled lightly with a brief shrug.

"No no, that will be just fine... Actually, you've eased my search" The man said with a broadened smile that went a long way in relieving me; infact, I was extremely excited -- this was the one good thing that happened to me today!

"So what's the name?" The man asked - lowering his gaze on his shirt pocket while dipping his right hand into it to pull out a complementary card.

"My name is Liam sir" I answered immediately, collecting the card as he handed it to me.

"Well Liam, the second address on that card is my house address" The man informed, pointing his right index finger at the card as I held it with my gaze lowered - reading it contents. What I also learnt was that this man works as an accountant at a city bank; A lucrative and well paying job if you ask me.

"Oh... And by the way, my name is William." The man added courteously and extended his right hand for a handshake. Then I shook him by the hand and said "it's nice to make you acquaintance sir"

"So errm... I need to get going. I hope you can make it to my place tomorrow morning before I leave for work?" Mr William asked, slowly retreating his steps as he was impatient to leave.

"Sure --- sure... I will be there tomorrow morning" I blurted heartily in response, gazing gleefully at Mr William who only nodded at me and turned - walking hurriedly to enter an expensive black Mercedes Benz car parked few metres away from the bar entrance before speeding off into the distance ahead.

"Yess!" I bursted out loudly with my voice reverberating accross the street - causing some passers by to gawk at me; but what did I care? I couldn't contain the excitement I felt inside. At long last, I found a job or more like a side hustle which might not be a well paying one, but it was something actually!

As if I was also in luck, I pulled up and entered an available taxi that will take me home the moment I turned to face the road...

"Mom?" I called out in a low voice as soon as I entered the house; roving my eyes about in search for her, but she wasn't in the palour as the whole place seemed quiet -- well, except for the palour TV which was still on.

Then I moved forward and picked up the remote from the centre table - switching the TV off when I heard the clanging sounds of spoon coming from the kitchen.

"Well, she's definitely in the kitchen" I mumbled inaudibly to myself and moved towards the kitchen; then I slowly paused and stood in front of the entrance before leaning my left shoulder on the kitchen doorpost when I saw my mom standing in front of the kitchen washbasin - wiping some of the wet ceramic plates she had just washed with a napkin and was totally unaware of my presence.

"Mom" I called out softly to my mom, drawing her attention while staring gleefully at her with a wide smile on my face as she turned to give me a blank stare before lowering her eyes back at the plates. Clearly, she wasn't in a good mood -- and how could she be? Not with the way I spoke to her few hours ago.

"You're back" She managed to say in a low voice without staring at me as she continued stacking up the dishes.

I felt a bit broken on hearing her response; it wasn't my intention seeing or putting her in such a gloomy state.

"Mom... You know I don't like seeing you like this.. And I'm sincerely sorry if I made you feel this way" I heaved out in a remorseful voice and moved towards her - rubbing her shoulders gently with both hands as I stood behind her.

"Hm-mm" My mom gave out a low hum with a forgiving nod of her head before placing her palm on top my left hand as it remained rested on her shoulder.

"I promise mom... It won't happen again" I whispered softly - leaning my lips closer my mom's left ear as I spoke.

"Good lord!... Uh uh... Liam? -- Have you been out drinking with Andrew again?" My mom exclaimed sharply, pulling my hands down from her shoulder before turning around to face me as I staggeringly retreated my steps from her; smiling sheepishly as I found my mom's inquisition a bit amusing -- a clear indication that I was tipsy, making me wonder just how many glasses of tequila I drank!

"Urrrr.. And how do you know I went out drinking?" I replied inquisitively with a teasing smirk on my face.

"Boy, don't attempt lying to your mom." She cautioned in a somewhat playful tone as she pointed her right hand at me. "I could perceive the stench of alcohol from your breath when you spoke to me" My mom concluded, lowering her hand to give me a searching stare to see if I'll deny; but how could I deny? Not when her facts were right! The only thing I blamed myself now was speaking to her in such a close range.

"Okay fine... I went out drinking with Andrew. But I only took a glass -- and that was it" I lied with a convincing shrug of my shoulder while gazing at my mom whose left eyebrow raised in doubt.

"Make sure you wash off before going to bed" My mom urged.

"Yeah, I will... Night mom" I chuckled and dashed out of the kitchen for my room.

***THE FOLLOWING DAY***

I woke up quite early today and was already dressed, wearing a creamed coloured short sleeve shirt and a blue jean trouser before it was even 8am. I was feeling enthusiastic about going to Mr Williams house for the job; all I hoped for now was to reach there on time before he left for work.

"Where are you rushing to this morning?" My mom asked, setting the plates on the dinning table for breakfast when she noticed me rushing for the palour.

"Oh!... Am sorry mom, I forgot to tell you last night" I answered, tapping my forehead with my right hand and brought myself to an abrupt halt in front of the dinning entrance.

"Forgot to tell me what?" My mom retorted and stood upright to face me.

"I got a new job yesterday... And am to meet with my employer this morning before he leaves for work" I replied with my body wavering as I was impatient to leave.

"Awwn, that's good. But atleast you should have breakfast before going" My mom urged with an inviting look on her face.

"Am sorry mom... I really can't stay for breakfast. I'll see you when am back. Love you!" My voice broke out in quick response before I turned and jogged out of the house to get a cab that took me straight to Mr Williams house.

I arrived at approximately 8:15am as the drive down to his house took only 15 minutes.

'Wooffff... Just be calm Liam, no need to panick' I told myself as I moved up and stood in front of Mr Williams house entrance before giving three hard knocks on the door; then I pressed hard on the doorbell button beside the door when my eyes caught it.

'How could I have missed the doorbell' My mind chorused in amusement as I adjusted my shirt and balanced my stance when I heard the gradual footsteps of someone inside the house - approaching to get the door.

I must say, Mr Williams house was more like a mansion; it was huge and expensively furnished to a fancy taste - causing my head to turn in admiration.

"Hi, Good morning" the voice of a girl filled my ears, followed by the squeaking of the front door as it opened. I was about responding as I returned my gaze to face the girl when my whole body froze - making it almost impossible for me to speak.

'Woah' was the first word that echoed loudly in my mind when our eyes met as I stood, trying to balance my swaying stance. I must confess, I've never been this nervous in my life like the way I was standing in front of this girl who from my guess was about my age or a couple years younger than me.

She had a wasp-shape figure which was curvy and wore a grey coloured top with a tight black skinny jeans that hugged nicely on her thighs - making them irresistibly appetising to my eyes. Her complexion was fair and skin glossy which reflected the rays of the morning sun.

She was healthy looking and stood about my height. Her hair was midnight-black and it flowed over her shoulders, giving radiance to her facial beauty that I couldn't help but admire. In all, she was an epitome of beauty - surpassing all the girls I have ever come across!

Then her luminous, heavily-white teeth flashed as her tender-looking, heart shaped lips broke into a courteous smile.

"And you are?" She said politely to me when she noticed how mute I was. I even felt more like a fool after she inquired; I mean, why in heavens sake did I freeze in her presence? As if it was my first time seeing someone as pretty as herself!

"Lia...my--my name is Liam" I stammered awkwardly, clearing my throat halfway as I spoke before extending my right hand for a handshake.

"Nice to meeting you Liam... My name is Chloe" she replied with a cute smile, sounding much more composed than I did.

Then my body tickled with goosebumps rushing all over my skin when her soft pampered palm touched mine as she shook my hand; filing my head with wild fantasies.

"So errm... Are you looking for someone?" Chloe asked, pulling her hand awkwardly from mine; making me a bit embarrassed as I was so lost in my thoughts that i forgot we were still holding hands.

"Oh err, yess... Actually am here to see Mr Williams" I blurted immediately in a nervous voice.