Chapter three

“Do you even know what effect you’re having on me right now?”

Damien said as he leaned in and gently caressed Samara’s lips with his. The softness of her lips took him by surprise. Samara looked up at him with her beautiful eyes, not moving away as her lips parted slightly, inviting him. The touch of their lips kindled something in him as he fully claimed hers and sunk into a deep kiss. The kiss lasted longer than he intended, but he couldn’t pull himself away. Instead he pulled her close, and she willingly gave herself to him. His hands began to slip beneath her dress, feeling the warmth of her bare skin, at this point they were both breathing hard, as he could feel her body trembling as his hands moved higher under her dress, slowly lifting it up, revealing her body to his eager eyes.

“Damien! Your breakfast is getting cold”. His mother’s voice from the living room woke him up.

Damien opened his eyes, stunned by his dream. His heart was still pounding, as he remained on the bed reeling with passion that had overwhelmed him. After meeting her yesterday, he had found it hard to get her off of his mind. Now she was also invading his dreams. He has never felt like this before. Something was stirring in him. But what could it be? What was happening to him? She was indeed the prettiest lady he had ever met. Their conversation was abrupt yesterday and he didn’t even get to know her name. But how come she had so much control over him this quick? It could only mean something.

“I have to see her again”. He said to himself quietly.

Samara hissed loudly as her elder sister woke her up.

“Wake up you sleepy head, we’ve a lot to do this morning”. She said.

“Please, just an extra hour. I didn’t go to bed early last night”. Samara pleaded to her sister.

“And whose fault is that?”

Samara sits up abruptly. “All of you!” She shouts. “You all kept taunting me to marry a man I don’t like one bit”.

“And have you changed your mind concerning his proposal?” Her elder sister asked hopefully.

Samara look at her elder sister with bewilderment, “My answer hasn’t changed. I will never marry the colonel”.

“Speaking of the Colonel, I come bearing gifts”. Her younger sister interrupts excitedly as she walks into the room with two big bags and a bouquet of flower.

“Not again…” Samara says exasperatedly.

“Don’t be an ingrate. This is a romantic gesture”. Her elder sister said as she checks the content of the bags.

Samara rolls her eyes.

“Samara, you love romance. Look at all this expensive gifts, can’t you just appreciate and accept the Colonel”. Her younger sister coaxed, then she inhaled the roses before handing it over to Samara.

Samara flips the flowers away. “My love is not for sale”. She says and gets out of bed angrily.

Frederick Smyth paced impatiently back and forth as he waited. His forehead covered with sweat as he continued to stare at the clock. Before him was a table for two set for a candle lit romantic dinner. He has learnt that Samara loved romance, and he was ready to play the romance card if that's what it will take to get her to be his wife. But as the clock kept ticking, his hope of having a romantic dinner with her dwindled. She hasn't turned up yet, despite the gifts and invitation he sent concerning the dinner. Could a respectable Colonel like him be stood up by a common young lady?

Frederick shouts out in frustration. This whole thing with Samara was reminding him of his younger years, when he was taunted and rejected by girls because of his looks.

An officer runs in, “Sir, is all well?"

“Where is she?" He asked angrily, “Why isn't she here yet?”

“I... don't know...Sir" The officer stuttered in fear, “I will go and get her now". He offered.

“Go and bring her here quickly". He orders loudly.

The officers salutes and runs off to do as he has been told.

Callista walks in on her sisters conversation, breathing hard.

“What happened?" Debrah asked wearily.

“Who's chasing you?" Samara asked.

“I just found a note in one of the bags of gifts the Colonel sent to you earlier today". She said in between breaths.

“So what?" Samara said irritably.

”What does the note say?" Debrah asked instead.

“It's an invite to dinner with him". Callista answers.

Samara hisses loudly. “Can we continue our discussion?" She says to Debrah.

“Samara he has been waiting for you for more than an hour". Callista cuts in, hoping to get her sister to understand the gravity of the situation. “You're standing the Colonel up".

“So what? Is he the President?" Samara asked showing no concern at all.

“Samara, this is serious. You must get dressed and go at once". Debrah tells her.

”Not even if you force me". Samara retorts stubbornly.

There's a sudden knock at the door, jolting the girls to alert.

“That must be the Colonel and his men". Callista says in fear.

“Then I must answer it". Samara replies adamantly, and goes to answer the door. A soldier stood before her as she opened the door. There was no trace of smile on his face as it was covered with a strong frown.

“Are you aware the Colonel is waiting for you?" He asked sternly.

“By now he should be aware I want nothing to do with him". Samara replied spitefully instead.

“Don't listen to her, she will join him shortly". Debrah cuts in nervously as she tried to pull Samara to follow her towards the bedroom.

“The Colonel has asked that you come with me". The soldier said.

“Tell him I am not coming". Samara answers sharply as she pulls away from Debrah. “Tell him my answer still remains no and will always be no".