Chapter 4 Khenan

I finished my cigarette and went inside. The kitchen staff was scrubbing the kitchen, and the waitresses were cleaning up the front. Mbali was nowhere to be seen. I dialed her.

Mbali: Babe

Me: Where are you?

Mbali: Mdu is driving me home.

Me: Mdu?

Mbali: We'll talk tomorrow.

Me: Be safe. Love you.

Mbali: Love you.

I cut the phone and said goodbye to everyone. Jumped into my car and headed home. I was tired, I got home took off my uniform and just left it there on the floor and jumped into the shower. I was done in 15mins and got into bed, I thought about the events of the day and I was actually a little bit excited about being in the kitchen again. It had been a very long time since I cooked in a professional kitchen, I missed it. I got excited; I got out of bed and headed down stairs. I got a bottle of wine, a glass and my laptop. I headed back upstairs. I sat on the bed open the wine and took a sip; I opened my laptop and started with my emails, nothing important. But something caught my eye, Mr. DeCosta was online. I ignored that and went onto the internet; I need a space for a new restaurant. But not in CT maybe JHB or Durban, Durban seemed like the better option. It's near the beach; lord knows I can not be landlocked. That would mean I would be able to get fresh produce, especially seafood. I searched for about 15minutes before finding one option I would consider, I took down the details and continued. As I was searching the web, I was thinking of the menu. What cuisine would it be? What the color scheme would be, the set up. Oh gosh; I was lost in thought when my phone rang; I looked at the time and didn't notice it had gotten so late, well early. It was 4 am and I was still at it, I didn't recognize the number but answered anyways.

Me: Nothando hello.

Him: So formal at this hour?

Me: Hi, how can I help?

Him: It's Khenan.

My heart skipped a beat, why was he calling me so early in the morning?

Him: I am sorry to disturb, I just saw that you were online and I assumed you were still away.

Me: yes I am.

Him: I know this sounds absurd, but would you want to take a morning run with me?

Me: Run?

Him: Yes, rumor has it you are quite the runner.

Me: Ha ha, I wonder who is spreading these horrible lies about me.

Him: Let us just say a little birdie told me.

Me: Lies I tell you. I am busy; I can not go out running I will lose my momentum.

Him: Anything I can help with?

Me: Well if you know of any available restaurant spaces in Durban to let, otherwise nope!

Him: Well you're just in luck; I think I have the perfect spot for you. Well I had plans for it, but maybe, never mind.

Me: Maybe?

Him: I might be jumping the gun here but maybe we can combine businesses.

Me: I'm not sure about that.

Him: I'm not saying yes, but can I just pitch my idea to you. You will love it!

Me: Confident much?

Him: Always, I always get my way.

Me: Well good luck.

Him: So you will hear me out?

Me: Yeah, shoot.

Him: Not over the phone, I'll be there in 20.

Me: where?

Was too late he had already cut the call. Was he coming here? I didn't understand. How does he know where I stay? He had only seen me once and that was 2 days ago, how did he know all this information about me? I picked up my glass and it was empty, I poured more well only to find out there were two drops of wine left in the bottle. Had I just finished a bottle of wine in the time I had sat there. I stood up and didn't know what to grab first, this man said 20 minutes and I was in my pyjamas. I went to my bathroom; I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I tied my hair in a messy high bun and changed into yoga pants.

"This is too much," I said to myself. I took them off and tossed them aside. I put on grey joggers and vest, put on a pair of socks and grabbed my laptop. As I was walking downstairs the buzzer went off, I knew that was him. I got to the intercom and buzzed him in. I set up my laptop in the lounge, for some reason my lounge was my comfort zone, my happy space. My favorite part was the huge rug, fluffy and grey; and the material coffee tables, two of them blue in color. I loved sitting on the rug while I worked, it was just perfect.

The door bell rang and I went to open it. For the first time I actually looked at Khenan, He was casual, khaki joggers and a grey round neck jersey; the white t-shirt he was wearing underneath was showing around the neck and arms because he had pulled up his sleeves. He was in socks and slippers. You can tell that he spent some time in the gym; he was tall and masculine, dark in complexion. He had a chiseled jaw, he had light brown eyes with the longest lashes ever; and I swear he shaped his eyebrows. This man was gorgeous.

Me: Come in, it's warm in here.

Him: Thanks.

I led him to the lounge and told him to set up while I got us something to drink. I shouted from the kitchen, "Is coffee fine?"

Him: No need to shout, I'm right here. And yes coffee is great.

Me: Sorry, my bad.

Him: What a beautiful house you have. Business must be going great.

Me: No, I'm a trust fund baby.

We both laughed, I made the coffee and we headed to the lounge.