Chapter 5 He's married

Me: Well tell me about this space.

Him: Well let me show you.

He moved closer to me as to show me his laptop. I could smell his cologne. As he talked all I could do was look at this perfect creature in from of me. I didn't hear half the things he said. I quickly snapped out of it.

Me: It's beautiful. What had you envisioned for it?

Him: Well, I am in the club industry so I was thinking of something along those lines. But I think this area would do with something new something different. It is perfect because it overlooks the beach, and Durban people love the beach. This area is surrounded by golf housing estate and you know what that means right?

Me: Housewives?

Him: you said it.

We laughed; he showed me more pictures and a 3D plan of the property and the surrounding area. We did some research on the restaurants around so to find out what cuisine I would go for. I was so excited and I kept rambling on and jotting down ideas, I realized I was talking to myself. I looked up and found Khenan staring at me and smiling.

Me: What?

Him: You really love food don't you? You're glowing right now and seeing you happy makes me happy.

Me: Well I love to cook, it's always been a passion of mine and to see my dreams come true is the best thing ever. So yeah I'm excited. I guess all that's left is for me to view the place and talk money.

Him: Well about that, I was hoping we could come up to some kind of an agreement.

Me: I knew this was too good to be true.

Him: Nothando, please don't be like that. Hear me out. Don't jump to conclusions.

Me: Gosh. What, what do you want from me?

Him: Nothando, it's not like that. Here's the thing. I have had this space for some time now; it has been vacant ever since I bought it. So when you said you are looking for space, I knew that giving it to you wouldn't be a mistake. And meeting with you now just confirmed that, your passion and love for food and cooking. It would just make better sense if you had it; you have a vision and a plan for it that I didn't have.

Me: So what is the catch?

Him: Don't make me seem like the bad guy.

Me: Tell me.

Him: Well there is a piece of property in Mpumalanga that we are developing. Here it is (he opened his laptop)

So we are building a casino and hotel, so I was wondering if you wanted, only if you want. You could open up a restaurant at the hotel? But you would be paying here of course. Ha ha.

Me: ok. Uhm, I'm going to have to think about this whole deal. It just seems too good to be true and I don't know if I am ready for this.

Him: How about this, I get my attorney to draft up a contract. Then you can get your lawyer to take a look at it, and then we can take it from there.

Me: Ok, that sounds like a plan. I just don't want to agree to something and then get burnt in the end.

Him: I understand that. I would never hurt you Nothando. That is the last thing I want to do, please just trust me.

I didn't know how to respond to that statement and I think he got the hint. He changed the topic.

Him: So when would you be available to view the space? Let us not get ahead of ourselves.

Me: Uhm; let me see... I'm free Wednesday till Friday actually. So whenever your real estate agent is available.

Him: I'll call her and let you know, how's that?

Me: Fine by me.

We hadn't realized how much time we spent talking. It was already midday.

Me: Ok, enough business now. Can I make you something to eat?

Him: I thought you'd never ask. I've missed your cooking.

Me: Please, you were at the restaurant just yesterday.

Him: Well, I think that's long enough.

Me: Follow me.

We walked into the kitchen. He sat at the counter while I went to the fridge to see what I could fix up quick. I peeped my head from the fridge, "Can I get you anything to drink?"

Him: You got beer?

Me: Coming up.

I opened up a corona and handed it to him.

Him: Thanks

Me: Are you allergic to anything?

Him: Nope I eat everything.

Me: Good.

Him: How long have you been cooking for?

Me: No buddy, I have spoken about myself way too much for one day, your turn. What's your deal?

Him: What do you mean?

Me: Don't play dumb with me you know what I mean. What are you playing at?

Him: Well, Nothando when I saw you at the club I just had to talk to you. You grabbed my attention and I tried to ignore you but I kept catching a glimpse of you from the corner of my eye.

Me: So you decided to stalk me?

Him: Not stalk per say, I wanted to meet you again and I didn't know how. When I found out you have a Jamaican restaurant I just knew that was my chance. I moved our whole entire meeting to your spot. I couldn't let the chance pass me by.

Me: Really now?

Him: When I tasted you food I just knew you were the one. Your cooking is just like Kalisa's if not better; and nobody cooks better than Kalisa.

Me: Is that your wife?

Him: No that is my mother. She's Jamaican, as am I, so best believe I know all about Jamaican food.

Me: And your wife? She knows you're here?

Him: Nothando you really want to get into this right now?

I walked over to the fridge and got a bottle of champagne, I gave it to him to open and pour for me. I took a sip, grabbed my knife and continued cooking.

Me: well yes I do. I want to know your intentions, and I want to know about her as well. You can't sit here in my house and say I'm the one when the whole world knows that you are married.

Him: Nothando I want you, I am not going to tell you that I love you; it is too soon for that. But I know I want to make you mine, and explore possibilities of us falling in love.

Me: Uhm.... I hear you.

Him: With my wife it is complicated. We are separated, but we are not divorced and we will not be getting a divorce anytime soon.

Me: and why is that?

Him: it's complicated.

Me: That is not good enough.

Him: If you just give me a chance I will explain everything to you all in due time.

Me: Ok.

Him: Ok what?

Me: Just ok.

Him: I'll prove it to you just watch and see.