Loving, Mr Waters

CHAPTER SEVEN

MATTHEW
The restaurant is full but not as chaotic as it's been this week. Tonight I told my staff I'll be inspecting rather than help with preparing meals. I look at the clock noting that the time is twenty minutes to seven. Normally on a Saturday night I prefer to be at home but Trey insisted on spending the weekend with my sister which is why I'm here sitting in the bar drinking my water and having a chat with my best friend, Thomas.
"Do you remember that girl that dumped you in front of your staff because she found you wearing your chef clothes and thought you lied about being an owner of your restaurant?"
I snort remembering that day. The poor woman really thought we're in a relationship because we've been fucking for a week. "Don't remind me, I'm so thankful I got rid of her. All she ever wanted was my money."
"That was one of a good show for everyone who was eating here."
"Not at all." I disagree before adding. "People are often surprise when I tell them that I'm a owner and head of chef of my restaurant. It's why now I just say I'm a chef when woman ask what I do for a living."
"It's hard to find genuine connections nowadays. People no longer fall in love with you because of your personality and values but rather with how much money you make and what they can benefit from you."
I want to remind him that I've lived proof of that with Treys mother, Miranda. How she used me and then cheated on me with God knows how many folks. How when she found out she was pregnant she wanted nothing to do with our son until I offered her a large sum of money.
I'm about to open my mouth to say something when I'm struck by the sight of the most elegant woman known to Earth. I stare mesmerize as Thando walks in wearing a purple dress and white heels that makes her taller and her legs to stand out. Her braids are styled in what she calls a "doughnut hairstyle" and her lips are painted in a brown lipstick begging to be kissed by me.
Jesus, how can I never seen how stunning she's always been. It's like now that I'm paying attention to her she's more beautiful than ever and no one compares to her.
"Goodness, is that Thando?"
I take a look at my friend who's staring at Thando along with the rest of the guys in my restaurant drooling over her making me want to kill each and every one of them.
"The one and only." I snap in annoyance.
"Now that's what you call beauty. When did she get that beautiful?" He asks as he size her head to toe.
"Don't look at her like that." I warn through gritted teeth. I stand up making my way to her when I see a hunk guy approaching her as he puts his hand on her waist leading her to their table. I watch as he pulls out a chair for her and they both sit. My blood is boiling as I look at them smiling at each other and I take another step about to force her to walk out of this restaurant with me right now.
"Please tell me that look doesn't mean what I think it means." Thomas glares at me as I sit down trying to calm down. I feel Thomas staring at me as I shamelessly stare at Thando.
I turn to him annoyed that he's disturbing me. "What?" I snap.
"Man I never thought I'll live to see the day Matthew Waters looks at someone with eyes full of yearning. You've never once looked at Miranda like that, that's for sure."
"Don't." I warn. "I'm not looking at her whatever way you say I'm looking at her. This is me just looking out for Kayla's best friend who I have every right to protect from thirsty guys like him." I point at Thando's date not giving a fuck he can see me or not.
"And who's going to protect her from you?" He fires but I ignore him. "Alright I guess you wouldn't mind if I asked her for her numbers since you know I won't hurt her, right?"
"Don't you dare." I slam the table harder than I intended which results in half the restaurant looking our way.
"Sorry." I say to everyone.
I feel her eyes watching me before I turn around locking eyes with her. We stare at each other for a second and before I even enjoy staring at her eyes she turns around giving me her back talking to the hunk stupid guy next to her.
"You're deeply in love my friend."
I ignore Thomas continuing to stare at Thando who's now throwing her head back laughing at something hunk guy is saying. I do a breathing exercise trying to calm down so I don't jump at that lame guy who's making her laugh that hard.
I'm sure he's telling her some lame joke which she doesn't find funny at all but because of how polite she is she's just laughing not wanting to hurt his feelings.
Minutes go by as I sit there watching them eating and laughing.
Fuck this. I take my phone in the table and text her right away.
Me: If you know what's good for you, you'll be a good girl and go home right this second all on your own.
I hit send looking at Thando who's now taking out her phone in her purse and reads my message. She turns looking at me in annoyance and anger as she types. My phone buzz with her text which I waste no time reading.
Thando: Stop thinking you have a say in what happens in my life. 
I fire back angry that she's not listening to me.
Me: I don't think, I know what's good for you and that guy is not it. Ditch him right now and go home. 
Thando: You're the most annoying man I know and I have ever met. Leave me alone Matthew Waters, I'm trying to enjoying my dinner with my date and you're distracting me. 
I see red as I reread her text. Did she just refer that hunk guy as her date and saying she's enjoying herself? I scoff before I send another text not backing down.
Me: You wouldn't be distracted if I was the one you were having dinner with. You'd be focusing on me and only me. The fact that you're texting me shows that you're not enjoying that date at all. We need to talk. Go to my office right now. 
Thando: FUCK YOU.  
Me: You better do as I say otherwise I'm coming to that table to fetch you myself. Don't test me Thando, you know very well I will do it. 
Thando reads her text then looks at me wide eyed and angry but I don't care. After what feels like forever she stands up and I see her taking the stairs leading to my office.
"I have to go." I tell Thomas without waiting for his reply. I take two steps at the time not wanting to waste any more second without seeing the woman who's most definitely livid. I open the door to my office finding Thando pacing back and forth. For whatever reasons I get nervous as I look at her and my hands start sweating.
"Who the fuck do you think you're to tell me what to do with my life Matthew Waters?" She shouts the moment she sees me. I realize then that this is the first time her anger is directed at me.
"Is that what you do on your free time? Dining with strange man?" I ask lowly as I walk towards her ignoring every reason not to be close to her.
"None of your business. I owe you no explanation about my life. Stop acting like a jealous boyfriend."
"Answer me." I demand.
Right now, right here I don't care that I'm being a dick especially seeing her laughing and looking this beautiful. I'm officially raising a white flag giving in to her as I get more closer to her.
"Enough! This stops right here. You have no right to act like this. You made it clear that you don't want me. I don't need you acting all overprotective Matthew. I already have a father that plays that role perfectly."
"You know we can't be together. I don't care how crazy it sounds, you will listen to me." I slam the wall next to me frustrated that she doesn't see how hard this is for me. All I want right now is bend her on my table and fuck her till she regains her senses.
How dare she dismisses me like this? How dare she dines in my restaurant with another man and actually enjoys it?
"Just stop." Thando tells me raising her hand. "I will eat and date whoever I want. I'm not yours to worry about."
"You're his then? Is that why you're wearing that beautiful dress and looking breathtaking because you're impressing him?" I ask now face to face with her inhaling her scent. Lord she smells divine. I look at her completely mesmerize by how beautiful she is. Thando's mouth open and close as she stops herself from saying something.
"Aren't you going to answer me?" I ask her as I touch her upper lip wanting nothing more than to kiss her.
"Yes." She answers taking me by complete surprise. I'm tongue-tied as I let her move away from me but grab her hand so quick when she's about to open the door stopping her.
"What do you want from me?" She asks her voice cracking as she tries to hold onto her emotions. I turn her around making sure she's looking at me as I eat up her whole space. In no time she's pinned on the wall as I wrap my hand around her neck bringing her face closer to me and tilt her chin before I smash our lips together for the first time. Thando gasps allowing me to deepen our kiss as I kiss her like the starved man that I am. I tug her by her waist wanting no space between us as our tongues find each other as we explore each other's taste. Everything around me stands still as we kiss like we've been kissing like old lovers. This kiss is everything I never knew I wanted and nothing compares to it. I'm still enjoying our kiss when I feel Thando push me off of her staring at me with smokey eyes her lipstick ruined because of me.
Victory in my eyes.
I go to grab at her when she moves away from me avoiding my touch and fuck it stings as fuck.
"Thando." I call her name but she holds up her hand stopping me.
"What Matthew, what? Did it really take another man taking me out on a date for you to have the guts to kiss me? I'm not at all interested in playing whatever game you're playing." She spit word after word as she paces.
"Fuck no. That's not it at all. I know you might not believe me but I kissed you because I wanted to kiss you." I say to her meaning every word. "Please just come home with me and let's talk everything out." I beg her not ready to let her go.
"You've got to be kidding me." She looks at me like I've grown an extra pair of eyes and maybe I have because even I can't believe my words. I've never brought a woman in my house, ever but I don't care. This is not just any woman, it's Thando and she deserves all of my time. I see the unsure look on her face but come floods or earthquakes one thing is for sure, Thando Khumalo is going home with me.
"Come home with me. Just..." I stammer clearing my throat before I add. "Please."
"Why?" She challenges.
"Because I'm ready to finally have an honest conversation with you." I answer honestly. Thando stares at me probably trying to see how serious I am while I wait patiently for her to decide.
"Let me go talk to Lucas and I'll meet you at yours." She finally says and my whole body relax as I hear her answer.
"No, we're leaving together. Did you drive here?"
"No."
"Then I'll wait for you for as long as it takes."
"Alright but I might take a while."
"That's fine."
I wait until Thando walks out of the door before I take a sit on my couch letting my thoughts consume me. For the first time in six years I'm taking a woman in my house and not just a random woman but one that already has the absolute power to destroy me. The more I sit here the more I come to a conclusion that I don't care about the results of my actions tonight, I just know that I'm finally doing what I've wanted to do for a long time.