Smile

8 Chapter

Back at home, Rory recalls her weekend in Pasadena. She cherished those amazing kisses she had shared with Robert, but silently wondered what made Robert melancholy and why he never actually tried to seduce her. Oh my God, shouldn't the men normally worry about this question and not the other way around?

Robert had changed since she last saw him at Yale, but she wasn't sure she knew what caused it. She always liked him, and he made her feel safe and secure in Pasadena. She wanted to understand what caused the change in his behavior. Thinking of her memories of him, in New Haven, she tries to figure out how she could entice him to be attracted to her as she was to him. Once she knew what she wanted, she was ready to put her plans together to sweep him off his feet. She never did this before, because all her ex-boyfriends were the ones that pursued her, not the other way around.

The big question is how she gets the attention of a man like Robert. He probably has slept with more women than she has ever met in her life. Logan and Tristan were playboys, and pursued her. She didn't have to do anything but be herself. Robert had asked her out once, however she was not interested then, but she is very interested in this handsome mature man. He seems more thoughtful, but with a kind of dark shadow surrounding him. She wonders if he is hiding more secrets other than he is a famous photographer.

She decides to put her plan in action. On Monday morning Robert receives an anonymous letter.

Dear Robert,

I heard you are a player, so let's play a game and join my secret scavenger hunt. Collect your first instruction in the club named after a secret society at Yale, which is famous for its dangerous stunts and gorgeous men.

Mystery Girl

"I'll be damned," Robert calls out smirking. Seems like someone enjoyed her weekend just as much as he did. He realized it had to be Rory, because he knew of no other girl who knew about the secret society at Yale and the club.

He was concerned that his emotional outburst would have Rory freaked out; however, he wasn't ready to explain the reason to Rory. She always was the girl who work on a problem until she was satisfied it was solved. It seems that she is interested in him. He is intrigued by her offer and heads excitedly to his club to find the instruction for the hunt.

"Good morning, Robert," the security man greets him at the entrance, a playful spark glistering in his eyes.

Robert never let his staff of the club use his last name, because he didn't want such a formal atmosphere at his club.

"Good morning, Scott," Robert replies, sensing his employee knew something about the hint he's searching for.

"A mysterious girl was looking for you yesterday or better she knew where you were and left something for you," Scott continues, visibly smirking.

"A mysterious girl?" Robert asks with a glimmer of playfulness.

"Yeah, a mysterious girl," Scott repeats, pleased with being part of the game that she asked him to participate in.

"She never told you her name?" Robert teases.

"Must have slipped my mind," Scott teases back, presenting a letter out of his jacket pocket.

Robert chuckles. Who would have thought reporter girl would follow the tradition of the LDB?

He opens the envelope and smiling he reads the rules.

SCAVENGER HUNT

Rules

1. Working in teams is not allowed. You gonna be the last man standing.

2. Time flies. You have one day to find every item and then you are expected at the last point on Friday at 8 p.m.

3. Every moment matters. Take a photo of every item accompanied by you in the picture and give it to my partner in crime in your club.

4. I want to be a part of it. All items will be within the city that doesn't sleep.

5. There are some things money can't buy.

"That sounds like fun," he thinks while opening the smaller envelope that was inside the larger one.

He reads the clue to himself, "To find the first clue you need to arrange a meeting with the animal mascot of the LDB. Enjoy the get-together of the hairy males..."

"Hairy males?" Robert laughs while walking to his office to find out where he needs to go.

Having a bit of fun of his hairy appearance is exactly the humor he likes. He hates it when women tell him he should shave his whole body. Why should he do something like this!? He's pleased with his body. He knows he is handsome and probably manlier than all the shaved male models in the magazines. In addition, it turns him on when a beauty like Rory caresses the hair on his chest. To him it feels, better than the caress on his skin directly. Remembering her caressing his hairy chest he feels himself begin to be turned on.

Remembering the evening in his bath room, he loved how carefree Rory was despite the tension before. She looked stunning in the dim light and how he made her moaned left him crazy with desire. But he's no longer that reckless playboy and stopped himself before he lost control.

While Robert tries to figure out what he's suppose to do, Rory gets a phone call from Scott.

"Hey, gorgeous mysterious girl," he smirks teasing her.

"Hello, friendly partner in crime," she replies giggling.

"The eagle has landed," Scott tells her as it was arranged.

Rory grins, feeling like she is part of a bad spy movie. She replies, "The fish flies at night."

"What a shame that you like my boss," Scott flirts a bit.

"Well, that will depend on his ability to solve my puzzle," Rory flirts back. Scott is really a nice guy to agree to help her do this hunt with Robert. She was a bit afraid no one would help her, but he immediately volunteered to help her.

In the meantime, Robert figured out, that he needs to go to a zoo and find a gorilla. Using the internet, he searches which of the several zoos in New York has gorillas.

Grabbing his camera, he heads to the nearest one, the Bronx Zoo. Whistling he decides to take the subway to get there and enjoys this day off work. He can't remember when the last time he did something like this was. Feeling relax and free, he enjoys himself and thinks about the upcoming adventures she may have planned.