SUBLIME

Chapter 2

Ayanna.

One hour went by, then it became two hours and suddenly three hours had passed and they had not left as yet.

I had spent the first half of my time in the kitchen and the latter half waiting in my office, going over records and a few financials to occupy myself but nothing I did could shake that uneasiness that was brought on from my nervousness.

I hope they enjoyed themselves here.

The granite clock on the wall read 11:45 and the low but steady murmur of voices was still going strong beyond the mahogany doors.

Suddenly a knock came at that door and I immediately perked up, accidentally hitting my knee on the underside of the desk.

"Come in," I squeaked, the stabbing pain ebbed and flowed until it began to dim down.

"Ms Alvarez," Jasper's head poked from behind the door.

"Yes Jasper?" I rubbed my knee absentmindedly.

"They have requested to see the owner."

"Oh. Of course," I closed the folder that I was working on and stood up to follow him.

It took a while for my eyes to be adjusted to the dimness of my new surroundings after being in the bright lighting of my office but after a few seconds I was able to make out a table which held twenty eight persons engaged in deep conversation with one another.

However, as I got closer, the conversations seemed to stop

Eyes keenly followed my every movement as I fell in step behind Jasper. Suddenly very conscious of my appearance, I really hoped that my attempts to smooth my dress went unnoticed.

As I neared the table, I happened to glance across and immediately locked eyes with the same chocolate brown pair from earlier. I felt a twinge of nervousness building in my chest again but it had to wait as Jasper came to a stop at the very head of the table, before a man that was very well known in my father's home country.

"Mr Zidane, this is the owner Ms Alvarez." Jasper did a little bow before stepping back to allow Zinedine Zidane to stand and extend his hand to me.

"Good night Ms Alvarez, my name is Zinedine Zidane."

"Ayanna Alvarez," I offered him what I hoped was my most dazzling smile as I accepted his handshake,"It is a pleasure to meet you."

"I would introduce to all of my players but I'm afraid some of them are too engorged to respond immediately," He chuckled at their contented faces,"I must commend you and your staff because the food was heavenly and the atmosphere was superb. You have done a wonderful job with your establishment."

"Thank you Mr Zidane, I am glad that you all enjoyed your meal."

"I am glad that a friend of mine recommended your restaurant and rest assured Ms Alvarez that we, mainly the players, will patronize your establishment in the future."

"I cannot begin to express my gratitude." I could not contain my smile.

"Might I ask how old you are my dear? You seem to be on the young side." His eyes exuded curiosity.

"I am twenty six," I replied immediately.

"Amazing! The same age my sister started her own business as well. I guess now is the best time for you to meet my team, now that they seem to be paying attention. I'll let them introduce themselves." He sat and directed me to his left to start with a man with brown hair, a sharp nose and tattoos that ran all the way behind his ears.

"Sergio," He smiled graciously as he offered his hand, his last name popping into my head as I shook it and moved on to the person next to him.

I went through almost the entire table and the men were gracious and friendly, each offering a small word of praise, Marcelo and Dani made comments that made me laugh and calmed my nerves before finally coming to the person whose gaze I just could not seem to shake the entire night.

"Cristiano, my dear," He smiled sweetly while his eyes told a similar but ultimately different story. They were dancing with some unreadable emotion as I reached to accept his hand.

His calloused fingers went well with my smooth ones as he enveloped my small hand with his.

"Ayanna," I managed to get out despite the growing lump in my throat.

"Such a pretty name," The words fell smoothly from his lips and I could not help but admire their plumpness.

I was not even going to deny myself the luxury of staring. He is a extraordinarily handsome man. From those sculpted cheekbones to even the very light freckles that littered his face, it was hard to concentrate on much else around me. He had the makings of a man who was blessed by god and who also took meticulous care of himself.

"Thank you," I might have mumbled a bit. Thankfully no one else caught me oogling but it did not slip past him at all. I knew he was aware by the way his mouth curved into a devious grin.

"Where does it come from?" He continued, looking genuinely interested.

"It has somewhat of a mixed origin, mainly Amharic roots, meaning 'Beautiful Flower'," I replied, fidgeting with my necklace,"My mother named me as a reminder of her home."

"Amharic?" He pondered,"Your mother...is she from Ethiopia?"

"Yes she is," I smiled at his knowledge.

"I must say it is a beautiful country. I spent two weeks of my vacation in 2015 there." He sat back and folded his arms across his chest, accentuating the taut muscles in his upper body.

"I spent most of the summers of my childhood there and I started the tradition back last year. There is not much family left but it still makes my mother happy." I explained.

"How thoughtful," He smiled playfully,"Maybe someday we can go on a vacation there together?"

"That is quite the offer," I laughed at his jest,"But for now I must decline."

"You wound me,"He jokingly held his chest.

"They are only words," I mused.

"Beautiful and flower are only words too, yet they hold so much meaning," He leaned in closer,"Flowers are truly beautiful, tangible things but I don't think there will ever be a flower as breathtakingly beautiful as you are, my dear."

I could not help my gasp.

I gazed at him, lost for words while he looked unfazed. Happy but still unfazed.

I gulped almost audibly and took a few breaths to calm my nerves not from nervousness but from an electric thrill.

"You have caught me off guard, Cristiano," I admitted with a shake of my head

"You can call me Cris," he started,"And I expect nothing, I was just stating the truth because I could not hold it back any longer."

I could only nod weakly in return.

The smile never left his face.

"I do admit that I would like to get to know you better, if it would be to your liking of course," He licked his lips ever so discreetly.

"Of course, it would be my pleasure," I found myself even through the stunned state I was in.

"Great, I am looking foward to it," He offered me his hand again.

"So am I," I shook it again

But the electricity intensified a hundredfold this time.

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