Hidden Passion
Chapter 7

Dorcas opened the bottle and poured the glasses to halves.

"How could you be so comfortable at a time like this? What kind of a lady does that?" he questioned. "I do that. Let's cheers and drink," she suggested and lifted a cup to him.

He hesitated.

"Okay, fine. As a friend, drink with me. Just this cup," she pleaded as she returned to her seat.

He went to sit before her and before he finished a cup, she had gulped down five.

"Let's go to bed," Dorcas said and rose, staggering from one place to another.

"You're pie-eyed. I'll lead you to the guest room. You can't leave like this because you are obviously not in your right senses," Nath uttered and led her to his guest room and opened the door.

It was neat and well-arranged. The tiled floor was sparkling, and the comfy bed was calling for attention. He rarely had visitors, anyway, other than his mother and co-workers sometimes.

"Go in," it sounded more like an order as he pushed her gently into the room and closed the door, turning deaf ears to her protest.

He returned the wine and the glasses to their stands and went upstairs to his room. The first thought that came to his mind was Lillian and how he would find her. All his effort had been abortive. The worst part was that he didn't even have her picture. He would have asked her father for help on her location, but he had relocated some months after Lillian had left that day, so he never got the opportunity to see her again. His family also relocated months after then, but still within the

town.

How he wished he could cross paths with her!

Even if it were to be her dad, he would not mind. Just to get her whereabouts. Her mum was out of the game. He never for once got to see her mum throughout the holiday, so there was absolutely no way to recognize her mother. He must admit he missed her. He could not even recognize her. It had been years. Constantly seeing her would have been better and of help to her remembrance, but that wasn't the case for him.

After wandering endlessly in his room for almost two hours in thought, he retired unto his bed and tried to fall asleep.

The following morning, Dorcas got out from the guest room and met her host descending the stairs with a short knicker and a plain blue top. He had his iPhone 11 pro and had his eyes focused on what he was doing on the phone. "Good morning," she plastered a huge smile on her face. "I hope you slept well."

"Yes, I did." That was a big fat lie. He was pondering all night but why would he tell her that? "Good morning," he added his greeting.

"I have to leave now. I have a church to attend. What about you?"

The lady was really shameless. Nath could not help but wonder why someone like her was allowed in church. Well, God was too merciful. "I don't go to church." "Then, mosque?"

"No." His answer was quick. What was her business with his religion? He made an irritating expression at her questions.

"Are you a traditional worshipper, then?"

"What's wrong with that?" He said while staring at her. She made a face which told him she thought he was into that religion, so he immediately countered that. "I am not a traditional believer."

"Too bad. Well, I have to go. See you later," Dorcas bid and sauntered away.

"Go and never come back here," he wished behind her back.

»»»»»>

Sosanya Nathaniel sat comfortably in Mrs. Grace Williams' office discussing business. He must admit that he liked doing business with her. She knew almost everything he didn't, and he was glad he could learn from her.

But since he had gotten to her office, he had noticed she had been staring at him unusually. She would open her mouth as if to say something only to close it back, telling him not to mind her. She had done that for a few times now. There was a knock on the door and Lillian walked in after her mother answered.

"I apologize. I wasn't aware you were with a partner. I'll come back," she said and made an attempt to leave.

Her mother smiled. It was as if her unsaid wish came true. Her daughter should see him and solve the issue once and for all. "No, come here." She had to know if Nathaniel would recognize her daughter, so she was going to introduce them to each other.

She had been holding back because of her daughter. She had been bragging about how special their first meeting would be, though that had stopped recently, but she had believed it was because of her busy schedule at work recently. Lillian smiled at her mum and moved closer. She didn't know who her mother was talking to. When she got to where her mother's desk was and her eyes drifted to the partner, she instantly glanced away as she met his eyes. He seemed surprised, but not her.

"Do you know her?" Grace asked Nath, with little patience. The way she was looking at him, his expression portrayed that he didn't recognize her. How could he not after doing that to her precious daughter? He would be able to recognize her. "I know her."

Grace was silent for a moment. His reply gave a glimpse of hope and surprise at the same time. Maybe he recognizes her after all. She decided to ask again to be sure. "You do? Like, you really know her?" Nath nodded. "Yes, I do."