Colin parked his Ferrari into the almost filled parking lot at Mel’s Place and got out. He went to the other side and opened the door for Alexia. She mumbled a ‘thank you’ when she walked out and let out a sigh. Her eyes looked around the woodland setting of the restaurant and she already loved it. The fresh air here would be all she needs to cool down after the electrifying car ride she just had with the irresistible Colin.

“Let’s go in, shall we?” He said and she nodded. “Have you been here before?”

“No, this is my first time.” She replied, glanced at him from the corner of her eyes and caught a flawless smile on his face.

“Then you’ll love this place. I have been here countless times. It’s one of my favourite restaurants actually.”

As soon as they entered through the glass doors, Alexia knew why it would be one of his favourites. The wooded floors, tables and chairs matched the beige coloured walls and the woodland setting outside. She already loved the place - especially because of its décor. She thought whoever decorated this place did an excellent job.

As Colin glanced around, he noticed the place was full. An observation Alexia had not noticed as she was busy appreciating the décor. “God, I hope we get a table!” He said.

“Of course you will get one.” A voice answered almost instantly. A waitress dressed in a white blouse and plaid miniskirt, approached them. The first three buttons of her blouse was undone, her black curls held in a messy bun and she wore a sweet smile directed at Colin. “Hi, Colin.” She said sweetly.

“How are things going, Tanya?” He asked and she thrust her busty chest out.

“Things are great.” Tanya replied and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, winking at him.

Oh, God!

Colin groaned and wished she would get on with her job and stop what she was doing.

“So what can I get you?” She asked and he sighed, relived that she was finally doing her job.

“Table for two,” he replied while Tanya moved her gaze to the woman standing next to Colin, and found her already staring.

A frown creased Tanya’s forehead as she glanced at Colin’s woman. This woman was so effortlessly beautiful that she made her feel like an ogre. She hated to admit it but her fiery red hair was beautiful. It fell along her temples and curved slightly at her jawline. She was in a pink blouse and black pencil skirt, which accentuated the curves Tanya always, wanted but did not have.

Tanya’s lips twitched as she glanced at Colin, who got his eyes on his woman. The way he looked at her reminded her of the same way he did her, three years ago, when he first walked into this restaurant. He had sent her notes all through his meal and by the time she closed from work that day, he was waiting for her outside.

That night they had done it in the backseat of his car and later took it to her place. Colin was the best lover she ever had and unfortunately the shortest. Tanya had always dreamed of having him again after that night, but she knew it would never happen. Colin was a playboy who would never settle for one woman. She knew that. However, she always felt jealous whenever he brought his bimbos to the restaurant, because she had an idea of what he was going to do with them in the backseat of his car.

Today, he had brought another one and jealousy was eating her up again. “This way, please.” Tanya led them to a table at the back of the restaurant and left them after she took their orders.

“You must come here very often for you to be very friendly with the staff.” Alexia spoke after taking a sip of water to moisten her throat.

Colin smiled. “Yes.” However, I am not proud of it. He wanted to add.

If Alexia knew the real reason why Tanya knew him by his first name, she would probably throw up out of disgust. Colin had engaged in one too many one-night-stands that he had lost count and could not remember many of the women. Unfortunately, Tanya was one of those he would never forget even though he wanted to, because she worked in one of his favourite restaurants. Up until now, he could not understand what his younger self had seen in her three years ago, that made him sleep with her. She was not good looking and her body was not any better either.

“You’ll be surprised how many people know me around here.” He said and he was not kidding.

Alexia nodded and continued to sip on her water. Colin watched her and wondered why she was still single. Like, it was not that she was bad looking. Alexia was damn good looking. She was one of the most beautiful slender women with curves he had ever seen. The first time he saw her, he thought to himself if he would be able to go as far as getting her into his bed without catching feelings, because Alexia looked like one of those women you cannot help but fall in love with. Red hair with emerald green eyes was a rare, but very attractive combination.

If she was this gorgeous, then why was she not with a man? Perhaps had one ever deceived her? Whatever it was, it was not up to him to find out. His only mission now was getting her into his bed before the end of the month and proving to that bastard Nathaniel than he was still Colin Knight, the master of seduction and charm.

Gosh, that nickname would be the death of him. It used to be perfect when he was a playboy, but now that he had changed, it was not right.

There was a pat on Colin’s shoulder as a group of men passed by their table. He looked up and caught the smirks on the faces of Nathaniel, Mark and Bernard before they sat down at the table immediately behind Alexia.

Jerks! Colin thought and moved his gaze away from their silly faces.

“So Alexia, how does it feel to be in charge of the project?” He started a conversation to break the silence she thought would never end between them.

Alexia fixed her gaze on his massive chest and spoke to it. “Working on this project had been exciting and hectic at the same time. This is our first time getting such a huge offer, so you can only imagine the stress and pressure on us. Anyway, that’s what work is all about and we’re learning as we go.”

Tanya arrived with a tray and placed their plates in front of them. “Enjoy.” She smiled at Colin before flipping her hair backwards and walking away, swaying her hips.

Alexia thought it was highly unprofessional for a waitress to behave in such a manner with a customer.

“I can’t believe the new headquarters of DALIA is your first big project.” Colin said, continuing their conversation.

“It is.” Alexia replied and started eating her food. However, Colin left his untouched.

“Wow!” He exclaimed. “You’re doing a marvellous job. I like the few offices I saw this morning.” Her green eyes twinkled and he found himself admiring them.

Colin’s phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out. When he unlocked it, it was a message from Bernard from their WhatsApp friend group.

Bernard: Colin is the master.

Nathaniel was now typing…

Mark: I cannot believe he was able to get her to go out with him on the first day.

Bernard: I thought she would be tougher.

Nathaniel: Colin is going to win this game tonight. You have to nail her tonight bro.

Mark: Ben, are you forgetting he is the master of seduction and charm? He can melt any woman with only is eyes.

Bernard: Yes Colin do it tonight. I want a purring satisfied kitty sitting in the office tomorrow when I go to work.

Nathaniel: I agree with Mark on this one. Colin is like superman. However, Instead of lasers, he shoots sex appeal.

Colin almost burst into laughter, but held it in. However, the boys roared with laughter at their table and gained a couple of eyes on them.

"Shut up, would you?" He typed and then stuffed his phone back into his pocket. However, the buzzing continued.

Alexia had been enjoying her meal when her eyes wondered around the restaurant and fell on someone she thought she would never see again. Her heart skipped a beat and bile rose in her throat. She was shocked.

“What made you decide to be an interior designer?” Colin asked and when she did not answer, he glanced at her and saw her eyes as wide as saucers, staring at something behind him. There was alarm in her delicate eyes and she suddenly dropped her fork.

“Alexia, what’s wrong?” The mention of her name diverted her attention back to him and she stared.

“Uh_ I uh_” she looked down at her plate and then quickly added. “Excuse me.”

Colin watched her round the corner and was confused as to what made her suddenly nervous. What had she seen that ruined her mood?

“Colin!” Bernard called to him and he left his chair. They smiled as he bent over their table, all of them speaking at once.

“Whoa, she’s got a nice ass.”

“Do it tonight…”

“Where is she going?”

“Guys, quit it would you? What is wrong with you? Do you want her to find out what is going on here? If no, then stay out of this and let me handle it. It’s my game and she’s the price I’m going to win.”

Colin straightened out his suit and then Bernard spoke. “When you’re done with her can I have her?”

“No!” Colin snapped. A little surprised as to where this sudden anger came from. He was not the only one surprised by it, though, the boys were too. “Excuse me.” He turned to walk away and that was when he saw Alexia standing in the corner, looking at something, or someone. He followed her gaze and found it on a man.

He walked to her. “What is the matter?”

Alexia did not want to answer the question and tried to get away from him. However, he blocked her path by placing his hands on either side of the wall and trapped her between his arms. “Who is that man?” He asked and her eyes met his.

“My ex-boyfriend.”