Chapter 7

I took my time as I descended the stairs because I knew that they were already waiting for me- I was after all, over an hour late. I wasn’t late just to be spiteful…ok, maybe I was, but just a little. But I was spending all of that time, making sure that I was going to look perfect. 

Everything of mine tonight had to be absolutely perfect. 

My short hair had been brushed smoothly against my scalp, my eyelashes were long and sparkled whenever I blinked. My lips were painted a deep dark red that seemed light against my dark skin tone and my contouring was flawless. My facial structure has always been fierce, but tonight I was confident that I looked like a Goddess. I was also thankful that I had taken that 6 months make up course from a famous makeup artist because those skills had come in handy today, and my hands did not disappoint. 

I wanted to make a statement the second I stepped out of my bedroom and what better way to make a statement than with a red cloud tulle ball gown that pooled around me, my toned muscled right leg, bare, as it peeked out from the extravagant gown and my nails were long and vicious, stiletto nails. I wasn't a fan of long nails, but tonight I'd made an exception because I needed to go all out. 

All out meant wearing a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti high heels, highlight that made me seem like dark gold paired with Bulgari jewellery because I knew that I was going to make my point tonight. 

The entire house hushed, dead silent and the only sound that could be heard was of each of my steps as my heels met the expensive tiles. Slowly, taking my time, letting them take in the sight of me before I decided to finally look up and see this mysterious, D Aebischer. 

My father looked up at me in awe, as he always does and my mother wore a huge smile on her face that I couldn't help but return. Besides them stood a man- ah, the one who'd brought in my food for me when I had refused to go to dinner. 

I almost laughed at the man, not because he was ugly or anything- matter of fact he was pretty good looking. He had breath taking hazel eyes, thin lips, a stubble and luscious looking dark hair that was combed neatly to the side of his head. He was very well put together which was good because I've always preferred men who took care of themselves and he looked very well groomed. 

His glasses sat perfectly on his nose, his suit looked expensive except for the tie that he wore- that's one thing I would've changed about him. 

He looked at me with a tug on the corner of his lips, holding a big box in both of his arms- his eyes made me feel like I was the prettiest woman he's ever seen, and honestly...I believe it, with the way I looked tonight, I probably looked like I was going to walk out that door and head into a Rolls Royce that'd take me someplace where I'd be dinning with the world's A list celebrities.

When I reached the bottom of the staircase, my father rushed to my side as he looked at me, "wow..." he just said as he looked me over and I smiled, "you look... woah..." he continued but clearly was speechless so I just squeezed his hand. 

My mother came to stand beside me as she gave me a semi side hug, seeming too afraid to even touch me. 

"Uh, Celeste," she began softly as she took my hand in hers and pointed at the man who looked at me with eyes that held appreciation, "this is Daddy Aebischer." 

I couldn't help it because it just came out before I could stop it. A soft laugh and I raised an eyebrow as I looked at the nerd looking man, "Daddy? Is that your real name?" I asked him the first thing that came to mind. Who names their child Daddy? 

He seemed too shy for that name in my opinion because even with my mocking laugh he simply looked down and bit his bottom lip before he looking back up and gracing my question with a nod. 

"The one and only," he responded. 

I've never heard a nerd have a voice as powerful sounding as his was. He had spoken softly, but the hoarse rough voice was undeniable. 

"Excuse me for being so rude," he apologised, a strange yet sexy accent coming from him, "this," he paused as he held out the box and took two steps towards me, "is for you."

"What is it?" I asked him, my tone snappy because I wasn't trying to be nice. I would make tonight a terrible night for this man, unfortunately for him.

"I didn't want to be like every other man out there and bring the usual roses and champagne, so I did some research and found out that you liked," he opened the top of the box and I gasped as I looked inside the box, "pomeranian huskies but couldn't find them. So, I took it upon myself to get you a pomsky puppy," he said shyly with an unsure smile and I was almost a second from pulling him into my arms and hugging him like he was an old friend.

"Really? For me?" I asked him and he nodded as I looked back down at the gorgeous blue eyed puppy that looked at me nervously and unsure. 

"You can take her, she's yours," he encouraged with a shrug and I grinned even more finding out that it's a girl.

I was about to take her before I was stopped by my mother, "you'll get fur all over you," my mother said, "I'll take her, and when you come back home, she'll be waiting for you."

Good call, mama. I nodded agreeing as I looked at the pomsky and watched as my mother took the whole box and stepped back. 

"We should get going," Daddy spoke, "we're behind on time...and the night can only last for so long," he finished as he straightened up and looked at his Rolex wristwatch because I know a Rolex when I see one. 

"Oh yes, have a lovely night, princess," my father said to me and I smiled as I accepted Daddy's hand and he placed my hand in the crook of his arm. 

We began to walk and I had to calm my racing heart as we approached the glass doors that led into and out of my house. This was my first ever date...

Holy shit, I'm going out on my first date...with a guy! 

"This," I paused as I raised an eyebrow at the car, "is your car?" I asked him as I looked at the massive can parked right by my door. The car didn’t suit the cute nerdy man, in fact I would’ve thought he'd be driving a Lexus or Mercedes-Benz but an F-150 Ford Raptor was far from my mind.

He simply walked me to the passenger side, "it just screams daddy, doesn't it?" he commented with a slight smirk and a wink that would've gone unnoticed if I hadn't been staring at his face. 

"I guess," I just shrugged as he let go of my hand and I stepped into the car, secretly glad he had a big car so that my outrageous dress could fit inside the car without a problem. It's almost like he knew I was going to wear this dress.

He closed the door when I got into the car and I watched him walk around the car and to the driver's side. I looked around the beautiful car, noticing how everything was black leather and smelled like men's cologne. Is this how the inside of every guy's car looks and smells like? 

"So, where are you taking me, Mr Aebischer?" I asked him because I wasn't about to call him Daddy, even though it's his name. It just makes shivers run down my spine. 

"I've set up a lovely dinner at my place," he said as he reversed the car and like a pro, with only one hand he began to drive and randomly glance at me, "temporary place of course."

"Ah yes, something about Switzerland?" 

"Yes, I live in Switzerland."

"So how does a man from Switzerland come all the way to South Africa to find a wife? Or are you simply looking for an African-" 

"Why don't we start small? Like your name?" He interrupted and I rolled my eyes. 

"Celeste Khoza," I answered. 

"Well, Celeste, it's lovely to meet you." 

"Wish I could say the same about you," I muttered as I looked outside the window at the beautiful night life of Sandton as he drove through the streets and I sat excitedly in my chair, waiting for the moment when I'd break it all down for him. 

~~~

"Welcome," he said as he led me from his car, my hand in the crook of his arm as we walked up the stairs that led into his house, "to my house," he introduced as we reached the last step and I looked around. 

The place was beautiful, "it's beautiful," I complimented truthfully as I looked at him and then away as we started to walk again. The doors were opened and I saw into the house, where candles were lit and music flowed.

The place was a bachelor pad in a quiet area where the houses had a bit of distance between them and were all on a mountain, having a perfect view of the night life down below. I wondered how safe the place was because it wasn’t a gated estate but it was very well hidden so I assume they have great security because his current residence was modern and looked very expensive. 

"Is that..." I paused listening to the all too familiar music. 

"Hugh Masekela," he answered proudly, "your father told me you always loved the man, and would listen to his music whenever you possibly could." 

"Wow," I said with a smile as we entered the place, this man was really making my first date experience a wonderful one- that, I couldn't deny, "you really thought this through didn't you?" I said as I looked around the place where there was minimal furniture. The theme inside the house seemed to be grey on grey, different shades of grey that created a dark and chilling yet relaxing mood. The place definitely had an interior designer's touch with how everything matched.  

"Absolutely," he answered as he walked me to the table and pulled out a chair for me, "have a seat," he invited softly and I easily slid in as I looked at him over my shoulder, getting a whiff of his cologne as he leaned in way too close and I tried hard to not get affected but I did. 

I looked over at what was on the table. I looked at the expensive champagne- Veuve Clicquot- placed on the table, surrounded by candles, and two champagne glasses. 

He reached for the bottle of champagne and opened it easily, smoothly pouring the liquid into the two glasses and handed me one. I gave him a small smile as I accepted mine and brought the champagne to my lips and nearly moaned at the wonderful taste. 

"So," he began, as he placed his glass of champagne in front of him and crossed his arms as he looked at me with interested eyes, "tell me about you, Celeste." 

"What do you want to know?" I retorted. 

"I'd like to know everything of course, you are going to be the woman I marry," he said with a knowing smile and I narrowed my eyes at him as I looked into my glass of champagne.

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," I replied with a smile that matched his, "but hey, purple is my favourite colour and I enjoy action movies." 

"I prefer the colour grey, as you can see," he pointed around the place, "and I'm one of seven children." 

"Seven?" I asked him in shock. From the same woman? Was what I really wanted to ask him. 

He nodded, "yeah," he chuckled like he wanted to say something, "I mean..." then he shook his head, "I shouldn't," he added, "but yes, seven children, all from the same woman." 

"Wow," I said in shock, "so what? You're the first born?" I asked him and he shook his head.

"Fifth," he said as he looked behind me and I followed his line of sight and saw a young boy dressed in black and white holding two large trays balanced on his shoulders professionally as he walked quickly to where we were seated. 

"Pasta, for the lady," the boy said as he handed me a silver tray with a plate of pasta, along with soup and then placed Daddy's plate in front of him. 

"Let me guess, you asked my parents and they told you I like pasta?" he shook his head. 

"No, I like pasta, so I thought it wouldn't do any harm to have some tonight. I hope you are enjoying the night..." he said to me as he looked down at his plate of shrimp and then at me as he fixed his serviette. 

"I am," I nodded as I picked up a fork, "but as lovely as tonight has been," I lifted some pasta to my lips as I took the first bite and this time closed my eyes and moaned at the wonderful taste.

"We need to talk about the elephant in the room, I understand," he finished and I shook my head. 

"No, sweetheart, you don't understand," I said as I shook my head and leaned back in my chair, crossing my legs, "you see, you want to get married, but I don't. I don't even know you, Daddy Aebischer-" 

"Well, that's the point of-" 

"I believe that we're all meant to have certain things in life, I truly believe that. Some people are meant to be millionaires and others are meant to always be working class. Others are meant to win the lottery and others are meant to only buy lottery tickets. Some people are meant to get married...and some are not. I am part of those who are not meant to get married," I paused as I took another bite. 

"You see, Mr Aebischer, I don't know what my parents have promised you, but I'm afraid that I won't allow myself to be a part of it," I shrugged as I took the glass of champagne into my hands and took a long sip before I placed the glass back down and laid the fork delicately besides the plate, "you're an adult and I'm an adult, and I wanted to come here tonight and tell you," I paused as I finally met his eyes, "that this," I said pointing at the two of us, "will never happen. I hate to be that heartless bitch, but that's just who I am. Now," I pushed the chair back, "if you'll excuse me, I just have to cut this date short."