CHAPTER 3- HARDENED BLUE EYES

TWELVE YEARS LATER

12:00pm.

"Miss Doreen...."

The man at the table stood to his feet as she approached the table reserved for the two of them.

"Good afternoon, Mr Diego." Allison said curtly.

She had heard a lot about him and No joke! This Spanish business mogul was hot! No wonder the ladies were all over him, but she could care less.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." He stretched out a hand, smiling broadly.

"The pleasure is mine." She forced out a smile. "I'm not late am I?"

"Not at all. And by the way, You look beautiful." He complimented. "And that hair, it's mesmerizing."

"Thank you." Allison said, unaffected by the compliment. "Well let's get started, shall we?"

Darn it! She had done it again. Treating everything like it was work.

Who would blame her, all her life she had been so dedicated to running her Father's company having barely any time for herself. Back in college, She was always been labeled a nerd only now, people act nicer and tag her a workaholic which was the same thing as being a nerd only a "work nerd". She cleared her throat adjusting her glasses. This blind date was just as uncomfortable as the countless previous others.

"Let's start with lunch then..." Diego said, breaking the awkward silence.

"Hmmm..." Allison smiled.

"What are your hobbies dear?" He asked, trying to start a conversation.

"Let's see..."she smiled "....None!" Her smile turned sour as it had come.

"Oh really?"

"Hmm, work's all I have time for."

"Oh, How about ambitions? Surely you have those, everyone does. What are your ambitions?"

"Ambitions?"

"Yes, I would like to know, what are they?"

"Already achieved!" She replied unenthusiastically.

"I see..."

The tension was getting worse and she wasn't interested in making the slightest move to liven up the mood. All throughout the torturous thirty minutes of their time, she kept glancing at her watch, wishing she could speed up the clock until finally, it was 12:30.

"Ahh, would you look at that? Time's up already."Allison immediately got to her feet and so did the gentleman across the table.

"You're leaving already?"

"Yes, of course, our time has elapsed and I have work to do at the office."

"I see. Do you think we could meet up some other time?

I would love to but I can't, my schedules are so tight I barely have any spare time."

"I see."

"Yes, thank you for today. I have to go now."

"Goodbye, Miss Doreen."

"Goodbye."

Allison let out a relieved sigh as she got back into her car, and drove away from the restaurant. Just then, her phone rang the name "HeartThrob" appeared on the screen.

"Hello Handsome..." she smiled.

"How was your date child?"

"Horrible as usual."

"Come on child, what do u think of the gentleman? Surely there's...something."

"Oh Dad, would you please stop trying to marry me off to every eligible Man you happen to meet? I'm only twenty-three for goodness sake!"

"At twenty-three, you my dear, should be suckling my first grandson at your breast while the next grows big in your belly."

"And yes, while I walk around in barefoot, wiping my son's buttocks after just taking a shit as I make rice porridge for my very fat sex addict if a husband"

"Stop making it seem so horrible Ally." He chuckled at the other end. Allison also couldn't help laughing at the ridiculous scenario she just made up.

"Besides, Diego is not fat." Her father added.

"But He's twice my age."

"He's thirty-five." Edward corrected. "Very handsome, very fit. The ladies worship him."

"And you ought to be ashamed of yourself for trying to foist me off with some Spanish Man, who only heaven knows could be a potential member of some Mafia group. I thought you loved me better than this Dad."

"You are the unblemished golden apple of my eye darling. I merely want you to remain that way until I see you safely married before I die."

"DIE?!" His choice of words frightened her for a second.

Underneath all this strict businesswoman that people usually see, she was really only a child suffering from the emotional trauma of being unloved all her childhood, being hated by her own mother. So much hate that her mother didn't even bother to visit her at the optometrist, the day she almost lost her sight, and not once has she heard a word from her all these years. Allison spent countless nights crying in the corner of her bedroom. Maybe that was why she worked herself to stupor all day, to simply get her mind away from the pain.

"Tryna blackmail me I see?"

He only laughed.

"Now listen to me you scheming old devil! I love you to bits. You are the undisputed love of my life but I dare you if you stick one- just one eligible bachelor in front of my face again, I will never speak to you till eternity. Understood sweetheart?"

"Of course. I understand you've now taken to the tactic of bullying an old sick man."

"Sick? Oh, Dad..." she laughed it off but deep down she wondered if all her Father had said about death and his ill health were true. She hoped not, He was one person she didn't want out of her life. Without him, she'd be alone. Alone and Broken.

CRASH!

"Oh my God!" She exclaimed due to the sudden accident. She had been so engrossed in her thoughts, she hadn't realized the incoming vehicle.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry...she got out of her car....I'm so so sorry, are you alright?"

She approached the owner of the car.

"I'm sorry, my apologies It's all my fau....."

Her appeals hung in the air as she came face to face with a pair of hardened deep blue eyes.

She blinked several times, trying to get off the spell this handsome stranger had seemed to cast on her with his ocean eyes.

"I.. I...I'm so sorry for the damage sir. This was clearly my fault. I have no excuse but I promise to make amends."

"How?" He asked, sounding displeased.

"I'll take your car to the auto mechanic right away."

"That'll take hours to fix."

"Oh...you're in a rush somewhere."

"I have an appointment in thirty minutes." He made no effort to hide the rising anger in his voice.

"Umm..." Allison thought for a while. "I could take you there in my car it's not too damaged and then I'll come back for yours. If you don't mind that." She quickly added.

"Your car it is." He agreed.

"What's your name?" She asked, driving on the road.

"Davian." He said, briefly.

"You...you're not gonna sue me, are you?"

He turned to look at her.

"I mean..for the damages."

The Man glanced down at his watch.

"Let's just hope I don't arrive late for my meeting."

Allison bit the side of her lower lip in anxiety.

Dear Lord...