The Millionaires Pursuit

Chapter 7

Much to Erik's dismay, he had to wait until the following Thursday afternoon to receive a phone call from Rosaline. Although he was partly surprised and intrigued by the thought of her sitting down and typing his number into her phone, he couldn't help but wonder if she was merely following through with her request and therefore wasn't as excited by the prospect of seeing him as he would have liked her to be. Nevertheless, Erik was scanning the unfamiliar number pop up onto his screen when finally he decided to accept the call. 

"Hello, Erik speaking."

"Hi Erik. It's Rosaline Covault, calling from Panorama Elementary."

Erik smirked to himself upon hearing her introduction. He wondered for a brief moment if Rosaline genuinely thought he had forgotten who she was. Regardless of the evident nervousness etched into her voice, Erik replied as if he hadn't noticed.

"Rosaline, it's nice to hear from you. How are you?"

"I'm well thank you. How are you?"

"Wonderful, although I was beginning to wonder if you had forgotten our arrangement."

Erik couldn't help but want to admit that this past week had been nothing short of torturous, having to wait around for Rosaline to call him.

"Of course not, I've simply been busy at work. But I think you'll be happy to know that I've finally reached a decision about where we might be able to have our meeting."

"Go on." Erik encouraged.

"Down by Quarry Avenue in Dorwall there is this outdoor cafe called The Tinderbox."

"I know the one." Erik interrupted.

"Oh, well what did you think of meeting there at around noon this Saturday. Would that work for you?"

Erik smiled at the hesitation he heard in Rosaline's question. It was endearing to know that despite her attempts to appear confident and in control around him, sometimes her youthfulness was just too hard to overlook, yet it was quickly becoming a quality in her that Erik very much liked.

"That would work perfectly for me Rosaline."

"Are you sure? Did you want to check your schedule first?"

"I'm positive, I'll see you Saturday then Rosaline."

"Goodbye Erik." She said before disconnecting the call.

Placing his phone beside him, Erik felt his lips quirk up at the sides in satisfaction. Finally, after what seemed to be weeks of waiting around, he would be seeing Rosaline outside of her working environment, even if it was only to discuss said work. Clasping his hands together, Erik suddenly thought of how he would try to convince Rosaline to speak with him socially, as up until this point he didn't know much about her, apart from her work. It was important for him to try to get to know her before attempting to pursue her romantically, particularly because if Rosaline had proved anything so far, it was that she was unlike most girls. She was more than just beautiful, she had the brains and heart to match.

By the time Saturday morning came around, Erik was feeling rather cheery. He knew that his mood was probably a little too presumptuous, considering how aloof Rosaline had come across at times, but he told himself he wouldn't allow such negative thoughts to keep him from being hopeful. For all Erik knew, Rosaline was secretly wishing that he would just ask her out on a date already, but of course given her lack of interest to even speak with him sometimes, Erik quickly dismissed that absurd idea. After parking his Audi along the side of the street, Erik stepped out and adjusted the buttons on his plaid blazer. Walking across the street he quickly located The Tinderbox and secured a table outside for him and Rosaline. Of course, Erik had arrived earlier than what was agreed upon, mainly because he wanted to take the extra time to suss out Rosaline from afar for when she arrived. Which was exactly why he was shocked to see her walking towards him not even five minutes after he had arrived. Stunned by her long legs and the summery yellow dress she was wearing, he didn't think before eagerly standing to greet her.

"Rosaline, it's lovely to see you again." He smiled, whilst clasping he left hand in his and using his other hand to tenderly stoke the top of hers.

Something that resembled both panic and heat flashed behind Rosaline's eyes, but before Erik could read further into it, she had released her hand from his and offered him a timid smile.

"Likewise." She said and took her seat opposite him.

Within seconds, a waiter had approached them and took down their orders of smoked salmon salad and a lamb tagine. After placing their orders, Rosaline was adamant to jump straight into work mode and to start the all important task of determining which health organisation would receive the donations that Panorama Elementary had raised. After an hour or so had passed with careful deliberation on both their parts, Rosaline and Erik had agreed that all the proceeds would go to support children at the Harmony Grove Medical Centre. Only after they had finally come to this decision, did Erik think it was appropriate to try and steer the conversation in a different direction.

"Do you have many interests outside of work?" Erik began.

"Why do you ask?"

"Curious I suppose." He said, while offering her a knowing smile.

The way Rosaline had been looking at Erik when he said that was enough to make him want to reach across the table and kiss her. She had a flushed and embarrassed look crawl across her face and it was in that moment that he wish he could read her mind, just to see of all the naughty things she might have been thinking of.

"Reading, art, physical activity. The kinds of interests most people wish they had more time for."

"What kind of physical activities?"

That comment alone must have been enough to draw an invisible line between them because as soon as the words escaped from Erik's mouth, Rosaline had dropped her fork and held a worrisome expression.

"Erik, please." She pleaded with him to stop.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?"

Rosaline kept her head down and didn't answer Erik straight away. Suddenly he felt incredibly stupid for behaving around her in a way he would only do so with one of his usual floozies.

"Rosaline?" He tried again, only this time he made sure to speak gently.

Finally, she met his gaze and he noticed the saddened expression in her eyes. Erik couldn't have been more annoyed with himself than if he had tried to. What he thought would come across as flirtatious banter, had evidently struck a nerve with Rosaline.

"I'm sorry, it was never my intention to make you feel that way. Please, forgive me?"

"It's fine." She despondently remarked before pulling out her chair to leave.

Gobsmacked by the sudden change in events, Erik couldn't get himself to move fast enough to try and stop her.

"Rosaline, wait!" Erik exclaimed.

"I'm sure I'll speak to you soon. Goodbye." Rosaline rushed out, before quickening her pace and leaving Erik standing there with a look of bewilderment etched onto his face.