e painted in grey and white of which its neighbours were long rows of well-tended flower gardens in different hues

tresses decades old. The house had a serene aura arou

ydia of a brand-new stainless bowl, attracted a ray of light from the sun – like an eclipse – to a particular point on his head. He seemed oblivious

ed, waiting and individually scrutinizing everyone until he saw her. Against his will, a smile and the sensation of giddy relief flooded his

ulder, watching the crew below busy with work and frowned slightly with concern, "Who are you glari

eplied. "And I

vely brown eyes carrying a silver dome to a table housing assorted foods which made up the bu

ng that dark woman over there by the table filling the champagne flutes." She cocked her head slightly. "Funny. I could have sworn that was

his rueful an

triumphantly whi

She will be difficu

ith a slight scowl, "

ition." Her eyes fell on her siste

he might." Savitri glanced to her brother. "

ing the lady as she left the table bef

yd

brow. "She told

caterers. I may have... persuaded him to have her inclu

ated him to get what you wan

requires quite a load of effort and intelligence. He's as sli

"Come on, let's get going. We are yet to be d

ands, she was exhausted. Small party. Hah! She would laugh in Brennan's face i

ghtily. Ebere was coming in two weeks' time for her studies...which was one of the reason Lydia had left her back home in Niger

ilver tray of champ

th fan her neck. Lydia wanted to slap the man hard on his che

her, the man stood a respectable distance away fr

as as tall as a man ought to be; imposing with broad shoulders for days. He was dressed in a da

lecks of gold in them – maybe it was a trick of light. His dark brown hair with soft curls fell over

and the rough whiskers that grazed his jaw. Those eyes glittered w

" He sa

couldn't look elsewhere, his body blocked everything else.

ile he probably thought had charm. All it

not, kindly excuse me, I have cha

teased her nose briefly before he pulled away. "Brennan said you don't work on Sundays.

I d

ement party. Working on a Sund

"He's paying m

d her. "A

older lady with her young lover who looked mo

took two flutes, shooting Martin

taneously. "I believe, Eliana, that there are other waiters to serve your needs." His voice calm and condescen

flushed a ligh

e obviously idle?" Eliana snapped indig

erously soft with a hint of ice. "Because I'm s

She watched the lady pale under her makeup; probably at what Eliana

om Lydia's hands with a forced apologetic s

th a bright smile like nothi

"We were on the topic about serving the people I'm being pa

ot want that." He

me." She took a tray. "The

with a small smile.

e of champagne on the table and jerke

there rooted to the spot, stunned

deeply. Rahvel and Savitri did warn him she wouldn't be easy. He collected himself