The Perfect Gift
Page 5
“I’M OFF to the office,” yelled Brandt.
Devin, Brandt’s best mate, stumbled out of his bedroom on the way to the kitchen. Focusing on the wall clock, he mumbled.
“It’s only six-thirty in the morning.”
“I want an early start.”
“No, you don’t, you’re obsessed with trying finding the woman you saw last Saturday night at the nightclub and again when you were on the train. You’ve been tracking her down for the past five days.”
“I can’t get her image out of my mind.”
“Heed my advice, give it up,” snarled Devon.
“After spending two-hundred hard earned bucks to buy a seat on a train, I’ll never give up the chase. She saw me looking at her, and she deliberately smiled at me. The dozen or so people I’ve talked to on four different railway stations reported they’d seen the girl. I’m more determined than ever to find her.”
“Why do such a thing?”
“Do what?”
“Pay two hundred dollars for a seat on a train.”
“I’d pay a thousand dollars just to catch another glimpse of her.”
“You’re crazy,” jeered Devin. “I suppose I’ll have to help you. The sooner I do the quicker you’ll forget the woman; especially after she tells you to get lost. Maybe you might even listen to me.”
“I don’t need your help to find the love of my life. I know the train she catches,” confessed Brandt.
“Let me tell you something. I’ve heard enough about how you hound each woman you meet. Don’t forget the boss wants us in his office first thing this morning. There’s a rumour floating about he’s looking to handball an important advertising project to someone. If you’re not in the office on time, I won’t be making up any excuses.”
“Don’t worry about me; I’ll be there.”
Devin stood shaking his head, watching the front door close. After making a mug of coffee, he went back to bed.
Brandt arrived at the train station fifteen minutes before he expected the young lady to appear. He marched over to an old woman selling flowers from under a faded blue awning.
“How much for a bunch of red roses?” he asked.
“For you, fifteen dollars,” answered the woman in a strong Italian accent.
Brandt paid the money and got busy watching business people bustling past. Leaning against the wall of the ticket booth he spied the young lady he’d been searching for walking towards him. Completely hypnotized by her poetic movements, Brandt watched her stroll to the end of the platform. She stood staring down the tracks for the next train when Brandt made his move. Walking up to her he studied the style in her long auburn hair. The clothes she wore reeked of business. She looked tall, thin and ultra gorgeous. Brandt stepped next to the woman, straightening his tie.
“These are for you,” he said, thrusting the flowers forward.
The young lady smiled at Brandt. “They’re for me?”
Brandt already felt excited. To him, the young lady’s voice sounded angelic, the perfect pitch.
“Yes, for you.”
“Have we met? You look familiar.”
“Sort of,” replied Brandt.
“Correct me if I’m wrong; didn’t I see you yesterday when our trains were travelling in the same direction? You pressed your face against the glass.”
“Yes. I’ve been searching for you everywhere since I noticed you on the dance floor last Saturday night. I’ve even been having dreams about you. Please, don’t be alarmed, I’ve never seen a woman more beautiful. Your eyes, face, clothes, are picture-perfect. May I ask your name?”
“It’s illegal to stalk someone,” she quipped.
“I know it is. I have to confess you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.”
“You’ve said that compliment before. I’m flattered, Mr.?”
“I’m Brandt Dusting. What’s your lovely name?”
“Naomi. I stand by what I said about the stalking issue.”
“Please, accept my small gift of flowers.”
Naomi eyed the man suspiciously. “I’m not sure if I should.”
Two hundred eyes watched the man grovel as one hundred commuters readied themselves to board the approaching train.
Naomi shot the man an innocent schoolgirl’s smile. “Judging by the looks we’re receiving, I’ll have to accept.”
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you.”
A loud applause erupted from the commuters who were inching closer to the edge of the train platform, waiting for the train to rumble to a stop.
Brandt asked his question over the squeal of the brakes. “May I buy you a coffee sometime?”
Naomi’s grin hid the fact she felt deeply embarrassed.
“It’s the least I can do seeing how you have made a complete jerk of yourself. Seeing how I’m always at the office an hour early, now’s a good time. If you turn out to be a weirdo, I can leave and still be at work on time.”
Brandt followed Naomi into the train carriage, inviting himself to sit next to her on the seat closest to the door.
“What career are you into?” asked Naomi, starting the conversation.
“Advertising for the television,” replied Brandt. “I’m an advertising executive. What about you?”
“I’m not sure if I want to reveal my career at this early stage.”
“I live about ten minutes from here,” blurted Brandt. “Do you live close by?”
Naomi focused on his seemingly honest eyes. “I’m close, yes.”
“I hope I’m not moving too fast; can I have your phone number?”
“Sure, why not. This station is our stop.” Naomi stood, waiting for the train’s door to open before stepping onto the platform.
Brandt escorted her across the busy road to the coffee shop, opened the door, closing it in his wake. The two ordered their cappuccinos and sat in the last two seats furthest from the door waiting for their drinks to arrive.
The café was unusually quiet. Three other customers sitting at an outside table were sipping coffee. They seemed oblivious to the fact cars and trucks were cramming the road. The wind created by the vehicles buffeted the blonde-haired woman’s hair.
“Please inform me if you’re single?” asked Brandt.
“Yes, I am. Are you?”
“Yes, I certainly am.”
Naomi leaned forward across the table. “You do realize I’m not the girl of your dreams.”
“I believe you are.”
“You don’t know anything about me.”
“At the moment, I don’t. There’s no doubt in my mind I want to.”
They swiped their coffees from the hands of a smiling late teen boy and fell silent waiting for the lad to walk off. Naomi felt uncomfortable at the overbearing man staring at her and turned her head so she could look out the window at the people walking past on their way to work.
“I’m positive the moment you discover I’m a nice bloke and I know you’ll want me in your life,” advised Brandt, reaching out to hold Naomi’s hand.
“I’ll see what the weather brings. Hopefully, it won’t rain.”
“Can I buy you lunch?”
“Okay, you seem like a nice enough bloke. You can pick me up outside the court house at twelve noon.”
“You’re a lawyer?”
“Sort of, I work for the taxation department. In two hours, I have to be in court to testify someone had committed fraud.”
“Sounds like an exciting career. May I sit at the back of the court, we can walk out together?”
“I think it’ll be nice if you were there. It’s been a tough case.”
Naomi could feel her heart starting to melt. Maybe there was a slim chance the man sitting opposite her is indeed the decent bloke she’d been searching for.
Brandt gave her a meaningful smile before slipping his hand around hers.
“May I walk you to the courthouse?”
Naomi grinned back. “I think I’d like you t
o escort me.”
She stood, gathered up her bag and briefcase and followed Brandt out of the cafe.
CHAPTER SIX