Yasmin's pupils constricted as she studied her. The woman looked elegant in her sandy brown pencil gown. She had maintained her figure well at this age also. Her skin was radiant and flawless, devoid of wrinkles. It made her appear younger than she was. She was undeniably beautiful. Her golden hair cascading over her shoulders enhanced her beauty.
Yasmin wondered who she was. She shook hands with her and said in a trance, "Nice to meet you, Grace."
"The pleasure is mine." Grace's smile broadened. "Would you mind joining me for coffee?"
"Aha…" Yasmin laughed awkwardly. She didn't know how to deny her polite request. "Um… I am waiting for a cab." She glanced down at her phone and saw the cab coming closer. "It will be here in any minute."
"You could cancel the ride," Grace advised. "Come along with me. It will not take long. I promise you to drop you home."
Yasmin adjusted her glasses slightly higher as she tried to see through her.
Grace carried a vibrant aura. She spread positive vibes with her sweet smile and caring eyes.
Those bright eyes…
Those were as blue as Declan's.
Yasmin was eager to know who she was and how she was familiar with Declan. After some thought, she nodded and said, "Alright. I would love to have coffee with you."
"Come with me."
Grace led her into her Mercedes, which was parked alongside the road. Yasmin was taken aback when the car began to move as soon as they boarded. She assumed Grace was here to pick up her daughter. But she saw none other than the driver.
"Um…" Her wandering gaze rested on Grace sitting beside her. "You came to college to get some work done."
Grace smiled and drew her gaze down to her hands. "Yes," she said, toying with her solitaire diamond ring on her ring finger. "Some personal work."
"Oh…" Yasmin nodded, smiling awkwardly. "I thought your daughter studied here."
Grace looked out the window.
None of them said a word. The growing silence made Yasmin uneasy.
"How do you know Declan?" Yasmin asked, breaking the silence.
Grace looked back at her. Instead of responding right away, she took her time staring at her as if she was inspecting her. Her lips curled into a smile as she said, "I have known him since he was a baby."
"Oh…" Yasmin smiled, excitement brimming in her eyes.
Grace averted her gaze, her smile fading. "Declan is a nice person. He can be cold and unapproachable at times. He may also appear to be unbearable sometimes. Annoying, you can say." She chuckled. "But he is not at all bad." She turned to her. "He is a man with a golden heart. You will feel it when you get to know him."
Yasmin frequently blinked, gaping at her. "Are you his relative?" She asked in a trance.
Grace nodded slowly. She opened her mouth to say something, but the car pulled over in the meantime.
"Let's go out, shall we?" She opened the door and went out.
Yasmin stepped out of the car and gazed at the opulent café in front of her. It was one of the largest cafes in the city. As she crossed the vast open parking area, she looked at the bright lights of the shop. There were tables outside, each with a white vintage-style umbrella. They took one of those tables.
A waiter soon came over to them.
"Two cups of Latte, please," Grace said, holding up her index finger. She turned her focus to Yasmin. "Do you want anything with your coffee? Some pastries?"
"Coffee is enough," Yasmin replied.
"Sure, Ma'am." The waiter left.
"You didn't answer me," Yasmin said as she rested her elbows on the shiny brown surface of the table.
Grace smiled and pulled a small blue box out of her white beaded clutch and gave it to her.
"What is it?" Yasmin looked at it, curious.
"Open it."
Yasmin found dazzling diamond couple rings inside the box. A smile crossed her face. "Wow! It is beautiful."
"You like it."
Yasmin looked at her. The smile on her face gradually faded as she figured something out. "No…" She closed the box and gave it back to her. "I am not taking it."
"Why?" Grace arched her eyebrows. "I brought this for you. This is a gift. I couldn't attend the wedding. I would have given you this if I had been there. Take it. It comes with my blessing."
"I…" Yasmin was at a loss for words. She was not sure whether to accept such an expensive gift from a woman she barely knew. "Why don't you come over to our place? Declan will be happy to see you. I'll accept this gift when you come to my house." She gave her the box back.
Grace hung her head down, her eyes dimmed with melancholy.
In the meantime, the waiter came back with two cups of coffee.
Grace mustered a smile. "Thank you."
"You are welcome, ma'am." The waiter bowed to her before leaving.
She took a cup and sipped the scathing coffee.
Yasmin also took a tentative sip of the coffee, shooting her a quizzical look over the cup.
Grace put the cup down and pushed the box towards her. "Take it," she urged, her tone demanding. "I will bring some other gifts when I go to your house."
"But…"
"You shouldn't deny it when somebody gives you a gift," Grace cut her short.
Yasmin eventually took the box and stuffed it into her bag. "Thank you for this lovely gift. I love it. And I am sure Declan will also like it."
Grace didn't respond to this. She only nodded curtly as she sipped the coffee.
After paying the bills, they came out of the café.
"Let me drive you home."
"No, Grace." Yasmin laughed. "Thank you for the coffee. But I won't bother you more. Besides, I am heading to my father's place."
"No problem. I will give you a ride."
"Well… um…"
"Come on. Don't be shy." Grace held her hand and took her to her Mercedes.
The car ran off the minute they stepped in. They maintained the silence.
Grace gave her a card and said, "This is my card. You can call me anytime you like."
Yasmin looked at the card and read the name Grace Woods, a fashion designer.
'No wonder she looks so graceful,' she murmured to herself.
"Of course." She slipped the card into her bag.
Grace asked about her studies and ambitions, to which Yasmin replied enthusiastically.
On the other hand, Declan wound up early. He thought of going home and having some time with Yasmin. He phoned Francis as he went out of the office.
"I am leaving," he said when the call connected. "Let me know if there is any urgency. Yeah. Alright." He ended the call and put the phone back in his pocket.
"Are you leaving?" A voice from the right made him stop on the track. He saw Sean coming up to him. He quirked his lips. "Yup. I am planning to have some fun with Yasmin."
"Oh… sounds great." Sean nodded, smiling. "Tina's birthday is next week. I hope you remember."
Declan chuckled and scratched his brow. "I'm so busy these days that I have completely forgotten about it."
"Yeah, right. The deal with Mr. Lee must be keeping you very busy lately. Congratulations, by the way."
"Thank you. I secured my position by signing the deal."
A glimmer of glum crossed Sean's face. However, it only lasted a few seconds. His smile resumed as he said, "Good for the company."
"Good for the company," Declan repeated with a sly smile.
"Anyway, I am inviting you to Tina's birthday party. Bring your wife too."
"Of course." Declan walked away, his face turning solemn.
Sean's smile also faded as he watched his departing figure.
It was already half-past six in the afternoon when Declan arrived at home. He was a bit surprised when he didn't find Yasmin. He wondered if she always came back late from college.
"Is she always late like this?" He asked Harry.
"Well…" Harry didn't know what to say. He had no idea at what time her classes ended. "She came by 5 o'clock the day before."
Declan frowned as he pulled his phone out of his pocket. "Did she say something when she would be back?" He asked as he dialed her number.
"No."
The ring ended after some time. Declan pulled the phone out of his ear and scowled at it. "Why is she not answering my phone?"