Too Hurt to Forgive

Chapter 2 Sharon and Helena, her younger sister, also called Lena, were busy in the Stratford shopping mall, shopping for Sharon’s dinner date with her Robin, as she always called him. Mondays were Sharon’s off days from work; she worked six days a week at the St George’s Hospital as a paediatrician nurse. Robin had called earlier that morning to plan a dinner date with her; he would pick her up in the evening after his work. “I actually think you look sweeter and hotter in this one; l prefer it to the first one,” Helena said. “Really?” she said, as she turned herself around before the mirror. ‘You think my Robin would like this?” “Sorry, can’t tell you which one he’ll like or not; people’s preferences differ, you know.” “You’re right,” Sharon said, nodding in agreement. ‘Well I’m going to try this one on, too; I just want to look and dress like a super model tonight, what do you think?” “Sharon, it’s your date not mine, so take your time.” Helena said. Robin arrived at Sharon’s apartment at exactly 7:30 p.m. His Italian, tailor-made suit revealed the masculine power in him. Before he stepped out of his two-seat Mercedes Benz coupe car, he took another look at himself in the interior mirror of his Benz, before he made his way towards the apartment doorbell, and Helena opened the door for him. “Hi, Robin.” “Hi, Lena.” “Come right in, Sharon will be joining you in a minute.” “Thanks,” he said, as he stepped in, and walked to and fro inside the apartment with his right hand tucked in his suit pocket. I’ll fix your favorite,” Lena said, making her way towards the glass shelf near the mini-aquarium. “Lena! Lena!” he called in haste, before she went any further. ‘Don’t bother yourself, as you can see we’ll be leaving soon; but thanks anyway.” “It’s alright; I’ll let her know you’re waiting,” she said, with a smile. “That would be nice,” he said, smiling back to her in appreciation. She left to inform Sharon of Robin’s arrival, and opening the door, she couldn’t believe how gorgeous and beautiful her sister looked. “You look beautiful in this outfit; I wonder what you’ll look like on your wedding day!” “He hasn’t proposed yet,” she said jokingly, making her way through the door. “After you, Lady Sharon,” Helena said, bowing down her head for her, as though she were a princess, as they both walked through the door. Sharon stepped towards Robin gently, and Lena followed behind to observe Robin’s reactions to her sister’s gorgeous appearance. As Robin turned to take another round of his walk inside Sharon’s apartment, her beautiful full black length chiffon decorated with silver sequins and her sparkling appearance took him by surprise. He knew her as an atom of beauty, but that evening was astonishing. “My goodness Sharon, you’re beautiful, absolutely gorgeous,” he stated. He walked close to her and gave her a peck. Helena applauded cheerfully following Robin’s expressions to her sister. “Shall we, my lady?” he asked. “Very well, my Robin,” she answered. Robin held Sharon’s hand in his, as they walked out of the apartment. “Enjoy your evening,” Lena said, as she closed the door. “Thanks,” they answered in unison. Robin and Sharon were seated at the corner of the Excel Continental, waiting for their menu order, when Dada, the chief executive officer of the Excel Continental walked in; his average height gave him a smart and boyish appearance, although he was in his late forties. His sense of humor contributed to the success of his business. Being a mixed-race man of a European dad and an American mum assured him of the opportunity of extending his business plans to one continent or the other. Robin had met Dada once, when he came in with Tammy, the night before he left London for Manchester, where he got his first job after his university graduation. Tammy’s big brother had brought them with his car. He was the manager of the Excel Continental, hence giving him the opportunity of meeting Dada face to face for the very first time. He hadn’t been back to the Excel Continental since he left for Manchester and after the breakup with Tammy, until this date night with Sharon. As Dada walked along the corridor of the reception area, near the corner where Robin and Sharon were seated, his eyes sighted Robin. He trusted his instincts he’d met that guy somewhere before, so he turned around at the end of the corridor towards the pair’s table to satisfy his curiosity.