Michael, Tyson and three other friends were having refreshments at the drinks counter in one of the most popular youth hangout joints in the city. There was a soft bland background music inside the joint filling the air lightly.

Shortly after, Lei showed up at the hangout’s entrance and walked toward them.

“Look who is coming late.” Michael started as Lei took a sit on one of the counter stools.

“I had issues to sort out.” Lei said then ordered a cold sprite soda.

“Either way it won’t make a difference.” Tyson sipped his apple novida drink, “The management is not having any discussions today.”

“Reason?” Lei opened his can of soda.

“Adjustment in administration.” Melvin, one of the three friends, said.

The joint, an idea from the president’s son that now stood a decade old, was created with two purposes. The first was to deliver entertainment services to the youths with eateries, drinks and music. General sharing of ideas and free interaction among the youths was also done here.

The second purpose, and the most important, was where youths joined in open discussion forums and discussed the challenges affecting them in colleges and universities, and their possible solutions. Youths who had completed their higher-level education were also invited to share their experiences and life with the freshmen about to join their respective institutions. When a forum was discussed and taught, youths were always left with new information about their institutions. Information that helped them know what to expect and do in the institutions.

“But anyway, guys, it is still okay.” Silas, the second friend, said, “We have Lei, Ty and Mike here. Three of the most powerful men in the world.” His tone was courteous, “I mean, you can give us a food of thought or something.”

“By the way, guys.” Melvin backed up the friend in an exhibition of loyalty and devotion, “We feel honored in your presence; actually, too great. You three are the best ever!”

“Yeah. You are like three supreme deities!” George, the last of the friends, said with awe.

Michael stared at them for a second, “Since we are saying what we mean, I have something that I have wanted to get out of my chest for a long, very long time.”

Lei exhaled audibly, “Mike, for the love of everything holy, not your slipshods, please.”

Tyson looked at Lei, “Can he really say anything but that? This is Mike!”

“Tell us, man.” George widely grinned with eagerness, “We are all here excited to get you.”

Lei snorted without a word. Excited you will be.

“Okay, here it goes…” Michael put down his drink and shifted his head to the widely grinning George, “You? You have this look of a cat burglar who is as dumb as the way you lick lollipop,” He then turned to Melvin, leaving George still grinning, “And you? I hate that chiseled face you have. It makes you look serious even if you are laughing, and that just sucks, man.” He lastly turned to Melvin, “You are the worst of all. Your figure irritates me to my soul. Thank God in the future, Ty will be able to do something about it.”

“Mike, this time it is just pure poison.” Lei looked at the friend, “They are going to hate you and I strongly bet on it.

“Oh, no, Lei, that will never happen!” Melvin certainly said, “If you are right, Mike, then we are sorry about how we look.” He turned to the two friends, “Right, guys?”

The two friends nodded in unison.

“Are these guys seriously okay?” Tyson whispered close to Lei and Michael.

“These are just monkeys.” Michael sipped his Alvaro drink nonchalantly, “Straight from Savannah.”

“We still appreciate, Mike.” George said with obeisant, “You are the best!”

“You need to see a head doctor or anyone close to that field!” Michael gave him a stare.

Silas’ attention suddenly shifted to a figure away from the drinks counter, where tables and seats were, “Lei, look at that girl over there.” He gestured at a lady sitting alone in a four-table seat with what seemed to be a novel in her hands, “Isn’t she a beauty or what!”

Lei turned to see the lady, and immediately, he recognized her. She was in a redline red ruffle dress with sebring silver sequin detail and white wedges. The last time he saw her, she wasn’t the marvelously beautiful and attractive woman that she was at that day.

“Katelyn Dasnania.” Michael said the name that brought a certain past reproach in his expression, “I never thought I would see that bitch again!”

“Don’t call her that!” Lei turned to the friend with a scowl.

“A girl who made us lose a football game without Lemarh and Symon on the pitch, all because of you! Or maybe you all deserve to be called bitches!" Michael said with a faint sense of hurt.

“It was just a game, Mike. Get over it already.” Lei said and turned back to the lady, “But I never thought millionaires or billionaires could step here.”

“This joint is an idea of a billionaire.” Tyson looked at him.

“Okay, I get your point.” Lei said and took his eyes back at the lady, “I have heard that she has never been in a relationship with anyone, and my guess? Probably no guy has ever knocked her love door with the right tune, or the rich beautiful girl has very strict orders from papa never to be with anyone until the day she says I do."

“Actually, her papa is in States, ever since she joined high school at Elite.” Melvin said, “And on top of never been in a relationship, I have also heard that she doesn’t give any guy more than a minute to talk.” He looked at Lei, “Maybe you can break the record?”

Melvin had the utmost faith and reverence for the greatest youth leader he knew because the leader had an eminent and remarkable commanding presence that drew youths to him like filings to a magnet. He brought people into his orbit with genuine reasons of aid, guidance, patronage and alleviation. Anyone who knew him would tell that he was an indubitable leader of honesty, honor and diligence; an inspirational leader rich in wisdom and knowledge who gave boundless mentorship, guidance and inspiration to the young people. A lot, if not all, had benefited from his true giving and values. They were always left touched, strengthened and transformed from his knowledge and wisdom. So much inspiration and knowledge they acquired from him that it made the youths at his area of stay delegate him as their youth representative leader in government affairs.

“Yeah, Lei, we know you are a true genius in everything.” George pointed out, “But this girl just doesn’t talk to men! If you can hold on for two minutes, I will be convinced that you come from the bloodline of Zeus.”

“I will kind of like being considered in the bloodline of gods.” Lei smiled, “Furthermore, since the...” He turned and looked at Michael, “Since that day she distracted me with her beauty from scoring, I wished to see and talk to her in person.” He got up from his seat, “Maybe this is the perfect time.” He ordered another drink and walked in the lady’s direction.

“I have a feeling this one will be interesting.” Tyson looked at the friend going.

"Bullshit! We could have won that game.” Michael, too, looked at him going.

While still absorbed in her novel, Katelyn Dasnania suddenly realized somebody sitting on one of the seats at the table.

She glanced up and her eyes met a handsome figure she didn't see every day. His brown complexion and well-muscled physique were an instant outlook of attraction. The crew cut hairstyle with neatly trimmed sideburns and deep-set brown eyes came in at second.

"I am sorry to interrupt you." Lei began casually, now in person with the lady. He could see the beauty before him clearly. The colorless lip gloss she had applied sparkled her thin lips brightly. The eye shadow, mascara, blusher and foundation make-ups in the beautiful central-brown complexion and luminous dark brown eyes doubled her beauty in gorgeousness and splendor. More to the beauty was the soft black curls weave hairstyle that framed her face stunningly. The glorious and gorgeous beauty before him was new, strange and unusual. He wondered for a moment how such beauty existed on the planet, let alone the continent, country and city he was in. Damn, she is beautiful!

"I am here for a short favor... or help, if I can put it so." He spoke with his influential voice, already with an idea that would let him in.

Katelyn was drawn to keenness at the strange meeting. Usually when men met her, they always started formally and never missed greetings because of who she was- a powerful young lady with wealth, intelligence and royal beauty that fazed men. But here was a man who had started casually with little or no interest in her. It appeared odd and unusual, and it made her attentive, more so from his mighty and majestic facial and physical appearance that seemed to exhale a silent and calm authority.

"What favor or help is it?" She said in her usual mellifluous voice while putting the novel she had on the table.

"Thank you for your concern." Lei felt tenderly smitten by her melodious voice. He looked grateful, then sat up straight while still holding the two sodas in his hands, "I would like you... or wish to know from you, your friend's... relationship status." His dazzling smile was intentional, "Your friend has touched me, ever since I met and talked with her. She is lovely, friendly and fun to talk to. I have never met a girl like that in my life." His expression was clearly and visibly impressed, though no one could have even hinted that it was a fake.

Katelyn was surprised hearing this, but she suppressed it. No man in her life had ever talked to her about any woman but her. She was always the center of attention, and she had never thought nor imagined another woman to be. This made her feel the feminine rivalry jealousy towards the friend.

"I would like to know if she is single, and if she is, maybe you can help me know her better." Lei was still visibly interested.

"Do you mean Sharon?" Katelyn inquired, as if to be certain that the man was talking about her best friend.

"Yes, Sharon Wacera." Lei nodded with a pleasant smile. Since he saw Katelyn, an intense desire to pursue her emerged in him. This made him delve into her life, and among the things he learned was her best friend, whose name was easy to remember in his mind.

"Well," Katelyn said quiescently, "I know that she has someone in her life, and they are happy together."

The lady's tone pleased Lei inwardly. The angle will without a doubt open the floodgate.

"Oh... that is... unfortunate..." He said with a magnificent display of a disenchanted look. Anybody with a soft heart could have even felt sorry for him. Lei was a perfection in acting natural.

"I guess so." Katelyn looked at him, touched by his manner of gesture and expression. He seems indeed into Sharon!

"Okay, thanks." Lei got up with the two drinks, a move that made Katelyn positively certain that the man honestly meant her best friend.

However, before he left, he turned back with a thoughtful expression, then once again sat, "I am sorry again, I don't mean to be stubborn or anything." His intentional expression was almost pensive, "But... when we met and talked, she looked... wonderful and delightful. Our conversation was brilliant and at some point, I thought... or imagined she was giving me green light..."

"You thought." There was a glimmer of a smile in Katelyn's eyes. Tenderness breathed from her, "Thinking is a wide aspect on its own. One thought may have more than one meaning."

Lei felt pulled by her tenderness, "I believe that is true. I thought wrong, and will keep my distance by only meaning friendship."

"Yeah, that is best because she has a special thing with her man. It shouldn't be messed up." Katelyn said, finding the conversation from the man scintillating and brilliant. It made her feel impossible to resist his presence, but she didn't know or have any clue that she was in the middle of his trap. She leaned forward from her seat with an urge to converse with him from his genuine and infectious manner of conversation, "I care and love her. If you really mean what you have just said, then respect her. I believe you know what happens when relationships fall, especially because of a third party's involvement. I don't want to see her sad or troubled."

"I absolutely understand. I don't want to see her sad or troubled, too. I will respect your point and respect her." Lei said then as well leaned forward to her from his seat with a refined and calculated compliment, "But you have one stunning thing in common. Nature decided to go above and beyond to you two. I mean, look at how beautiful you both are! I guess the other girls must really be jealous."

Katelyn smiled with a possible appreciation. She had never been touched before by a compliment from a man, even those who came to interact with her. It felt unusual and unexpected, yet offering a delight she couldn't deny, "We don't choose to be beautiful." She softly said. "They shouldn't feel jealous because all women are beautiful. Remember it lays in the eyes of the beholder."

"Perfectly well said!" Lei felt bliss inside his veins on seeing her smile. Her beauty still fascinated him, "You are right. They are all beautiful, but levels separate the beauty. You and Sharon are on the most top level."

The compliment once again stung Katelyn with delight as she began feeling heat rising in her body. How just a compliment can make one feel! She only stared with a smile, unable to find words.

Lei was also at her. The move has perfectly let him in. He now believed he could start, "I have read your novel, by the way. It is an absolute page-turner! I love it." His proud and thrilled expression this time was genuine, "The idea, storyline and flow is absolutely amazing, original and imaginative!"

"Thank you." Katelyn appreciated the compliment with an easy pleasant smile as more heat rose in her body. A tinge of excitement rippled through her from Lei’s expression and love of her book.

"You mention that love is the most beautiful and pleasant thing to happen to anybody?"

"Yes." Katelyn certainly nodded.

"But not everybody respects love."

"Not unless it is true love."

Lei smiled at the idea, "I like that! That is good." He once again slightly leaned forward with eyes fully at her, "But picture this out..." He cleared his throat, "There is this girl I love; beautiful, smart, intelligent, charming and actually an angel on earth. I truly love, adore and cherish this God's special creation. Her company and presence makes me happy and fulfilled. To her, I will give and do anything for, and I will fight for her happiness as long as I live." He paused, putting the drinks in his hands on the table and opening one while furtively glancing at her to see if she was in any way swayed by what he had just said.

And truly, Katelyn stared at him with a glowing face and heat spreading all around her body. Her bright eyes were also shining more than ever. The words seemed to have delivered an impact on her and she started to wonder how she had come to like the gentleman's company.

Lei left the opened soda untouched and folded his fingers on top of the table, "One day on the night of valentine's day, I decide to surprise her once again because we had a wonderful romantic outing during the day. Therefore, on this night, I have a bunch of red roses and her favorite box of chocolate."

"It is about eight p.m. and I am all excited and happy, wondering if anywhere on the planet exists a wonder that is as beautiful and lovely as my angel. A wonder that makes one have beautiful and pleasurable feelings." He paused with a charming smile, making sure his eyes were utterly fixed on the lady's.

It was now that Katelyn unexpectedly felt a flicker of attraction between them. The feeling made her blood flow with tingling delight, and her face glowing with an involuntary smile.

Lei, yet again, was still fascinated with the beauty the lady possessed. It seemed to be graduating at higher levels every time she smiled. It is said that everybody is blessed, but she seems to possess all the blessings that come with beauty.

"Then before I get to her house," He resumed talking while gradually clearing his smile, "I see her from the kitchen window, and I am surprised and confused at what I see. I stand frozen, unable to take any step. The shock and disbelief that follows triggers a pain so powerful at heart- a pain of its only kind that affects the heart." His eyes were still fixed on the lady’s as he took a sip from the opened drink on the table.

Her smile and glow were gone, and the expression on her face seemed to be keenly following Lei's anecdote.

"Behind the kitchen window," Lei carried on after the sip of drink he had taken, "I see my angel in a red sleeveless dress laughing and kissing a guy that I do not even know. My mind does not tell me anything. I cannot think straight, in fact, I can't think at all. I only stare in pain as they kiss deeply until the guy slowly begins stripping her dress."

"And so, this pain and anguish I have almost kills me, or will probably kill somebody else because of the most beautiful thing there is. Why do you think that is?"

Katelyn still stared in silence, not processing fully that a question had been posed. Her mind was still in the anecdote. She shook off and came back to the gentleman, "Uh... I guess it is because you love her?"

Lei leaned in close to her, his hands on the chin and elbows on the table, "Yes. The feeling you feel is what you hope and believe your partner feels as well, making it a mutual feeling." He resumed sitting up straight, "That is why I was hurt by my angel. We didn't have a mutual feeling. I was the only one in the relationship. So, unless it is mutual, love can't be the most beautiful thing in the world. It will be the total opposite. Do you agree?"

Katelyn returned a smile on her face with a thoughtful nod, "I completely agree." She marveled at the insight and sagacity of the gentleman. She came to conclude that he wasn't just any ordinary man. The moment he had sat down to talk with her, radiating a silent and calm authority from his features and manner, she had sensed the man was not an ordinary typical man. Then, she had sensed, but now, she was sure.

"That is lovely, so is your book, but I felt that you weighed the beautiful part too much. The love story is brilliantly and stunningly told, but it is just that, without any challenges the characters go through. There is little conflict in the love affairs, and I heard that you are working on a series about it?"

"Yes, I am."

"Brilliant! In that case, if you are not far in your ideas and thoughts, maybe you should explore the ugly side of love. Let your fans know what to do in case the love is not mutual, like in the case I had with my angel." Lei pointed out with a confident smile, "I know and believe you have the knowledge and insight to do it. All you have to do is introduce a great conflict that totally put down the characters, then rising them up with your knowledge in love affairs."

Katelyn slightly grinned with raised eyebrows, "Actually a good idea! I promise you as one of my fans, I will look into it."

Lei's blood flowed excitedly with the lady's tone of voice and expression, "The best of all the fans!" He said with pleasurable excitement. "I adore you... your book. It is one hell of a book."

Katelyn lightly laughed. She had never imagined having fun and interesting interaction with any man apart from the one she had in mind- the one she believed was the love of her life and no man would ever challenge him in getting her attention. It felt strange that she could have been wrong, because the man she was with seemed to have challenged the man in mind and gotten her attention. This was mainly because he was intelligent and smart, and she felt they were easily connecting.

"Thank you, once again." She said with liveliness, "And you... you also look experienced and well acquainted in relationship matters."

"Only between areas I understand. But mostly coming from your thoughts. Your book is very informative and inspiring." Lei said in an enthralling manner and suddenly got up, knowing how important such a suspense was. But this ruffled Katelyn at heart. She thought the interaction between them was interesting. Or maybe it wasn't for him! There was an urge deeply in her that wished they continued chatting.

Lei took the two sodas with his left hand and stretched the right to the lady with a jaunty smile, "It was nice talking to you. I am Lei, by the way, Lei Noorhman."

Katelyn looked up at him and shook the hand. The fairly firm contact with his hand, which felt manly and powerful, triggered another tingling delight in her body with heat overcoming her body. This made her be sure that it wasn't just an ordinary meeting they had, "Katelyn Dasnania. And as my fan, I believe you know that people simply refer to me as Kate." She softly said, "Nice meeting you."

"Pleasure all mine." Lei's smile was still intact on his face as he slowly started departing.

Katelyn stared at him in a surprisingly desperate urge of wishing him back. It clearly occurred to her that she liked him. He was and felt different from the other men that had been in her life, and likely similar to the only one she believed was worth her life. But even if it were the obvious case, there was the fact that he liked her best friend and not her. He recognized Sharon first, and not me! That is not usually the trend. This made her once again feel the natural feminine rivalry jealousy, but it didn't last for long on the thought of knowing that the best friend had a boyfriend. She loved the boyfriend, and she couldn't hurt him nor break the values that held their relationship. If she did, then it won't be the friend that Katelyn knew.

Suddenly, she saw Lei turning back and stopped. She could perfectly see his well-built and fit physique in a tight-fitting black short-sleeved shirt that showed out his muscled chest and biceps, and blue three-quarter jeans. She couldn't deny the handsome and debonair nature of his body and how it brought out a spectacular view of the outfit he was in.

Lei looked at her charmingly, "By the way, I like your shoes."

Katelyn softly laughed looking at her shoes and back at him, "They are the worst in my shoe rack."

"In that case, then, I love your beautiful, exquisite smile. You are beyond pretty every time there is a smile on your face."

Once again, Katelyn was touched by the compliment from the gentleman. It felt special at heart, and she began to fear the rhythm of the heartbeat. A rhythm she was always sure would only come from one man. A man that was on reserve in the same heart.

Lei bowed his head in farewell and left.

Katelyn watched him going while staring in an involuntary smile.

After Lei was distant away, Sharon showed up with two drinks at the table. She happened to have watched all that transpired at the table while she was away getting their drinks.

Katelyn still didn't notice her. Sharon decided to snap her out of it.

"Of all the things I like about him is his hairstyle. The barber did a great job!"

Katelyn quickly diverted her eyes from where they were and turned to the friend, "Ah... You took long!"

"I took long because I saw you were busy." Sharon said as she took a seat, "I thought you needed some time alone."

"It's not what you think. He_"

"Kate, you may be smart, but I am pretty sure your knowledge is limited on people's thoughts. You don't know what I think." Sharon said in a friendly assertion, "And why do you want to sound kind of justified? Is it because you are waiting for Lemarh? You should stop that and give this guy a chance. You looked great together. He seems the perfect fit for your empty life, not Lemarh."

"But he likes you more!"

"What!"

"He came here with an interest in you."

"Are you kidding me!" Sharon looked authentically surprised, "I can't deny he is good-looking and all that, but I am pretty sure guys see you first before they see me."

"Wait a minute..." Katelyn closely squinted at the friend, getting an idea. It was when her inkling started processing, making her go straight to the inner meaning, "You have never talked with the guy?" She was at the friend keenly.

"I have never even seen him! Are you for real or are you just making an excuse to let him go? You should give him a chance."

Katelyn stared at the friend with sweet bewilderment and a pleasantly surprised smile. She didn't have a hint or a clue. The gentleman looked serious and sincere, but all along, he was after her and not the best friend. This made her glow more, and the heart throbbing with delight.

As Lei approached his friends, they all applauded delightfully, Melvin on top of the others.

"Great Christ!" Silas looked stunned, "What on earth are you?"

"A descendant of Zeus." Lei said while getting back on his seat.

"You even made her smile!" George said in amazement.

"Made her smile? He made her laugh!" Melvin was more amazed.

"Never and never underestimate us on anything." Michael said in a cocksure manner, his drink at hand, "Never ever."