Chapter 42 - How many women? (1/2)
The dinner was very romantic. The food was exquisite and well presented, and the view… oh the view was amazing. From the top of Singapore Flyer they could see the whole city glittering with lights. For a second Finland thought that she was eating in space.
”This is really amazing...” Finland whispered, ”Thank you.”
”You're welcome. I'm tired of eating in romantic places like this alone,” Caspar answered with a smile. ”I'm happy that now you can accompany me every time.”
Finland could imagine that eating alone for so long must be very unpleasant. She ate alone many times before and she often wished that she had someone to talk to.
”You have never been with another woman? Besides Katia I mean...”
Caspar knew that this was a woman's tricky question. He had heard this question too many times before. In his experience, if this question was not answered properly, the woman would either become grumpy or leave. Therefore, he just smiled and refused to answer.
”Why just smile? Come on, answer my question.”
”Do you want more champagne?” Caspar asked, holding the champagne bottle. With a little grunt Finland nodded. She wouldn't let expensive champagne be wasted. Caspar poured the champagne and filled her and his glass half full. Then, in a teasing tone he asked , ”What was your question again?”
”In your long life, how many women have you been with?” Finland asked, this time more specifically.
Caspar smiled coyly and shook his head.
”In my long life, I have learnt that answering such a question is just as tricky as answering a woman's question of 'Do I look fat?' There is no satisfying answer.” Caspar gulped down the champagne in his glass, ”So, I refuse to answer.”
”Ben said you had many women before you met me...” Finland finally said. She couldn't hold it any longer, and the champagne just helped her be more honest. She had been thinking about Ben's words in the car a lot; that Caspar had many women before and countless women wanted to marry him.
Caspar dialed a number on his cellphone and spoke briefly, ”Stanis, please cancel the bonus for Ben I asked yesterday. I changed my mind.”
He placed his cellphone back on the table and poured some more champagne again. Then, he looked at Finland.
”Ben said that?”
Finland was still recovering from the shock she got when she heard Caspar call Stanis to cancel Ben's bonus. She was utterly out of words.
Ouch...
”He didn't mean it bad. I forced him to tell me things about you that evening when you professed your love at the penthouse; the day when I skipped work. I was annoyed because you knew so much about me and I didn't know anything about you. That's why on my way back to the penthouse I asked Ben a lot of questions. I asked him if you have a lover on every continent, and he answered that you had a lot of women before and many women wanted to marry you, but you are not someone like that. He said people like you and your family are very picky in regard to relationships and you guys don't to fall in love easily.” Finland hurriedly explained. She could not bear to see Ben lose a bonus because of her.