Teach Me to Love

“My, my, my. Unique, Miss Verb, I must say. Move along, let’s do this. We don’t want to be late for our reservation.”

I give him a swift nod and jump down the rest of the stairs. He opens the door for me and gestures for me to go before him. “Ladies first.”

Rolling my eyes, I grab my keys and leave the house followed by him.

“If you could make your way to the car, Miss Verb. Mr. Avent will be escorting us to our destination.”

How posh is this man? I’ve never been in the presence of a man who refers to you by your title and surname. I’ve never heard someone say Miss Verb, only Lola. Weird.

A man climbs out from the driver’s seat of a black limousine. He has a chauffeured limousine for an everyday car? This is something I’ve only seen in movies, not in real life.

He greets me by opening the door and placing his arms behind his back. “Miss Verb.”

As I attempt to enter the limousine, the man places his palm on top of my head, and I slide across the bench seat to sit close to the blacked-out window. Robernero sits on the cream leather seat next to me.

“Did he have to mess up my hair?” I snap my head around to face Robernero as he smirks.

“You must understand this, Miss Verb. Mr. Avent is merely carrying out his duty. He wanted to prevent you from hitting your head when you entered the car.”

Oh, well, that makes sense. I don’t say anything while Mr. Avent closes the door. A bleep noise goes off in the silent car, and Robernero pulls out his phone.

“Please fasten your seat belt, Miss Verb,” Robernero says, and I nod, pulling my seat belt across my chest as a screen rises from the floor. My eyes nearly pop out of my skull.

Robernero taps several buttons, and a picture of a garden appears on the screen. It has a pool, white marble walls surrounding it, a play area for children on the right, and a Jacuzzi at the end of the pool.

“Wow. What is the name of that place?” I murmur to myself. I wasn’t asking him, yet he still answers my question.

“It was created from a single sketch and was intended for a huge family. This is how the rear garden area turned out. It took me months to design the plot.

“I’m currently developing a fire with a glass front, stones on the bottom, and seating around it.”

“Wow, that’s amazing.” I sit up, and Robernero swipes the screen to the right.

“This is another project in which my company is now engaged. The city will be known as the City of Potential. In the center, there will be a skyscraper.

“This city was planned with businesses in mind. Travel will not be required, and cars will not be permitted to enter.”

He’s designed a flipping city! Who can do that? Obviously, he can. My mouth falls open. This man is crazy talented.

“Enough about me. Tell me what a beautiful woman like you is doing remaining unmarried, having only one lover since high school, and despising all men as a result of one experience?”

Robernero switches the screen off, and it slides back down underneath the floor. I watch it, a shocked expression covering my face as he relaxes in his seat, crossing his right leg over his left.

“I didn’t say that,” I snap at him, narrowing my eyes.

“You have given it some thought.” He grabs a bottle of champagne and quickly pops the cork. He grabs two champagne flutes, and he pours me a drink before passing one to me.

“Thanks,” I mumble with my gaze fixed on the fizzing and popping bubbles inside the glass.

“Speaking hypothetically, yes, I was thinking about it. I do not despise guys for that reason. Don’t assume you know me when you don’t.”

“Miss Verb, I am a man who has witnessed and done a great deal in my life. I can assure you that I understand your dislike of men.

“A man like me does not establish a business because he has an endless supply of money and is unclear what to do with it. I’ve encountered more people than you could ever imagine.”

“All you men think about is either sex or yourselves! Then there is the ego you constantly have.” I roll my eyes while taking a sip of my champagne.

“Did I just say that? Did those words leave my mouth? Miss Verb, assuming can be harmful. You are not only preventing yourself from pursuing your objectives, but you are also making wrongful judgments.

“Here, self-limiting beliefs are at work. What are your opinions on money, Miss Verb? Is money, in your opinion, the root of all evil?”

“Yes. What a ridiculous question!” Robernero laughs as I sigh.

“There is no such thing as a foolish question. Nonetheless, your point of view is incorrect, Miss Verb. Money, however, is not the source of all evil. I’d like to share with you a quote that has inspired me since I was a child.

“This is from the Bible, not that I believe it. ‘Let your manner of life be devoid of the desire for money, while you are pleased with what you have.’ Hebrews chapter thirteen, verse five.

“The lesson is to maintain money in its proper place rather than pursuing prosperity. Instead, we should strive to be satisfied with the things we truly require, such as food, clothing, and shelter.

“First Timothy chapter six, verse eight. Always keep that in mind.”

Whatever, Mr. Know-It-All. He frustrates me!