"Alright don't forget you have your assignment due tomorrow, at 8 am sharp" I reminded my trainees as they packed up their drawings for the day.

"What assignment?" Jeremy asked jokingly. He was making fun of the fact that I had literally reminded them every hour for the entire day.

"Ha very funny. I'm marking yours first".

" Miss don't bother with that" he said waving his hand. I only laughed. In the next 5 minutes I'd packed up all the drawing instruments and was about to close up the drawing room when one of my female trainees walked up to me.

" Miss, there's a man, out by the parking lot asking for you"

" What man is that?" I asked curiously. No one visits me on campus. So this was rare.

" I don't know, he is driving a black SUV."

"Oh." I said realizing immediately who it was.

"You know him?" She asked.

" Yes, just a friend. Tell him I'm just locking up and will come out shortly"

She nodded and walked in the direction of the parking lot". I closed up quickly and went to the bathroom. I didn't know what he was doing here. We hadn't spoken all weekend. Well he tried to text and I didn't answer. I was trying to give him his space or maybe I needed the space. I don't know. Why was he here? And why do I look like I'd been out in the field all day. Maybe it's because I was. I had taken my trainees to do surveys of a plot of land earlier. I was wearing a hard hat for a majority of the day and now I had helmet hair. My pants had some dirt marks, I was wearing hardboots instead of heels or ballet flats. And my yellow button down shirt just looked plain. Too plain. Shoot! Why did he have to show up today? I fixed my hair as best as I could, brushed off my pants and smelled my armpits just to make sure they were alright. Then I took a second to observe myself. What are you doing Lisa? It's just Drumstick. Why do you care what you look like? Why should he care? I shook my head at the ridiculous girl in the mirror. It's just Drumstick. But the excitement still fluttered in my stomach. He came to see me.

A few minutes later I went out to the parking lot. He was leaning against his vehicle with his arms crossed, wearing dark blue pants, and a lighter blue long sleeved shirt. Maybe he was coming from work I thought as I tried not to look awkward while he watched me approach. He started to smile and I did the same. I took note of some of my male trainees who were standing across the lot.

He stretched his arms out for a hug.

" I would hug you, but my trainees get jealous easily" I said nodding in their direction.

"I can see why" he added with a smirk.

I ignored the comment and how it made me feel.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. I was genuinely curious.

"I was doing some network installations in the area, and I thought I'd drop by, and find out why you have been ignoring me".

" I haven't been ignoring you" I denied.

" Oh really. I sent you alot of messages. Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Called a few times too"

" I was just giving you your space you know. You were with family and stuff" I mumbled looking off to the side at the asphalted ground.

"I see. And me texting didn't show any indication that I want to talk to you?"

"Nope." I said realizing how stupid I might have sounded. But I'd rather sound stupid than talk about why I couldn't talk to him.

"Lisa. Did I do something wrong?" He asked earnestly.

" No, no you were fine..."

" Then have dinner with me tonight."

"Dinner?"

"It's not a date. It's just to catch up."

" We can catch up via text"

" Clearly that hasn't worked" I saw his point. He watched as I debated whether or not I should accept. It was just dinner. Another free meal with a friend.

"Don't stand me up this time."

" I won't. I promise." He said clasping his hands.

That evening, Drumstick held true to his promise. He was actually early this time and I was the one running late.

I had taken the time to actually look decent, and did a complete 360 to what he saw earlier today. I went with a black jumper Petty had given me for my birthday but I never wore, some wedged heels, also courtesy of Petty, and they were also making their debut tonight.

I had curled my hair so that the curls would bounce as I walked. The only thing that wasn't spot on was the makeup. I tried but I wasn't a makeup artist by any means. A little concealer, foundation, eye liner and gloss was just about all I could do without looking like a clown.

He waited patiently outside as I scrambled to find my keys. Mother had left that evening to go to a church event so I had the place to myself. If he wanted to come in and kill me he could have. But he didn't. He just stood there like a perfect gentleman as I walked down the steps towards him.

"Wow. You are a beautiful woman". I neglected the party of butterflies in my stomach.

"You didn't say that when I was all dirty earlier today".

" Actually you looked damn sexy but I knew you didn't want to hear that". I thought I was doing well to hide my growing nervousness, until my legs started to wobble in these damned heels.

He caught me before I fell. The sudden contact caused a race of chills down my entire body. Damn it was cold. I quickly stepped back so I was out if his reach.

" You are very right. And you, look , you look very nice".

That was an understatement. I might be chronically single but I wasn't blind. He was damn gorgeous with a sharp square jawline, dimpled cheek, cool dark complexion and full pinkish lips. His attractiveness wasn't lost on me.

" Thank you. I tried" he said tugging at his navy blue blazer. He wore a simple black t shirt beneath it with a pair of jeans.

"Where are we going" I asked as he opened the door for me to I climb in.

" You will see" he said before going around to the driver's side.

Later on we pulled up outside Club Five, a popular spot in the New Kingston night life. The streets weren't as busy as they would be at 9 pm on a Friday night. We parked near to the entrance, and I got out before he could open my door.

A few people were walking in and stood in line to be seated.

As we entered he walked up to the front desk. The lady greeted him as if she knew him.

"Hey Donovan" she said with a smile.

"Hey Sharon. I know it's short notice but..." He leaned over and whispered something in her ear. I felt uncomfortable standing just behind him. I watched as she smiled and nodded. She made eye contact with me. I made no effort to smile with her.

She got up from her seat, ignoring the line before her and led us to a table for two. The table was situated right in front of a small stage about a foot high. There were drums set up, a keyboard to the left and a guitar rested against it.

" Is there going to be music?" I asked Sharon. She looked at Donovan, as if seeking permission to answer. He shrugged then she shrugged and said she wasn't sure. I'm no detective but something was up.

A few moments later we had ordered our food. The place was starting to fill up unexpectedly. A quick look around showed that most tables were occupied. Only a few in the back were empty. The decor was simply elegant. The tables were covered in a blueish purple table cloth with white trim. Each table had a small bouquet of flowers in the centre, with a small electric candle next to it to illuminate the area. The chairs were cushioned which was a relief. I couldn't stand metal chairs. Our food came surprisingly quickly, served by a dapper young man dressed in dark blue and black uniform. I had ordered a shrimp pasta while he had escoviched fish.

He ordered a bottle of Moscato. And I could sense it was going to be a good night. I enjoyed our light conversation about his weekend as he shared stories about his mother, sisters, nieces and nephews. I learned that he was the only boy, with three sisters. He was the third child. His older sisters both had children.

He grew up in Montego Bay, in the Ghetto of Drewsland but was able to get out and work hard to buy his mother a house last year. It's amazing to see and he was only 26. I only hope that I could do half of what he's done for my family when I am his age.

After finishing dinner, two men walked onto the stage. One short man of light complexion went and sat behind the drum set. It reminded me of how I met Donovan not too long ago, while the other a tall dark slender man stood behind the keyboard. I looked out for the other person who was going to play the guitar but no one walked on stage.

" Where's the guitarist? " I asked leaning over to Donovan as the drummer introed the song.

" Not sure" he said. He acted as if he was looking around for the guitarist before getting up and stepping on to the stage.

"Donovan, what're you doing? " I asked before he started to sing. What was he up to?

I feel good, when you're wrapped up in my arms, dancing to a reggae song

Then the drummer and keyboardists came in with the harmonies.

Feel good, feel good

To say I was shocked would be the understatement of the century. The crowd was cheering but I could hear nothing but his sweet melodious voice as he sang the classic Beres Hammond tune.

He looked directly at me as he sang the next line.

I feel good cause your perfume isn't loud and only I can talk about.
He rocked to the beat smoothly as they sang the harmonies.
Feel good feel good.

You feel like velvet rubbing over my skin
And then your hair dances under my chin
Wish we were alone baby, just the two of us.
We made eye contact as he sang the next lines.
Yes every move you make gives me a rush
Wine some more show me that love unconditionally
Make believe we are alone just you and me

He held our gaze and a few women looked around at me to see who he was staring at but I didn't care one way or another.

Take the problems leave them behind
Don't let it show, go baby go baby go baby go baby go...
I feel good.

I don't think I moved or took my eyes off of him as he performed and worked the stage. The ladies  swooned at him. My own jaw fell to the floor and I couldn't pick it back up. I was captivated by him wherever he moved, my eyes followed. I didn't snap out of it until the song was over and he addressed the crowd.

" Club Five how you feeling tonight?"

The crowd cheered.

" I said how you feeling?! " He asked as if the deafening cheers weren't loud enough.

" My name is Donovan. Donovan Bicknell. And I will be your lead singer and entertainer for the night." The crowd cheered again.

"To my left we have Jimmy on the drums. Jimmy play something for the people" Jimmy played an upbeat calypso rhythm that had the women screaming

" Alright Jimmy don't steal all the ladies" he said before winking at me. I couldn't help but smile.
" And to my right we have Jaime."
Before he could ask, Jaime started to play a reggae melody on the keyboard but mixed it up with certain elements I've never heard before. He was very talented.

" Alright! Alright! Alright!" Donovan said to stop him. "Show off" Donovan said before returning to centre stage. As he began to speak Jaime started to play again. "Alright!" Donovan said once more.
The crowd laughed. Donovan went over to him to cut him off. He stopped. As he walked off Jaime played another note. Donovan turned around he stopped. Like a cat and mouse game, as Donovan turned he played. And the crowd, including me couldn't have enough of the funny bit.

"You know what you continue to play" Donovan feigned frustration and sat on the edge of the stage. Jaime continued to play and broke out a few dancehall tunes that had the crowd rocking for a minute. When he was finished.

" Alright sir. Finished now?" Donovan got up. Jaime only nodded

" Are we ready for some sweet sweet reggae music?" Donovan asked the crowd.

" Yes!" They shouted in response.

"No man! You aren't ready! You ready for the sweet sweet reggae music?!"

They shouted even louder , "yes!"
"You have to get up for this one now" he commanded before starting to sing the amazing Bob Marley tune.

I wanna love you and treat you right

The men whistled and the women screamed. A few people got up to the dance floor which was a small 8 foot gap between our table and the stage. They blocked my view of him so I got up too and swayed a little to the beat. He sang more of Bob's hits in a medley. Turn your lights down low, Don't worry, and Natural Mystic were just a few.

The night carried on with him doing more modern reggae music. He dished out some Romain Virgo, Christopher Martin and Konshens. It was a mini stage show in doors.

At a point he had taken up the guitar and slowed it down with a few acoustic versions of Vybez Kartel and Aidonia songs. It was so unique the way he sang. Every melody each line sweeter than honey and smoother than silk. The man was a fountain of talent. I was left wondering how many more tricks he had up his sleeve.