Tracey and Luke had been friends for some months. Tracey observed that apart from her, Luke had a few female friends and he wasn't in a romantic relationship with any lady. Besides he had all the qualities a lady would ever desire in her ideal man. He was tall, well-built and handsome. To put icing on the cake, he became a professor at the age of thirty-one. Since he had a chain of businesses, he was very rich. On a cool Saturday evening when they were hanging out at their usual spot, she resolved to ask him.
She waited for the perfect time and finally spoke out.
"Luke, I want to ask you a question that has been on my mind."
"Okay, what is it?"
"I don't know how to say it so that you won't misconstrue it."
"Tee, you know you can ask me about anything. So shoot."
"Okay, if you say so. Since we've been friends, I've discovered that you have a few female friends. That aside, why are you not in a romantic relationship with any lady?" She asked.
He smiled one of his dazzling smiles before he replied her.
"Tee, that's a very long story."
"I've got the time in the world to listen. So spill it."
"Girl, I've been through a lot in the hands of women."
"I'm sorry to interrupt but can you please lucubrate?" she asked.
"Okay but listen carefully." He replied

I am the only child born to a famous business tycoon in the country. I commenced school at a very tender age and being the only son and heir, I went to the best schools. While in college, I met a damsel called Flora. Since it was love at first sight, I assumed that I didn't have to osculate many ladies before I found my queen. I provided any thing and every thing Flora every desired. Since she knew that I loved her impotently, she soon turned me into her puppet. (Luke shrugs) She took advantage of every opportunity she had to make me do things for her. I can't even believe I did all that. Even though my friends tried to make me realize that I was being used, I didn't listen to them. You know, love makes you blind to some things and it takes the people around you to help you see what you can't see. The day the love spell was broken is still fresh in my memory.

It was a Tuesday. The 22nd day in the month of August. Since it was her birthday, I decided to pay her a surprise visit. I had travelled a week prior to that day so she wasn't aware of my surprise visit. You know that thing they say about not paying surprise visits to people? Well, it's true. I wanted to surprise her but I ended up being the surprised one. At about five in the evening, I went to her apartment. Since it wasn't locked, I walked in. The sight that welcomed me was macabre. She had a guest. But with the position I found them in, he wasn't a guest. In order not to cause a conniption, I hurriedly ramped out or her house. Even though she ran after me and telling me that she could explain, I became indifferent to her. It took me about fourteen months to get over the heart break.

After her, I told myself that never again would I be foolishly in love again. In my final year in college, Prudence came along. She had just gotten admission into the college. She was a beauty to behold. She was every guy's crush. Since she knew who she was, she ignored many guys that approached him. Our paths crossed at a restaurant. I was exhausted after a day-filled lecture. I decided to relax and also have dinner at the Exquisite Lounge. I think she also had a busy day and decided to relax at the Lounge cos she came in looking stressed out. When she had settled in a cozy seat two tables ahead of mine and placed her order, some guys offered to pay her bills but since she was a boss lady, she declined the offer. About thirty minutes later, she paid her bills and set off to her abode. When she had gone, I had already finished dinner, so I settled my bills and headed for the exit.

When I got to the table Prudence sat at earlier, I saw a bunch of keys and assumed that the bunch was hers'. I asked for directions to her apartment and hurriedly left cos I knew that she'd be stranded. At her apartment, before I alighted from my ride, I saw that she reached into her black handbag to get her room key. After blinking for what seemed like forever, it dawned on her that she had dropped it somewhere. I presume that in a bid to remember where she put it, she played her activities during the day in her head. While she was at it, I came down from the car, walked towards her and interrupted her thoughts.
"This must be yours" I said.
"Yeah, thanks. You're a lifesaver" she replied, heaving a sigh of relief.
I handed her the keys. We exchanged pleasantries and introduced ourselves. We chatted for a while. Then I left after wishing her a wonderful night rest.

I think it was the next time we saw that we exchanged phone numbers. We chatted via text messages not like now that there is WhatsApp, IMO and other messengers. This continued for like four months or so. On Fridays, we went out. Then in the sixth month of our friendship, when we celebrated it, our status changed. What happened is left to your imagination. Our relationship was hitch free. We dated till I graduated from College. Then she was in her second year. We spoke often. Despite my busy schedule, I made out time to see her at school. After sometime, I think seven months later, there was a strain in our communication. She always used lecture as an excuse. Since I was an alumnus of the College, I understood how hectic lectures were. Therefore I let it slide but it only grew worse. In order to make things right, I decided to pay her a visit. Before I left home, I dialled her number but it was switched off. I concluded that I'd dial the number again much later which I didn't cos I forgot. At her doorstep, it was déjà vu. Exactly what happened with Flora replayed. After that incident, I shut my heart against love. That's my story.

Tracey was remained mute for the next few seconds. It took the snap of Luke's fingers to bring her back to the present.
"Sorry Luke, was lost in thoughts," Tracey replied.
"Yeah, I know." Said Luke.
"But those girls are not serious. What were they thinking?" Tracey asked rhetorically.
Luke smiled, remaining mute.
"So tell me about your ideal woman." Tracey said inquisitively.
Luke smiled sweetly and said, "My ideal woman... She must be Godly. She should complement me in all fields. I also want my children to be brought up in the way of the Lord. She should be transparent, friendly, a great home keeper. You know they say it's a woman that keeps the home. She must be peaceful. I don't want one woman that will come and add to the stress I experience at work. She must be resourceful. In all, she must be virtuous."
"I see! But are you working on yourself to be a woman's ideal man?" Tracey asked.
"Sure I am. Why would I want someone to be what I am not? I've been doing that for a long time now. I'm not there yet but I'm making tremendous progress" Luke replied.

Before you want a woman to be your ideal woman, ensure that you are a woman's ideal man and vice versa. It's a joint effort the same way it's a personal effort.

Everyone has his/her picture of an ideal woman/man, what's yours?
https://raychespeaks..com/2018/06/my-ideal-woman.html?m=1