STORMS AND TWISTS

CHAPTER NINE

Clara entered her car. She told the security man to open the door. The engine revved and the car zoomed off. She stopped thirty minutes later when she realized that she had gotten to her father’s company.

‘Man Auditors was the name of the company. The company was renowned. It was affiliated to other reputable companies in the city and beyond. The headquarters was a skyscraper building and that was the one she was about to enter.

As he entered, she heaved a sigh. She planned on taking the whole day to rest after she went for a commercial shoot the previous night. She would have kept the whole day the way she had planned and get Casey from school when it was 4:00p.m but their dad told her to bring an important file from home immediately.

She walked into the reception room. One of the receptionists offered to carry her bag well knowing that she was the CEO’s daughter but she declined the offer.

“She’s so humble”. One of the receptionists said when she was out of earshot.

As soon as she was about to get to her dad’s office, she bumped into a young man in suit that had some files with him. The files went in the air and the papers were scattered all around.

Still, he held on to her hand and gazed at her eyes. She also gazed into his eyes and then she paused a bit.

“Wait, what am I doing?” She thought to herself and snapped out of it.

“Let me go. Is this how you treat everyone here? I’m going to report your misdeeds to the CEO”. She shrieked.

“Sorry ma. I’m so sorry”. The guy had said. He bent down to pick the papers that had scattered around. She entered her father’s office and dropped the document. It was an audit plan for the previous year.

“Thanks Clara”. Mr. Calvin ‘Manuel said.

“You are welcome dad. Besides, who is the guy that just came out of your office?” She asked, pointing to the door.

“He’s the new managing director and why did you ask?”

“We bumped into each other. Don’t worry about that.” She said and stormed out of the office.

She checked her wrist-watch and saw that it was 4:00p.m. She was already late for her next destination. Casey would have been waiting. He wouldn’t leave even if she didn’t appear and it was already night. He trusted her to always fetch him from school whenever she was around.

She ran down the staircase. She almost fell down but a hand held her. She looked back and saw the guy again.

“Be careful. You could have hurt yourself”.

“Thanks. I’ve got to go”. Clara hurried downstairs. She got into her car and heaved repeatedly like someone who was about to have asthmatic seizure. She has been rushing because she did not want to disappoint her brother.

She revved the engine and zoomed off with high speed.

Casey had finished reading. He was supposed to have left since three hours earlier but he waited to do his usual review. It was 4:15p.m. And he was waiting for Clara. She didn’t seem to be anywhere around the school.

He trotted back to his class and it was empty. He decided to go back but he saw Carl and Melissa chatting heartily and smiling. He passed by without uttering a word. They also noticed him and gave him a disdainful look.

He didn’t think about them. After all, birds of the same feather do flock together. He exhaled. He was thinking about Clara. Their love was so strong than a person observing without far-fetched ideas would reason there was more to it. This was the same person that was yet to show up for the past twenty-five minutes.

He was getting bored. He picked two stones and threw them away.

“Clara is yet to show up. I wonder what she’s doing”. He said, frowning with bewilderment.

Just then, a car stopped by him. He looked up only to see that it was Clara’s BMW. He entered the car and sat next to her.

“Clara, you were late.” He said with a frown.

“I’m sorry. It’s not my fault. I had to deliver a document to dad”. She explained, turning on the ignition. He maintained his frown.

“Okay, how can I make it up to you?” She said, realizing he wouldn’t come to a halt.

“A bedtime story would do”/.

“For God’s sake you are not a baby”.

“I know .I just wanted to tease you”.

…

Melissa, OIivia and Priscilla were on their way home since it was the close of school. Suddenly, Melissa realized that she couldn’t find her phone.

“Girls, I’m looking for my phone”.

“You might have forgotten it at the class”. Olivia said.

“That’s true guys. You may go. We’ll see tomorrow”. Melissa said.

“Bye”. Priscilla said and left.

Melissa turned back and was frightened to see Carl before her.

“Gosh, you almost scared me to death”. She said, heaving a sigh of relief.

“I’m sorry. I’m aware you are looking for your phone”. He said, taking the phone out of his pocket.

“How did you come by it?” she queried.

“You forgot it. Someone could have stolen it”. He said, handing the phone over to her.

“You are welcome”. She said and adjusted her long braids with her hand.

“You are beautiful”. Carl complemented with a wide smile. He crossed his legs and leaned on the wall.

“Thanks, you are also handsome. I’m Melissa…” She couldn’t finish her statement because he interrupted her.

“You’re Melissa Morris. Everyone knows you. You are so popular. By the way, I’m Carl…”

“Carl Robinson. You are famous.” She said with a giggle.

They continued chatting and giggling until Casey passed by. He didn’t seem to have attention for them. Melissa eyed him badly and Carl gave him a tough look.

“These idiots do have the nerves lately.” Carl said.

“Don’t give any credence to the freak. Let’s continue with our discussion”. Melissa said, dragging him closer.

Casey didn’t read meaning to Cal and Melissa’s new found relationship. He just brushed the idea away. He had lots of things to do than to ponder about them.

It was a Saturday and he wasn’t studying with Cody. Their plans had changed because Cody will be going for a football match. It was the first round in the All School Football Tournament and they had to win so he was preparing all week long.

The All School Football Tournament was a big deal. It was the biggest competition in the city and it was an elimination match. Besides, the school hadn’t won a trophy since their existence in the league. He would have gone to cheer him up but it was an away match and it was two cities away. He took his phone and just as he was about to step into the living room, he saw Clara was dressed. He checked his phone and saw it was some minutes after eight o’clock.

He walked up to her.

“Hey brother” She said, placing her handbag on his chair.

“Clara, you look stressed out.” He said, touching her forehead and examining her eyes.

“Calm down, I’m going to be fine.” She said, waving his point off.

“You came in late yester night and I didn’t even know why you are up so early.” He said with worry written all over his face.

“Mom” She said with a shrug.

“You have to rest.” He persuaded her further.

“I’m having a meeting with a movie director feel dizzy and fall down”. She said giving an indifferent look. So I have to go.”

“Okay. Take care of yourself.”

“Duh! Casey, it’s not as if I’m going to

She walked on but he called her back.

“Clara, you forgot your bag. You are stressed. I think you should spend the rest of the day resting “. He said, handing her bag to her.

“Okay, I will not take much time there. Be cool for me”. He said and kissed her forehead.

“Bye”.

…

Clara parked her car at the parking lot of the restaurant. She walked inside and sat at a seat at the end of the restaurant. The movie director wasn’t there yet. She picked up her phone to check the time.

“When is he going to turn up?” She said to herself in frustration.

She realized that her bracelet had fallen off. She bent down to pick it but she bumped into someone. She felt embarrassed.

“Why is this happening to me?” She said to herself.

She tried to pick the bracelet but the person had taken it.

“Sorry. The person said.

She looked up only to see that it was the guy from the other day.

“Why does it always have to be you? Now my head hurts”. She said, giving him a disdainful look.

“I’m so sorry. I wanted to pick the bracelet up for you “. Josiah said, handling other bracelet over to her.

“Well, thanks”.

“Let me help you up”. He said and gave her a helping hand.

Just then, he phone beeped. It was a text from the movie director. She read it instantly. He apologized for the inconveniences and told her he would not be able to make the meeting. He also rescheduled the meeting.

“Sorry. I’ve got to go.” She said and walked on.

She felt dizzy and weak but she kept rushing off. Her eyeballs rolled involuntarily and she almost fell down but Josiah’s timely intervention prevented her from falling down.

She turned back only to discover it was him again for what she could call the umpteenth time if she were to exaggerate. To her, the whole situation was becoming incessant.

‘You look stressed and it’s telling in you. Maybe you should take a lot of rest. Sit here”. He said, offering her the closest seat he could see at the moment.

“Thanks”.

She was weak at the moment and sat down because she was left with no other choice.