3: The Apology
1014 Words
Night came again, and Amara prepared for work.
All through the day she had thought of the kind of actions Jide Lawson could be planning to take against her.
But the thought that terrified her the most was the fact that she could lose her job.
If she did, then how was she going to fend for her family?
Maybe she should have just walked away rather than exchanging words with him.
She arrived at work early that night, wore her uniform, then said a little prayer.
She can't lose this job.
Not now.
The minute she stepped out of the staff room into the lounge, loud music, odor of alcohol, and puff of smoke greeted her, but in all that chaos, her eyes searched around until she saw him.
And he saw her too.
They held each other's gaze for a moment, and then he signaled for her to come to his table.
Amara quickly fixed her face, she wasn't going to show fear, even though she was scared deep inside.
But as she walked towards him, she murmured another quick prayer.
"Alone today? Where are your friends?" She said immediately as she got to his table, trying so hard to sound calm.
"Can I have your order please?" she quickly added.
Jide looked up at her and smiled subtly, "I came alone. I have been here since morning waiting for you."
Since morning?
He stayed.
Waiting for her.
That can't be good.
Amara swallowed, "Mr Lawson, please I don't want trouble. This job matters to me."
"I didn't come here to cause trouble for you, and please call me Jide," he said, smiling at her.
He had a nice smile.
Amara thought quietly.
"What's your name?" he asked gently.
"None of your business..." Amara retorted before she could stop herself.
He quickly looks at the name tag on her uniform.
"Amara Okafor." he said with a sultry voice, and it sent tingles over Amara's body.
"You're Igbo, I thought as much," he added.
Amara frowned, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Igbo girls are usually feisty," he said holding her gaze, "and also very beautiful..."
Amara blushed subtly.
"I know we got off on a wrong foot, and I was hoping we could correct that," he continued.
"Wrong foot?" Amara narrowed her eyes at him, "You touched me inappropriately."
"Well, in my defense, you have a nice butt." He winked at her, "I am sure that's not the first time that has happened to you."
Amara breathed out hot air, she was fuming.
"For a minute, I thought you wanted to apologize to me."
"Apologize?" he said, surprised, "To you? You ridiculed me in front of my friends."
Amara shook her head in disgust.
She couldn't believe she actually thought for a moment that he was different from his folks.
"If there is anyone who deserves an apology, it's me," he continued.
"Let me know when you're ready to make an order, sir," she said abruptly, and walked away infuriated, before he could utter another word.
----
For the next few days, Jide Lawson returned to Eko Heights Hotel every night.
But he still couldn't get Amara to talk to him. She remained cold towards him.
Why was she being so difficult?
He thought angrily within himself.
Women chased him.
Women practically threw themselves at him.
He was many women's prayer points, but yet a mere waitress didn't even want to speak to him.
That night, he came to the lounge. Alone again.
She was stationed at the counter tonight. He boldly walked up to her without thinking it twice.
"Amara, can I have a word with you?" he said calmly.
"I'm working now, sir." Amara replied bluntly.
Jide sighed.
"Okay, fine. Maybe I was wrong for what I did."
Amara looked at him with disbelief.
"Did you say, maybe?"
Jide shrugged.
Amara shook her head, "I guess apologizing to a mere waitress is a herculean task for you."
Jide sighed in defeat.
"Okay, I'm sorry, Amara. But you also have to apologize to me."
"Apologize for what?" she snapped.
"You insulted me."
"That was a reaction to action. Now tell me what I did wrong that prompted you to do what you did?" she asked, looking him directly in the face.
"You're right," Jide finally said, raising his hands up in surrender. "What I did was wrong, and I truly apologize."
"I'm over it," she said sharply, "You can go now, I am just glad you finally admitted you were wrong."
Jide laughed out loud.
"What's funny?" Amara asked, obviously confused.
"The way you speak to me, you don't even care who I am, like the others."
"That's because I really don't care."
Jide smiled.
Unfortunately, Amara found his smile even more attractive up close.
She muttered to herself, to control her silly thoughts.
"Well, since your mornings are free, can I take you out tomorrow as part of my apology?" he said, getting her out of her thoughts.
"You just concluded that my mornings are free," Amara replied, "I know you have not worked a single day in your life, but most of us work every second of the day in order to survive."
Jide sighed.
"So, is that a no?"
"I don't trust your intentions, so it's a big no," she answered sternly.
"I have no ill intentions towards you, Amara."
She hated how calm his voice sounded.
"Then what do you want with me?" she asked him.
"I just want to get to know you. You intrigue me," he told her.
"Well, you don't. Now let me be."
Jide palms his face, frustration clearly showing in his expression, "Can I at least have your number?" he asked, "Please..." he quickly added.
Amara held his gaze for a moment, contemplating if she should oblige him.
Later she sighed, and wrote it on a paper towel.
"Thank you."
Amara watched him walk away afterward.
And for the first time since meeting Jide Lawson, she realized he might not stop chasing her.
But what could a billionaire son want with her?
- Writer
