THE EX WIFE'S RECKONING

Chapter 17

13:05 GMT

Screeching sound emanated from beneath when the aircraft’s landing tires met the tarred enroute, as the aeroplane maintained that velocity for another 3 minutes before coming to a halt.

She let out a heavy sigh of relief, thanking her lucky stars that nothing happened all through the flight, nothing close to an aeroplane crash that left a scar in her subconscious mind, when she was but a little fry.

According to the gathered reports, the pilot was passing through a tough marriage. Yeah, she could relate better now. And the other slept off.

She met the ambience which she did not hesitate to sip in. The terminals were clogged with passengers. She stood for a split second, trying to locate a great spot to sit and call her friend to pick her up.

Buzz….

A message popped in from the notification bar.

Look behind you. Bingo!

Naomi quickly turned 180 degrees on both heels to meet Clara’s face, beaming with a heart-warming smile.

The excitement of meeting a loser she has not met in about 2 years pushed her to run closer and throw herself on her, hugged and wrapped herself around her. Clara patted her back gently, that pat of assurance that everything is gon’ be alright. She needn’t say it, as she may tear up.

Nah.

That’s not too great for a reunioning moment like this.

Both of them understood the assignment.

“It'll be a cold day in hell to have you change this hairstyle. That boy really got you to like this style years after college. Do you still buy boys chocolate?” Clara threw a subtle banter to break them free from the strong grip of silence and the hug session, respectively.

“You wouldn't have had any good looking guy for a boyfriend if I did not feed them chocolates, you toad. You never stopped leaping from one guy to the next.” Naomi sent a counter attack banter reeling through Clara’s veins.

Clara laughed like a hyena, then quickly pressed her palm against her mouth to regain consciousness that they were not the only ones in that spot. They both laughed it off.

“My car is over there. Where is your luggage?”

“Uhm.. okay. Mrs Laurent wouldn't let me move an inch if she read fishy signs. So I had to come with me, myself and I alone.”

“Your mother would relieve you of your skin from your bones if she heard you address you as Mrs Laurent.”

“C’mon. Get lost, toad.”

They kept chit chatting while walking briskly towards the sparkling Green Sports Utility Vehicle.

Off, they drove. The city wasn’t a bee hive as compared to where she came from. Buttress trees formed canopies over passing vehicles, the sight was suiting. Clara said a lot about literally every street and attention calling skyscraper structures which flooded the city till they reached a spot.

“Here’s my spa baby girl. I thought of taking you home, but I got booked by a top paying client. I wouldn't lose this big catch to my competitors.” She giggled.

Naomi nodded, sending the ‘I am okay with that’ approval.

“Let me get you chocolates.” Clara declared with a devilish smile and made for the next room.

Naomi shook her head from, left to right, sideways in dire surprise at how Clara has never changed a bunch with her banter ways.

Buzzz.. Buzzz… Buzzz..

Incoming Call…

Mother

“Hello, Momma.”

“Naomi, I raised you better than this. Damian left an hour ago, reddish angered at your irresponsible behaviour. Now tell me, where are you? Because I am coming right away to pick you up at Damian's.”

“Check your Paypal. I sent some cash for upkeep. I’m sorry about everything. But you may not see me soon. Don’t fret, I am fin...” Drops the call before she could finish her last word.

Buzzz… Buzzz.. Buzzzz..

Incoming Call…

Damian

She quickly hovered over the decline button to end the call. Then switch off her phone to avoid further disturbances.

“Hey Girl. Chocolates!” Clara blurted, tossing to and fro, the A4 sized paper chocolate plate in her palm, walking towards where Naomi was seated.

“Here, don’t share with your boyfriends.” She chuckled..

“Yes, you are great at styling people. Oh. Oh. Oh. My bad, I forgot that you own a top shopping mall.”

“Yeaah. I did. Slug head. I explained what transpired earlier, but you’ve chosen your fate to be a blur in the head.” Both paused for a while and laughed in unison like hyenas..

“Okay, come and help style my client. She’s not too great with dresses.” She requested with a charmy popped out eyes seeking her expertise.

“Fine. Fine. I will help out, but can you shrink those seductive eye ideas? those eggs that take after eyes.” Naomi accepted to help, uttering a very kind word.

***

“You’re 6.5 feet tall, ma’am, you should go with a flat heel to keep your height matching your outfit, and not make it look undersized.” She winked at her.

Yeah. Expertise speaks volumes.

“Wow! Wow! Wow! I love it. This is great.” compliments came pouring in from every other client.

Now, it was a full blown booking flying in from every client who was present.

“What’s your name?” The client requested politely.

“I.. uhm. I am Ruth.” Naomi shrugged out in stammers. Clara’s eyes shone in disbelief, questioning in her head when Naomi changed to Ruth. Anyway, she let it slide, hoping to confront her later when they got home.

“Brace up girl, you've got a whole lot of work to do hence” she whispered into her ears.

Naomi walked briskly to the guest spot facing the receptionist, to have her left over chocolate.

She was beginning to adapt to her new skin. Ruth? Not bad. Maybe a shork-kick for the Ruth-less identity she had to forge to stay far hidden from the eagle–Damian.

One more thing, she thought to herself, crossing her legs while slowly caressing her lips with the piece of chocolate she had in between her thumb and finger tip.

I have to cut all connections with my past. This is the life I chose. The villain I never was.