Because, It's you.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

I still felt so unsure about going out today which was why I have been staring at my wardrobe for the past hour. Adeyemi had called when I was in school to confirm whether I was still up for it only for Praise to collect the phone and give a confirmation on my behalf.

“You better wear clothe and stop looking like fish there” I groaned into my pillow at Praise’s words.

It was past four already and Yemi was going to pick me up at5 pm. I had argued about him picking me up as I told him I could go there on my own which was a lie because I do not know the place.

I finally stood up and with Praise’s help, we picked out a royal blue gown that was made with a silk royal blue fabric in the front and a blue and white Ankara material at the back. It looked like a blouse with long full sleeves, a long skirt with a ruffled slit pattern in the front, and a belt-like shape on the waist.

I had sown this gown when I wanted to go for our departmental dinner but chose not to go after. It fitted my body perfectly and brought out curves I never knew I had. I was a jean trouser and baggy tops type of person.

Once I styled the gown to my taste, I sat down in front of the mirror and packed my braids into a center-parting donut shape bun. I applied a little foundation and brown powder and styled my brows to perfection. Once done, I used nude lipstick on my lips and made them shine with lip gloss. I looked at myself in the mirror and nodded before going to wear the black wedges that I am sure I will be extremely comfortable in and placed my phone, power bank, and money into my small black handbag.

“Do I look okay?” I asked Praise while twirling for her.

“Aaaha, e ma wo omo to n dan” I smiled a little at her words and checked the time to see that it was 4:57 pm which meant that, Yemi will soon be here. (Wow, look at a beautiful girl)

“Mummy, are you going out?” Grace mumbled in her sleepy voice. She had fallen asleep while using my phone to watch a movie.

“Yes dear, but I will be home on time, okay?” she nodded, the sleep still very much in her eyes. I kissed her forehead and went to sit down.

Not even up to five minutes, I got a message from Yemi that says he was outside. With a big sigh that made Praise laugh at me before going back to look at her phone.

“Sha bring something when you’re coming o” I just shook my head and went out the door.

I walked to the hostel gate and opened it to reveal a very handsome Adeyemi. I looked him up and down to see he was wearing a royal blue suit, a black turtle neck that fitted his body shape so well, black trousers, and black shoes. His hair was well cut at the edges leaving the middle full and tamed.

“You look nice,” I said casually so he wouldn’t notice I was staring but he smiled widely.

“You are beautiful” his husky voice sounded reassuringly firm. I stood in respect as we got to his car.

“Adeyemi, is that a 2020 Toyota Camry TRD?” my voice had not contained this much excitement in a while as I stood there gushing at the beauty of the car before me. I am not a total car freak but for anything that had to do with Camry and Ford, sign me up.

“You do know your cars,” he said with a chuckle of astonishment. I slightly tapped his shoulder to indicate my serious excitement.

“I have always admired this car on the internet and to get to see one up close is like staring at an all-you-can-eat buffet” I expressed my satisfaction with the car. He opened the door and I got in, to continue admiring the interior.

“You should wait till you get to the party and then you’ll see an all-you-can-eat buffet,” he said with a wink making my excitement grow ten-fold.

“Then what are you waiting for? Drive” I ordered with a big smile on my face and for a moment I forgot about whom I saw yesterday.

“How is Grace?” he asked, trying to make small talk as I continued rubbing the smooth chair under me.

“She’s fine. She was asleep when I left” I said looking at him.

He was concentrated on the road and I took my time to look at him. He is a handsome man, he has a chiseled face with a sharp jawline and a nice cheekbone that didn’t make him look fat, a Greek nose that arched when he smiled. His Adam’s apple was hidden underneath his turtle neck top.

What would a man as beautiful as this, want from me?

I know he said he wants to be my friend but I don’t know why I don’t feel uncomfortable around him. He is easy to talk to, he doesn’t judge or I think he doesn’t. When he saw Grace, I get that he was shocked but the fact that he took it so well and was chill with it made me wonder who this man truly was.

“You’re staring” I snapped out of my reverie at his voice. I didn’t realize I have been staring for long.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize. I was just thinking” I replied bringing myself to look forward and not at him anymore.

“Mind telling me, what you’re thinking about?” his voice conveyed curiosity as always. It’s like he’s always surprised or amused when I tell him something about myself.

“Nothing much, just why you didn’t freak out and run away from me when you found out I had a daughter.” It came out as a statement but we both knew the hanging question. He sighed and the corner of his lips curved in a small smile.

“I can’t explain it either. It’s like, I am so intrigued by you, that I was too curious to dwell on that. I don’t know exactly why but God keeps telling me to know you more.” He finally explained and I was curious. Did God say that? That might explain why I never seem bothered by him, it’s like a reminder that I am not alone, as if God is telling me to let him in.

“So, you’re not freaked out? I wonder why God would say that” I murmured out loud still in my thought.

“It’s more like I can’t be freaked out. If that makes sense” we both knew God was speaking to us, we are just yet to find out why and what it is.

“I hope we can find the reason,” I said with a smile making him a nod and drive into a parking space.

I didn’t realize time had gone by. I stared out the window to see we were in front of a story building that could pass as one of those bank branches. The front of the building was well-lit but had a lot of people pulling up and walking inside. It reminded me of those movies where limousines would stop in front of the building and the important guests would walk out and step in. That was what was going on now.

“Stay in the car,” he said.

Adeyemi didn’t switch off the car, instead, he stepped out and gave his key to a man that I assumed was going to park the car, and he walked over to my door and opened it for me to step out and that was when my head registered ‘Chivalry’.

I stepped out and whispered a ‘Thanks’ before taking in the beautiful building. I knew there were journalists and reporters around because they all had a tag on their necks.

“Good evening Mr. Coker” a not-so-tall man who is dark in complexion, greets Adeyemi with a slight bow.

“Good evening, Tobi, has the party started yet?” Yemi’s voice was full of authority which made me look at him.

He was holding my hand like he didn’t want me to walk in alone and I didn’t complain because I didn’t do well with crowds and a bunch of people I do not know.

“Yes sir, it started a few minutes ago” The man, Tobi said and I checked my watch to see that it was 6:02 pm. We had been on the road for an hour. Well, the traffic was bad, I mean this is Lagos. Adeyemi nodded and started walking, pulling me along in a gentle manner.

“This building is big” I commented taking in the surroundings and making Adeyemi chuckle.

“You should see the inside” he replied as he kept walking with my hand in his.

We walked up the small stairs. We were being greeted by different people while I was being looked at curiously, they didn’t get to me actually, I just had my reservations about the looks and I didn’t want Yemi to think I was getting cold feet.

“Are you okay?” I guess that didn’t work.

I stopped my looking at people to look at him to see him looking at me with worry.

“I’m fine. I’ve just never been a fan of crowded places with a bunch of new faces that keep staring at me. I mean I do go to class with many people but we are always seated in our corner to avoid the stares” I told him softly with a quiet voice and he nodded in understanding.

“I understand this might be new to you but I hope you can open up a little and have fun,” he said with a smile and a small squeeze of my hands.

“Okay, let’s see” I shrugged my shoulders and sigh as we continued moving.

We entered the building through revolving doors and I froze at the sight of this beautiful place. It was decorated with fancy balloons and ribbons.

Chairs were set up in circles around a table and they all seemed to have name tags which tell me, the party was strictly by invitation.

Yemi laughed at my expression and gently pulled me to his side. He showed me around and I got to know this floor was the reception and office of some people I did not care to know about. The large space in the middle was where the chairs and tables were set up. At the side of the floor, was a staircase that led to the second floor and beside it was an elevator as well.

“Wait till I show you the serving table” he smiled at my taken expression and pulled me to the other side of the floor and let me tell you, what I am seeing has my mouth wide open.

By the side of the floor, just opposite the elevators was a long table covered with a nude cloth and on the table had all sorts of food a person can eat. There was jollof rice, fried rice, white rice, and stew, and swallows like Eba, Fufu, Semo, and Amala, with different soups. There was chicken, turkey, fish, and meat.

“I knew you’d have that expression” his laughing voice broke me out of my food-salivating trance but also made people look at him and consequently, me. I smiled sheepishly.

“Don’t laugh at me. I’m thanking God for bringing his buffet to earth” I said with a pout.

His laughter once again brought people’s attention to us and soon we were greeted left and right. What did I expect, he was the owner after all.

“C’mon, let’s go have our seats. They will serve appetizers” he said with a smirk on his face and as we turned around to leave the salivating table, an elderly woman came into view.

“Oh, Thank God you guys came. Good evening, Mum” Yemi’s voice held appreciation as he bent down to prostrate to the woman before us while I stood there with my mouth open.

Did he just say, Mum?

Author’s note

Okay, I did not expect the parents.

And yes, I do like cars so if you are a car lover, type in your favorite car in the comment section

Mine is a 2020 Audi R8 black – I know it’s a ‘not for Nigerian road kind of car’ but what can I say… I just love the car.

Okay, see you guys in the next chapter. Hope you’re enjoying the story.