ENTHRALLED BY YOU

DINNER WITH RACHAEL

DINNER WITH RACHAEL

It was past four o'clock when Williams finally rounded up for the day, and decided to head out of the office, so he could beat the very exhausting Lagos traffic, and get to the restaurant they both chose in Victoria Island. 

He arrived at Nok by Alara around past five pm, and heaved a sigh of relief, feeling so grateful he actually made in on time because he really was not in the mood to start pacifying his sister, and he was sincerely famished.

He headed into one the most breathtaking restaurant in Lagos city filled with African cultural artifacts from all over the world that fed the environment with a serene ambience, beauty and calm that actually made you feel at home, from the moment you stepped in. 

Williams looked around for the lady with the fullest golden hair on her head, because for some reason unknown to anyone but her, she preferred golden wigs.

He spotted her, seated in their favorite section of the outdoor bamboo setting, at the same time he noticed Rachael was waving at him to signal her location. 

Like he wouldn't spot her golden waves even in the dark, the latest one she had on was very illuminating. If she wasn't aware that it was signature move, he was not about to tell her.

“Egbon bawo ni”, she said, asking Williams how he was doing, as he reached her side, and she stood up to give him a hug. 

“Very great sis”, I replied, sliding into my seat opposite her. ‘Work has been very hectic, and I have meetings and conferences to attend to in the nearest future”, Williams told her.

“One of my conferences for next week was actually canceled, so I had to also cancel my flight to Abuja; which means I would be available and have time to attend your birthday party coming up soon”, he told Rachael.

Rachael squealed with excitement as she practically bounced in her seat making her waves bubble up and down.

“Egbon (Brother) I am so excited, this is the most amazing news I have heard so far”, she replied, “ This is a sign my birthday will definitely be a blast indeed”, she said elated at the news”.

“I cannot believe am turning twenty six in two weeks”, Rachael said, astounded by how fast time flies..

“Twenty six? Really, when did you become so grown up”, Williams exclaimed heartily. 

I couldn’t even believe I was just thirty four years old, I feel so old already because of all the responsibilities lining up.

Rachael laughed heartily, “that’s why you need to live a little big brother, you are too consumed with work to even hang out with your friends, not to mention the female folks”, She sighed. “It really pushes me to think you abhor ladies”, she said.

“If you have an eye for the male folk, I would very understanding and welcoming”, Rachael joked.

“Ha.. ha, very funny”, Williams replied her, not finding it hilarious one bit.

Seriously though brother, “I know the weight of the company fell on you to run at a young age because of dad's health, but you have done a mighty fine job with the company, and he is very proud of you”, she said, pulling out the proud father card. 

She reached out her hand across the table and placed it on mine.

I covered her hand in mine and lifted it up to my lips, placing a kiss at the back of her hand, “I understand you sis, but it”s not that simple”, Williams told her. 

“What is simple though, is that I might faint right here and embarrass the hell out of you, if we do not place our orders right now because I am ravenous”, Williams complained to his sister, feigning a fake dramatic show of dying.

Her laughter poured out in torrents as she picked up her menu and signaled the waiter to come take our orders.

“So, when are going to see fireworks happen between you and Lisa”, Rachael asked as soon the waiter left the table. 

The question popped out of thin air, highly unexpected which had him chocking and sputtering water everywhere as the liquid went down the wrong pipe.

“You little cunt”, Williams croaked out, since he hadn’t fully regained the use of his vocal cords.

Rachael burst out laughing, unable to control herself or restrain her bubbling laughter. The little minks knew she had struck a nerve by boldly asking that question. She was cunning and mischievous like.

“What did I do?”, she asked innocently, daring him to react with her eyes. “I only asked you a question and you started choking”, Rachael said ever so sweetly, like she meant no harm at all.

“Why would you ask me that particular question?”, Williams wispher-yelled to her. She is my employee and nothing more, he told his errant sister who was nosing around for a juicy story as a matter of fact.

“Not the way I see it, she is not”, Rachael replied. “I see the way you look at her when she is around you; you devour her with your eyes”, she said, “not to mention you smile more often and feel relaxed in her presence”. 

“The way both of you banter doesn’t happen in most organizations I know and frankly doesn't happen anywhere else. I know you like her, the least you can is admit it”, Rachael probed.

The waiter, brought in their meal at that moment. Williams had never been so grateful to see a tray of food in his entire life as he was at that moment, so he dug in almost immediately.

“Someone has an appetite!”, Rachael said, but I still won't drop this issue even if you flip me off it a thousand times.

“She is in a relationship with a guy named Stephen”, Williams replied his sister over a mouthful. 

“So she is off limits, and I do not fraternize with my employees sis”, Williams said to her. “It’s too risky, followed by lots of drama, especially with the crazy ones”, he schooled her.

It is also very unprofessional Rachael. I like her sharp and articulate mind, she is the best I have got sis, I can’t mess that up because of something so trivial.

“Okay big brother, if you say so”, Rachael replied with a glint of mischief in her eyes.

The hairs at the back of Williams neck stood on end because he knew he sister was scheming. Asides his mother, Rachael was another pro in deadly schemes. I was so sure her genius brain was working on something.

“I am going to have a lot of my girl friends coming to my party in two weeks time; so, I am giving you fair warning right now, bring a date or get mauled’, I mean it literally she said.

There she said it. She really didn’t leave the Lisa probing alone. God! She was annoying sometimes.

“Those ladies are practically begging to be invited to the party just so they can catch a glimpse of my sexy, single and hot brother”, she said.

Since I now know you are not bringing a date, I would simply inform them its fishing time.

Williams looked up and smiled at her, she was so smart, cunning and full of life, intelligent and caring, which was why he loved her so much. 

Why wouldn’t he? she was the only sibling he had, and he dotted on her as much as she allowed. Despite their differences and ideologies, blood was thicker.

“Okay sis, you win”, Williams said. I will bring a date to your party. I also have a surprise planned for you but I will reveal it on your birthday.

She practically burst open with joy and smiled so wide it become contagious, and I joined her too. I loved my sister dearly and deeply.

“Tell me sis, how's mom and dad”, he asked Rachael, as they continued munching their meals and sipping cold drinks.

“They are fine, and dad is improving very much”, Rachael said. 

Mom just complains most times that you don't make out time to come see them anymore. 

It’s also gross how they touched each other, and kissed everywhere around the house without a care about who saw them.

I laughed out loud to her wrinkled facial expression mimicking a disgust and a gag.

“Leave mom and dad alone”, Williams said to her. They deserve their time together. It has been a rough couple of years for them.

“I would also make out time to pay them a visit, hopefully before your birthday”, he said to her.

“Will Michael be coming?, She asked, the million dollar question he had been expecting since she dropped the news of her birthday party.

I groaned inwardly. It was as clear as day that his sister had a crush on his best friend since childhood.

“Yes he will be coming, and if he doesn’t, I will drag him here myself your royal Majesty”, Williams said in mock exultation. 

She hits him hard on his shoulders, nearly cracking her knuckles in the process.

“Ouch! that hurt sis”, Williams told her while rubbing it absently to fake the pain.

“That was for mocking me because I liked your friend”, she retorts hotly. 

Michael better be at her party and dateless, or else he would hunt him down in his dreams.

Williams laughed silently because he knew Michael would come willingly, he also liked his sister very much. Williams felt that Michael was just being cautions, and playing it cool not to offend him. 

As for Williams, he enjoyed watching them deny they were smitten with each other, and drag out the inevitable because he knew Michael was mesmerized by his sister. She had somehow charmed him with since they were kids and hadn’t giving up on her hope.

It was so painful to watch as Michael struggled with the possibility of building a relationship with his sister that it was downright amusing.

This talk with Michael was long overdue and he would make damn sure, to have it drilled into Michael’s head not to hurt Rachel in any way or have him to contend with.

“Am so sorry sis”, Williams told her, I would invite him to your party Rachael, I am convinced he would honor the invitation.

Rachael blushed at his reply, a warm glow settling on her features, highlighting the melanin of her skin.

Dear Lord, Michael was in trouble.

“Now that it’s obvious you are satisfied with your query, can we have this meal in peace and talk about your firm”, Williams told her.

She smiled, excited at the mention of her human rights firm and we continued enjoying our awesome dinner while she talked animatedly about her latest project.