A TASTE OF DECEPTION

chapter five

Bye!!, Anna waved at Ozzy as she run toward her sister's car, bye i will be early tomorrow and you better be, she shouted as the car drove off.

Mm, she replied and then took a beep breath as she looked at the message on her phone with the word mum would be late today, then she looked around carefully, as she walk toward the restaurant at the back of her school.

Good afternoon Ma'am, she greets the owner of the restaurant as soon as she walked in.

Thanks goodness you're here please help me with the dishes the customers are waiting, she said as she dish the ordered food.

Don't worry I will be fast, she replied as she keeps her school bag on the sit here her.

After some minutes she came back with the already washed plate and cutlery and arranged it in the basket on the table beside the wall.

Ozy wiped the sweat from her forehead as she hustled to deliver plates of food to the hungry customers at Joe's Diner. It was a typical Thursday evening, with the local regulars and families filling the booths and counter stools. She had worked at the diner for a few months now, and it had become her sanctuary - a place where she could escape the drama from home and just be herself.

Can I, she asked.

Mm, serve this food to that boy on school uniform, pointing at Felix sitting not too far from where she stood.

What's he doing here she asked her self, froze for some seconds.

Are you alright, Mrs Amaka the owner of the restaurant asked her.

No I'm ok, where is the food you asked me to serve, she asked looking straight at Felix who was already looking at her.

Here, and be careful you look absent minded, if you can't just tell me, she asked worried.

No am alright, she replied and then walk to Felix table with the food on her hands.

Here sir, please call if you need anything, she said as she dropping the food on his table.

Alex's sister right, he asked as she was about to leave.

Sorry I don't know what you're talking about, she replied turning to face him, please excuse me.

If you're not Alex's sister then why are you still on your uniform, pointing at her dress.

She took a deep breath with an unspoken expression in her face as she sat opposite him,

Please I don't know what you're doing here or what or why you are here but please eat if you want and forget about seeing me here as you leave.

Woo, is that not too much, you can ask me any questions if you want to know how I got here.

Please, I don't want to know, just leave, she replied anxiously.

I was about to go home after studying at the library earlier, then I saw you sneaking and acting suspiciously so i decided to follow you, and this is were i found you, looking around the restaurant.

I did not ask you anything, just eat I will pay for the food in exchange you should keep your mouth shut about this at school.

That's really commanding, you can't order me around like some dogs, I choose what to do and what not to do, and I can pay for my food, thanks.

Felix please am pleading, please, she begged.

I don't see any reason why you are asking me not to tell anyone in school unless you are hiding something from everyone including your friends.

I..I..I am not hiding anything from anyone just mind what you are saying.

Who are you really? After the last time we met you acted like you don't know me even when at school you act like we never talked.

If you're annoyed about that, am sorry I can pay you back for the snacks and dessert you bought for us if that's what you want.

No I don't, but don't worry I will not tell anyone about seeing you here, I promise, but remember you owe me this time.

Whatever, eat and leave, I will pay for the food, she told him as she stand and leave.

Is anything the problem, Mrs Amaka asked Ozy who just picked up her bag.

No, but I will be leaving early today, but I might come tomorrow, bye she waved at her as she walk toward the door.

Be careful on your way home ok.

I will, she shouted back as she walked straight home.

Is she running from me or what, Felix asked himself looking at Ozy as walk past him and then turn to his food, mm, this is definitely good, he said to myself as he eats his food.

Mum, good afternoon, OZY greeted her mum who was sitting next to her dad as she walked in.

Where have you been.

I was in school.

where were you after dismissal.

I was about to come home when Alex sent me....., she paused for some seconds as she looked at her dad's disappointed face then to her mum.

Am I not asking you a question, where are you coming from she shouted as she stood up and walked towards her.

Mum, I..I..I was

You see, she interrupted her, I told you she plays gamble and goes to different parties after school but you won't believe me, you see, look at your so called princess, this is how far you have spoiled her, she shouted.

You should let her talk first, maybe it's not what you think, her bad asked.

What else do you expect me to think, just look at your daughter this is what she has turned to, she shouted.

Is she not also your daughter, it's also your duty to correct her not to shout at her.

I can't believe you, I really can't, so you're supporting her even when she's clearly wrong, what kind of a man are you? How can you choose to believe her over your own wife, she shouted as she walk toward her husband who just stood up in anger.

Because she's living this way because of us, ohh I'm I that bad, he paused for a second, what about you, because of your carelessness we nearly lost her and now you are blaming it on me. He shouted back at her.

Ohh me, she asked, you're not being serious are you, she replied as they kept shouting and arguing.

Ozy who just stood silently with her face down, listening as her parent argue because of her, dad I'm going upstairs, she said after some minute barely audible because of their loud voices, and then she left to her room.