Circle of Trust

part seven

It was 7:45 when Precious heard a knock on the door, she checked herself one last time at the mirror before opening the door to see Nuel and his girlfriend dressed.  It was a silent drive to the restaurant, looking around one wouldn’t take long to know it was a well organized restaurant.
They entered the restaurant with Precious trailing behind silver and Nuel, by the time they got inside they found Nuel’s friends seated already. Hand in hand Nuel and silver took their seats close to each other with only one seat remaining.
Precious looked around to notice that her chair was in between two of Nuel’s friend, one of his friends which she happens to identify as Bruno and one who she was yet to know his name even though having met on two occasions and what irritated her further was the fact that her chair was directly opposite Stephen who seemed rather occupied with his mobile and didn’t even seem to acknowledge her presence.
  Soon their orders got taken and everyone got engaged in a conversation while waiting for their orders. Precious happened to be the odd one as she kept mute all through the conversations speaking only when spoken to.
After a short while, their orders got served and the conversation got more interesting, it seemed Precious was the only one left out in the fun, with the occasional looks she got from Stephen who didn’t say a word to her
    Precious excused herself from the gathering after a while to visit the ladies room, unaware of Bruno trailing behind her. She had barely entered the ladies room  when there was a knock, Precious didn’t do much to turn around to see who had knocked because she felt it should be a lady who had come to make use of the toilet. She was washing her face on the sink when she felt a pat on her shoulder, she spurred around to see Bruno.
“This is the ladies!” Precious said with clenched teeth, still unsure why Bruno would want to follow her to the ladies.
“I know, I only wanted to know if you are ok, you don’t look good to me.” Bruno asked.
“I’m OK, thanks for the concern.” Precious replied curtly still giving him the look to excuse her.
“You don’t look okay to me, you have been quiet since the start of the conversation, and you don’t look too happy Bruno countered feigning concern.
“I am OK, simply not in the mood for long talks!” Precious said and turned to leave.
“ OK wait, what about dinner tomorrow?” Bruno asked trying to sound very neutral as possible.
“Tomorrow? I will check my schedules and get back to you  Silver said dismissively, walking out of the ladies. “Care to help me with your number?” Bruno asked Precious who reluctantly gave him her number, She made to walk out after the exchange of numbers but Bruno wouldn’t give up as he kept on walking side in side with her.
   Stephen who had not been his normal self ever since Precious left the table couldn’t control the fury he felt seeing precious walking closely with Bruno. Even the sight had caught the attentions of the other guys seated on the table, Bruno on his part had made an exaggeration of the whole scene by placing his hands on Precious shoulder, the latter who wasn’t too comfortable with the hands on her shoulder gave him a warning signal but it seemed Bruno had his mind made up to prove a point.
Stephen who was finding it so difficult to control his jealousy stood up with the excuse of a splitting headache.
“Are you sure you will be fine?”  Nuel asked concerned. “Sure, a little rest and I will be ok.” Stephen said giving a faint smile before finally leaving the table without a glance at precious.
   The dinner party ended by 10pm and Nuel drove the ladies back to the guest house. Precious had barely changed into another wear when silver knocked on the door asking her to let her in.
  “Are you okay silver?” Precious asked locking the door behind her. “Sure, I’m ok…. Why do you ask?” silver asked sitting on an arm chair in the room.
“Nothing much, just that it is barely five minutes since we got back, I was expecting you would be with Nuel by now.." Precious said while folding her hair into her night cap.
“Yeah, nothing much. I just wanted to be sure you are fine!” silver said peering into Precious eyes.  “Sure I’m good, do you feel otherwise?” precious asked while sitting on the King size bed.
“Nope, and why was Bruno all over you today?” silver asked making funny faces.
“Nothing much, he wants me to go out on a date with him.” Precious replied looking uninterested. “Huh! That’s a bad idea, I must say.” Silver said with a lot of seriousness.”
“And why is that?” precious asked glaring at silver who stood up to sit beside her.
“Well to be frank with you, I’m your friend and I want only but the best for you. Bruno doesn’t have a good reputation with women, he uses and dump women without feelings.” Silver explained looking very serious.
“He is not asking me to date him, mind you I haven’t even said anything to him yet.” Precious replied in defense.
“Well I’m not asking you not to go out with him, I’m only telling you to be very careful around him.” Silver said standing up.
“Sure I will, thanks for your concern.” Precious said with a smile.
“Anytime, anywhere I got you.”  Silver said heading to the door. “I am grateful about that.” Precious said finally before wishing silver goodnight.
   It was early the following morning and precious looked at her wrist watch, it was some minutes after seven. Looking through her window she saw the calm ocean from afar with people scantly filtered on the sea shore, she knew it would be very filled up with people once the early morning sun comes out.
Deciding to take a short walk around the shore before it gets filled up, she quickly put on her beach wear on flip-flops and a straw hat before heading out of her room, she thought of calling silver to Join her but later kicked against the idea knowing fully well that silver will still be asleep.
Walking quietly towards the shore, she walked barefooted wanting to savour the feelings of the cold sand under her foot, she now understand why people love the ocean and sea because there is a feeling of peace that comes with it.
After walking for a while, she had set up her foldable chair and had barely sat down when somebody shadow blocked away the sun from her view, she had turned to see who had blocked off the sun from her just to see Stephen staring down at her.
“You are blocking off the sun.” Precious said glaring at Stephen
“I know, are you always this saucy?” Stephen asked quietly. “Not when someone tries to provoke me on purpose.” Precious said rising to her feet and folding up her makeshift chair.
“Okay I’m sorry, but can we start afresh?” Stephen asked looking at Precious with pleading eyes.
“The last I remember, we are not at war with ourselves.” Precious said dismissively before turning to leave.
“He is the one you are choosing right?” Stephen asked Precious who was already walking away, the question got precious turning back to face him with a confused look. “Who are you talking about here?” Precious asked still confused
“You choose every other guy except me, like have I ever hurt you before?” Stephen asked looking bitter. “You haven't offended me in anyway, maybe you are used to been liked and admired by all and sundry making it look like your entitlement so whenever you get the opposite of it, your ego gets damaged.” Precious attacked.
   “Your character is a betrayal to this gentle and innocent face of yours, my instincts was wrong after all.” Stephen said and walked away with Precious starring after him.
What Precious couldn’t understand was by what Stephen meant by his parting statement.