Yesterday's Future 2✔️

20. The coolest guy in New York.

3:05pm
Simi's studio
Abuja, NIG

Back in the office, the atmosphere was calmer than usual. That unexpected and awkward conversation they had  in the dance studio half an hour ago still lingered in the air.

In her dance outfits—a black bra top, red leggings and Nike sneakers, Simi kept herself busy, glancing through folders and books on the shelf, fiddling with other items she could. Ada's leather jacket hung on her seat. Wheeling around in it, she was on a long phone call and couldn't help but give Simi a side-eye from time to time.  Sobriety was definitely taking a toll on her, Ada thought, then she looked away. When the phone call meeting finally ended, she dropped her iPhone with its screen facing the office table, a grin widened on her oval face. Simi instantly dropped the file in her hand and turned around to her manager.

"It's settled!" Ada whisper-squeaked. "This weekend, it's me, you and Aunt Shaffy road tripping to Kogi. We're going outdoor camping. She loves the idea so much so you better do too."

Simi raised her eyebrows, walked over and sank into one of the chairs across from her. She snickered. "I thought adventure isn't in your nature. Since when when did you get excited about camping?"

"Since today? What? I was out of ideas so Debbie helped out and advised me to get out of my comfort  zone for once. I'm like why not?" A flinch issued from Ada's  shoulder and she turned to her laptop.

"Er...because you're afraid of getting lost in the forest again. Remember?"

Pushing the laptop to one side, Ada gave her a blank face.  "It's not funny. That was a traumatic experience for me. And that was years ago. See, I just want us to take this ample opportunity your friend is giving us to have a good time away from everything, and together this time. You need to blow off steam, I need to breathe fresh air. We both need this. Please tell me you're not going to go Simi on me right now and just say yes. I've had an afternoon full of it already."

"I don't know what you mean by that but of course I'm camping, you know that's one thing I can't say no to."

"Yeah right," For the first time that day, Ada noticed a sincere smile on Simi's face and automatically knew  this was the perfect getaway idea. "Then you should start packing. I just got off the phone with Aunt Shaffy's assistant and she's making arrangements for accommodation. Yeah...before I forget, what are we going to do about those dresses in your flat? I noticed you didn't even try them on yet. That's a good thing. I can send them back and get a refund since you haven't opened the boxes at all."

"No! I'll—I'll like to check them first. Those designs are avant-garde and the materials are exotic. My curiousty is going to kill me if I don't."

"Simi, you know we might not get a good refund if they're already tampered with. I can still explain to Yazzy that the event didn't happen and have them sent tomorrow morning—"

A soft knock at the slightly opened door put an end to their conversation, and simultaneously they tilted their heads to that direction, waiting for the person to come in. When Teng glanced through the door, Ada gestured to him to come in. As always a pleasant air swirled around him.

"Teng, hey. I didn't expect you to come in today, thought you went into town." Ada said fondly, and the three of them exchanged greetings.

"Yeah. I just got back into the area, was getting some stuff at the mall down the street. Debbie told me to meet up with her here so I stopped by, but she left already."

"Oh, she left early. Have your seat please."

Simi relaxed in her chair and crossed her legs after bumping fist with Teng. He smiled, settling next to her opposite Ada.