BREAKING THE ICE QUEEN |A Nigerian Romance|

4.

NAOMI

"Hi." I am forced to say. The annoying man smirks, looks at the car before connecting his gaze with mine.

"So, what's the issue?" He asks.

"It won't start." I simply answer.

"Interesting. Let's see." He instructs me to open the bonnet of the car before going to examine it.

"I'll need to get your car to the workshop, then." He sighs. I don't understand. It's already becoming dark and it is beginning to drizzle again. He rolls his eyes and proceeds to dial a number on his phone. At the second ring, the person picks.

"Hello... Are you around? ... Yes? ... Perfect. ...I have a job for you. ... Close to that mango tree by the yellow house. ... Yes, be fast. Thank you." He answers at intervals before nodding and ending the call.

"The guy will be here shortly. Called someone to tow it to the workshop." He doesn't speak much. He just keeps checking the time. About 15 minutes after, with series of stopping and starting of the rain,the towvan is in sight.

"Good evening, Senior nan." The guy greets him and he nods before responding with "good evening". He walks towards me and speaks calmly.

"Do you mind getting down, your majesty?" That annoying sarcastic tone. I can't even get angry, he does not owe me this favour. It is that useless Chief that is to blame for this. I don't repond to him, though. I just wind up, take out my valuables and step out of the car. I watch the tow guy attach the chain belt to my car and securely tie it.

"Okay. So you have two options. Ride with him or ride with me." He states. There is no way I will ride with him on that his bike.

"Him." I point to the tow van. He wears a mischievous grin and nods. He does not utter a word.

The van was an eyesore. The cushion for the seats were gone and there was a wooden plank in place of it. Safe to say I had to swallow my words and walk back to him.

The engine roars to life and I proceed to sit on the bike, with the help of bazon. Apparently, the way I tried to climb earlier would have resulted in me sustaining a blister on my leg. Don't blame me. I have never ridden this thing in my life before.

When he moves, fear grips me and I find myself latching onto his back like my life depended on it.

"You didn't state how much you missed me, ma'am." He says casually.

"You are crazy." I reply with a hiss.

"I am Joseph, by the way." He states.

"I didn't ask you." He chuckles and shakes his head.

"What's your own name?" He asks.

"Can you focus on the road, please?" I ask in a panic, hissing.

"Calm down, you are in safe hands."

"I hope so." I hiss.

"With the number of times you have hissed today, I fear you are a snake." He chuckles.

"The only thing saving you from receiving a smack right now is the fact that you are the person riding this dangerous machine." If daggers could be lazers, the back of his head would have a hole right now.

"Stop glaring at me. I am not the cause of your problem." He suddenly states, after a brief pause. How did he know?

"You are quite obvious, you know." Thankfully, we arrive at the workshop. To be honest, I expected worse. The place is a proper mechanic workshop with 3 extra hands on deck.

"Good evening, boss, madam." One of them has a smirk on his lips.

"Careful there." He cautions me. My feet is hurting right now. He just stares at me and starts walking ahead. I am left with no choice but to follow him in. A few moments after, the tow guy whose name I later discovered to be Muyi arrives the shop.

Joseph and his guys swing into action, working on my car. It's already past 9pm by the time they are done fixing it.

"Island babe. Is it safe for you to start driving back by this time?" Is that concern I sense in his voice? My ears must be playing tricks on me.

"I'll just book a ride. If it's okay, I'll send someone to come pick it up tomorrow."

"Your call, ma'am."

"How much is it, by the way?" I nudge my head in the direction of the car.

"It's on me, don't worry." He shrugs.

"You sure? I am not some broke and homeless babe. I can afford to sort out my bills." He scoffs.

"You are delusional, honestly."

"I am serious."

"I am also serious. And a thank you will not mean the end of your life." All traces of playfulness is gone and he stares at me hardly.

"I guess I'll get your contact, then." He raises his brows in question.

"So I could share it with the person I am sending to pick up." I quickly add. What? Did he think I want his number for myself? Funny.

"Alright." He collects the phone from me and types it.

"Here." After handing it over, I save it and dail the number. The dial tone from mine and the ringing tone from his signals the call had connected.

"You still did not give me your name." He states.

"Naomi."

"You don't look like a Naomi."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing." I kiss my teeth in annoyance and walk off to a corner. All the ride hailing apps on my phone were activated. Try as I did, no app was connecting me to a driver. None. The first 10 minutes passed, slowly another 10 came. Nothing. It's almost 10pm. Literally looks like there is no luck.

I walk back to where he is. One of his guys taps him on the shoulder. He turns to look at me.

"One word, please." He sighs, excuses himself from their midst and follows me to another corner. The ache in my feet slows my steps a little.

"You know, it won't hurt you to ask for a pair of slippers." Idiot. So, he noticed.

"Thanks, I'll manage." He shakes his head and walks off to return holding a pair in his hands.

"And why don't you want to sit? You think we are germ infested or what?" I roll my eyes at his sheer display of sarcasm.

"Please, bring a seat for her." He instructs one of his men who immediately does that.

"Sit down, Naomi, and change into this." He tosses the slippers on the floor beside me. Unfortunately, I had cleared my car and removed all extra footwear I kept, including my easy wear slip ons.

"So, you wanted to speak to me." He folded his arms, watching me get my feet comfy. I don't know when a sigh of relief escapes my lips.

"Please, how can I get a hotel around?" I ask him.

"The ones around are not good at all. You won't like them." He answers. What then do I do? I just nod at him.

"You can stay over at mine." He suggests with a shrug.

"The hell I will."