Ex Gratia (#1 EX TRILOGY)

Chapter 4

Akoma stood in the queue waiting to pay for her stuff while taking furtive glances around her on the lookout for whoever might be following her. More than once she had to question her instincts, wondering if whatever she was doing mattered at all. Only few men took the trouble to do a double take at her, which she presumed was probably because of her looks, but none had any trace of mischief in their eyes or in the way they moved. She finally walked to the cashier and paid for the items, but decided to do one last sweep before finally pushing the cart out of the doors of Shoprite towards the entrance of the mall. She spotted a man taking pictures of a couple near a makeup artist's stand from the corner of her eye but kept moving slowly towards the carts parked not far from them.

Suddenly, her phone rang and she let out a yelp, and due to shock she dropped her purse on the floor. She crouched to pick it up and took out her phone to see Rich calling. She sighed and answered the phone.
"What?"

Rich scoffed. "That's really sexy. You sound frustrated by something."

"Of course, I am, Rich. Next time when you are calling, send me a notice, OK?"

Rich laughed. "Silly. Listen to yourself. Where are you now?"

"I am leaving the mall," Akoma said and lowered her voice before adding, "I feel someone is watching me."

"Goodness. Who wouldn't? You're a lady, aren't you? And your voice sounds like you've got the looks. Well, yeah - most ladies with sweet voices have matching looks - but there is this one that I saw the other time eh! Heh! Bomb!"

"I am not listening to you, Rich." Akoma turned to look around again, and finally settled on the photographer. His back was turned to her and it looked like he was waiting for something while the couple kept asking him to take more pictures. Akoma stared at him for a moment and felt he was familiar. 'Those ears...' she thought. 'Haven't I seen them somewhere before?' She smacked her forehead and said out loud, "Gosh, those ears could belong to anybody. Akoma, don't be silly. You are not being followed or watched." Then she remembered Rich was on the line and pursed her lips.

"O-K. Am I the only person who thinks you are acting paranoid?" Rich chuckled. "Akoma, relax, OK? It's a public place. There is no way anybody can just kidnap you or something. Just get into your car and leave."

Akoma bit her little finger and shrugged. "You may be right. I think I am being paranoid. I am going to my office."

"I thought you would be going home instead. What items did you buy?"

"Oh well - some things for work. Not the kitchen."

"Speaking of kitchen - "

"Rich, no. I will not invite you to my place for a meal. I promise you."

Rich sucked between his teeth.
"Well, I think you'll break your promise. I know you like pizza. Most ladies do. It's a trap you'd gladly fall into. I am so sure of that."

"What makes you think it works like that with me?" Akoma took the cart full of items to her car in the parking area and opened the car boot with the phone locked between her left ear and left shoulder. "Ugh! I should have used my headset. Come and see how I am suffering."

"What are you doing?"

"Opening the boot. Why?"

"Akoma?"

"Yes?"

Rich sighed and Akoma frowned, expecting him to say something predictably silly. Eventually, he sold it. "You need a man in your life."

Akoma rolled her eyes. "Rich, thank you for your loving kindness. What is wrong with you?"

"But you wanted me to come and see how you were suffering."

"Yes, but I didn't want you to come to my rescue." While Akoma was bending over to push one of the items into the boot, the door dropped and knocked her over from behind. She cried out and scrambled back to her feet massaging her behind and kicking the taillights angrily.

"What is it? Are you OK?" Rich asked in a forcefully caring tone Akoma found disgusting.

"Rich, stop treating me like a DID. I am fine. I can take care of myself." Akoma offloaded everything into the boot and held the door open, trying to remember anything she had forgotten to buy. Her backside was still aching.

"Akoma, you screamed. I don't think you are a damsel in distress. I am sorry."

"Stop."

Rich laughed. "OK, ma. Are you in your car yet? Wait. Did it hurt?"

Akoma shook her head and slammed the door shut, and before she could say anything, she glimpsed a reflection of someone on the rear window standing behind her. Her heart leapt and she dropped her purse again.