Behind The Mask

Chapter 29

Anouk’s POV

I am surveying Michael’s light, but efficient disguise with not a little humor. He has a trucker cap with the very obvious Boss of the Road text printed on it. He borrowed a Hawaiian shirt from Paul, which is two or three sizes too large for him and make his legs clad in skinny blue jeans look incongruously thin. And he wears the most outrageous men’s sandals on his feet which – to my absolute horror – are also clad in white socks.

“Michael, you never wear sandals with socks” I tell him as we’re waiting for mom in the main hall.

“Why?”

I try to find an answer. Funny enough I find none.

“Because....you don’t” I whine, pulling at the strap of my fancy bag.

“Nooki, if the fashion of the day says don’t do this, I’m gonna do it” he says back defiantly, with a smug smile on his face.

“Fashion says you’re not going outside in pajamas” I smirk, but then the smile dies on my lips.

“Shall I take it as a challenge?”

“Nope. Socks and sandals totally work together” I sigh out in defeat.

His arm pulls me closer into his side and he gives me a loving kiss on the cheek.

“Don’t we get along just fine, baby?”

I arch up a brow, but I find that I don’t really wanna irk him with an acid comment just now. There’s this pure sweetness on his face, like he’s going on the biggest adventure on his life.

“Today is the first day I dare going shopping just like that, like any regular person. Usually, I’d have to call hours ahead and have the whole store closed. And it just doesn’t feel the same.”

“When a crazy old lady bumps her shopping cart in you then yells that you don’t watch out where you’re going, please remember that THIS is what you wished for.”

“Don’t try to dampen my enthusiasm, Nooki, it ain’t working!”

The car drive to Pretoria was uneventful. Wayne drove, mom sat at his right, Michael and I were on the back seat. He tried to cop a feel on my legs every now and then, but I skillfully pushed his hand away. On the fourth occasion, I leaned into him and whispered:

“If you’re not a good boy now, you may run out of luck tonight...”

He instantly turned into a model of good behaviour for the rest of the drive.

We park in front of the largest mall and I frown.

“Mom, you said you needed to shop for groceries!”

She turns and smiles at me.

“I only said I’m going shopping.”

“But you never go to the mall...”

“Well, my dear, I have had a revelation that I am still a woman and I can and will look after myself properly.”

“Mom....”

I am shocked and bewildered. What happened to bring forth this revelation??

“I think we’ll split. I am sure we don’t have the same fashion tastes.”

Mom waves at us and walks away. My jaw is on the floor and it takes some time before I lift it back up.

“What in the world was THAT about???”

I’m looking at Wayne, then at Michael, then back at Wayne. And it hits me. Wayne is in his 40’s. Wayne is tall, muscular, good looking and well mannered. Wayne also has that Omar Sharif type mustache...