Strong Attraction

Chapter 1.

CHAPTER 1
STEPHANIE walked into the jewelry store scanning the place with her eyes. She walked over to the counter housing necklaces. It was her mum's birthday today, and she was yet to pick out a gift. She scanned the shelf. It held attractive necklaces, but not something she'd like for her mum. She moved her eyes to the left as a beautiful charm bracelet caught her eye. It would be perfect. She picked it and laid it on the counter, just as she heard her name. She turned to the sound of the voice and saw her long time business partner. Well, it was technically her dad she worked with.
"Amanda! It's so nice to see you." She said giving her a hug.
"Yeah. How long has it been? 4 years?"
"It's been really long." she said with a smile. "What are you even doing here? I mean how long have you been in the city?"
"Since last month. I moved here after my PhD. I'm here with my fiancé, we're picking rings for our wedding."
"Congratulations. We should catch up, then you can tell me all about him."
"Well, he's here, you can meet him." She said as I turned to look in the direction she pointed. I was faced with the last face I wanted to see for a long time. (No pun intended). He was on a call and he faced the window, so I had a side view of him. I felt my stomach turn to mush as my eyes raked over him. He looked breathtaking, almost like he'd gotten younger. His slight muscles were visible, which meant he'd become more regular at the gym, his body seemed more defined, more hands... I mentally stopped myself. I couldn't be drooling over someone I wasn't ever going to have. Just then my phone dinged, reminding me of my appointment in the next hour.
"Sorry, I'll have to meet him later. I have a meeting in the next few minutes."
"Okay girl."
"Congratulations again Amanda, I'll see you around." I said as I quickly paid for the bracelet and ran out of the store trying to be composed. I sat in my car willing myself not to cry. He'd moved on. I'd been a fool to think if I waited he'll come back. He was clearly moving on without a second look back. I'd cried my heart out five years ago as he left without a backward glance, and there was no need for me to shed another tear for him. I quickly started the car and drove home. At least two people I wanted to see were there.
**********
"He was with another girl and they're getting married?" she asked in anger. "Does Efe know? Should I call my boys?"
"Angela calm down. I'll be fine, I promise. I just have to get used to it. "
"You shouldn't have to deal with this kind of stuff." Priscilla my best-friend said with sympathy in her eyes.
"It won't kill me, I've already managed five years without him. I can survive, besides, don't give me that look."
"Trust me, you won't be able to stand it if he marries another girl." Angela countered as I handed her the scissors
"And what makes you think so?" I asked as she laughed.
"Cilia, please tell her."
"I've told you not to call me that. I'm not some unicellular organism." She said as she threatened to shake the ladder Angela stood on. "Anyway. Gel is right." She said as Angela threw her a glare "you were with the consolation that he'll return, but now he's getting married. It's like he's never coming back."
"Your point exactly?" I asked irritated with their drama.
"My point is that five years ago, you knew he left, but not his whereabouts. You weren't sure if he was alive or dead. But now, he's practically in front of you. You love him too much, and the pain will kill you. Then Gel and I can happily kill him."
"You forgot Efe." Angela added.
"I don't love him." I said flatly
"Lies! Lies! Denial." Priscilla said "Don't lie to yourself"
"You guys should just focus on the decorations and forget about my personal life."
"Your personal life needs decorations-in other word, Femi." Cilia said
"I should contact him and ask if I can be his event planner for the wedding, since you're okay with it. Better still, do you have the girl's number?" she asked as I walked out of the room to the sound of them laughing muttering expletives under my breath.
******
The party had come to a close as mum and dad had gone on a late night romantic boat cruise. Those two made me gag whenever I was around them. Don't get me wrong, dad and mum were in love, but it was like they wore it for the world to know. I still wondered how they managed to be separated for sixteen years.
"Ice cream and romance." Priscilla announced as she sauntered into my room.
"I still say we drink the night away and curse at boys." Angela said.
'Where's her boyfriend?" I asked Priscila
"Probably at the hospital."
"He works too much. As much as I want to drink the night away sweetheart, I have a meeting by seven, and I can't be nursing a hangover. So Cia, feed me those hot Korean boys."
"I can't be working in with a hangover, besides, the head nurse seems to be able to catch a whiff of alcohol three miles away. And she seems to have it out for me."
"Cia honey, are you sure she's not jealous of your relationship with Jerry?"
"It might be that, considering the fact that her daughter was one of his many flings."
"It's totally that." Angela and I said at the same time.
"Well, no matter what they do, I'm getting hitched next year."
"Totally, make sure you send them invites." I said as we all laughed.
"Song Joong-Ki is way hotter than Femi." I said as we begun re-watching descendants of the sun.
"Totally." I said as we cuddled on my bed; a blanket around us, a one liter ice-cream bowl between us and a bag of popcorn, with the television running.
******
And I'm back.
I've had this idea for a sequel since I finished book 1, but I've been test running the idea. Finally came up with one I hope you love.
By the way, who remembers Angela and Efe? In case you forgot, they're two of Steph's many cousins.
Q/A
What's your favorite Ice-cream flavor?
Mine is chocolate, though I think I've only had it once. (Weird right?) I usually eat vanilla.
So, spread the news, vote and comment.