ALWAYS AND FOREVER

Chapter 3

Fenna.

“Lemmie take you around the city. I know the only place you know better is the airport!”

Tess teases me that Saturday morning.

“I'm still tired my dear, I don't think I can make it.”

“Don't give me that girl.. You must know your way around. I won't be ever here to help you!”

“Can't we do that next weekend?”

“No dear, I'll be flying out of the country. That won't be possible.”

“If you say so...pretty face... We'll go later. Please allow me enjoy my sleep in my mother land!”

Tess can be so annoying sometimes.
She has just woken me up from my well deserved sleep and she has no apologies to make.
Agrrrr!

My phone rings even before I can go back to sleep.

“Who's that now?”
I murmur angrily.
“Can't they let me sleep...peacefully?”

It's my dad and my heart leaps in joy after seeing his name on the screen.

“You said you won't call us after arriving?”

“Dad, is that how you greet your daughter who's in a far way country?”

I hear him chuckle over the phone.

I sent him my new number yesterday after arrival. Tess had helped me to acquire a new line.

“I'm sorry baby, we all miss you here.”

“Thanks daddy, I miss all of you too but let's stop missing each other. It's for our own good!”

I'm giggling from ear to ear.

“You're being funny my baby. Hope the weather is treating you fine or else I'll be tempted to board the next plane to bring you back...”

“Forget that daddy. This place is far much better than your wherever you are... How's mum and Vadim?”

“Good to hear that. They are all fine. They've send their greetings.”

“Okay daddy, I'm still sleepy. We'll talk later...”

“Princess...”

“Yes daddy...”

“I've wired some money to the account you sent me yesterday. Take good care of yourself...will you?”

“Thank you very much daddy. I love you!”

“I live you too princess.”

The line goes dead on the other end .

Father!
He's my favourite parent sofar. May God keep him long for me.

*****

We're in a high end club in town with Tess. She insisted that we should take another cab but I couldn't hear none of it.
I wanted Nolan and that's all.

He's seated on our table after I insisted. He wanted to drop us then pick us later but I offered to pay him for the time he'll spend with us. Afterall it's already night and there are no jobs to be done at night.

He accepted though half hearted.

I can tell that Tess ain't comfortable with the whole arrangement but I don't care.
She can go hung for all I care.

However, I'm safe if I not tell her that myself or else I'll be risking being shut out of her life completely.
She's such a cold hearted being but of all the cousins I know, she's my favourite.

She gulping down a tot after another of a certain gin. As for me, I'm just here for the music as I sip a martini.
Nolan on the other hand is sipping his soft drink silently scrolling through his phone.

I've been checking him out every time my already tipsy cousin goes to the dance floor and all I see is a kind man... A kind hearted man.

Beyond his poor man's nature which he always portrays, he's also humble, calm and rich at heart.

I good sudden liking at him since yesterday and the American blood in me has already started putting ideas into my mind.

No sane African lady can bring herself to ask a guy to date her but I'm willing to take that risk!

“Fenna, what are you thinking about?”

Nolan asks, looking concerned. Tess is on the dance floor, shaking her ass off, rubbing it vigorously on some random  guy's groins,who seems to be enjoying every bit of it.

He reciprocates by holding her bended waist as if supporting her.

Gross, isn't it?

I've never seen this before...

“I'm sorry dear. I just got carried away!”
I reply, grinning widely.

He nods then buries himself back into his phone.
He's so weird!

I too continue sipping my martini without any worries in the world.

I can't even bring myself to hold a reasonable conversation with him. Reason being....I fear being turned down.

To be sincere, I've never had any serious relationship before, except for the university flings here and there, which led to warming each others beds.

“Where's your cousin?”

Nolan's question startles me.
I scan the whole dancing floor and Tess is nowhere to be found.

“Where could she have gone now?”
I ask him, mixed emotions running through my whole being.

“I didn't see her while leaving. Even the guy they were dancing with is nowhere to be found!”

I call the waiter who served us. He seemed to be so friendly around us and Tess had told us that they know each other. I ask him about her and he laughs his ass out before replying.

“Who doesn't know Tess now? She might be busy snoring away in one of our guest rooms with a guy! Don't worry about her!”

“How dare you spit such insolence about my cousin? Don't you ever disrespect her in my presence again!”

I'm breathing fire.

He walks away still laughing an act which disgusts me to the core.

“He is right, you know?”

Nolan asks as I call another waiter to settle the bills.

“Even you?”

I ask him, feigning anger.

My phone vibrates and upon picking it, I see a message blinking. I open it abruptly and the message in there leave me with mixed emotions.

*Hey cousin...Don't look for me, I'm safe. See you tomorrow. Take care!*

“What?”
I gasp.

“Anything the matter?”

“Not really...let's go home.”

I clear the bills and walk sluggishly towards Nolan's car, momentarily clinging on his arm for support. I'm not so drunk but I just want to feel his body brushing against mine.

He gladly leads me towards the car and opens the passenger  door for me.

I gladly slump on the seat and I sigh heavily as I belt up.

“You know my house, don't you?”
I ask him.

“Yes Fenna..”

“Take me there!”

What a day!?
I murmur within myself before closing my sleepy eyes...