ALWAYS AND FOREVER

Chapter 5

Fenna.

I order a glass of juice and he insists that I should order something to eat.

I'm still adamant because I don't want him to spend so much on me.

“Okay...I'll eat whatever you'll order..”
I say in surrender.

He places an order and as we wait for the food to be brought, we maintain some deafening silence as we sip on our juices.

“Why did he bring me here?”
I keep on asking myself.

Our food is finally here.

It's a steaming hot dish of roast steak and a certain African dish.

I munch on it like there's no tomorrow.
My love for good food is insatiable.

“So, why did you bring me here?”
I finally gather the guts to ask him after eating.

“Well, I just want us to be friends. Since I saw you, I just felt the need to have you as one of my closest pals....”
He says.

I observe for the first time that he ain't shy as I presumed.

“We're already friends Nolan. You were there for me all of last night when Tess disappeared on me!”

“I just wanted to ask for your permission before I concluded that we're friends!”

“Don't worry dear.... From today onwards, count yourself as my best friend.”

“I'm so happy to hear that Fenna. Thanks a lot. We should now get going. I have errands to run for a client.”

“And just note that I'll be driving you around free of charge...that includes yesterday and today!”

“What? You're such a darling! But I don't want you to make losses in your business!”

“It's a Friend's treat...remember!”

“If you say so!”
I say in surrender.

Who doesn't love free things anyway?

However, that makes me think a lot about Nolan. He's too generous for a cab driver!

As he drives me home, we chat a lot about our personal lives but I notice that he doesn't talk much about his family. The only thing he tells me is that he's still single. That he hasn't been lucky to get his lifetime partner.

That gives me some hopes though.

He hugs me goodbye as he drops me home. He also invites me to visit him in his place. I've got no problem with that. Since I'm still idle, I can as well visit friends.

*****

“What was the meaning of that Fenna?”
Tess furiously asks.

“Meaning of what cousin?”

“That show you just performed out there? I was watching you from up there!”

“Oh! So you're spying on me right?”

I'm already fuming.
Who does she think she is?
She's just from hooking up with a random guy and here she is, fuming just because I hugged Nolan!
What sort of irony is this?

“But you barely know this guy cousin but you're already hooking up with him!”

“And what makes you think we hooked up? That was just a friendly hug!”

“I've been here since morning and you aren't picking your calls. Nolan ain't your type. He's just an ordinary cab driver...”

“You know what? I'm already tired... I need to catch some sleep!”

“Meaning he didn't let you sleep all-night?”

“You should be telling me that huh! Aren't you the one who disappeared without a goodbye to God knows where?!”

I'm already on the last stairs heading to my bedroom.
She's do annoying to be listened to.

“I bet your parents will be happy to hear that you're already dating a poor stranger!”

This is the height of it all!

I take the flight of stairs down towards her. I'm just fed up with her strange attitude.
She sounds like a jealous bitch.

“If you dare tell my parents lies, I'll so deal with you. Trust me!”
I glare at her, seething with anger.

“Look here Tess. The fact that you hook up with random guys doesn't make me like you. I have a dignity to guard!”

She just shrugs.

“I'm just protecting you! Remember you're my junior!”

“You know what? You're so suffocating. You sound like my mother!”

I turn to walk upstairs as she slumps on the couch, cursing under her breathe. I turn to look at her and cuss;

“Mind your business Tess...Mind your fucking damn business!”

Then I run to my room!

I don't care whether she leaves or not. Let her to whatever she deems fine.

I don't need her suffocating behaviour anywhere near me.
All I need is peace and I thought she can accord me such.
How wrong was I!

I'm still preoccupied in thoughts when my phone chimes next to me in bed.
It's a text from Nolan.

He has sent a certain number for an agency which deals with house helps and watchmen.

“Thanks a bunch!”
I reply then I dial the number.

They promise to send someone to my place the following to interview for a watchman's position. I don't need a house help... not just yet!

Later, much later, I walk downstairs to fix myself some coffee, hoping that Tess is in her room.

I brew some coffee and slump on the couch and place the coffee mug on the table.

That's when I see it.

I pick it up and read the contents.

*You no longer respect me. I'll be in my house if you need me!*

“Good riddance!”

I mumble as I sip my coffee.

“Who does she think she is anyway?”
I say loudly.

As I sip my coffee, I find myself chatting with Nolan and he ends up promising to pick me up later to take me to his house...

“I don't want my best friend to be bored to death!”
He adds.

“It's a date then...”

I end up in my bedroom, seriously scanning the wardrobe looking for a suitable dress to wear....