In between

chapter 10: Girlfriends

Francine was seen talking to her friends after church in a bar in Lagos. Sunday was everyone's day off, so they used it for their girls day out to gist each other about what's going on in each other's lives, solving each other's problem, having fun together and a whole lot more.

These groups of friends consists of Francine's close friends and close friends to her friends who they feel they want each other to meet. Tola was there that day. Francine invited her and introduced her to everyone making her also a member of the girls group. They were six in the group including Tola.

"I've bought a house,"Francine said quietly while everyone was sipping their drinks.

"Wow,"everyone chorused.

"When??" Tola suddenly questioned.

"Yesterday,,"she replied wondering why Tola was asking.

"You could've at least asked one of us to accompany you to give you a little advice." Zeenat, her oldest friend said pouting. Zeenat family were their neighbor when Francine's dad was still alive.

At his death, she made sure to not lose her contact and they chatted regularly. They also graduated from the same university and Zeenat acting career was just starting.

Attempting to pacify her friends, she said innocently"I went out with Williams,"she's forgotten her friends haven't met Williams apart from Tola.

"Who is he?"Ronke, the only married one among them asked.

"Her boyfriend."Tola jumped in.

"He isn't my boyfriend,"she said exasperated"how many times would I tell you that?"she asked glaring at Tola.

"Isn't he the lawyer guy?"Titi her nursefriend asked.

"Oh yes,,he is," Tola bursted in again ready to pick a fight.

Francine just ignored her but was shocked by the next question that came from Zeenat.

"So, when did you start seeing each other?"she asked looking into Francine eyes seriously,as if to see the truth in them.

"I told you we're not seeing each other."she said for the umpteenth time.

"So, do you like him?" Her teasing and quiet accountant friend, Gladys asked conspirationally. Gladys also went to their uni. She didn't talk freely with everyone. So, she loves coming for the girls day out a lot. She was also an half-caste, with an Indian mom and Nigerian dad. Her Indian name is Archena but they hardly call her that. They only call her that when they are in the mood of teasing her . Her dad is an Igbo man. She was the one who brought Ronke to the group. Ronke is her sister in-law (her brother's wife) and she really likes her.

Francine wanted to just say no to Gladys question but she decided to think before answering. The group doesn't really like when you are evading a question/lying because it's as if you don't trust them. Even if they're teasing you. So she answered in the most truthful way she can"I don't know."

"How do you feel about him?" The part of Ronke, the marriage counselor was at work at the moment.

"I like being around him, his personality is good, he's nice, he's handsome. I like him."she said in a trancelike way.

"Hmmm, Francine in love."Tola murmured.

"I never said....."

"Abeg, enough of this love talk. When are we going to your house." Titi interrupted.

"Right now,if you're ready."
She said happy at Titi changing of the subject. Though, she knew they would still pester her later.

Everyone got up to follow her. They all came in Zeenat car and Francine was given the key to drive to her house.

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The ride to the new house was a very interesting one. The hired vehicle had moved her things to her now house which includes a sofa,a side table, her bed, chest of drawers, her flowers, which she kept on the side table and a whole lot more.

"Wow, your house is so beautiful" Zeenat exclaimed as she was getting down from the car.

"Thanks, but you've only seen the exterior not yet the interior. Let's go in ,my friends." She said excited to give them a tour around her house.

The exterior of the house was painted in green and the aluminium roof was painted in a deeper shade of the same color.

"Your favorite color, when did you paint it,"Gladys asked.

"It was one of the things that attracted me to it,, it was painted."

"Wow!" They exclaimed as they entered the house.

The sitting room was painted in deep hue of lilac and purple was used to create few decorations on the paint. The burglary on the window was a metal work of an artist. It was majestically done. Her sitting room was ok but short of furnitures, having only a sofa and table. There wasn't even a television there yet.
She took them to see the kitchen. It had lots of cabinet and a two-faced sink. It even had a dish rack. It wasn't painted but decorated with wall tiles.

The rooms were all pretty even though it was only her room that has a bed. They were painted with three tones of colors. Off white under, cream in the middle and butter up. The rooms had wardrobe. It was a four room apartment.

The girls were just oohing and aahing. The toilets and bathrooms were also shown to the girls. It was also decorated with wall tiles.

There was bathtub and shower in the bathroom while the toilet had good water closet and the sink.

There were other accessories in both places like the hanger for towel,brush cup, tissue roller,soap case and a whole lot more.

Then, they all went outside again. They saw a garden at one side, the floor was interlocked but the inside had marble tiles.

"It even has a borehole." Tola exclaimed when she saw the tank.

"Abi now. So my friend gist me, how much did you get this house?" Zeenat queried.

"5million."

"Your profit from the case right?" Tola stylishly asked.

"Where else would I see the money?" She uttered back.

"Abeg,am hungry. Let's go to a restaurant jare." Ronke said yawning.

"Food monger." Titi mocked.

"Shey I didn't tell you that am pregnant." Ronke said with a smile on her face.

"Ok let's go, and am footing the bill this time."Gladys said.

Here is my update. Please don't forget to vote.

Book suggestions:lies from pretty lips by JordanShelf