Love Perspective

Stood Up

Elfreda's POV

It is 4:36pm and the Lagos metropolitan street is bubbling with life, as usual, the Golden Rose restaurant is sitted just by the corner of Bello way, the aroma of freshly cooked food, is outside the door, preaching the good news of good food.

Elfreda is seated in the booth by the corner,  Felix had reserved it  earlier, this has been their favorite restaurant, it's a wonder they don't come here as often anymore.

Elfreda had on a purple sleeveless dress, which stopped just above the knee to give and impressive view of her long legs, she had very little time to prepare for this date, he just called out of the blue and said he had something important to tell her, he sounded excited so "it's got to be good she thought".

she had resisted the urge to put on her lingerie, even though she hoped the night would swim in that direction, it was long over due, she missed him and had looked forward to having her husband to herself.

she looked at her crystal studded silver watch, Felix was eight minutes late, I'm sure it's traffic she muttered to herself, she reached for her bag and pulled out a Lifestyle magazine, lets make the best of this, just then the waiter stepped in, "can I get you anything? " he asked,

No! uhm yes! she stuttered, looking up at him, he startled her, he was probably in his mid twenties, just get me water! water is fine for now.

she wondered what he thought about the big magazine she was about to dive into, she had totally forgotten to pick a gift for her parents, they were having their anniversary in a few days, but she had been so caught up in preparations for Nelly's wedding.

She had given them a gift, each year for the past 10 years and she's running out of ideas, maybe this article on Gifting for the Seasons, can give her some ideas...

Five minutes into the article, she feels her purse vibrating, she has a call from Ajumai, her store assistant,

Hello! hello ma,
hello Jumia, what is it?
em madam, Asekutu and her daughter are here, she wants to leave please call her ma. Ajumai said in one breath.
give her the phone elfreda retorted,

the rustling sound on the other end made her shift the phone away from her ear abit, Mrs. Asekutu was one of Elfreda's biggest clients but she was very impatient, she was the third wife of Otunba Dele Agbede, a very popular politician.

her daughter was getting married to a prince, who was second in line to the throne, if anyone thought Mrs Asekutu was pompous they are yet to see the full movie...

Freda! Freda, the voice on the other end shouted, so you have told your girls to disrespect me ehn!! Mrs Asekutu's voice grew louder.

"a whole me!" she continued, " the mother in law to the King to be, should sit on plastic chairs, ehn" she accused.

"I'm so sorry ma, please ma don't be offended, elfreda begged, knowing the report was grossly exaggerated.

" I will be offended oh, don't tell me not to take offence, by the way where are you? she suddenly asked,
Elfreda being caught off guard by the question, I'm close by ma she said"

See if you are not here in the next five minutes, we are leaving, my flight leaves for Abuja tonight, if you are not here I will give the contract to Cordelia of Abuja.

I'm on my way ma, Elfreda replied desperately, no Cordelia of Abuja was going to take her client away, she worked too hard to get noticed by Mrs Asekutu.

if it were another client she would have instructed Ajumai to take the measurements, not Mrs Asekutu,  Ajumai can't handle her, she looked at the time again it's 4:55pm, where is Felix for God sake? she said under her breath.

she scrolled down and dialed Felix, it's ringing she's thinking ; how do I salvage both situation she wondered.

her store was barely six minutes drive, she could still make it if she left now, but she still needed to tell Felix,
urghh! she blurted, "why is he not picking his call"

nope I've got to go, she said to herself, as she stood up, signalled the waiter from earlier, "I've got to go take care of something real quick, my husband will be here soon, I'll be back in five minutes, she said practically hull assing her way out of the restaurant , the best she could on those high heels.

in a second she was in her car and zooming off...