Loving Lola

Chapter 20

This chapter is dedicated to @Kac4real
and @thatchildofGod   Thanks for your continuous encouragement and support.

We stepped out of the music filled hall and took an elevator to the seventh floor, where there was an open roof that displayed the beautiful scenery of the star spangled night sky and the lights from the buildings close by and far off.

The music from the hall could still be heard but indistinctly.

I took a deep breath as I inhaled the warm air and exhaled with a sigh.

"You must have worked hard for this event. It turned out better than I'd anticipated".
Aldean complimented.

"Thank you".I replied smiling a little.

"I got an invitation to The Watchmen Suitable Business award, to present Most Innovative Award to start-up businesses.
I was wondering if you had some free time on your hands around that time and be able to accompany me".

He said bringing out a dark red and gold envelope from his inner suit pocket and handed it to me.

I removed the card from the envelope.

The Watchmen Suitable Business awards was one of the top global awards for businesses, I wasn't even aware that they had started awarding Nigerian businesses.

From my little research on Schmidt holdings, the company had won Global Business Awards and been among the few companies that bagged excellence awards last year.

I was certain that winners of the awards here in Nigeria would feel very accomplished.

Since it was the maiden edition of this award event in Nigeria, I felt it would be nice to attend. But I would have to check my schedule in case I had night calls.

"How about I give you a reply on Monday after I've confirmed my schedule. I said looking at him".

"Sure".
He replied briefly.
I nodded and walked towards the railing of the rooftop. I took a deep breath of the cool air and sighed. It had surely been a long day for me.

"Lola".

Aldean called my name, getting my attention. He was now standing next to me, by the railing.

"I hope this isn't too presumptive. While I was getting Suzy's gift, I saw this, he said, bringing out a little pearl coloured box from his pocket, and I thought it would look nice on you".

I collected the box from him, giving him an amused smile.

Elle was inscribed at the top of the the box.

I opened it and there were pink bead earrings sitting inside. I felt my lips curve slightly.

I recognized the earrings immediately. I'd seen a musician wearing a similar pair when I'd watched the Billboard awards.

I ran my index finger over them.
"They're so pretty. Thank you".
I said smiling at him.

He smiled back slightly.
"I'm glad you like them".

"I think we should return back to the party so we won't be declared missing". I joked after a few moments.

The door to my room opened and Suzy poked her head in.
"Come on Lola. Get up already".

I grunted on my bed and tried to find another comfortable position.

"What?!" Suzy exclaimed. "Do you know it's 11am already".

My heart dropped as her voice and footsteps became louder.
She forcefully ripped my blanket off me as I had expected.

"My gifts aren't going to sort themselves Williams".

"Go away. I need more sleep. I pleaded".

"You've gotten enough. Let's go. She said dragging me off my bed".

I grudgingly followed her as I had no other option.

"You're going to pay for this. I threatened".

"Yeah yeah. Just add it to your long list of the things I'm going to pay for".She said unbothered about my threat.

There were a lot of gifts scattered around the living room.

"So", Suzy clapped, "where are we starting from?"

"Let's just do the wrapped those ones first". I said pointing at some gifts by the big cushion.

After we'd prayed on them last night, we separated the wrapped gifts form the unwrapped ones.

There were so many 'awwws' flying around the living room as we went through wrapped the gifts.

The unwrapped gifts came next.

These were from Aldean, Damien and Dylan.

"Oh my, Fendi". Suzy gasped, picking the shopping bag closest to her.

She reached into it and pulled out the box placed inside it.

She smiled as she pulled a bag out of the box.

"It's so pretty".
She examined the bag over and over.

"I think this one is from your boyfriend. His name is Aldean right".
She said wriggling her brows.

"What boyfriend". I replied scoffing.

"I hope your celebration gives you many happy memories, Aldean"

He left this note inside. She said handing me a small card on which he neatly scribbled that message.

I smiled at his gesture.

"On to the next". She said as she picked the next shopping bag.

"This is heavy". She informed me as she pulled out a box from the bag.

"Chloé!" She exclaimed, distracting my examination of Aldean's handwriting

"Lola this is Chloé wave 90 crocodile embossed boots I was wishing for the other day. I can't believe it".

"She jumped up from her sitting position and faked a cry face".

"It's size 8. I'm size 8".

"Lucky you. I'm surprised at how Damien got your shoe size accurately. No one could so easily guess your feet is that size".

"Yeah right. Remember when you got me size seven court shoes, I cried so hard but it was so funny. Mum doesn't even buy me shoes any more".
She put on the boots and walked round the room.
"I'm so going to rock these boots everywhere".

After practicing 'her walk' as she called it, she returned to the last bag sitting on the table.

It was silver Gucci wrist watch.
"This wristwatch is almost a grand, in dollars I mean.
Even dad wouldn't buy this for me on my 21st birthday".

"Suzy, he got you a car".

She dismissed me, "you know what I'm talking about". She replied smiling.

"Your friends are so generous Lolly. Do send my many thanks to them. Especially the one that got me the Chloé boots".

After putting away her gifts, we cleaned the room up.
We tuned in to watch Skinny Girl in Transit as we eat leftover food from the party.

"Aldean invited me to join him for an award event Suzy". I spoke up.

AUTHOR'S NOTE
I'm glad to have overcome the writer's block and be back. I'm sorry I took my time.

Be safe dear readers, God will continue to protect us all.

Denaxoxo