Love Does Cost A Thing

Book three: Chapter one

Present

Zuri's POV

I only grabbed my phone from beside me and stepped out of the car, a black Jeep Wrangler Kai out of guilt bought for me after what they did to me then locked it before making my way towards the elementary school.

As I walked, I brushed the start hair that keeps getting into my face away, tucking them behind my ear.

It's time for me to pick my baby up from school I enrolled her into after settling down here. It's been a whole month and a half since we arrived, nothing seemed to have changed and it feels like I never went away from here at all. Only this time around, I didn't move into my old neighborhood, I had that uneasy feeling those who were behind my leaving here will definitely come after me the minute they get to know I'm back so I moved into a new neighborhood which is far from my old but sadly closer to Lui's.

Coming here, I thought I was going to bump into him on every street or something but there hasn't been anything like that. I haven't come across him thankfully, I'm dreading to and I pray I never do. I wouldn't know how it's going to be like—tension filled atmosphere coupled with his intense hate for me, that's what I always imagine.

I am pulled out of my thoughts as I arrived at the reception of the school and after one of the ladies at the desk called me back. "Miss Cudjoe."

Turning to them upon hearing my name being called, I retraced my steps back to them because I was already making for the classrooms.

"Good day miss."

"Good day, I heard you call me back, is there a problem?"

"Apparently no there isn't any, it's only a new feature we've introduced that we want to tell you about and get familiarized with." She informed me and I nodded my head, "the school now has book in which we keep records of those who come to pick the students up, this is as a result of the recent kidnapping spree in the other schools in this area, so we will need you to write your name against your wards then thumb print here." She said with a smile.

I nodded my head again, I can't help but agree with the new introduction, it's great though they need to upgrade on the thumb print thing. Like who does that anymore? But hey, it could be the demand that just to get prints they can pull up DNA from in case there's any kidnapping case here. I think I can rest peacefully knowing they're increasing the security in the school and that my baby is safe.

"Thank you for your cooperation." She said with a smile as she stared at me, "you looking lovely, I really love your dress."

"Well thank you, I can get you one one of these days." I smiled then offered.

"I'd love that!" She exclaimed, looking over at her colleague with a big smile on her face as I walked away.

Wendy owes me for advertising her designs, this isn't the only compliment I've had today wearing this dress, I've had a lot and I can't help but agree with them. This African shift dress she designed for me is one of her best actually and she's planning on organizing a fashion show to put them out on display. She's giddy about the idea, saying she doesn't know how they're going to like her designs with her being new in the American fashion scene though she's a big shot back in London. Judging by the compliments I'm getting, in hella sure, the show is going to be a success and people are going to love her designs.

After walking to the mural filled hallway leading to the classrooms and admiring them just like everyday, I arrived at her classroom.

As I opened the door, I heard my phone ringing in my pocket and thankfully it wasn't so loud else it would have disturbed the kids as some were sleeping.