It took a lot for Oma to finally make the call, it wasn't as though she didn't want to make money but it felt a little complicated than that. She wasn't sure if she wanted to see Frank again especially after what happened the last time they saw. So she convinced herself this was going to be strictly business partnership. There was no time for relationships and the drama that they bring; she already had enough on her plate with school, her oil business and surviving life in general, add men to that equation and you get yourself a recipe for disaster.
They fixed the meeting for the day she had only one lecture, and when the day came she found herself raking her ward rope to find something befitting to wear. She wanted to look good but not too good as she didn't want to appear desperate; she wanted something casual but not too casual so she doesn't come off as ungrateful and unserious.
So she settled for a black little dress that stopped above her knees and paired it with her infamous black sandals. There was nothing she could do with her hair so she just packed it up into a bun, applied light powder, mascara and lip gloss and she was good to go.
Frank had called her to confirm their meeting place and time and made it to the lounge just in time to see him walk in with another guy. He didn't see her immediately as he was talking with the guy he was with, so she picked a vacant spot and waited for him. Oma watched him talk for a while then stop to bring his phone out, he placed the phone on his ear and she suspected it was to call her; she knew she was right because her phone started ringing and the caller ID was Frank (Business).
"Hello. I'm already here and I can see you right now." She answered.
Frank looked around for a while before spotting her, he smiled and ended the call, said something to the guy he was with and they looked over to where she was seated, a little back and forth and he finally made his way to her.
As he approached her, she could feel her heart going crazy in a wild dance. He really is so beautiful. Ugh focus Oma! She chided.
Frank's smile widened as he got to her. "Hi, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. Didn't know you were already here." He was wearing blue jeans, a grey shirt peeking from under the black jacket.
"It's fine. I didn't want to be late that's all."
He paused as soon as he sat down, studying her face, Oma fidgeted in her seat. Frank blinked and cleared his throat, "I'm sorry about that. You look really beautiful Oma."
Her words got caught in her throat; she didn't trust herself to not say anything stupid so she just nodded. "Can we start now?"
"Oh yes. Yes we can." He placed a black attaché on the table that Oma was just noticing.
"Before we start, do you care for anything?"
For some reason the question caught her off guard, she had been so concerned about the meeting and not making a fool of herself that she had forgotten to eat anything before coming. Even the 1hr30mins lecture she attended that morning had flew over her head.
"Uhmm."
"I haven't had anything to eat yet so I was thinking we could order something before we get into work?" Frank interrupted.
Oma smiled. "Okay."
"Great!" He said with a smile, signaled a waiter nearby and ordered their food.
"So how have you been?"
"I've been well, can't complain. You?"
"I've been well, can't complain." Mimicking her answer.
Oma burst out in laughter that surprised Frank and in turn, made him chuckle.
"You're funny." She said when she finally stopped. "Sorry about that, I just wasn't expecting you to say that." Oma cocked her head to the side, "You just seem so..."
"So... what?"
"So uptight." She said with a small shrug.
Frank's jaws hung open in shock. "Uptight? Do I really look that way to you?"
Oma nodded, chuckling. "You really do. Has no one ever told you that?"
Frank shook his head slowly, still thinking about why she thought he was an uptight person. He wasn't, was he? He would have to ask his brother about it when he get back home.
"You don't have to take it too seriously; it's not the end of the world." Oma said with a laugh drawing him out of his thoughts.
Frank chuckled and shook his head, "I know." He said with a dramatic roll of his eyes. "But I'm not an uptight person."
Oma gasped in mock shock. "Did you just roll your eyes at me?" without responding, he gave her his dazzling smile. Oma laughed, "I swear you're definitely not what I thought you were. Interesting."
"Hmn. So asides thinking I am uptight, how else do you see me?"
Oma shrugged but her answer got cut off with the arrival of the food they had ordered. They had both placed an order of Jollof rice but Frank wanted roasted chicken, while Oma wanted hers with grilled fish. The food looked really delicious and Oma's stomach immediately growled at the scent of food, she locked eyes with Frank, feeling self conscious then they both burst out in laughter.
"We better feed it before it goes crazy." Frank said chuckling and Oma agreed.
Oma has always been shy, especially in the presence of people she didn't really know. This was the first time she didn't feel so shy, something about Frank made her feel at ease, made her feel like she could be her silly self and he wouldn't judge.
They ate their food in silence, occasionally talking about minor things; the situation of the country's economy, the government, the roads and Beyonce. She laughed hard at the fact that Frank was a Yonce fan, it was so cute the way he said it and the fact that he said it so proudly made her laugh even harder.
After the meal, they got down to business, the main reason they were there in the first place. Frank pulled out a file from his attaché and opened it. In it was a well detailed proposal of sales and profit increase for the next one year. Oma was beyond impressed at the amount of detailing that went into the report that she almost asked him if he was usual this meticulous about his work or it was because it was her. She shook her head at the ridiculous thought as she went through the proposal. It was impressive to say the least that she almost went with it when she saw the figures at the end of the page.
"Wow." Oma breathed. "This is... just wow."
Frank smiled at her reaction, "So what do you think Oma? We can make this work but that decision lies entirely with you."
Oma blinked once, twice still digesting the details of what Frank was proposing. It was way more than what she had even imagined; when she started her little business it was just to make additional profit to support her schooling and now in her hands is a proposal promising her own very brand.
"And this will work?" she asked, doubts already clouding her mind. As if sensing her fears Frank spoke up, "Yes it will. I have done this before; this is really what I do Oma. And don't worry about help," he quickly added; "You will have enough of it."
Oma sat back and thought about the implications of what she was about to do, this was a huge step; she had never thought about owning her own brand before. Her life's goal was to just finish school, get a good job and maybe settle down but never this. The thought of her being independent put a smile on her face and without her saying anything Frank knew she was on board.
"Alright Mr. Frank. Let's do this."
****
I am dedicating this chapter to @prechx because you are an amazing human that deserve all my love.
Muah!
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The Delivery
General FictionStudent + Side Business + Delivery + Opportunity = Happy Ever After? I'm excited to share this story with you guys. It was entirely inspired by my little sis! Enjoy!