Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Andy

You need to see how my heart dropped with Ugwa when she fell down. I felt really bad. That blow was meant for me. She should be too fragile for Daniel's tough fist

I bent down quickly and placed my hand under her head then lifted it up a little

Me: Ugwa! Oh my goodness! Are you okay?

Daniel bent down too

Daniel: I'm sorry. I'm so sorry

I was surprised. Daniel apologizes? Wow

She tried to pull up but I held her right arm

Me: don't worry. I'll help you up

Daniel : no. Leave her. I'll help her up instead

I ignored him and pulled her up with him

Me: are you okay?

She nodded

She removed her hand from Daniel and placed it on her jaw then groaned. But her hand was still in mine. I smiled inwardly

Daniel : this is all your fault moron! What were you thinking? How dare you try to do something stupid?

I rubbed my temples. He speaks like he's my heart. Like he knows what I do and why I do them

Me: this isn't my fault it's yours. If you had controlled your temper and dropped your fist then your punch wouldn't have met her

Daniel : it's your fault it met her

Me: really? My fault? It's not my fault your fist landed on her. I'm not a magician, I can't control your fist

Ugwa: I think I lost a tooth

We both looked at her

Ugwa: no. I didn't. But I think my gums are bleeding and my inner cheek is injured

Me: I'll take you to the school clinic

Daniel : no thank you! We're good without your help! Thanks for nothing

He pulled her. I wanted to pull her back but I found myself letting her go. She wasn't mine. I had no right to pull her

***

Am at Goodwill's right now and I can't help but think about her. She was sitting right opposite me that day. That day I was really moody and the day she brightened up.

Goodwill had given me free ice-cream as usual but today, the ice-cream seemed sour and warm. Is it my mouth or the ice-cream?

I stared at the whole shop. Only kids are seated at the corner.

Just then, my black Barbie strolled in. I thought it was imagination but when she looked to my direction and flashed a smile, I knew I was not hallucinating

She took her order and walked to me

Ugwa: HI Andy

I stood up

Me: hey Ugwa

Ugwa: you're here alone... Again..

I smirked

Me: are you in a hurry?

Ugwa: uhm... no

Before I could tell her to sit, she already sat down and placed the ice-cream on the table

I smiled and sat down.

Ugwa: wanna join me? Oh, you're already having one

I nodded

Me: how's your jaw?

Ugwa: since Wednesday? It's healed up already

Me: that's good to know

Ugwa : well I gotta go. I have things to do at home.

I was disappointed. I didn't want her to leave that early. I thought she said she wasn't in a hurry

Me: okay take care dear

She smiled, took her ice-cream and left. I breathed in and looked at my ice-cream. I took a spoon and dipped it in my mouth.

Today is Saturday. I feel so bored

Ugwa

Anibe wouldn't let me go and have lunch with Daniel until I got him ice-cream. I told him to tell one of the chefs to make one but he said he wants it from a professional.

I had to go to the ice-cream shop and get it for him. He loves vanilla ice cream and that's what I got.

I saw Andy and I tried ignoring him but I couldn't. I just had to go and say hi

I haven't said a word to him since Wednesday after that incident. Not because I was avoiding him this time but because he was avoiding me.

I sat down and decided to take the ice-cream with him then buy another one and take home but I saw one in his front.

And he seemed dull. I just decided to go because I didn't want to get late for my lunch with Daniel and I had to give the ice-cream to Anibe

Ever since that punch, Anibe has been treating me weirdly. He laughs at me for no reason and whispers 'celebrity' in my ears. Always mocking me because I didn't want Daniel to hurt Andy. And according to me, two enemies were fighting for me. What a jerk!

When I got home, I quickly gave him the ice-cream and got dressed. When I came downstairs, he was cutting grandma's nails

I went to peck her

Me: granny. I have lunch with a friend. I'll be back in two hours

Grandma : okay my love. Take care dear

Anibe: she's not just going for lunch. She's actually going on a date with a boy. His name is Daniel. Look at how she's dressed. If it's her female friend, she wouldn't add that extra beauty look

I hit him hard on his back that the sound raced round the room. He winced and held his back

Grandma : haha, take it easy on him

I huffed and walked out. What a tongue-lashing brother.

I entered the car. My driver was already in it. He drove me straight to the hotel where Daniel said. I went to the elevator and went straight up to the third floor.

I walked out and walked through the hallway, looking for room five. I saw it and opened it

It was a restaurant. A classic restaurant with violinists playing a cool slow music

There was a fountain in the middle and the chandelier lit up the room with a golden crisp. The waiters were men, dressed in a suit and tie and carrying orders professionally on their fingertips.

I haven't been to this kind of restaurant before. Well, not that I didn't have the money to afford the meals but because I always saw it as a romantic arena. And I shouldn't go without a date.

And all my former dates were usually at a normal restaurant. Maybe Chinese restaurant, Italian restaurant, etc.

I looked around and saw Daniel sitting with his index finger continuously tapping his lips. He has been waiting for awhile I guess.

My suspicion was confirmed after he checked his watch and sighed

I smiled. I stepped away from the door just in case someone wants to come in. I brought out my phone and texted him

look at the door

I then returned my phone immediately. I looked at him as he brought out his phone and read the message. He quickly looked at the door and our eyes met. He sat there, looking at me. I could see his eyes moving round my figure. He then smiled and stood gently, taking gentle steps towards me. He stood in front of me and smiled

Daniel : you kept me waiting

Man! He looks hot!

Daniel

I sat down looking around. This place is better than the last time I came here.

A waiter came and wanted to take my order. I asked for just water for now. He brought the water and I took a gulp and dropped the bottle

I was wearing a red long sleeved shirt with the first three buttons off, showing my chest a little.

My hair as perfect as always was shining under the light.

Not to brag but I know I have the best hair. Black and shiny. And stubborn. Sometimes spiky. But it's good to the eyes (good to look at)

I stayed there for about ten minutes. No sign of Unugwa. I became impatient. I thought she wouldn't come but then she arrived.

I was awestruck when my eyes locked on her. She's really beautiful.

Her dress was a long dark Mermaid Gown that had glitter embedded in it. Her hair was longer, maybe a wig. She packed it to one side of her shoulder, leaving the ends hanging over on her chest down.

She was carrying a golden purse and her finger was glittering because of the rings she wore. One on her index finger, the other on her pinkie

I sat gawking for few minutes before I stood up to meet her

Me: you kept me waiting

She smiled

Unugwa : I'm sorry. I had to do something for Anibe

I nodded and brought my right arm before her. She locked her left arm in it and I walked her to the table

She sat down and placed her hands on the table with her purse on her laps

Me: you look so beautiful...

She smiled

Unugwa : thanks

I signalled to a waiter and he came and took our orders

Unugwa ordered for Peri Peri Chicken sprinkled with little Cheese

I just ordered for Coconut rice. I love coconut. Anything that has to do with it.

Unugwa: I love your hair. It's so good to the eye

I chuckled

Me: thanks

Unugwa : I wish it was mine

Me: I would cut it all and fix it in your hair

She chuckled

I sighed and looked at her face. Those eyes are sparkling.

Now I know why they say Black is Beautiful

The waiter brought our orders and we began to eat

We talked about so many things. Anything we could just talk about.

Me: Unugwa I wanna apologize

Unugwa : what for?

I cleared my throat

Me: for my temper. I'm sorry for my hot temper. It's really not helping me anymore. I thought I used to be on top because everyone was scared of me. But now I feel it's useless.

Unugwa : well... If you don't like it anymore.. You can just change

Me: it's not that easy

I sliced the beef on a plate and dropped it on my food then scooped it with little rice and dropped it in my mouth

Unugwa : I know... But, you can still do it if you're determined

Me: I don't want to take this punching character of mine to the USA. Or else I'm gonna receive a whole lot of beatings

Her eyes widened

Unugwa : you're going to the USA?

Me: oh... I didn't tell you? I'm sorry... Dad said I should go and pursue my career in Los Angeles.

She sighed

Unugwa : since when?

Me: about two weeks now

Unugwa : wow... And I didn't know

Me: I'm sorry.. It didn't come to my mind to tell you

She nodded

Unugwa : it's okay. I understand. So when are you leaving?

Me: he said immediately... But I don't want to leave yet

Unugwa : you know the earlier you go the better. So you won't miss out on things. Los Angeles needs a lot of effort to be accepted there

I looked at her face.

Me: I'm going to miss our friendship. Though we weren't friends for too long. Just a month and a week. But I'm happy we were friends

She chuckled

Unugwa : yeah. And the blow on my jaw. I'd definitely miss you

We laughed and my eyes moved to the angry face staring at us

Agnes!

Gosh, I forgot this is her mother's hotel

I hope she causes no trouble