Chapter 58: Chapter 58

Joanna's POV

"You good Ana?" He asked as he glanced briefly at me when he noticed my silence.

"Yeah," I replied. "I'm just lost in thought."

"Okay then, get your head out of those silly thoughts, let's eat." He smiled.

This shocked me as I looked around and realized we were already at the hotel. "Wow! That was fast!" I exclaimed.

"What are you waiting for, come on." He beamed. Shaking my head, I giggled when he held my hand after I had stepped out of the car.

"Why are you giggling? He questioned. "What's funny?"

I shrugged in response, and to that, he raised an eyebrow and left me to go place our order while I searched for a good spot for us to sit as we entered the restaurant area of the hotel.

I spotted one and walked over, there I got comfortable in my seat beside the window that overlooked the fun part of the city. A few moments later I decided to complete reading the book I was almost done with, on Wattpad.

I was so engrossed in this that I didn't realize he had already ordered the food until I saw him place the tray at our table.

"Nice spot." He said in approval as he slid into the seat opposite mine.

"I'm good at everything," I uttered and gave a pleased smile when I took observation of what he got me.

"How did you know I was craving chicken and chips?" I inquired, as I poured the juice into our separate glasses.

"Thank GOD." He sighed, "I forgot to ask you what you wanted, so I just requested this, in the hopes you would like."

"Why would someone not like this crispy, oily, tasty, and peppery goodness?" I questioned in disbelief.

"Umm, never mind." He cracked up.

"Not to be a Debbie downer but why did you show up like that asking for a date. What if I didn't agree?" I asked in a smirk.

"I was surprised the moment you agreed," He reacted. "I was expecting a slap though."

"My family told me something that changed my mood so I figured I should step out for a minute," I spoke and shifted my attention to the food.

"Speaking of telling, I have something important to tell you," He pronounced and cleared his throat awkwardly.

"Shoot," I acknowledged as I braced myself for the worst, why? I didn't know.

"First things first." He rubbed his palms, "Remember that guy who texted you saying he was at a party?"

"Yeah, I do." I nodded "I have been trying to get a hold of him for a while now but I can't seem to find him."

"Do you know he even texted me on my birthday?" I voiced in a question. "He even told me you couldn't make it."

"Do you by any chance know---" I halted as I came to terms with what he just said. "Wait,  how do yo--"

"It was Ifeanyi who sent that," He mumbled nervously.

"What!" I exclaimed in shock, "I mean why? Ho--"

He didn't let me finish as he spoke, "I asked him to do it, I needed to talk to you badly, and I couldn't introduce myself yet because of my reputation back then, so that was kind of my only way to get in contact with you directly without going through Elvis or pretending."

I couldn't say anything, my mouth gaped open in awe, which he took as an opportunity to continue.

"Even after you found Amy with me and we broke up, you received a text from that number right?" He blurted in a query.

"I did," I gave answer as I vividly remembered that day. "I got a text from him saying it might not be what I think and should give you a listening ear."

"It was the both of us this time. I really wanted to hear from you and try to redeem myself a little,   that's why I took his phone that day and we messaged you," He said and leaned back in his seat so he could gauge my reaction.

"Fvck!" I yelled. "No wonder I couldn't get hold of him, or you,  or whatever. I attempted calling but I stopped at a point when I didn't hear from any of you, soon the line wasn't connecting."

"Yep, I understood I was making a mistake and we kinda broke the sim card. "Are you angry?"

"Surprisingly I'm not," I shrugged. "Shocked? Yes but angry? Nope. I mean, after the things I've heard today, this doesn't move me at all."

"Okay, there's more." He exhaled and placed me an intense stare.

"Oh no," I mumbled to myself, my brain already tired of the too much information I had already received.

"Are you okay?" He polled.

I bobbed my head in reply before I took a sip of my juice and replied. "Yes yes, I am. Go on."

"I was your childhood friend, bestfriend even----" He began though I interrupted him by taking hold of his hand.

"I know hun." I gleamed, I know all about that. Remember I said my family told me something?"

"I can recall," He communicated, and stooped in, to my touch.

"They told me everything," I notified.

"Thank GOD!" He cried out, "I thought I was gonna replay that image in my head."

"I'm sorry you saw what you saw." I sniffed and suddenly recognized I was tearing up. "I can't imagine the pain and trauma you faced, while I got the luxury to forget everything."

"Till this moment I just can't remember anything and it angers me," I complained. "I want to remember the look of terror and pain on your face at that moment so I can feel what you felt, no matter how little. I want to be haunted, I want to---"

"Shh." He shushed me and veered his chair close to mine so he could hold me. "It's alright baby."

"I would do everything for you, if feeling that pain and trauma a thousand times, is the process for me to have you here in my arms then I don't mind," He blurted as he wiped away my tears.

"Why are you doing this?" I doubted, astonished as I couldn't imagine how he could say that and mean it.

He gave a full-blown smile. "Because I love you, Ana."

I love you, Ana,

I love you, Ana,

I love you

The words kept repeating themselves in my head until it all began coming back.

Brief Author's Note.

In case you forgot, <Francis is Frank> and <Ana is Joanna>.

They have nicknames for each other.

Freshy❤