Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Uyai felt weird. A good kind of weird. She missed home. Or did she? Nah she liked it here...they had great food and amazing wines...

"Try to hold her. Isabelle! We need your help here." Catherine said holding her by the upper arm.

Uyai frowned. Why were they holding her? Are they taking her for a shoot?

Uyai gasped.

What if they wanted to throw her out? Out of this beautiful restaurant with amazing food and... did she say amazing wine? It sure felt like they did. She couldn't let them.

Uyai struggled against their hold.

"What is she doing? Isabelle!!" Catherine frowned

"What are you looking at?" Presh asked Isabelle who had her eyes transfixed at something at the distance.

Isabelle didn't respond, so Presh followed her gaze to a guy who she admitted was fairly handsome. Okay scratch that excellently handsome.

He was tall, the kind of height that stood over her five seven height. He had broad shoulders and slim arms, not too muscular, just the way she like them. He also had a cute face. It looked more school boyish than manly and she loved it.

"Don't stare too much, he's mine." Isabelle growled. Presh jerked in surprise at her possessive tone

"What --" she began, her brows furrowed in annoyance.

"Just so you know, I saw him first." Isabelle rudely interrupted.

"Excuse me? Are you serious right now?" Presh turned to her with unconcealed annoyance.

Isabelle only flicked her Brazilian wig

"What are you girls doing? Help us, can't you see she's putting up a fight." Catherine scolded, frustrated. She was breathing heavily trying to keep Uyai upright and the girl just kept flinging her hand about as if to part the red sea.

Mrs. Chance shook her head at the disaster unfolding in a well known and public restaurant knowing they had attracted an audience. Knowing she couldn't afford to perturb herself, she took out her phone and began tapping away, her hands quickly dancing over the keys as she played her favourite piano game.

"They are busy looking at some hunk." Raina smirked when she noticed Fiona and Isabelle's gaze pointed to a man and how they glared at each other. It was obvious they were attracted to the man and being possessive about it. What stupidity!

"What hunk?" Catherine asked absent minded. Her voice was muffled as she tried to pull off Uyai's palm off her face.

"A gorgeous one." Raina coyly replied.

"Who cares? Argh!" Catherine said after successfully pulling Uyai's palm from her face. "I've met many handsome guys, another one won't make a difference." Catherine continued, still holding Uyai up.

Uyai was feeling drowsy. She was tired of fighting, so she let them hold her up although with a little difficulty because she wanted so much to sit down.

"I wish they felt the same." Raina shrugged wrinkling her nose.

"Wait a minute. Let me see the guy." Catherine threw away Uyai's hand leaving her to slump down on the chair. She went to stand with Raina who discreetly pointed to a tall dark man with little or no facial hair. Not her type at all. She liked them manly with just enough facial hair to caress.

"He's mine." came Isabelle's rigid voice. Catherine whipped her head to her incredulously and her hair moved along to almost conceal her entire face.

"Really?" Catherine blew out her breath in annoyance and used her fingers to push away the stray strands.

"My thoughts exactly." Presh folded her hands and fiercely growled at Isabelle who didn't flinch a bit.

It didn't matter what they thought. She found him first no matter how silly that sounded. And funny enough her subject of admiration was walking towards them, purposefully.

The girls became mute and watched silently as he drew nearer with long strides. Isabelle was going crazy inside. Was it possible he was coming for her? Her heart rate had gone an extra mile with a painful thud as if it was going to burst out of her chest any moment from now. She never felt this nervous in a long while not since when her secondary school crush finally asked her out.

Uyai was blind and deaf to everything that was going on around her. In fact she was miles away in her own world with sleep being the paramount thought in her head.

"Excuse me?" The handsome man asked, his eyes wandering a bit as if looking for someone.

"Yes," Isabelle was quick to answer immediately drawing his attention to her.

He smiled nervously and brought out his hand for perhaps a handshake? Isabelle was not sure but she shook his hand anyway.

Isabelle noticed his eyes didn't stay on her like she expected instead it was narrowed on something to her left. Curious to see the direction of his gaze, she only found Uyai slumped on her chair with her head downcast. She was drunk out of her mind.

"Umm--are you looking for someone or something?" Isabelle asked him wearing a sweet smile she felt was charming enough to seduce him.

"Er yes." He sounded distracted, his eyes never leaving Uyai.

Isabelle was puzzled and--disturbed. She certainly didn't like that look in his eyes.

"Okay--so who are you looking for?" It was Raina who asked this time giving the young man a once over. Cute but not her type. She liked them mysterious and snubby. They were the coolest challenge. This one would probably say yes to anything she says. Definitely not her type.

"Her. Uyai?" He said pointing to the newbie who seemed out of it.

"Uyai?" Raina repeated to be sure.

"You know her?" Isabelle asked aghast.

"Is she like your sister or something cause I don't see any resemblance." Fiona narrowed her eyes on him suspiciously while she folded her arms underneath her breasts.

Effiong was lost. The questions were coming from different directions he didn't know which to answer first.

"I--I--" he tried to answer but was interrupted by

"That's right you don't look alike at all." Catherine cut in immediately, openly assessing the handsome young man.

"I-I..yes?" he answered in uncertainty. He chuckled nervously. "She's kind of my sister." he murmured awkwardly.

Isabelle heard him and frowned. "Kind of?" She asked.

"Yes. We er come from the same village." He said meeting her eyes.

"The same village." Catherine nodded coyly and turned to Raina and they both shared a smirk.

Interesting. They thought.

Isabelle didn't care. He was cute and she wanted him.

"So what's your name?" Catherine asked.

"Arrrgh!!" a frustrated voice growled and they all turned to look at Mrs. Chance glaring heatedly at her phone with her palm tightly fisted as if to punch the life out of the device. Her sole focus was on the device that she didn't notice the additional persona that was in their midst.

"So, you were telling us your name?" Catherine asked again.

"Effiong. My name is Effiong." he said.

Isabelle frowned. The name was too native for her liking and sounded too local. He probably must have an English name. So with that that she asked.

Meanwhile Uyai had visibly stiffened when she heard his name. Her head was still downcast but both ears had involuntarily perked up.

"Do you have an English name? You know Effiong is kinda mouthful." she said sweetly as much as possible.

"You can call me Effy if you find Effiong difficult to enunciate." Effiong suggested understandably.

Uyai's head rose and turned to him. Her brows were furrowed in confusion seeing him standing there.

Isabelle winced. Her nose wrinkled in derision. That name was even worse than the first. It was best she stuck with the former.

"Effiong it is." Isabelle forced a smile.

"So--is she okay?" He looked worriedly at Uyai.

"Oh! She fine. She's probably tired." Catherine chuckled humorlessly

"And drunk." Isabelle said under her breath.

"Effiong?" Uyai mumbled. Still that confused look didn't leave her face.

"They do know each other!" Catherine exclaimed as if just discovering a new fact.

"Er--duh." Raina couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"Uyai! What are you doing here?" He asked, discreetly assessing her. She had donned on some makeup and wore a beautiful dress which from his view point was a little short for his liking. Though she looked extremely different and good. He could still recognize her anywhere.

He watched as her lips quirked up then slowly it became a wide grin. Her eyes were now shinning brightly as she looked up at him.

"Eating and drinking. You want one."Her voice was slurred as she held up an empty glass.

It was obvious she was drunk.

"No. Thanks." he frowned.

"Why not! It's great! It better than palm wine." She frowned momentarily, then giggled as if she found it amusing.

"Indeed." he grimaced.

Slowly Effiong looked around hoping to find Affiong or Mrs. Ekpenyong, a reason to explain why she was here. He didn't find them.

"So where is Affiong?" he asked her instead.

"She went to the hospital." She replied simply then raised the empty glass bottle to her lips as if to drink it's contents.

She frowned when she realized there was none.

"Hospital?" Effiong's voice rose in alarm.

Uyai ignored him.

"Mrs. Chance? What happened to the Chimpanzee?" she scowled at the empty glass and turned to Mrs. Chance who immediately jerked on hearing her name.

"What?" Isabelle and Fiona asked.

"The Chimpanzee..." Uyai repeated as if taking to two year olds.

"Chimpanzee? What is she talking about?" Fiona raised a confused eyebrow.

Even Effiong was confused.

"Well she's drunk." Raina shrugged casually.

"What she means is Champagne." Mrs. Chance sighed tiredly.

"I was thinking the effect would have worn off by now." Mrs. Chance said.

"That's right. She must be a newbie to alcohol." Raina concurred.

"Why is she even taking alcohol?" Effiong asked.

"I'm sorry? Who are you?" Mrs Chance asked finally recognising his presence.

"Effiong Ma?" He said sounding unsure.

"Okay...? And how may I help you?" she asked politely with a hint of suspicion.

"Nothing really. I just came to say hi to Uyai." He smiled nervously.

"Oh! Uyai."

"I'll er just go..." Effiong trailed off uncomfortably.

"You're going?" Uyai's voice came out small and disappointed as she whipped her head to him looking at him with round innocent eyes. Effiong thought she looked cute.

"Yes--" he cleared his throat that had suddenly gone dry. "Someone is waiting for me." he told her.

"Someone, who?" Uyai asked him, her voice rang with curiosity.

Isabelle was also curious, and thanked the heavens that Uyai initiated the question saving her the trouble from probing him like a suspicious housewife. Isabelle mentally prayed it wasn't a woman waiting for him.

Presh could care less, besides they were plenty of fishes in the sea.

"Oh it's Peter." Effiong said and looked behind him. Uyai and others followed his gaze perhaps out of curiosity.

"Peter? Who's Peter?" Uyai knew she had heard that name somewhere, she just didn't know where.

"Peter? Peter is..." trailed off leaving his speech to be incomplete seeing as the fellow whose identity he was about explaining was walking towards them in long strides wearing a ridiculously sheepish smirk.

They all watched as an equally handsome guy with a beard this time, strode towards them. From the smirk he wore and walking steps, you could easily tell he was a player. He exuded confidence as he approached them.

He was definitely Catherine's type.

When he drew nearer till he stood beside Effiong, his eyes fleetingly caressed their faces before a charming smile took over his lips.

"Hi." he said, his voice coming out deep and manly with enough bass to hit her sensual cord. Catherine almost melted where she stood.

"So Effiong would you be kind enough to introduce me to these beautiful ladies?" he hinted suggestively as his eyes locked with Catherine who he'd noticed her admiring gaze on him. He smirked slightly pleased. She was certainly hot, so he didn't mind.

"Er-" Effiong started. He just met them and besides they hadn't gotten around to really get acquainted.

Thankfully he was saved the trouble when they began to introduce themselves.

"Hi am Catherine." Catherine brought out her hand for a handshake and the hot stuff gently took it and turned it around to place a fleeting kiss on her wrist.

Catherine shivered.

Man his player mode had been turned on. Effiong shook his head.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Catherine." he drawled out sexily and Catherine blushed. "I am Peter."

Next was Raina. "Raina." she simply introduced not bothering to bring out her hand for a handshake also leaving his to hang limply at his side. Yes, it was a bit awkward, but he concealed it with a Charming smile. "Nice meeting you Raina."

Isabelle had adjusted her frame; she shot out her chest, swung her hip to one side to give it a shapely outline. Then she daintily brought out her hand already positioning it for his lips to implant a kiss on her wrist.

How could he refuse that, so like the gentleman he was, he placed a soft and light kiss on the back of her wrist. Of course her breath hitched.

"Isabelle." she drawled out softly, with a slight curve to her lip while fluttering her lashes demurely.

Raina snorted. Mentally rolling her eye balls.

"It's a pleasure." he winked. Cue the butterflies in her stomach.

"Hi." Presh just waved from where she stood.

"Hello." Peter brought out his hand instead so she couldn't really refute a handshake and of course he did the same thing. He placed a closed mouthed kiss on the back of her wrist.

It was Uyia's turn and this time Effiong noticeably stiffened. So when Uyai looked at him with star gazed eyes. His lips had curled in annoyance and a glare had shone in his eyes.

"My name is Uyai." Perhaps it was the fact that she was drunk, but her voice sounded so sexy as she drawled out her name whether consciously or unconsciously.

"Uyai." he tested the name on his lips as if savouring it's taste.

His eyes twinkled as a flirtatious smirk smeared his lips. "What a beautiful name. Just like you. If Uyai could turn a shade of purple, that would have been the case.

She grinned cutely and her lashes fluttered innocently.

Yep. She was a beauty alright, Peter thought as his eyes wandered over her form, before moving to the lady beside her who watched him keenly. She must be the err...

"Hello..." he tried to be charming, giving her a lazy smile, but she didn't even blink.

After looking at him for what he thought was an eternity, she finally looked away allowing him to breathe freely.

"Ladies. Wrap up. We need to be on our way." Mrs. Chance told the girls.

She looked at Uyai who had at least gotten better.

The rest of the girls adjusted their frame and began packing their bags albeit reluctantly and daintily doing so being aware of the two young handsome blood in front of them.

Uyai stood up finally, on her own this time while smiling stupidly at Peter. Effiong was annoyed that she seemed to be paying a stranger more attention than she was him. It wasn't long she had acted so forlorn when he had announced he was leaving. Now here she was looking at Peter like she couldn't bear to part with him.

Effiong also wondered why in the world it disturbed him greatly. Strangely he felt...err jealous?

But again how could he?

Again how could he not?

"Gentle men. We'll be on our way now." she nodded curtly.

"We're also leaving. Let us see you ladies off." Effiong suggested kindly slightly nudging Peter to get a move on. He had a reason, he wanted to find out why Uyai was with them and why she was all dressed up and not looking like the Uyai he knows.

"Oh that's right." Peter nodded.

"If you're sure, then well," Mrs. Chance quirked a suspicious eye brow then as if relenting, she gave a practiced smile, giving them the go ahead.

They let the girls strut in front of them, their hips swaying seductively from side to side.

Isabelle swung her head to the side letting her long Brazilian hair fall like curtains to her back, she looked at the boys for a fleeting moment, making sure to shoot them a suggestive smirk. She knew very well she was acting like a wanton mistress, but she didn't care. She had two gorgeous guys behind her and she didn't even know who to choose.

Uyai kept looking behind as if she forgot something, but Effiong noticed that her eyes were always moving to Peter who also wasn't shy in returning it with a wink and a lazy smile of his own.

Effiong was pissed.

Uyai whipped her head back to the front releasing a gasp in the process.

No wonder he looked so familiar. She thought.

He was Uncle Peter.