Chapter FOUR

'tonight I might fall in love,.. 

Depending on how you hold me...

I'm glad that I'm coming down..

Don let no one come control me..

Keep dancing and call it love.. 

She fighting but falling slowly..

If ever you are in doubt, remember what mama told me..

Brown skin girl...

Your skin just like pearls...

The best thing in the world...

I'll never trade you for anybody else...

Brown skin gir–—'

My singing was interrupted by the loud bang on the door. I was sure it was Clara. My troublesome best friend.

I unplugged my headphones and left the kitchen where I'd been making dinner while listening to music to pass time.

I got to the front porch and moved to open the door gate. Our house wasn't much, but it was comfortable.

Clara's parents had gotten the apartment for her immediately she had gotten her job, as a gift for her. It was a mini flat with two bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom and a tiny porch. But it was well furnished and beautifully decorated. Even though most times, Clara complained it wasn't enough for someone her 'class' as she always mentioned. Clara had always been a girl who loved luxurious and materialistic things, but she was also very hardworking.

I opened the door for her to walk in. I noticed her look. Oh no, she was looking pretty bad.

"Clara, welcome. How was.."

"Jesus Sola, I haven't even set my foot in the house yet and you're already questioning me! For what exactly? To laugh in my face and say 'I told you so?'" I realized Clara was really pissed. I felt really bad for my friend. She trusted people too much. I was sure the person she went on a date with didn't meet up to her expectations.

"Calm down nau, I just merely asked a simple question. Come let's go inside." I replied to her as I took her arm and tugged her along with me.

As we sat down on the sofa, I was able to get a clear look at her face. There was a red bruise there and her hair was tattered. My heart jumped with worry.

"Clara, what the hell happened to you??"

Before I knew what was happening, Clara collapsed into my arms, sobbing loudly, with her body trembling violently. I felt my eyes start to water too. I didn't like seeing my girl distraught. 

"Sola! Today has been the worst day of my life! I.. I.. I've never been so em.. embarrassed in my whole life!!"she stammered.

"Oh Clara, I'm so sorry. Explain what happened."

"Sola, I was robbed!"

"What? How?"

She took a deep breath as she raised her head and put her arms around her middle, hugging herself tightly.

"He was.. A robber, Sola. when I got to the eatery, he had already ordered food and drinks worth 8500 naira. He offered to hold my bag for me, which I had 22,000 naira in it. I never suspected anything, so I gave it to him. Then he told me he had a special gift for me, but it was in his car. A Benz he called it. He gave me directions on how to locate the particular Benz because alot of cars were parked outside. I stupidly obeyed him and went, I searched for the model of his Benz for about 15 minutes before i realized that he must have been lying about the car. I ran inside and I met an empty table. "

I opened my mouth in shock. Though, I was not really shocked. I knew something bad would happen.

"Sola, everything! My bag, my money, the food, gone! I screamed for help that I'd been robbed, but guess what? The bastard didn't even pay for the food he ordered! I kept trying to explain I didn't have any money because I was robbed, but before I knew it, the manager gave me a hot slap! He was threatening to call the police before I thankfully remembered that my phone was in the pocket of my dress. Sola, it was so horrible! I've never been so–"

We were interrupted by the sound of Clara's phone ringing. She pulled the phone out of her pocket, glaring at it.

"What the fuck does Mr Ben want now!? Is he mad!?"

I held back my laughter at her childish outburst. Clara had always been like that. She hated being interrupted when she was discussing serious matters.

"Just pick the call, it could be something important." I said to her, softly.

She picked it, Glaring at me. I grinned at her, stroking her hair.

"Hello, sir"

I couldn't hear our boss's voice from the other end. Mr Ben was one the directors of the big restaurant. He was a very nice man.

"I'm doing well sir, and you?"

"Launching of a new airline? Ah"

Clara's face was squeezed like she wanted to cry.

"Ah, Mr Ben. See, me I wouldn't be able to officiate o..."

I could hardly hear the voice of the man on the other line. But I knew he was trying to coarse her as he always did.

"Ah! no sir, you see, I'm not feeling fine. I've been vomiting since I arrived home. I won't be able to attend any party please.."

"Yes, sir. I'll just tell Sola to oversee the foods and the staffs sir, she would surely be glad to work."

I felt my face flush in anger. I knew what Clara was doing yet I couldn't stop it. This was what she did when she didn't want to do her job, she always pushed it on me like I was her help girl. I kept quiet and listened to her.

"Alright sir, I'll inform her. 2pm? Okay sir... Yeah... Alright sir... Goodnight." she cut the call and looked at me, her face stern. 

"Sola, tomorrow, there's a party coming up at Eko hotel and suites and Mr Ben said our restaurant has been booked to be part of the delicacies preparation. I told him I can't go, but you're the one that will go. He said you should get prepared because there's going to be lots of work and also, he said few celebrities will be attending so everything has to be classy and topnotch. "

"But... " I tried to protest but she cut me off. 

"No! Sola, this is not even up for discussion and you know it. The party begins at 2pm but you'll be going earlier than the normal 8am tomorrow morning. I'm not in the mood for any annoying stressful work so I'll just go to work later in the day like maybe 11am or 12pm. So get ready. I don't feel like talking again, I need to get some sleep, Goodnight Sola. "

She stood up with her phone in her hand and walked into her room, banged the door close while I sat there stunned and staring at her closed door. 

I knew I wasn't supposed to accept Clara's treatment on me because this was her house, Even though we shared the payment of bills and every other things in the house. But there was nothing I could do. Nothing at all. I cleaned the lone tear that had escaped my eyelids and stood up, strolled to my room while thinking of the work I would do tomorrow. 

.................................. 

The next day, I arrived at work by 7am. Most of the chefs and cooks were already available. We began planning the type of foods and beverages we would be making. Mr Ben or Clara hadn't arrived yet by the time it was 12pm as I suspected. I checked some of Clara's important mails she had received earlier today. One was from the CEO of the restaurant. He said that he had sent an amount of 150k to Clara's account and additional 250k to Mr Ben's account in order to cover the food expenses completely so there wouldn't be mistakes or fuck ups. 

I checked some few others then switched off her laptop. 

Clara arrived 30 minutes later and Mr Ben arrived exactly at 1pm. I was in Clara's office talking to her about the mails I checked for her when Mr Ben burst in.

He was immaculately dressed. A blue stripped suit with a matching light blue tie. His head was perfectly bald and he looked somewhat handsome. 

"Sola, thank goodness. I just arrived and I saw that all the work has been done to perfection. Good job my dear" he remarked walking in and standing in front of me, while Clara was sitting on her chair silently snorting at me. 

I smiled reassuringly at him. "Of course sir, we've got everything covered. The traditional food, the English food, beverages, smoothies and ice creams."

"Very very good! I'm so impressed! But then, you've always been an exceptional staff and that's why we would always need you around here" 

"Thank you sir..." 

"Please and please, we need to make sure everything goes well, this is not a small gathering, its a party for the elites of the state, even the country." Mr Ben said looking very worried. 

"I understand sir" I replied. 

"On my way, I spoke to the chairman. It's a very very important party. Can you believe even the Williams of Williams Corp will be attending!??" 

"Wait wait wait... Did you just mention Williams?? As in the billionaire Williams??" Clara jumped in, her eyes wide as saucers at the name he mentioned. 

Everyone knew the Williams. They owned one of the largest corporations in Nigeria. Even in Africa. They had a chain of over 350 hotels, restaurants, bars and resorts. And that was only in Nigeria, not even counting abroad. And they were a co-owner of one of the biggest bank in Nigeria. First bank. 

I wondered how it must be being that rich. It was said the man that founded the company had been brought up in one of the poorest areas in Nigeria. 

Then he had passed it down to his son, Mr Ajayi Williams who just recently retired and passed it to his son. Alexander Williams. 

I knew this because I read the news a lot. I didn't care about the Williams, but I cared about their impressive achievements. 

"Yes, Clara. Alexander Williams and his sister fayokunmi Williams will be attending the event. You see why I've been panicking??" 

Clara looked shocked. She rubbed her forehead with her fingers. 

"Why you didn't tell me that last night Mr Ben?!" 

"The chairman called me just this afternoon, Clara." Mr Ben deadpanned,glaring at her. 

"Okay. Um.. I think I'm feeling better now Mr Ben, Sola can stay and I'll attend the event with you, I will go over everything that we–" 

"Uh.., no, no Clara. Take all the rest you need. That way you can oversee things while we are gone. That's that. I'll see you in 20, Sola. We'll be leaving early." Mr Ben said to me before he walked out. Indicating that the discussion with Clara was over. 

"Arrrgh!" Clara growled beside me. I looked at her. She was seething. I wished I could feel sorry for her but I wouldn't. Clara had always set her eyes on men with lots of money. That didn't sit well with me. 

"What is it Clara?" 

"Sola! Alexander! Alexander the hottest man on the planet will be there and I fucked up my chance of meeting him!" she was practically screaming. I didn't reply. I didn't know what to say to her. 

"You're a snake Sola! You should have rejected to work in my place yesterday or even now when Mr Ben was talking like an animal! I hope you're glad to have stolen my place right from under my nose! Well done! Go and continue with your work and leave me abeg." 

"But.... "

"Sola leave! Get out!"

She was fuming at me. All for what? Someone that didn't even know she existed? I sighed and gathered my files and walked out of her office. Clara was clearly in a bad mood and I was going to leave her be. 

                      ...................................