On the other side, Audrey sat back in her chair with her iPad, browsing for clothes online. Chisom sat at the counter, observing Audrey with mixed emotions. She wondered why Audrey had asked Chioma to pick up her sister. Perhaps Audrey had some ulterior motive against Chioma. With these thoughts in mind, Chisom stood up from her seat and approached Audrey.
Wearing a mocking smile, Chisom said, 'So, my friend has become a joke to you? That's right, we're poor and should be treated like trash. If you're finished, you can leave.'
Audrey didn't look up, her eyes glued to the screen. 'Everyone gets angry sometimes,' she responded dismissively. 'I forgive you.'
'You can leave,' Chisom insisted.
'Who says I'm leaving?' Audrey laughed, taking out a stick of chewing gum from her pocket. 'I won't leave until Chioma comes back,' she said, folding the gum into her mouth. 'Do you have a problem with that?' Audrey looked at Chisom
'I don't have a problem with that, but we have limited seating, and this restaurant isn't for wealthy people like you,' Chisom replied.
'Oh, I see why you'll remain poor,' Audrey said mockingly, blowing a little green chewing gum bubble and bursting it with a pop.
'You're not allowed to make that sound in front of me,' Chisom frowned and waved her hand to stop Audrey.
Audrey paid no attention to Chisom's request and pulled out another stick of chewing gum, putting it in her mouth. 'You're acting as though I'm smoking. Girl, you worry too much.'
'Why not? This is my territory. It's from this restaurant that I take care of myself,' Chisom paused, her gaze falling on Audrey's high-end long beige comfortable quilted jacket, the scarf around her neck, and her dark hair cascading down her back. Chisom admired Audrey's flowing hair and thought that if Audrey were her friend, she would stroke it. She didn't hate Audrey but was only concerned that Chioma might get hurt if she became friends with her. Chisom cared about her friend Chioma.
Audrey looked up at Chisom. 'Why did you pause in the middle of your speech?' She smirked. 'Oh, wait, were you admiring me? Go ahead. I won't spank your butt for doing so. When I was in Diamond Snow Secondary School, lots of boys pursued me. Every morning, my study desk would be full of love letters. Some girls who had a crush on a guy that had a crush on me would send threatening letters...'
'Girls as beautiful as you rely on their beauty to juggle multiple men at the same time,' Chisom snapped.
'Well, you're wrong because I threw away each letter without bothering to open any of them. I come from a rich and powerful home, so your perception of me is very wrong,' Audrey replied.
Chisom felt touched by Audrey's words but didn't show it. 'If my friend came from a high-class family like yours, I'm sure you wouldn't have asked her to run such a stupid errand for you. You were born rich and don't know what it means to be poor... You were born so beautiful that you became the centre of attention wherever you go, never worrying about what to eat, what to wear, or where to go. You have everything you want.'
'Do you hate rich people? Anyway, people in poverty often chant about hating the rich out of frustration. But I don't hate poor people. I don't care whether I marry rich or poor. I hate playing mind games and doing things to please people. I prefer to stay out of competition. It's not my fault that my innocent beauty, with sparkling beautiful eyes, captures the hearts of many,' Audrey frowned at Chisom. 'I'm angry that you misunderstood my good intentions towards your friend.' She paused for a moment of silence before continuing. 'Chisom, there are some things that are better left unanswered. We'll have to let destiny answer them for us.'
Chisom frowned and said, 'Are you talking about Chioma, whom you treated like trash?'
Audrey rolled her eyes at Chisom. 'You can say all you want, but my intentions are pure. I don't care what you think about me...' Although Audrey's voice was soft, her tone seemed hurt.
'I don't care what your reasons were. I only care about my friend,' Chisom replied firmly.
Hearing these words, Audrey didn't know whether to cry or laugh. Suddenly, she remembered something and reached for her handbag, retrieving a pink silk scarf from it. Handing it to Chisom, she said, 'Here, take this scarf. I bought it yesterday and forgot to give it to you. If we hadn't argued, I might not have remembered.'
Chisom was hesitant to accept the beautiful scarf, but Audrey insisted and pushed it into her hands. She mumbled a reluctant 'thanks' and tucked the scarf into her pocket.
Audrey stood up, stifling a yawn and stretching languidly. 'Well, since you clearly don't want me here,' she said, her voice dripping with mock hurt, 'I'll call Chioma when I get home.'
Just as Audrey turned to leave, she spotted Chioma walking into the restaurant. A smile lit up Audrey's face as she approached Chioma.
'I'm glad you're back,' Audrey said.
Chioma nodded with a smile but didn't speak. Her hair fell around her young face, making her appear older than her twenty-six years.
'I didn't mean any harm,' Audrey murmured, squeezing Chioma's shoulder in what seemed like an attempt to reassure her.
Chioma offered a small smile. 'I know,' she said softly.
Chisom, who was standing behind them, didn't interrupt their conversation. Instead, she quietly listened to them.
'I'll go ahead,' Audrey said. She gave Chioma's shoulder one last pat before turning and heading towards the door.
Chisom watched Audrey go, a strange mix of emotions swirling within her. Part of her still harboured suspicion, but a larger part couldn't deny the glimmer of warmth she had seen in Audrey's eyes before she left.
Pushing the door open, Audrey elegantly walked to her sapphire-blue Bugatti Veyron parked by the side of the road. After opening the door, she fastened her seatbelt, and her car shot off like an arrow leaving its bowstring.
As Audrey's dazzling sports car raced along the road, she listened to Shania Twain's From This Moment On. Amused by Chisom's words, Audrey's lips curled up into a smile. She felt that someday Chisom would truly like her and not misunderstand her.
After about fifteen minutes or more, the car stopped in front of a luxurious white house in the Asokoro district. Asokoro district was known as a haven for top government officials and recognised as Abuja's most exclusive district. Reserved only for the crème de la crème of society, it was undoubtedly one of the most secure places to live. The presence of Aso Rock, the presidential villa, made the district outstanding.
It was said that a plot of land in this district could cost billions of naira. There were cheaper plots, but they still amounted to one hundred million naira per plot. It meant that only those who burned cash lived in this area.
Putting on an air of nouveau riche, Audrey stepped out of the car and haughtily addressed a servant, 'Here you go. Bring my bag to my room.' With a practiced flick of her wrist, Audrey tossed her keys to the servant, the expensive car keys glinting in the afternoon sun.
'Okay, ma'am,' the servant replied with a nod. She didn't get upset; instead, she smiled. She knew that Audrey was a good-hearted person and would never mistreat or boss people around.
As Audrey walked towards the door, a guard opened it for her and greeted her with a bow. 'Welcome, ma'am.'
'Are Felix and Celine back?' Audrey asked warmly, a smile gracing her face.
'Yes, ma'am,' the guard confirmed.
'Thanks.' Audrey's attitude was not only polished but also graceful. She exuded beauty in every way.
Stepping into the luxuriously decorated living room, which shimmered under crystal chandeliers and was filled with the scent of expensive lilies, Audrey spotted Felix sitting on the sofa with a laptop on his lap. His eyes were fixed on the screen as he typed with his long fingers.
Audrey approached him, a playful smile tugging at her lips. She leaned down, wrapping her arms around his neck in a sudden, almost childish display of affection.
'Big brother Felix,' Audrey said in a very sweet voice, but her eyes showed she was planning something. It was like she was acting nice but thinking about something else.
'When you asked that girl to collect Celine from school, were you really busy or did you do it on purpose for a reason? Tell me a reasonable lie, and I'll accept it,' Felix said, glancing up at her.
'Well...' Audrey hesitated.
'Well?' Felix repeated, awaiting her response.
'I had to ask her to help me because I was genuinely busy. I was shopping for clothes online with my iPad,' Audrey quickly replied, looking at Felix with her big, innocent-looking eyes. 'I couldn't possibly tear myself away from that gorgeous new Balenciaga dress. You must believe me.'
'I believe you,' Felix said. Audrey turned to leave but paused when she heard his next words. 'I have seen enough of your idiosyncrasies to know when you're lying. So, you can't fool me... because from where I'm sitting, it looks suspiciously like you orchestrated a little meet-cute for me.'
'You seem to be implying I had malicious intentions?' Audrey questioned.
Felix shook his head. 'You're wrong.' With folded arms and a slanted expression, Felix stared at her. 'So, tell me, what were your reasons?'
Audrey nervously swallowed and thought about what to say. She knew Felix had seen through her, so she didn't dare to lie. She had done it for his own good but wasn't sure if he would be angry. She debated whether to explain everything and ask him not to get mad.
Before she could speak, Felix said, 'You did this to set me up with that girl, right?'
Audrey turned around, staring at him, feeling foolish.
In fact, Felix had suspected this from the moment he saw Chioma at the school. He knew Audrey hadn't asked a stranger to collect Celine from school before. So, for her to involve someone other than their driver meant she was planning something.
'How did you find out?' Audrey asked after a moment of silence.
'I saw through you the moment you called me to pick up Celine from school and also called a total stranger to do the same. And this wasn't entirely about the Balenciaga or you being swamped with online shopping. You had flaws in your acting,' Felix explained.
'I never said I was going to be an actress,' Audrey retorted.
'You wouldn't even get a supporting lead role. You'd only end up playing extra without face,' Felix teased, his lips curving up.
'Are you making fun of me?' Audrey questioned.
'Of course not.' Felix raised an eyebrow. 'Who is she, really?'
Audrey pouted her mouth. 'Maybe this isn't the right time for me to talk about her, but she's a good girl.'
Felix stared at her for a while and then suddenly suggested, 'Why don't I invite her over so I can get to know her better? I'll tell Mum and Dad that she's the woman you want for me.' He teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
'No, don't do that,' Audrey cried pitifully, rushing over to Felix. She tugged at his sleeve and placed her head on it, acting coy. 'Please, big brother, don't bring her over yet. I'll look stupid if you do. It will be too embarrassing to be scolded in front of that girl.'
Felix's grin widened. 'So you're saying you don't want me to bring the girl home just yet?' His voice was a low rumble, amusement dancing in his eyes.
Audrey nodded, hoping he would understand.
Holding his chin up like a proud young master, Felix said, 'It's not that I can't, but you have to listen to what I have to say. If you agree, my beautiful sister, then I will try not to bring her home and won't tell our parents what you did. Do you agree?'
Audrey readily lifted her hand in agreement. 'Deal!'
'As your big brother, you know I won't corner you or force you to do anything illegal,' Felix reassured her.
'I know,' Audrey replied, nodding in understanding.
'The thing is simple,' Felix smiled with his eyes. 'From now on, you have to tell me more about the girl. I would love to pursue her myself.'
Audrey smiled back. 'I will help you in the best way I can.'
'Okay.' Felix pinched her nose lovingly. 'You're almost eighteen, which makes you an adult. Stop acting coy.'
Audrey pouted playfully. 'What's wrong with acting coy with you? You're my big brother.'
Felix's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his smile fading, before dismissing the call without a word.
Audrey's curiosity piqued. 'Who was that?'
'Jessica,' Felix replied with a sigh. 'She wants me to talk to Michael for her, but you know I can't do that. If Michael doesn't like you, he doesn't like you.'
The phone buzzed again, this time displaying Michael's name.
'Is Jessica still pestering you?' Audrey asked.
'Nope, it's Michael now,' Felix replied, giving Audrey's hand a quick peck before pushing his laptop aside and rising. 'Gotta grab some food with him. Catch you later.' With that, he grabbed his jacket and was gone.
Audrey headed upstairs and bumped into Celine by the stairs. Celine, dressed in denim shorts, a pink tank top, and non-slip shoes, happily enjoyed her ice cream sandwich.
'Hey, Audrey,' Celine greeted, her voice muffled around a mouthful of ice cream.
Audrey smiled. 'I got a new haul coming. When the delivery guy arrives, you know what to do.'
Celine nodded, her smile widening. 'I'd be happy to personally inspect them for quality assurance, of course. Or maybe I'll just give you a call...'
Audrey nodded, then walked into her princess-like, lavishly decorated bedroom and sat down on the bed. Gently, she took off her shoes and lay down to rest.