Chioma had some free time at work, so she decided to give Felix a call. Retrieving her phone from her bag, she dialled his number. Felix answered immediately, as if he had been anticipating her call. Through the phone, she could hear the boarding announcement for his flight.
'I'm glad you finally picked up. I wanted to call you and explain everything to you,' Chioma said.
'Does that include why you left the hospital without my consent?' Felix questioned.
'Everything,' Chioma sighed. 'How many days will you be gone?'
'I'll probably be back on Saturday once I finish my work here,' Felix replied.
'That means you'll be staying four to five days in America...' Chioma said.
'You shouldn't worry about me because you've never worried about me before. I might decide to stay for a few weeks or months. It has nothing to do with you,' Felix retorted.
'I'm sorry if you feel disappointed in me...' Chioma calmly said.
'Okay,' Felix interrupted.
When the air hostess approached Felix to remind him to switch off his phone, he nodded and finally ended the call. Chioma noticed her phone battery was low, so she decided to charge it before heading to the kitchen to serve a customer's ready-to-be-served meal. After carrying the tray of food, she was about to head to the dining area when she spotted Sharon Ojukwu. Sharon was gracefully wearing her navy coat, draping it over her shoulders instead of sliding her arms through the sleeves. She appeared absolutely stunning, both in her attire and her impeccably applied makeup.
Sharon walked over to Chioma and greeted her politely before introducing herself. 'I am Sharon Ojukwu, Jessica's best friend. Nice to meet you.'
Chioma furrowed her brow, feeling confused. 'Really? Has your friend sent you here to torment me?' Chioma expected a confrontation rather than a friendly handshake.
Smiling warmly at Chioma, Sharon gestured towards a quiet corner. 'Can we go there for a brief chat?'
'Of course,' Chioma agreed, leading her to a corner close to the counter.
'Thank you... Are you really in support of what Michael did to Jessica?' Sharon enquired.
Chioma shook her head. 'No, I'm not.'
'Then why don't you do something?' Sharon pressed.
'I apologise, Miss Sharon, but I can't comply with what you're asking me to do. My boyfriend did what he believed was necessary to support me, and it's not in my control to undo what has already happened. I just hope Jessica will put an end to the fighting, and eventually, things will settle down,' Chioma explained.
'Everything was fine until you entered Michael's life. If you didn't exist in this world, none of these tragedies would have occurred,' Sharon accused.
'So you're here to tell me that I was the reason why Jessica and Michael aren't a couple?' Chioma responded suspiciously. She narrowed her eyes and studied Sharon, sensing that Jessica had sent her on this mission.
Sharon spread her arms out and shrugged. 'Jessica should accept her fate... Do you really have feelings for Michael, or are you toying with him just like you're toying with Felix's feelings?'
Chioma frowned at Sharon. 'What do you mean by that?'
'These two brothers are encircled by a harem of adoring girls, yet they never even glanced at them. Instead of falling for the mighty, they chose to be captivated by a mouse, and this very mouse they selected is the reason for the crack in their friendship,' Sharon explained.
'You can't force love,' Chioma stated.
'I am aware... You're currently on the rise while my best friend is coming down,' Sharon observed, looking at Chioma. 'I have no problem with your relationship with any man you choose, but I will have a problem if the Njemanze family and Nnaji family don't restore their business partnership because of you.'
'I wish I could help you with that request. However, Michael wouldn't do anything without a reason. You're close to Michael, so if you love Jessica, you can talk to Michael yourself,' Chioma suggested.
'Chioma, there's an old saying that goes, 'Memories are like wine, no matter how much time passes, they both remain fragrant.' Michael might be in love with you, but he shared his childhood with Jessica. He might not show it, but he doesn't hate Jessica as much as you think,' Sharon remarked.
'I would be a fool to let my boyfriend hate anyone. Yes, they might have shared their childhood together, but that doesn't mean they are meant for each other. And I will never hate Michael whenever he reminisces about his past, because memories are what keep us alive,' Chioma expressed with a smile.
Sharon chuckled disdainfully, even though she never hated Chioma. 'I see you must have read fairy tales a lot. I know you think that what happens in those stories will happen in reality.'
'Well, it is happening. Don't you see? Whenever I am weak and in danger, my knight in shining armour always appears and rescues me from the depths of misery. He is the male protagonist who appears in the nick of time, just like in the novels, to save the damsel in distress. In the end, the prince and princess live happily ever after... just like Michael and me. I've always thought that line was senseless, but Michael made it come true,' Chioma replied, smiling.
'Felix saved you before, remember?' Sharon reminded her.
Chioma remained silent. Felix had saved her when Michael wasn't around, but she would never forget his kindness towards her. She was willing to go to great lengths for him, but she would never love him the way she loves Michael.
After their conversation, Sharon left the restaurant. As she sat in her red Porsche 911, her phone began to ring. She glanced at the caller ID.
'Jess, I don't think the girl is as naive as you think. I want you to go ahead with the press conference, for the sake of your family,' Sharon spoke into the phone.
'Then, after that, I will make Chioma's life a living hell,' Jessica replied.
'The tables might turn against you, so be careful. Just let it go, Jess. Embrace my brother instead,' Sharon advised.
Jessica ended the call abruptly, unwilling to discuss Nathan further. Sharon let out a sigh as she started her car and swiftly drove away.
Observing the Porsche gradually disappear into the distance, Chioma muttered to herself, 'No one knows what crafty ideas are going through Jessica's mind. I just wish this quarrel between us would end soon.'