Chapter Fourteen.

I had just come in from late lunch at Pastor Sam's place with my parents, thankfully Greg didn't make it so it wasn't awkward.

Auntie Tamara just texted me a few minutes ago to confirm that we are still on for our gala-date and I decided to soak myself in a relaxing bath a bit before time.

Wrapping myself in my favorite pink terry bathrobe and tying up my hair, I made my way to my bathroom already fantasizing about my moderately sized claw shaped bath, one of the things I missed about home. Sprinkling in my favourite bath salts, I picked my phone to select a song so I can connect to my portable MP3 when my phone ringing nearly startled me.

I squinted at my phone screen, these things are way too bright, even when set to the lowest brightness level.

An unknown number was calling, I had half a mind not to accept the call as I couldn't think of who would call me, I mean, I took Greg's number, not the other way round.

My curiosity made me take the call anyway.

"Hello", a masculine voice came through. "Hello? Please who is this?" I said unsurely.

A chuckle came through, "of course you don't have my number, this is Jason." "Oh, hello Jason, good day. How do you do? How did you get my number?" I went directly to the point.

"Oh, I took it from management...." "Okay?"

"Seems you are not currently in town." I looked longingly at the suds that was getting considerably smaller, and replied a little impatiently. "Yes, I am currently in my hometown, is there a point to this call or do you just miss me." I asked a little bit sarcastically.

His tone matched mine, "Oh there is, you owe me hundred bucks." Wait, what? "What?"

"Yes, a storm passed through the town two days ago and seeing as you were not around to deal with the mess it generously left you, I called a cleaning crew for us both."

"And they charged a whole hundred bucks??? You couldn't get them to take like fifty or say a seventy! What kinda cleaning did they do, or are you trying to make me pay for yours as well?" I asked suspiciously.

He chuckled humorously, "They are actually top of the line, also they took the liberty of trimming your lawn, it was a bit of an eyesore, and they actually charged two hundred and fifty for mine and yours and being a gentleman, I am giving you the lesser half."

"Of course they are top of the line, Mr. Megabucks, yen yen yen." I mocked under my breath, and sucking in my teeth, continued "I will give you my full half, now if you don't mind I have a bath to attend to, and not a single word." When he hummed mischievously.

"Why would I say anything about you having a bath?" Then the mischievous tone turned serious in a moment, "talking about megabucks, your boyfriend is the megabucks and I am yet to hear from him. Its been weeks now, is he not interested in making a deal?"

"Uhm, he is a little bit busy at...." "You know that excuse is going to get old sometime, get me a deal in a week or forget about it. That's if you are dating Jay Morris. Have a good day, Ivory and I will be expecting my payment."

He disconnected the call, leaving me fuming for a second, before I remembered the task at hand. Dumplings.

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Twenty minutes later, I was feeling refreshed and was on the process of styling my curls, I was alone in the house because mum and dad went out for their evening stroll. Oh, feeling the singleness or maybe not, I kinda have a hot date tonight. My life is sad, really.

Looking at the time, I hissed under my breath. Auntie Tamara would be here in about an hour time and I am yet to do my makeup.

My hair was not cooperating, maybe because I was too nervous, so I decided to do the classic bun. I got my eco styling gel, slathered it on generously and brushed my hair flat with some hard bristled brush. Tying it up, I smiled at my sizable bun and went ahead to do my edges.

I went ahead to do my makeup, opting for a smoky eye with muted pink lipgloss. I put on my falsies and gave them an experimental flutter, happy that they were not in any awkward angle that would make me uncomfortable throughout the night, I smiled checking my teeth.

Comfortable with my look, I put my phone, keys, gloss and some money in my faux diamond studded, golden purse before proceeding to put on the purple dress I had sent along with Auntie Tamara's dress the week before, complementing it with my watch and the pair of diamond earrings she had gifted me on my last birthday, and leaving my neck bare.

I proceeded to put on matching golden stilettos and did an experimental strut in my room and then checked the time, I barely had seven minutes.

I dabbed on some vanilla scented oil perfume and then took out my phone and took some selfies for my Snap and Insta. Yes, I do have a social life.

Almost immediately, I had an incoming video call, I place my phone on my dresser and accepted the call.

"Hey there stranger! Looking good," Katie's pouty face filled my screen before Zoe pushed her aside. "Hey hottie!"

I felt almost instant guilt, remembering the last time I spoke to them was after I alighted from my flight. I have bad communication tendencies which I have to try resolving.

"I am so soo sorry," I started but was cut off immediately by Katie. "Yes, we get it, you got sidelined by family and hotties and forgot about us, there is at least one hottie sidelining you, right."

"Unfortunately no, unless you count Greg, I think...." "Greg..." Zoe's eyebrows wiggled. I rolled my eyes, "My ex, if you can call him that."

"Oh," they shared a look. "Its not what guys think, we are actually friends." "Yes, friends," they echoed. Kate continued "Whatever, you are still coming back Tuesday, right?" I nodded.

"Okay, you owe us ice-cream, and yes as a bribe. You look gorgeous by the way, is it the gala? right? That sounds like pomp and glamour in a room full of stuck up people?" Zoe mused.

I shrugged and on cue the doorbell rang from downstairs. "Hey! I get to drink fancy champagne and socialize." "You don't look like you actually give a shit about that." Zoe continued and Kate nodded.

I shrugged yet again, "a woman's gotta do what a woman's gotta do, and lest I forget how's Mia?" I was already standing up, and the doorbell rang again. "My ride's here."

They exchanged a look again, Zoe looked a bit nervous, and Kate waved a hand in a shooing motion. "Go have fun, cutie. Mia is just fine. And don't forget to bring us souvenirs when you come back." And she hung up on me. Hmm, that is so not strange.

Anyways I picked my purse and made my way downstairs. Opening the door, I was met with a stunning sight, and no I am not talking about just the limo. I am talking about the gorgeous woman who was waving from inside the limo. Auntie Tamara.

After locking up and sending a quick text to the 'rents, I sent a quick smile in greeting to the chauffeur who had rung the bell, allowing him lead me to the car where he opened my door, helped me in.

"Um, thank you!" I turned to the stunning woman beside me, wiggling my eyebrows "Fancy, hmmm you look gorgeous, auntie."

"Thank you, so do you, my little bug" she turned and rapped on the partition with the most ridiculous tone of voice. "To the gala, please," then to me "Chocolate?"

"Yes please," I nodded and leaned back on the plush seat. I could get used to this.