CHAPTER 4

I wanted a family that would love and care for me unconditionally and a place where I could do whatever I wanted without anyone's influence.

I believed going back home will enable me to attain my long-term desire, if not all...a little. At least I wouldn't have to be a burden on anyone.

I couldn't deny the fact that David and his mother were a part of me. They were my only recognized family. And I had the belief that things would really change. But I was unsure of something....if the change would be for the better or for worse.

'Nevertheless, I am going back home to the woman I have known for three years as my mother', I thought to myself with a sigh.

Amy had done all she could to convince me from going. She doesn't understand that Davis was the more reason why I needed to go. I was not happy with the way things were in the house. Things were awkward between us and it bothered me a lot.

I was lost in my thought like always when my phone rang.

"Hello", I said into the phone, relaxing my back on the sofa I was sitting on, with the hood I was folding still in my hand.

"Hey", A familiar male voice bellowed from the other side.

"Hi", I said again, trying to figure whose voice it was.

"Pretty girl, how are you doing?"

"Mason?" I almost screamed in excitement.

"Yeah, baby" he replied.

"You said you were going to call yesterday but you didn't", I complained.

"I never knew you were expecting my call", he said with a chuckle.

I was quiet. I felt like slapping myself for letting him know I was eager to hear from him again.

"I'm sorry for not calling as I promised", he apologized, breaking the silence. "Can we go out tonight?"

"Tonight? I don't think so."

"Why? Are your parents against having a male friend and going out with him?" He questioned.

"No, that's not it. I don't stay with my parents." I answered.

"That's awesome. More reason why you should come with me. Let's go to a cinema, I bought the tickets already."

"I'm supposed to go back home today. To New York", I informed him with a sad voice.

"Come on babe. I didn't call yesterday because I didn't want to be too forward and scare you away. Let's get to know each other better before you leave", I guessed he thought I was playing hard to get from the way he explained himself without me asking.

When I didn't say anything, he begged, "Please, Zara."

I love the sound of my name coming from him. He seemed to be the only one who could pronounce my name well, apart from Amy.

"I don't think that...." I finally decided to say something but he cut me short.

"Come on, Zara. I have the tickets already", I imagined him frowning the handsome face that I had been trying to get out of my head since the previous day. He was damn handsome.

"What do you say?" He asked with impatience.

"Alright", I succumbed. " See you tonight."

"Yes", he screamed. "Send me your address so I can come to pick you up."

"Alright, I will", I smiled. " Bye."

"Bye, pretty", He said and hugged up.

"I threw the hood I was holding on the bed and rushed to the closet excitedly to search for a dress to wear to my first date.

Yes, I considered it my first date!

*****

"Where the hell are we going?" I demanded. We just got out of the cinema where one of my favorite American movies was played.

Mason was a sweet guy. Just within two days, he already knows what I love. I guessed I was a talkative to him because I had told him virtually everything about me in one night. Though, I disclosed my past and my accident.

While doing the talking, I wondered when I became such talkative. I figured out it was because I was comfortable with him and being around him was enjoyable.

'Alas, I am enjoying a man's company, I thought to myself daily.

I even forgot I was supposed to go back to New York that day. I couldn't get enough of Mason's silly jokes and tales about the weird Nigerians his father came across when he was in Nigeria.

"Typical Nigerians!" I mused.

'They don't hesitate to exhibit their annoying behavior anywhere they go to, no matter who they meet.' I thought.

Then, I remembered I was a Nigerian too.

'Why do I criticize my own people so much?'

Though I was already an American citizen, but Nigeria was my cradle and origin. But I can't help but be angry at my own father's land. My adoptive mother had given me a clear vision of how they all behave. But something in me told me my notion was wrong.

Mother had called severally while we were in the cinema but I couldn't tell her I won't be able to come again. She wouldn't stop calling and I got angry, switched off my phone, and threw it into my purse.

She was the reason why I left home in the first place. Why then is she so desperate to have me back home. It was unlike mom to plead and say sorry to anyone, even to her late husband. I couldn't dwell much on figuring out the sudden desperation when Mason's answer jerked me back to life.

"It's a surprise."

"Surprise?"

"Yep", he replied without looking at me as we walked to where he parked his Ferrari.

Just then, my stomach growled. He stared at me and I felt embarrassed. " You hungry?"

I pouted. "Yeah, I didn't get to take lunch."

He chuckled. "You look pretty when you pout."

I didn't know what to say. I blushed and look away. When we got to the parking lot, he looked at his wristwatch and said to me, "Hop in so I can cook something for you to eat."

"You want to cook for me?" I asked bewildered. I couldn't hide my amazement.

"Yep."

"Are we going to your house? Why don't we just go to a restaurant to grab something to eat?"

"Just get into the car, Zara."

"I hope you aren't trying to kidnap me", I mumbled to his hearing as I got into the car and he laughed.

Anytime I go out, I always marveled at the city of Boston. Every outing was more like second sightseeing. When Amy took me out for sightseeing, I was in a very bad mood and we couldn't go to some prominent places in Boston as we intended. The City was indeed a beautiful one and I really did not feel like leaving anymore. I was already in love with the place.

'If only Davis was not a pain in the ass, things would have been different, I thought.

'But I needed to be home. My mother and brother want me home.'

Since I was running out of cash, I felt home is the right place to be. But I liked Mason already and I would really love to spend more time with him. I was enjoying his company and I enjoy seeing his cute face.

Mason was humming to Drake's song as he drove and I stared at him.

"Here we are", he said and stopped the car. I looked out and gaped. It was the famous Madison restaurant that is known for its unique way of cooking unique dishes, both locally and internationally.

"Why are we here? I thought you said you want to cook for me?" I demanded.

He smiled and replied. "Yes. That is what I want to do. Let's go in", he took my hand.

"I love this place."

"I know", he uttered in response.

"How do you manage to know so much about me? Did Amy tell you?"

"Nope. You."

My jaws dropped. I must have mentioned it in our earlier conversation", I thought. Madison restaurant was the talk of the city and I've only seen the building on TV, not in reality.

The front door opened automatically and we went in.

"Welcome, sir", two staff greeted Mason with a bow.

"Is this how they respect their customers?" Waw! I would love to work here and own a restaurant like this someday, I said inwardly.

"You can achieve whatever you want to achieve, only if you put your mind to it", Mason said to me. I was dumbfounded. How did he manage to hear my thoughts?

"Did I say my thoughts out loud?"

"Yes, you did."

Two more staff greeted him and I frowned when they walked past me without even sparing me a glance.

"You sit here while I go cook you something", he directed me towards a seat that was close to an inner office.

I laughed. "Cook me something or order me something?"

He smiled. "Just wait and see", he said and disappeared into the inner office.

Mason was nowhere to be found after twenty minutes of waiting. I was tired of sitting all alone there and from the rest of the customers who were all looking at me like I had grown horns.

"Where the hell are you, Mason?" I muttered picking up my phone to call him. My eyes landed on his phone and wallet on the chair opposite mine. I sighed and dropped my phone furiously.

Just then, the door to the office opened and a waitress came out with a tray of varieties. I wanted to stop her so I could ask her to help me drag Mason out when I noticed she was coming toward me.

"Hey", I called to her with a smile. "Can you please help me tell the guy that went in a few minutes ago to come out before I lose my patience?"

She dropped the tray on the table in front of me and with a confused look, she looked back toward the direction of my finger. I was pointing at the door she came out from.

"You mean the boss?" She demanded with a furrowed brow.

"The boss? I mean Mason, the guy I came here with", I was becoming frustrated and embarrassed. Another waitress came out with another tray and walked towards us.

"The boss will join you shortly", the lady said and dropped the tray.

"Mason is the boss?" I asked no one in particular. "What the hell!"