Chapter 16

"Please I need a favor from you," I said in a reserved voice.

It was with so much restrain that Nicholas did not tease me because his voice was satirical when he murmured beneath his breath,

"You only speak politely when you need a favor huh?" he asked.

I remained silent throwing my head towards the bed staring at nothing in particular.

He added, "Of course, what do you want?"

I started stammering not knowing what to say exactly.

"Ehh! Mhmm..." I scratched my already messy afro hair.

Nicholas's voice was soft, filled with sincerity and assurance when he murmured to me,

"It is alright to be nervous, but be free to talk to me, I can help you in any way possible especially if it is in my ability to do so, spill it out then," he urged.

"Please do you have airtime?" I questioned, then realized it was the most embarrassing thing to ask.

How on Earth can the wealthiest businessman lack a trivial thing like airtime in his mobile phone.

Nicholas did not make fun of me, but I shamelessly rephrased my sentence to suit his stature.

"I am sorry for that question, this is what I mean to ask, like, let me go straight to the point. Please... can I... (stammering) borrow your phone? I want to place a call. Just one call, it wouldn't last up to a minute, please don't say no," I concluded bowing my head shamefully towards the ground.

This man found nothing with this like he acted normally and uttered,

"Sure, it is a normal phenomenon to be in need and demand for help, take (removing his phone from his pocket and handing it to me) you can place as many calls as you wish," he assured.

Accepting it, I gave a small, "Thank you, Sir, sorry Nick," I apologized calling him by his name.

It tasted so awkward to my own tongue and felt strange in my ears.

His phone was an iPhone 9 pro max. It was the first time I was touching one in my entire life.

Despite how humiliating it was, I still conjured the courage to appreciate his phone.

"Your phone looks beautiful," I admired.

"You like it?" he questioned.

"Yes, so much but I can pass for now," I said imagining how expensive the phone might be.

He did not say anything further, rather, he smiled at me probing me to dial the number.

I started dialing the numbers, placing the call after putting the last digit.

I waited for the phone to ring, and when it did I prayed the person at the other end to respond as quickly as possible as it was urgent.

At the end of the second buzz, the receiver at the other end answered. There was noise in the background and I noticed it was a few people from my quarter who were at the junction discussing.

"Allo! Allo! who is it?" the person inquired.

"Mama, it's Megan," I replied.

Mom's voice was filled with many questions, she wanted me to answer all at once.

"Calm down Ma, I will reply to your numerous questions. I had an accident as I was still talking to you. I am in the hospital and might as well spend the night there. It is just a minor scratch (I lied) so it is nothing for you to worry about,"

I noticed that Nicholas was had now regain his position on the chair beside my bed, listening keenly to everything I said. I had stupidly put the phone on loudspeaker making him to hear everything that mom was saying too.

"Jesus, Arrey (Calling me with my first name) are you alright, I knew something was wrong to make you not come home on time. Tell me the hospital, and I will be there, I do not even have money, there were no many customers today," she let out.

I felt pathetic about this and embarrassed by the fact that Nicholas heard that part too. It was no deal now that I was from a poor background and we could not afford money to take care of our daily needs, but letting a third party know was more than humiliating for me.

"Ehmm, Ma please great that little girl for me, so you tomorrow," I said ending the call.

Turning to face at this man who had keenly been listening to my discussion, I handed his phone muttering a grateful "Thank you,"

He did not reply, in fact, that wasn't his interest at all, he tried processing all the information I had just passed out thinking of a better way to spill out what was in his mind.

"Why did you lie?" he asked.

"Is that why you could not accept my Thank you?" I questioned brushing aside his own question.

"Do not fucking play the mind game with me, just answer the question as it is being asked please to avoid any further drama between us in the futu..." I cut in not giving him the chance to complete his sentence.

"Correction, there is no us," I said smirking.

He rephrased his sentence, " Between you and I in the nearest future, so answer my question, Why did you lie to your mom,"

I was now blocked, there was no way I could stay away than answer his query.

Staring at him with a cold glare I whispered daringly,

"Because I did not speak the truth,"

A simple glare from Nicholas made me speak the truth before I could even know it, I just had to talk fast with immediate effect.

"I am sorry but I couldn't possibly tell mom that I have a split knee, this will make her panic and rush here with full force to know what the matter is. I do not want her to see me in this mood so I better save her the details," I explained.

"That does not still change the fact that you lied," he judged.

"I know, but please do not judge me, that is the least I am ready or willing to hear now. One lie is enough, I don't wish to explain myself any further.

He nodded his head accepting my response. I sighed resting my head on the pillow-less bed waiting for another question to file in. When it didn't, I closed my eyes waiting for sleep to consume me.