Chapter05:Good Friends or Nothing

Yes my eyes is definitely clear because I don't even drink. It's mr cute smile! So my birthday party is the same party he turned down my invitation for? Interesting!

But Zara told me a different name from Mark—which I can't even remember. What's going on?

I waited for Zara to walk them over to the vacant seats left for them before I stood up for a proper welcoming.

"Hi. You must be Dave!" I said with a smile on my face as I stretched out my hand to shake him.

It pretty much easy to know he is Zara's mystery man as she has been all over him with pecks and kisses since he walked in.

"Yes I am. And you must be Ara." He said with a much wider smile.

Only Zara calls me Ara—from Biara.

"So it's my birthday party you were coming to." I said as I moved to greet Mark.

"I was surprised too." He said as he stood up to give me a hug.

"You two know each other?." Zara and her man asked almost together with a startled face.

"Yes." I replied.

"We work at the same bank." Mark replied too.

But how come neither I nor him has an idea of us meeting today?

"You told me his name was…." I turned to Zara for confirmation.

"Jomiloju." Dave responded.

There is no way I would have known he is Dave's friend because I have never heard anyone call him jomiloju at work.

Now I know why Zara has been stuck on Dave. He is elegant in style and approach, he seems like a person who wears respect on his sleeves. He just got off a list of my turn off and red flag in Lagos men—Lagos men are irritably proud!

And there is Mark on the other hand In so much awesomeness in appearance and class, neat, smells nice, tall, dark and a little bit introverted with a killing cute smile!

I never would have thought Mark will be this free talking to me—most of our conversation has been formal.

The party is almost over and I sure had a lot of fun—from the games, to the video clips from my close friends played for me to watch which left me emotional for almost an hour. The dance time too was awesome talk more of the food which almost made me bite my tongue. Everyone came with their A-vibes and I must say we all had a very nice time.

I feel so loved and happy! I feel safe knowing my fun life doesn't have to stop because I'm aging!

We had to end the party quite early around 7:30pm for the sake of peeps that has early hour job to resume to tomorrow which is Monday.

I enjoyed every of the conversation I had with Mark—I must say he is really intelligent and has a great sense of humor. I'm starting to like him properly—if there is a thing like that. Hahaha.

Party is over and everyone has gone back to their respective residence. I feel so whole and refreshed. I feel like I have gotten every needed nutrient to explore every bit of fun I dream of.

A new work week is here and I must say I feel different—no unnecessary reluctancies of going to work.

"This is 25! Enjoy baby!" I said to myself as I was preparing for work.

Zara is leaving the next day and I'm honestly missing her already. She has added every bit of color I needed in these past two weeks. I'm more than blessed to have a friend like Zara.

I walked into bank to meet the eye of mr cute smile who looks like a groom patiently waiting on the bride. He smiled immediately he saw me.

"Good morning beautiful." He greeted teasingly.

Okayyyyyy what am I missing with this greeting.

"Good morning Handsome." I answered with a wide grin on my face which is almost obvious as a blush.

I would have love to tell him a thank you for attending my birthday yesterday, but on a second thought it wasn't on my invitation—I'm just going to skip that part of the pleasantries for now.

"I would have called to ask if you got in early yesterday night , but I don't have your contact." I said to him.

"Same here honestly. Of a fact, I was close to calling Dave to help me get it from Zara but I just decided to chill so I can get it myself today."

"You can have it now then." I said as i stretched my hand out to collect his phone.

"Okay. Thank youuuuu." He said almost in a seductive tone.

It better not be my ear playing odds against me. I never knew Mark could be this interesting in conversation—I guess that says a lot about him understanding boundaries then. He seem like the type who isn't too forward which is actually a good one if you ask me.

We exchanged contact and went about our respective duties for the day.Mark is a senior colleague who has been working in the bank for about two years before I joined, this year makes it his third year working in the bank.

The day almost went without any stress until a customer showed up to make a complaint about how a certain amount of money was withdrawn from his account without his knowledge—apparently he misplaced his debit card and all these fraudulent people had their hands on it before he could block it. I feel for him. No one deserves to go through all of that especially not in this economy. It's so sad.

Mark had signaled to me earlier to wait for him before I stood up from my desk. So I'm just going to wait for him by the parking-lot

"I thought you left already." He said while walking up to me.

" I thought you signaled for me to wait." I answered.

Or was it a misinterpretation on my part?

"Oh yeah. I didn't know you got that." He replied.

" I did. So what's up."

" which way are you going maybe I could just drop you off while we talk in the car."

"Surulere. Is your place that way?" I asked.

"Wawu! I stay in surulere too." He replied.

This must be really nice.

"Get in then so I can just drop you somewhere close to your estate, if that's fine by you."

"Alright it's fine. Thank you."

"My pleasure." He replied smiling.

I feel more relaxed talking to him than I use to be before he attended my birthday party.

"So I was thinking if we can go see a movie together this coming weekend, after which we can go for brunch." He said stealing some glances at me while driving.

"Oh really." I said while giving it a thought in my head.

"I'm sorry if I sound too forward, I was just hoping we can get to know each other more outside work." He said in an apology tone.

I understand he is trying to be careful so he doesn't push the limit which is a good one—can Mark ever do any wrong in my eye? He really has some admirable traits.

"It's fine. So which of the cinema are we going to?" I asked.

"We can decide that over the phone or what do think?"

"Alright it's fine then." I replied.

We are close to the junction that leads to my estate.

"You are turning to the right." I told him while pointing in the direction he is to take a turn.

"Okay."

" it's okay right here." I said as I signaled to him to park.

He stopped.

"Are we at your place?" He asked inquisitively.

"No. I mean it's just few minutes trek from here. That's my estate gate right there. I said as I pointed to the gate.

"I can just drive in then." He said as he was about to start the car.

"No it's okay. I will just trek in instead, I really appreciate your kind gesture. I said as I reach for the door handle to get down.

"Okay then."

"We will catch up later on the phone." I said as I waved at him.

I watched him drive off before I headed home.

I met Zara packing her stuffs when I got home. I'm sure going to miss her.

Her flight to Abuja is for 11am the next day which means we will be leaving the house same time tomorrow so she can get to the airport early—it's better to be very early than to miss a flight. It's important she be in Abuja before Wednesday.

I showered and retired to bed early so I can reply pending messages since morning and days before. I'm even yet to reply to many birthday wishes.

I need to wake up earlier than usual the following day so I can make breakfast for myself and Zara before we set out—Zara has been making us breakfast since she got here. Did you just say I'm going to miss her? Yes you're right.

•Kindly leave a comment and a review after reading to encourage my writing. Thank you! I look forward to your comments.•