Chapter 30

Olivia was marvelled at all she heard from the discussion she had with her Dad, She thought of warning her friend to be careful, but how she would do that she wouldn't know. Her friend might misunderstood her, she might also tell Nelly as she was madly in love with her and that would mean danger. Her Dad had told her to be careful of Nelly, who knows she would have tod her father the truth, that might have helped. She knew her father very well to tell him such story of taking another woman's husband and so on, that would sound childish. She would have to brave up and gave whatever came out of it squarely. Nelly had worked for her Dad as a spy,  she had gone to Paris on a special assignment but the schedule of the target was changed, she was asked to stay put to learn the city and the language. Hence her need for a job, even though she was being paid. she worked closely with Mira she knew a little bit of the family secrets. According to her Dad, they met in Bulgaria and subsequently the met again in France and that was where they started their work together. Being a beautiful lady, he never knew she wasn't cut out for men. He was being careful with her hence his strategy of bringing Mira to work with her. He later found out details about her, but by then it was already late. She was a workaholic, making sure she delivered on any assignment given her. She was part of her Dads political success. She was everywhere performing one duty or the other. She was recommended to be sacked but somehow her Dad saved her, only to later discover she was a pain in the neck to Mira. He had forced her to resign and made sure was paid all her benefits. Although she wasn't happy, but she knew how dangerous it would be if she has hesitated. What he never told her was the kind of jobs she was doing for him, and the phone wasn't a good avenue to discuss such. She thought of what to do next, and decided to play along with Mike, after all he was already in love with her, and she wouldn't deny that she was playing the girls am-not-cheap game, her love for him was growyby the day and she would love to be his wife. She picked her phone and called Bruno, asked him if he was free to come pick her to somewhere. 

Chase got to office early that day, it was the scheduled day for his trip to France. He had woke up full of life and happy. His pendings had been sorted out, including the young lady he met recently. There wasn't anything to look back at as a delay. He met with his boss and shortly he was sent to the information department where the entire drill for the job was given him. It wasn't much of a difficult one to understand,owing to the fact he was used to it. His advantage in this particular Job was that he speaks french too. His flight tickets and other necessary documents where handed over to him. He was togetvother things he might be needing and everyother help when he arrived France. He took his time to see some of his colleagues. After few minutes, the driver scheduled to take his to the airplane told him he was ready. He handed over his box to him and they moved to the parking lot where the Toyota Hilux Van was parked. He jumped in the front seat and the driver started the journey to the airport. While they moved, he watched the buildings, the trees and other things speedily move behind them, he would miss his city for a while he thought to himself. It had been a long time since he stayed outside Africa for more than a day. This particular assignment seemed open ended in terms of timing. He brought out his diary where he wrote few things. He looked at the name again, Tim Moore. Where would he start looking for him, he thought, it wasn't an easy one he told himself but he trusted his instict that he would deliver at last. His instict had never for one failed him. The airport was 25 minutes from the city. It didn't take much time as the roads were free and the Hilux was new. They arrived the airport and he alighted, the driver helped him with his box and he handed over few clean notes to him in appreciation. The driver thanked him and left. He was left alone, he walked down to the departure hall and took a seat awaiting his flight time. While sitting, he made several calls and finally he called Olivia. They spoke at length and he told her he was already at the airport waiting for boarding time. Olivia wished him a safe trip and had him make promise of keeping in touch always. He promised her and they ended the call. What a wonderful woman he thought to himself, she was the kind of woman he is love to settle down with, but business had made it rather impossible for him to initiate any process of relationship between them. He surfed the internet with his phone while he waited for the departure time. 

At the 3rd floor, in the bar, Lucy was sitted waiting for Mike, the waiter had brought her a bottle of water and the menu to select what she wanted. She told the waiter to leave the menu and go, that she would call her back. She wanted Mike to come out first before requesting for what to take. It wasn't long before Mike came out, dressed in a three piece french suit, blue color. He was looking more handsome than when she saw him at the hospital. She was astonished at his sight. What a gentleman she blushed. He walked majestically to her, took her hand and planted a kiss at the back of her palm before taking his seat. He asked her what she has requested, by then the waiter had approached and answered the question as she feared she had failed by not persuading her enough to make request before he came out. She told Mike Lucy was sitting for him. Mike then urged Lucy to request whatever she thought would be okay for them and for such outing. Lucy did not have a choice than to accept, so she took the menu and requested for both of them. Mike took the drink menu and ordered some bottles. The waiter left, and they looked at each other and smiled. Mike wanted to know why she left the hospital without letting him know, she explained that she came out, saw him with the director, but couldn't wait as they were having a series discussion, moreover, at that point she felt there was no need waiting since they had earlier exchanged their phone numbers. Mike was pleased with the explanation and told her he virtually searched for her everywhere including the toilet. Lucy could not hold herself from laughter as she asked him to repeat the last part of the statement. She was enjoying the conversation with Mike as he made her laugh all through. She was getting more comfortable staying with him, she imagined what the night would be like if he asked her to stay. She wasn't sure he would ask, as nothing in their conversation had tilted toward that. It seemed to her though,that he was cleverly avoiding that. She would wait for him to ask, but if he failed to, she would cleverly push him to that. All she wanted was to make money that night. The waiter brought their order and they ate for a while without talking. Mike then took the bottle of wine and open it. He poured some in her cup and some in his own cup. He asked Lucy to make a toast before they drank. Lucy hesitated a moment asking him to do it. Mike then made a toast to friendship and joy. They drank and continued their conversation. Lucy had expected a more romantic toast, she was surprised that he made a light toast. This man was different she thought, everyother man she had met would toast to their love, togetherness, and other romantic words. She became more curious, how could she have cancelled all other engagements only to have a dinner and go home. She remebered Brains, assuming he was not in the hospital, she wouldn't have been here. Mike looked up at her and noticed her uneasy face, he asked what he problem was, she denied and said  that she was okay. They continued with their food and drink a little while, she then stood up, excused herself and went to the ladies. Mike was left alone, he was contemplating whether to ask her to stay and spend the night or allow her go. He thought of the best way to ask without embarrassing her, he was avoiding anything that will bring attachment, all he needed was the company. He had from his perspective of her assumed her to be a working class lady or a business lady of high repute, 

hence his being careful. He was not able to resist her beauty, if not he wouldn't have called her the first instance. He remembered he was already in love with Olivia, if only she accepted and came with him. Lucy came out and sat down, she intentionally looked at her wrist watch, Mine watching. She repeated it after few minutes, that was when Mike fell for it. He asked her why she was looking at her time when he was expecting she would stay and drove away loneliness for him. Lucy looked at him and shook her head, she told him he never asked for that , he only asked for a dinner outing. Mike quickly responde, that he was asking now. After a few moments of argument, they settled amicably that she would stay. Them Mike ordered for more drinks. Lucy asked Mike what he came to the hospital to do, he replied that a friend of his had an accident and was admitted there, he came to see him as on as he heard he was out of Coma. Lucy was shocked, was he here to see Brains, she asked herself,  this wasn't expected, how would she handle this, if actually he came for Brains and she sleeps with him, then Brains may want to introduce her and... No she told herself she would confirm first then decide how to handle them. She asked him politely, what was his friends name. As soon as Mike mentioned Brains, she spilled the drink she had in her mouth. Mike quickly took a piece of saviet on the table, handed it over to her and said sorry. She took it and wiped her mouth, her hand, and nodded. Mike did not understand why it happened, he had thought probably she has taken in more than enough and got choked. Lucy decided she was not going to be truthful to him on the issues of Brains. She would also avoid anything that would make the three of them see together. She carefully changed the conversation toome other things. She wanted to know his perspective of Paris as a first timer.

Air France Boeing 575 landed safely at the France International airport and Chase alighted, he waited for his luggage then walked to the arrival gate after the authority had checked his papers. As soon as he arrived the gate, a young lady of about 25 years of age dressed in a combat short a shirt and a fez cap, approached him, she quietly showed him her ID card and asked him;

Chase?

Yes he responded. He had seen the ID, buy he needed more confirmation.

Alpha beta ... He said waiting for her to complete the code

Zero six she responded

They smiled and she took his luggage while he followed to a Peugeot 508 sedan, black color neatly parked at the parking lot. She opened the trunk and dropped the box inside. She then asked him to hop in while she went behind the wheel, and off they moved. She drove fr few minutes through the routine checks in the airport and as soon as they hit the main road leading to the city, she asked him about his trip. Chase told her it was good and that he needed was a cool shower and a good rest. The lady laughed and added, ' and a french lady for a good massage' they both laughed. As the driver moved, Chase was intermittently seeping and waking. It wasn't long before they arrived the hotel. The lady parked in front of the hotel, came down, opened the trunk and brought out his luggage. Chase came down too stretched himself, he had wanted to get his luggage when a waiter took it from the lady and they all walked into the reception lobby. The lady spoke to the man on duty and within few minutes, they entered the lift to the 7th floor and at the floor the walked down to room 101. The lady placed the card sensor at the lock, it flashed light twice and the door unlocked. She then turned the handle and it opened. They all went in and he waiter dropped the box, welcomed them and left. Chase went close to the wall near the door and switched on the light. He also pushed the window blinds to the side, opened the window letting cool in. While he was doing that, the lady was on call, she then came to Chase and handed the phone over to him. Chase heard the voice and he knew that was his boss, the voice told him he would be working with the young lady, she would be guiding him in the city, she was to be a can driver, but she was a well trained agent who had the same training he had. She knew the city too well. He welcomed him to France and is told him to have his rest, other instructions would be sent in due course. The call dropped and the young lady formally introduced herself as Alicia. They shook hands and she told him she was in 102 and left. Chase locked the door, the food he ate while on board, was okay for him, he was not hungry, he undressed, went into the bathroom and took his shower. The water was soothing to his body as he felt refreshed. He came out of the bathroom and changed into a lighter wear, lay down on his bed and turned the Television on. He turned to a news channel and lay his head on a pillow watching. It wasn't up to 15 minutes when he slept off.