CHAPTER 4 THE DATE

Arrgh! thank Creator! its another day , Anabel said as she woke up and stretch her body, she stood up to her window adjust her curtain she stretches again its another day I pray today works good for me, she then went straight to the kitchen to prepare herself fried rice with bacon .

Anabel to her wardrobe selecting her best match of clothes, she took a long high waist blue skirt and a white short top, she combed her long her backward and took a black high heel shoe she then pray her perfume all around her body, holding a white bag with the food she packaged.

She got to her car, good morning ma Jamal said with exaggeration, how you doing Jamal she said and entered her car still holding the door of the car Jamal write out your account number I make a little amount to take care of wife and baby she said as he handed him a short paper with pen, with so much joy Jamal wrote it and thanks her uncontrollable, she shut her door and drove off.

Anabel got to the office she came down with tiredness the normal Lagos traffic at it again. Welcome madam the gateman greeted her Anabel answered with a low tired voice as she walks to the office.

Miss Anabel good day ma you look ravishing today Allyssa the secretary said with smile, thanks so much Allyssa, you look beautiful dear, thanks ma she replied, Allyssa has the vice president arrive? not yet ma, okay am sure it's the Monday traffic that would have hook him up, ok dear thanks she said and walked up stair. Allyssa staring at her dress with amusement.

Hey! Allyssa,! oh Helen how you doing,? am goods dear Allyssa it's another great Monday dear , yes dear welcome back to office, Helen miss Anabel looks so adorable today, really you and I know that she always dress so good , Allyssa please you would cover up for me today I have an appointment with someone ,Helen who again this time , Monday who will be so less busy that you and the person wants to have appointment with, ok let me go straight it's a Monday date with a cool rich man so I don't want to disappoint him so I have to go with him, hmm I will cover up for you but terms and conditions applied, Allyssa what again what are we friend for come on and besides I saw Miss Anabel coming down from her car that woman always dress so attractive and am sure it's because of the vice she is always dressing like that .

Helen!!! you are so forward what is all this rubbish you just said isn't she an Economist do you expect her to dress in a bad way watch your tongue, look at this Allyssa so you are just an adult you don't know what some woman are capable of doing , she is not married and so she would want the MD to get her pregnant and take her has his wife you and I know she is the closet person with him. what a shame on you Helen now take a look at yourself are you married nor even engaged isn't it someone boyfriend you are going to meet, you better watch your mouth no job if you like say this to her PA you would get sacked straight up. well please don't forget to cover up for me she said and went up stair Helen putting on white long gown with flat black shoe. she is just fat for nothing sake Allyssa said and hissed.

Aloud knock at Anabel office, come in she replied. soon the MD entered, Harrison followed him holding his bag. good day sir Allyssa greeted with her normal usually smile, thanks is Anabel at the office he asked with interest, yes sir not quite long she entered sir, ok dear the vice went up stair as Harrison followed him. the MD collected his bag as he got to Anabel office, thanks Harrison you can leave, ok sir Harrison said as he bows to him, MD knocked at her door, Anabel replied and the boss went it.

Oh, MD good morning, sir, Anabel stood up from her seat, how you doing Anabel am good sir she said as she adjusted the chair for him to sit. Anabel hurriedly do her task. soon she called her PA to come park the file to the Vice, Susan who is so fair in complexion wearing wine long gown. Good day mam, My dear thanks he sat down and adjusted his tight tie, so how was today traffic sir Anabel said as she also settle down, oh God!! that a very bad experience Anabel today is not a good journey the traffic is so terrible today I keep wondering what the officials are doing about that, and they keep saying they are trying their best every news headlines, yet I can't even figure out their very best at all. well, we are used to it dear. Yes sir, all is going to be well.

wait a minute Anabel am seeing something different in you , what that sir she asked with anxious, your dressing today it's a kind of weird , weird!!! how sir Anabel asked as she put all her eyeball on him, Come on Anabel what am trying to say is that your dressing is showing a new information about you and am sorry for using that word for you, no problem sir actually I am just feeling like dressing like that , I dress more than this sir to work, I know but you actually don't like wearing a heel that is so high like this dear, this heel is high, oh! hum I just decided to start this today. Anabel tells me are you going out to see someone special today, you should know I know you too well our friendship is not of 5 years so tell me your secrets are save. boss secret, LOL not at all I actually I am going out just for myself and nobody else. Come on woman don't just go alone for any think refreshment. well if that so what time are u planning to leave the office? immediately am done signing this contract sir.

Ok dear, he stood up Anabel stood up to carry his back to his office, thanks Anabel continue you work I take my bag to my office and enjoy yourself, he said and leave. I still don't get why MD thinks am going out, she said as she sat down, her phone rings , hello she said, good morning damsel this is Fedrick oh good day sir, how you doing dear?, am good sir I beg your pardon I would want us to see today I want to have a brief discussion . hope you don't have a lot on table today. I have but not really and besides sir today is Monday I guess you should be also busy, yeah true but not really busy as you are also not really busy he chuckles, and tomorrow is not promise I would be so busy tomorrow please sacrifice today for me , ok I try but before I could be done that will be in the afternoon sir, I am okay with that when you are done let me know. ok I will. ok thanks he hanged. Anabel checked her wrist watch at her right hand, oh my! its almost afternoon, time wait for nobody. please these file take it to the MD I am leaving I have an important place to go , ok mam she said as she parked the files and head to the MD. Anabel carry her bag and off to last floor.

As she heads to the last floor, Allyssa coming from the guest room calling her Attention.

Ma someone came to deliver a gift for you ma, and who that person is Allyssa, he didn't tell me though the delivery guy said its from a special person from him to you ma, Anabel was lost for some minutes, ok dear thanks she collected the rose of flowers from her, she got to her car she was still trying to imagine who could that be. As she was about to drive a private number called her, she then picked up. Hello damsel, hope the rose has been delivered successful to you? , please who exactly are you and how come you get my number? Anabel said with a little tone of harsh voice.

Damsel easy when times come I let you know who I am, continue to be the strong woman I know, first you sent me box of jewelries and now you send roses, if you send anything again I promise you I wont accept it I can't be collecting from a ghost, Damsel I am not a ghost you are just being eager to know who the Anonymous person is when time comes you know dear don't take it personal, see I cant accept this anymore. she hanged up the call then she drove off. soon she got home. Jamal closed the gate and ran to her, thank you ma he said it repeatedly , its okay ! Jamal! enough of your thanks, Anabel said as she went to her apartment. she threw her bag on the bed and slept off. A cramp on her feet woke her up, she took her wrist watch to check the time , what! time is fast spent she didn't want to believe it, how come she exclaimed . I have only just close my eye, just as she was about to go off from the bed her phone rang.

Anabel slightly startled to pick it up. "hello she said still feeling befuddled with sleep. I hope you are ready" oh Fedrick yes I am ready she said yawning , were you sleeping he asked with interest, yes I was she replied trying to sound normal , that nice I would like to see you just that the way you are. well in that case I rather stay then you come to my house to see me . And would you still look gorgeous the way you are, excuse you my beauty is not artificial she said yawning. ok its fine don't mind me I was just trying to pull your legs well I am outside your house dear, oh really she said as she jumped out from her bed I will soon join you she said as he hang. Anabel went to her long mirror checking if her hair isn't rough and checking if she is not overdress .

She got to the last floor she call unto Jamal, please Jamal am leaving am not expecting any gift nor any person , ok ma he replied bowing his head. Fedrick car was parked at the gate it was a white range rover with tined black glass. Anabel entered the car, hope I didn't keep you waiting sir?, no you didn't he answered with an easy smile as he steered the vehicle with ease. Anabel felt as if she was cocooned inside a luxurious room. I do hope you like sea food , hmmm it depends sir, Anabel I beg your pardon am Fedrick not sir this is not work, oh am sorry . Apology accepted he said smiling . well this particular restaurant we are going is a Ghanaian restaurant , it's the best in fact I happen to know the chap who owes the place, Really Anabel added, yeah he was my course mate we both studied abroad oxford university . wow! that great how about you, I mean where do you study that made you a great economist.

Anabel gave a ease smile I study at university of Michigan state university , that great dear. They stooped at a traffic light , Fedrick turned to take a look at Anabel saying, you look so beautiful, Anabel replied with a shy smile thanks you are also looking good too. Fedrick was about to lean on her, oh no Fedrick this cant happen we are both workers and I don't like romantic in work, but come on Anabel you are an adult stop this child play, Fedrick I honestly don't pay for that. Anabel you are a damsel in distress , an amazing woman he insisted and smartly leaned over to surprise her with a light kiss. Anabel was ashamed she couldn't get off her eye from him. Fedrick you kiss me she said with a lovely low voice. Anabel is that a crime why acting novice is this your first kissing. She was short of word Anabel kept staring at the road as if something good would come out of it. Soon they got to the restaurant , here we are he said as he deftly turned the car into the driveway of a restaurant. Anabel was so amazed with the adorable message the restaurant gives out, it was so beautiful the entrance said it all.

The moment they both entered the restaurant someone showed up from the other side . Welcome Fedrick , this man actually looks like the chap of the restaurant Anabel guessing , "how do you do madame" he asked in a good America English , Anabel was slightly taken aback she expected him to sound as Ghanian as he looked. I am very good she replied as she proffered her hand toward s him to shake his. It such a great pleasure to see new face visit our restaurant And a most pleasant one too. Fedrick its been couples of days and besides where have you been hiding such a remarkably elegant woman he said as he playful hit him on his chest. Anabel was lot for a while, as he lead them to the table. How is business and family Johnson , Fedrick asked as he settled in his chair.

Well, firstly I thank God for the gift of life and now the month is coming to an end , we are all fine thanks Fedrick, Anabel busy staring at their conversation. Keep it up Gideon I will , ok friend we talk later and have a pleasant evening Madame he said as he left. Apparently, a waiter came forward with the menu list and wine list . Anabel asked Fedrick to do the ordering, look at you are you still shy to order for the both of us Fedrick smile, well if u insist. its good Anabel you have got a thrust in me he said with a smile as he picked one of the booklet and conferred with the waiter. Soon someone came with a ice cold lemonade and a hot white towels in a fanciful copper bucket, they both wipe their hand with the towel .

As Anabel was about to take the class cup of lemonade, Fedrick pick up her hand which was the nearest to him and he began to study it with passion. Anabel do you know that hands tell so much about people especially woman, Fedrick what do u mean so what are mine telling you, well isn't yet clear to me I tell you later, well if you say so . Soon the waiter arrived served hot chicken soup with bowls of mushroom soup, Anabel was so glad the waiter interrupt them. Anabel interest was in the food she was so happy its been so long she has tasted mushroom soup, Fedrick watched her with amusement, he simply threw back his head in laughter and reveal a set of strong teeth as he did so. Anabel you look more beautiful staring at the dish, Fedrick please table manners, no table manners in restaurant dear, again they were both interrupted by the waiter who set down the main dish on the rotating dais in front of them .

The food consisted of chicken pot pie, spaghetti with meat balls, burger sliders, salads, bowls of snails and shrimp, finally the waiter appeared with a beautifully garnished red snapper which has been well spiced, the entire place looks like a food magazine. Fedrick how much are you spending on this , this is lot more. Anabel you don't need that eat and have fun dear, Fredrick took her plate serving some food on it. Anabel eat and enjoy herself she couldn't believe she could consume a lot in one night. so, Anabel be realistic are you single or about to get married? Fedrick are you testing me or what if am not single I wont have time to stay with you late this night she said with a little harsh voice , well as a matter of fact am single and not searching. Wow! single and not searching that obvious , and Fedrick please respect is reciprocal do you know you cheated on your finance by kissing my lip aren't you ashamed?, ashamed kissing a damsel or ashamed not being able to kiss you well or what Anabel , stop acting novice you should be able when last have you been treated this way, Fedrick you better watch your mouth she said with a anger showing all over her face, come on dear you said you are single, ok if that sound rude am so sorry. Apology accepted she replied. So would you like to go watch movie tonight he asked as he set down his napkin after using it, no thanks I ought to call it another day ,he took her hand and start staring it , he planted a soft kiss in the middle of her palm and release it. Fedrick signal the waiter to bring the bill, the guy came rushing down with it as he wrote out a cheque for it. the guy thanks him effusively. he assisted her out from the chair, the drive was smooth for Anabel the warm night blew in as they drove along. soon they arrived at her house, Fedrick I really appreciate for today thanks for this amazing outing she said with a soft smile as she bid him good night. The pleasure was mine Anabel he responded softly he leaned over and carefully kiss her on her forehead. Good night she repeated as she prepare to leave the car, good night damsel and sweet dreams as he reached across to open the door for her. please don't speed she cautioned him as he prepare to drove off. Anabel stood there watching as he drove into the night.