Chapter Seven

Morning had already arrived. When Joe entered the room while Bianca was still asleep, he smiled just at the sight of her lying on the bed. He then approached her and knelt down next to her bed. He was completely unsure of what to do; whether to gently wake her up or to gently tap her from her sleep, confusion over what to do set in. His wristwatch indicated that it was already fifteen minutes past six. He then gave her another glance before softly and rhythmically whispering her name. After opening her eyes for the first time, Bianca quickly closed them, probably due to the light that rushed into her iris. She then opened her eyes once more and grinned at Joe.

"Good morning, JK," she uttered.

"Good morning, dear, how was your night?" Joe inquired, saying every word in a whisper.

Joe was tightly hugged by Bianca as she sat on the bed next to him. Joe took the chance to kiss her on the forehead and cheeks.

"What will you love to eat?" Joe inquired, pulling out of the embrace.

"JK, this is too early, I am not hungry, I eat around 12 or 1. That's the time I eat." Bianca said.

"That is what we call a difficult life but you are out of it," Joe responded.

"I can't eat around 9 or 10, even in the morning. I am not used to that." Bianca insisted.

"No problem, what would you love to eat this morning…. No, I mean in the afternoon," correcting himself.

"Just cook noodles, I will be satisfied with that," Bianca responded.

"That is not food, choose a complete food. I have everything in abundance, nothing is lacking here or have I not shown you some?"

"You did, but all the same, cook pasta with stew. I think that is not much."

"Hmm" Joe chortled, and left for the door. "I think today is the first full day. As you get along, you will understand me."

Joe shut the door without saying anything further. Bianca was astounded by his behaviour and wondered if he had become enraged. What did I say or do that made him so upset with me? What harm have I done? Just passing the night here before a quick response the following morning. I found this strange. Her heart started palpitating heavily right away. She got out of bed and sprinted down the hallway.

"What happened?" a voice asked.

Bianca looked back and sighted Lucky, who came out of the kitchen.

"Where is JK?" she asked.

"I don't know exactly where he is, he came here some minutes ago," Lucky answered.

"Okay," she responded.

"Did he tell you anything?" Bianca inquired in a low tone.

"What will we eat for breakfast?" Lucky replied.

Bianca nodded, signalling she had heard what he said and dashed to the sitting room. The door was closed; her father had always told her whenever a door is closed, knock, do not open until you are given full permission to, ―the voice of her father came back very clear. She took the instruction. Her first knock on the door was with no response, until the second, she heard a voice ushering her to come in.

While Joe was preoccupied with punching his phone and completely unaware of who was entering, Bianca slowly made her way over to him and knelt down in front of him. When Joe first saw her, he was astounded by her hand gestures. After setting his phone down next to him, he stood up while still holding her hands.

"What happened?" Joe inquired.

"I am sorry for what I said, I didn't know it got you pissed off."

"Oh," Joe remembered, "Your response regarded me as a poor person. I know, because of your naïve nature of where you are coming from, but please don't say such again."

"I will never," Bianca responded.

"Good," Joe replied, "Please stand up, do you still remember that we are going for a SIM?"

"I do," Bianca responded, standing to her feet.

"Go and have a clean up, since you said that you won't eat in the morning, I will probably wait until afternoon. When you are done with eating, then we will go or would you love it the other way around?"

"I think so, preferably in the morning where everywhere is a bit quiet."

"Your wish is my command," said Joe. "Would you love sleeping now? At eight, I will wake you up to clean up or would you do the clean up now, then after, you watch a movie, in the living room, during your leisure time, before we set off."

"The second option is the best," responded Bianca.

Bianca quickly left the living room. She did a backwards close on the door. After some while, a knock was heard, Joe who sat on the sofa with his first left finger in his mouth and a smile on his face directed in no particular direction ordered the person to come in.

"Come in," Joe ordered.

Lucky came in with his head bowed down to the ground, "JK, the 30 crates of eggs are almost finished; the only five which remained will be used this morning."

"No problem," Joe said, "I would have given you money to get 50 crates but I am going out so I will do the shopping. I think that would be all?"

"Yes sir," Lucky nodded, "But JK, I don't know the name of the new girl, in case there is a sudden need for me to call her."

"OK," Joe said in a rather sarcastic manner, "I don't think there will be a sudden need, but in that case, her name is Bianca."

"Oh, Bi-bi," Lucky said.

"I said Bianca, not Bi-bi," Joe reiterated.

"I love calling her Bi-bi, she is more beautiful than that one,"

"You want to snatch her?" Joe observed, with a smirk on his face.

"Under authority? Never, who am I?"

"I never knew you had sense before until now, congrats," stretching his hand for a handshake.

"I always have."

"I thought you were a nut cracker."

"That is when an invisible hand touches my brain, the bolt screwed tight to my brain gets loose."

"You know."

"Of course."

"Alright, then" Joe said, looking up at his wristwatch, "Call John, I want to speak to him."

"OK."

When Joe's phone beeped shortly after Lucky left, it appeared to be a call, but it was actually a message. It had been almost two months since he had been called to the bar, so he was curious to see if he might have a client. He took out his phone and tapped the message alert.

Barrister David's message:

"In two weeks, a case would be heard. I had to refer the client to you because the case is too technical for me to handle on my own.

The case involves a suspect who appears to have impregnated a girl, 16, but the girl passed away during the pregnancy. Her parents were therefore unaware of the incident and the suspect. But they were anxious and curious to find out who it was. They broke into her phone and discovered their most recent conversation, in which the client—who is now a suspect in court—invited the girl to visit. After extensive tracking, the criminal case was being thoroughly investigated as the suspect was apprehended and brought before the court. Samuel Kenneth, the client, was charged with rape, murder, and child abuse while being aware that the victim was under the age of 18. I want you, Barrister Joe, to enter the matter knowing you have gained a lot of experience from your flawless father who comes to the court and everyone knows he is going to win, and from your victories you have garnered over the years. There are many videos and chats the prosecution counsel is holding up as exhibits, and I am fully aware of them. I also know their attorney very well, and I know how difficult it is to win against him. It has shown in different technical cases he has dived into, which are harder than this beginning with the moment you were called to the bar. The judge might feel terrified just by your presence there.

A lodging apartment has been arranged for you over there and the time for the hearing is at 10.a.m. in the morning on Godden Avenue in Delta state. Expecting you as soon as possible."

Joe couldn't believe what his eyes saw. Though he was a long-time course mate back then in school, how was he able to get this number? It was a code Joe couldn't decipher. He tried not to be overwhelmed by the name and how his number got to him. He focused on the main story. He knew that cases relating to child abuse were harder and more technical than the other cases. That was the main reason why most defense attorneys run away from it; however, it attracted higher pay. Where was he going to start, since it was the suspect who invited the girl over to his house, which was a harder task to get over.

There was a knock on the door, but before he could say a word, John had opened the door.

John was well-muscled and had a powerfully built physique. He had a dark complexion and an eagle's dilating eye that was ready to attack its prey. He was stronger than Joe, to be honest. Nevertheless, he accorded Joe the full respect and regard that he deserved.

Because of his muscled body, he didn't grow tall as nature expected of him; he was neither tall nor short but at an average height.

"Sir, I heard my attention is needed." John said.

"Your mouth is heavy to greet, right?" Joe observed.

"I'm very sorry sir," John apologized, "Good morning sir, how was your night?"

"Great," Joe responded, "You know the car I got out in on Wednesday?"

"Yes sir," he confirmed.

"All I want you to do is, get to the car park and wash the car. After that, you steam the engine of the car, but don't wash the interior parts. You got me, right?"

"I do, sir," he replied.

"Before ten, it must have dried up because I will be going out today exactly by 11:30."

"No problem sir," John said, moving away from the sitting room.

Bianca had finished cleaning up, had taken a bath, and was fully dressed in a blue gown as the clock continued to tick away towards the morning's dawn. Her lips returned to their original pink colour, and her face was radiant like the sun. She looked prettier than the first day when Joe met her. Although her hair being trimmed, it didn't take away her beauty. In fact, she was a mermaid in human form. Who would have thought she would be very pretty like this for the rest of her life?

She moved to where Joe was seated in the living room. The entrance was locked. She rang the doorbell. She was told to enter.

Joe this time turned to face the visitor. To make sure it wasn't his imagination, he double-blinked his eyes.

"You look beautiful and charming in this dress," Joe admired.

"I am the one who is meant to appreciate you, for what you have done."

"A little have I done and yet you are appreciating me."

Bianca broke into tears.

"Stop crying …. Dear," Joe pleaded.

"Thank you, JK" she said in a hoarse voice.

"Does everything fit you," Joe inquired.

"Nicely," Bianca stopped crying, cleaning her tears with the back of her hand.

"Both your underwear?"

"Yes."

"Before we sit down to watch a movie, let's take a photo, can we?"

"Of course."

Joe went to the door, calling Lucky to come over to the sitting room, which Lucky obeyed in seconds.

"OK."

Joe gave his phone to him. Lucky rejected it at first and took out his phone, turning it on.

"Something is wrong with you, right?" Joe asked, getting angry instantly.

"JK, take it gently. Once he is done with his phone, he will use your phone," Bianca said, stepping into the conversation.

"What the nonsense? I gave him my phone and he threw his hand away, rejecting it. I would have taught you a little lesson if not for her."

"That is why I love Bi-bi. She will not allow that to happen."

Bianca looked at Joe. 'Who gave him this name he is calling me'. That was the interpretation of her look. Immediately, they both smiled at each other.

"Why are you guys looking at each other that way," Lucky observed, interrupting the silence that had taken over the place.

"Will you keep shut and take the picture," Joe commanded.

Lucky didn't reply back. He took his phone and punched the camera app. Bianca and Joe settled in for the posture they would take. The first posture saw Joe spreading his hand around her waist. Lucky snapped the posture. The second one was almost a fight on how and where they will take the next photo, Bianca's decision came out on top. Her decision was that she and Joe should sit close to each other on the long couch, staring at each other's faces. The third, which was the last picture they took, Bianca and Joe sat down on the dining table, opposite each other, pretending to be talking and laughing. Lucky showed them both the picture after completing it by bringing the phone closer to them. It was fantastic. All of them laughed just at the sight of the third one.

"Send it to my phone," was the response of Joe to Lucky.

Lucky collected Joe's phone from him and asked Joe to unlock the phone.

"Is your phone fully charged, Bianca?" Joe asked, unlocking his phone.

"I think so," Bianca responded.

"Lucky after that, go to her room and take the phone which is charging and transfer it to her phone."

Lucky collected Joe's phone from him and asked Joe to unlock the phone.

"Alright," Lucky responded, sitting on one of the chairs.

Joe and Bianca sat down on the couch and Joe picked up the remote control from the stool next to it. Joe's hand stumbled on the number 182, and the TV showed the Nat Geo Wild channel. Joe became agitated and was about to change it when Bianca intervened because she was entranced by the two animals engaged in a fierce struggle for a prey. After two minutes, she was able to identify the prey. Joe was there to support the female zebra. The animals who fought for the possession of the prey were a hyena and lion in Bianca's opinion, Joe was in support of the lion, but not in terms with Bianca that the other animal was a hyena.

"This is a fox or a wild dog," Joe argued.

"Take a look at the skin very well, this is a hyena," Bianca said.

"It can't," Joe interdicted, "Watch it very well… dear."

"Joe…no I mean JK, see, listen very well to the cry when the lion is attacking it, that is a human laugh."

"Are you really sure of what you are saying, this is a fox, their cry is almost human in nature?"

"I'm not sure about a fox… but I know very well that it is a hyena," Bianca argued.

"Lucky, which animal is this?" Bianca asked.

Lucky was engrossed in transferring the photos.

"Which one?" Lucky inquired, raising his head and looking at the TV.

Joe kept quiet, waiting for Lucky's response.

"I don't know, it looks like a wild dog," Lucky doubted, "But I would stick with Bi-bi. JK, she is correct… stop the argument."

After Lucky's response, Joe looked at him sternly with all the interpretation that he would have sent him away from the living room, probably, to the sea, never to come back again on earth. Joe noticed his temperament was getting the better of him. He quickly controlled it and smiled. He asked for his phone. Lucky handed it over to him.

"You know what? To save time, let's browse for it."

"Best response, I pray Bi-bi wins this argument," Lucky said, "This is not a court, where you appear invincible and flawless, but outside, Bi-bi will defeat you."

"Keep shut," Joe ordered.

On his phone, Joe switched on his data connection and punched the Google app. He paused a little, trying to find out the perfect word or question that would properly set in as the answer to the argument. Lucky noticed he was short of ideas.

"Just search for pictures of both animals and compare them with the one on the screen on the TV," Lucky said.

"I said, shut up," Joe reiterated, "Or you will walk out of here."

With the way Bianca was staring at Joe, she must have been wondering a lot about his character. if he has a short fuse and doesn't like people who disagree with him. Joe grinned as he turned to face Bianca.

"I am not hot tempered. If I was, Lucky's mouth would have gone." Joe said, reading through her mind.

"Bi-bi, don't get scared, I am joking with him, we all understand ourselves in the house to the extreme. One thing about JK is that he is always friendly…so looking that way doesn't mean you should be ready to collect some nagging words or beating, he is going to protect you like gold. Trust me for that. I love him."

"Hey… I don't look like a gay. Do I?" Joe asked.

"Somehow," Lucky replied.

"I think it is high time you stopped all this nonsense, Lucky."

"I will."

"Good of you."

"Let's see who wins the argument in 5 4 3 2 1." Joe said.

The pictures of a fox came up. Joe quickly gazed at the animal on the screen of the TV and saw.... that there was no match at all. He beckoned Bianca to come nearer to have a sight of the picture on the screen of his phone. Bianca wanted to talk but kept quiet. You must be sure of what you want to say before you talk, ―This was the advice from her late father.

"I told you that it wasn't a fox," Bianca responded.

"Let's check for hyenas. That is what you are in support of, right?"

"Yes," Bianca said, with all assurance.

Joe quickly entered his information, hit the search button, and a picture appeared instantaneously. Bianca was already suffering a great deal. She didn't believe it, even though a part of her mind told her she would win. She forcibly forced herself to look away and continue watching the on-screen altercation.

"Wow!" Joe exclaimed, "You won."

The sudden ticks of palpitation subsided as she heard the final sentence. She inhaled and exhaled, getting rid of all signs of stress from her body.

"JK, always listen to my advice," Lucky jumped for joy, "This is not my 'learned colleague,' the word you used to say to smash the ideas brought in by your opponent."

"Calm your nerves down," Bianca voiced.

"I don't think I understand that word, Bi-bi," he replied, "in fact, I have to give you a hug."

Lucky did not pause to think. He approached her and gave her an embrace.

In an effort to avoid upsetting Joe, Bianca made a clandestine effort to free herself. Joe, on the other hand, readjusted his sitting position properly and remained silent. Watching the vicious battle between the lion and the hyena, he fixed his gaze on the television. Although he lost and Lucky reacted suddenly, his manner was of a higher calibre. It was impossible to tell if he was upset, delighted, or bitter that Lucky had embraced Bianca, or if he was totally absorbed in watching the fight.

If not for anything, Joe could be described as a highly diplomatic individual; he likely learned it while attending college or received it from his father. Actually, nobody could tell.

His tactfulness alarmed Bianca a little, and his silence suggested a lot to her.

"JK, you are just quiet," Bianca broke out.

"This fight is brutal, I just want to see who wins," Joe responded.

Lucky left the living room, most likely to send the pictures to Bianca's new phone.

Bianca watched the brawl in her wake. Joe was shocked to see that the lion, who was supposed to be the king of the jungle, was still attempting to kill a common hyena. The lion attacked the advancing hyena after leaving his hunt or prey alone. The hyena swayed a little and his mouth let out a small cry. When it recovered its strength, it jumped onto the lion's back and dragged his claws across it. The zebra attempted to take advantage of the opportunity to flee when it realised they were attacking one another, but the hyena pursued and hunted it down. The hyena deftly avoided the injured Lion's paws striking its neck while the injured Lion roared, severing the zebra's hind leg in the process. The lion and the hyena were both seriously hurt during the fight, which lasted up to forty minutes. The lion's injuries got worse when the hyena used its teeth to drag out a portion of the lion's neck, leaving a large hole on the lion's body. Even though it knew it was going to die, the lion never gave up. As it continued running, a tree in which a branch had been broken off, likely by a monkey, leaving a large, sharp edge, became stuck to the open part of the lion's neck. The lion attempted to remove the body but failed, and in the process, the lion died. The injured hyena staggered to the zebra that laid down lifelessly and devoured it.

"It is all yours, take it," Bianca muffled, feeling for the lifeless zebra.

Joe looked at his wristwatch and, surprisingly, the time he set for them to leave for the registration of sim had passed by thirty minutes. He stood up and beckoned Bianca, indicating the time was up for watching the movie. Bianca stood up, still watching how the hyena devoured the zebra.

"Lucky, bring Bianca's phone," Joe voiced out.

"OK sir," Lucky responded, coming out of the room.

He handed Bianca the phone. Bianca and Joe left the house on foot.

There was another building in the parking lot, a mile from the main structure, but it had a different architectural design. The entrance was steep, making it more difficult to enter but easier to exit.

Twenty-five people could fit inside in a room-like arrangement. The fact that it was only supported by four pillars and had roofs atop each row of vehicles was the only thing separating it from a real bedroom.

Bianca was stunned, amazed, and shocked, if the words could be merged together to make a complete word that would have been described as Bianca's feeling at the sight of the carpark, but she pretended to be accustomed to a carpark such as this. When Joe parked his Venza in row 5, he took out the key from his pocket, pressed the remote button, and the doors unlocked. Bianca complied by sitting in the back seat after receiving his signal to enter.

"Go to the front," Joe said.

"Alright then," she said, getting out of the back seat and going to the front seat beside the driver going. Then Joe sat down behind the wheel, stretching his hands to the ignition and inserted the car key, roaring the vehicle to life.

The car started and wheeled down along the steep road, then headed for the gate. When Joe got to the gate, he pressed the horn twice and then Mark (one of the gate men) came out of a mini-sized building to open the gate. He saw it was Joe behind the steering, he bowed his head in a way of greeting him. Then he opened the gate for them to pass through. Shortly after the gate was being closed, the car halted.

"Dear, which type of music would you love to hear," Joe asked, facing Bianca's direction.

"Everyone is comfortable…. But I got a special spot for American music," she replied.

"I love American music more than any other country," said Joe, "We are in the same bracket."

His left hand reached the mp3 player without hesitation, establishing the timing for the song's playback. After that, he turned up the volume to the maximum; although his ears were used to it, Bianca had to tightly cover her ears because she was on the verge of going deaf. Joe noticed it after some interval check on Bianca while driving, no one had to tell him to reduce the volume.

"Dear, I am sorry," Joe begged.

"No problem," Bianca replied.

They arrived at the sim registration centre not too long after they set out on their journey. At the entrance to the office, Joe came to a stop. Then he ordered Bianca to descend. After getting out, Bianca and Joe headed towards the office while walking side by side. Due to their similar heights, they appeared to be a perfect match.

They both received a greeting from the tall, skinny, and dark-complexioned man who was standing before them.

"Please, how can I help you, sir," he said.

"She came to register a sim for herself," Joe answered.

"You can have your seat, sir" the man said, showing the direction to where Joe could take a seat.

The man returned to where Bianca was standing after walking over to the desk across from him, taking a laptop that was lying flat inside a carton.

The man motioned for the young lady to "come over."

Bianca took a look at Joe before moving to take a seat next to the man who was registering her sim.

"Good morning," the man greeted.

"Good morning sir," Bianca replied.

"I am not sir, I am still very young," the man replied.

Bianca remained silent once more. Instead of engaging in conversation, she wanted the registration to start. The man observed the warnings. In addition to turning on the Wi-Fi on his chair, he also turned on his laptop. From a box that was placed on the ground close to him, he removed the webcam and the thumbprinting device from a box placed on the floor near to him. During the process of arranging all the items for its respective position, the laptop had completed its booting process and was ready for use. He took his hands to the mouse connected to the PC and clicked on an icon on the desktop mode.

"Which SIM would you prefer?" He asked, facing in the direction of Bianca.

Bianca chose the SIM she preferred, and the man started the registration.

"Cute lady, please your name?" he asked.

"Bianca Ezla," she said.

The man typed it on the laptop.

"Date of birth?"

Bianca looked at him grimly.

"Why are you asking?" she asked wryly.

"Also part of the registration. Beauty."

"OK," she said, suspiciously, "May 25, I am 21. Do the calculation yourself."

The man looked at her and smiled, making the calculations on his head.

"I'm done," he answered, "Next is your residential address."

Bianca was surprised that she hadn't already become familiar with the address. While the picture was being taken, she quickly pictured the day she met Joe for the first time in her mind. She remembered the query she had asked Joe when they arrived at that location and took notes. She finally recalled and grinned at herself.

"Prince Ville street number 9," she said.

"You got here recently, right?" he asked, typing the information on the laptop.

"Yeah," she said, smiling.

If there was ever an opportunity he needed to take full advantage of, it was now, as evidenced by the way Bianca smiled. He started formulating plans to win Bianca over. These were the thoughts that crossed his mind when he heard the idiom "Opportunity comes once."

"Do you know that you are beautiful?" he asked.

"Thank you," Bianca replied.

"That is a question I am asking you," he said.

"And I replied. What else do you want me to say?" Bianca answered.

"You are a cute lady," he admired, "Do you know I am almost tripping on you?"

"That is your business." she said.

Bianca was indignant at his remark, and she thought to herself but nobody thought I would become gorgeous or a pretty girl back when I was begging on the streets. I'd scare folks away with the outfits I was wearing. Joe still came to pick me up in spite of it. Which other man would take such a step? She became furious after that thought.

"Are you through?" she said with a grimace on her face.

"Was my statement bad?" He asked, observing her angry face.

His words melted Bianca's anger a little. She smiled to cast away all pride. The man might have read about her action.

"Now you smile… you now look prettier than before. In fact, I love you."

"I love those who also love me." she said with a smile.

"No, this one is greater. The love I have for you is greater and beyond imagination."

"Thank you," she appreciated, "Can we continue, now?"

"We are almost done," he said. "But I really love you… I want to know more about you."

"Let's be serious now," she said, sternly.

"My name is Kenneth. I have provided you with my name in case of anything or you feel like chatting with me. Just call me up."

Kenneth took out the webcam from the table, then connected it to the PC.

"Pretty girl, take your chair to the other side. At the back of the laptop I need to take a picture of your pretty face."

The young man raised his hand, holding the webcam, and took a photo of Bianca's face as she sat in her chair at the rear of the laptop. She was instructed to approach him so he could grab her fingers after capturing her face.

"Give me your hand," he said.

Bianca simply gave him her hand. He held it, pressing it hard on the detector. The device captured it.

"I am done… take your sim," he stretched his hand to take a sim from a pack.

As he instructed her to remain a little longer for her number, Bianca was just ready to go when she grabbed her small handbag from the desk.

"This is your number," he said, writing it down on two different papers. He gave her one and took the other to himself. "Do you wish to know my number?"

"You have mine. So, don't bother" she said, standing up from her seat, "Is that all?"

"I love you," he said, "Answer me, please."

"I'm sorry, but someone is waiting for me there," she said, moving away from him.

Joe was deeply absorbed on his phone, repeatedly pounding the screen. Bianca approached him until she was standing in front of him, but curiously, he failed to see her.

"Dear, I am through," she said, alerting him to reality.

"Wow... too fast," Joe said, putting off the light on his phone.

"Come… let's pay him."

They both visited the man. Joe acknowledged his work and offered him some cash. The young man joyfully accepted it and wished them a safe journey, but as they were about entering into the car, he continued to fixate on Bianca until she got in.

In order to acquire the crates of eggs that Lucky had previously informed him about, Joe immediately started the car and sped out of the registration office, stopping only at the grocery store along the way.

The distance between the supermarket and Macy's Shoprite was only 10 kilometres. It was a substantial one. It was hectares. It featured many sections where you could be confident the things were accessible, saving you time from having to walk around seeking for anything. The parking lot was also rather huge. That it could contain 100 automobiles inside. To deter theft, there was strict security in that area. Joe parked the vehicle there and stepped outside.

They proceeded to the supermarket's gate while holding hands, then they went straight to the area where eggs were being sold. When he reached the first vendor, Joe let go of Bianca's hand.

"Would you love to do the shopping while I watch you?" Joe asked Bianca.

Bianca smiled, "Okay, I will."

"Go on, Dear," he ordered.

Joe stayed back, and Bianca went over to the woman who was carrying a baby strapped on her back. The woman responded when Bianca welcomed her. Bianca inquired about the cost of a container. She was informed about the cost by the woman. Bianca thought it was expensive and asked for a 10% reduction. Although she refused, Bianca persisted in pestering her. Ultimately, she agreed with the condition that Bianca was too beautiful to look at. She was informed by Bianca that she needed up to 50 containers which was up to 25,000 naira.

The lady was overjoyed. She envisioned herself receiving up to 30,000 naira from today's transaction. Bianca moved backward after the negotiation to signal to Joe that she was finished. Joe stepped up and walked nearer to the woman.

"So, ma, I want to transfer the money to your bank," said Joe.

"OK sir," the woman responded.

She provided Joe with her bank information, and he then sent her the funds. To see if there were any new messages, the woman was holding her phone. She acknowledged the message when it surfaced. She expressed her gratitude to Joe and asked if she might assist with lugging the egg boxes. She was instantly stopped by Bianca, who assured her not to worry because of the baby strapped to her back.

"I would call someone who would help you," the woman suggested.

"Alright if you have," said Bianca, "I can help also."

"No, Dear, you will stain your clothes," Joe insisted, sounding to be very caring.

"JK, I promise I won't," Bianca promised.

The woman started calling for helpers.

"Please don't do that, don't stain your clothes," Joe pleaded.

As the woman called their names, two boys approached and offered to assist in transporting the eggs. Bianca lost interest in carrying it when she realised that they were willing to carry it to the car. Joe and Bianca approached the vehicle and halted. Joe unlocked the boot, allowing them to place the egg boxes inside.

While standing by the side of Joe's vehicle, Bianca and Joe engaged in conversation. The lads gave Joe a signal that they were done. Joe paid them for their work by giving them money.

"Thank you, sir." They all appreciated it, feeling very happy.

Joe and Bianca entered the car. Joe teased Bianca about driving the car while he sat beside her.

"I don't want to die now," Bianca said.

Joe laughed.

He inserted the key into the ignition, twisting and turning it before the car could start.

"Put your SIM into your phone," Joe said.

"Okay," she answered and smiled.

"Here is the package. I don't think I will need it, take it" she said, giving the package to Joe, who collected it with his left hand while driving.

She opened up the phone package and removed the pin needed to unlock the SIM port of her phone. She unlocked the SIM port on her phone, put the two sim cards inside, and hit the power button. Light flashed from it. She was ecstatic to the moon. She struggled to recall the last time she had an Android phone in her hand. She had never owned an Android phone before. She was so ecstatic.

Finally, they got to Prince Ville Street. The time had gone. It was almost 2 p.m. Joe was surprised at the time they got back to the house and attributed it to slow driving, in order to protect the eggs from cracking. They finally arrived at the gate. Joe pressed the horn of the car. Mark went outside instead of opening the gate and indicated he wanted to say a word to Joe.

"Welcome, Sir."

"Thank you, open the gate. Let's go in."

"But sir, Esther is around. She said she had been calling you and you refused to pick up the call."

"There is no missed call on my phone," Joe was stunned, "Okay, open the gate, let's go in."