Chapter 2

Rachel POV

One aspect that made learning bearable was the promise of a break after every semester activity. Each college course had its challenges, but nursing was particularly demanding. Not only did we face intense academic pressure, but we also had to undergo additional weeks or months of clinical training. This involved working directly with patients in hospital wards, providing care as if they were our own family.

The constant juggling of theoretical knowledge and practical application left us with little time for relaxation. Unlike other departments, our vacations were scarce, but when we did get a break, it felt like a sweet escape from a grueling routine.

The prospect of traveling to my hometown, which was a considerable distance from school, was daunting. The stress of the journey, combined with my susceptibility to motion sickness, made it an unappealing option. I had experienced the humiliation of stopping drivers on the highway to vomit or retch one too many times.

So, I approached my parents with a request to stay with Mary instead, at least until school resumed. Initially, they were hesitant, preferring me to come home. However, after some persuasion, they eventually relented, allowing me to spend the holiday with Mary and her family.

Mary's family mansion is a beautiful place you'd love to live in. The décor speaks so much about simplicity and yet extravagance at the same time. The spacious living room had walls painted in different colors and sculptures from some well-known artists to bring out the beauty of the room. My stay with the Agbor family was an absolute delight, filled with exciting experiences, from shopping sprees to dining out at exquisite restaurants. However, I hadn't had the chance to spend much time with Mr. and Mrs. Agbor, as they had been away since my arrival. Mr. Agbor, a prominent architect in Lagos State, had traveled to Abuja for a meeting.

I was engrossed in a soap opera in the living room when Tomide walked in, looking dapper in a crisp white Christian Dior shirt paired with a fitted navy blue waistcoat. Tom, as I affectionately called him, bore a resemblance to his father, but lacked his father's striking good looks. Sometimes, I couldn't help but wonder if Tom was cut from a different cloth than the rest of his family.

However, being part of a wealthy family had its perks. Despite not being conventionally handsome, Tom had a way of pulling off even the most high-end designer pieces, which seemed to fit him impeccably.

"Hello, beauty," Tom said with a smile, using the nickname he'd insisted on calling me despite my protests. He claimed it was to remind himself that I was even more lovely than his own sister, Mary.

I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "Hello, Tom," I replied, resigned to my fate of being called "beauty" by him. "Where are you headed?" I asked, noticing him grab his car keys from the shelf.

"I need to pick up some things for tonight's party," he said. "Party? What party?" I asked, feeling a bit left out of the loop.

"I suppose Mary forgot to mention that we're heading to a restaurant tonight for my friend's birthday," Tom said, raising an eyebrow. "Would you like to join us?"

I nodded enthusiastically. "Of course!" While I wasn't typically a party enthusiast, preferring to curl up with a good book instead, I felt like a change of scenery today wouldn't be a bad idea. Besides, attending the party would allow me to meet new people.

Tom nodded, seemingly pleased with my response. "Alright, make sure you and Mary are ready by the time I get back." With that, he exited the room, leaving me to track down my best friend. We had a party to prepare for, after all!

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Sheraton India restaurant is one of the biggest and most expensive restaurants in Lagos. Apart from having one of the best views, it's mostly visited by influential people from across the globe. As we pulled up to the restaurant, I was awestruck by its sheer scale. Having never seen a building of such grandeur in my hometown, I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the sight.

Tom arrived promptly at 7 pm to collect us, and Mary and I were both ready and waiting with bated breath, our excitement palpable. We were as eager as a groom anticipating his bride's arrival at the altar.

Without entering the house, Tom's voice came through the intercom, instructing us to meet him at the garage. We exchanged a glance, and for a moment, it seemed like we might have engaged in a playful dash to the garage if we hadn't taken such care with our makeup. Instead, we smiled at each other and made our way to the garage with elegance and poise. My anxiety and curiosity were largely fueled by Mary's earlier whispers about one of Tom's friends, who she claimed was not only handsome but also had an otherworldly presence, likening his eyes to those of a python - I had no idea what she meant by that

Mary had gone on and on about the importance of making a good impression, emphasizing that we needed to look our absolute best. It seemed to me that she had a secret crush on one of Tom's friends, but I didn't pry, not wanting to spoil her fun. Instead, I let her enthusiasm rub off on me, and now I found myself eagerly anticipating the evening ahead.

As soon as Mary and I settled into Tom's sleek Lexus RX 350, he sped off, as if his sole purpose for returning had been to collect us. As we arrived at the Sheraton India restaurant, a thrill coursed through my veins. Stepping into a place I had always dreamed of visiting but never thought I'd have the chance to was exhilarating.

We disembarked one by one, but my legs seemed rooted to the spot. I was still in a daze, taking in the grandeur of our surroundings, when I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder, jolting me back to reality.

"Come on, what are you waiting for? Let's go!" Mary urged, tugging on my hand.

I turned to her, still disoriented, and whispered, "Mary, this is an incredibly expensive restaurant. I can't even afford a drink here."

She cut me off with a reassuring smile. "We can," she said, pulling me toward the entrance, where Tom was waiting.

As we followed Tom, he suddenly stopped and turned to Mary, his expression serious. "Mary, just behave yourself around my friends, okay?" he cautioned.

I stifled a giggle. Having grown up as an only child, I wasn't familiar with sibling dynamics, but I knew that brothers could be fiercely protective of their sisters, especially around their friends. Tom's warning was almost endearing.

"By the way, you both look absolutely stunning, especially you, Rachel," Tom said, his voice low and smooth, almost flirtatious. If he had been my type, I might have been tempted to date him – he certainly had a way with sweet words.

Mary playfully interrupted, "Yes, she does, so watch where you're going before you bump into the wall!" We both burst out laughing, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment. If I had been a light-skinned girl like Mary, my blushing would have been even more apparent, making me look like a ripe tomato.

I glanced down at my outfit, feeling a bit self-conscious. I didn't have a suitable dress to wear, so I borrowed one from Mary. Although she was a bit heavier than me, I had a curvier figure, which made the dress fit me surprisingly well.

When we entered, I realized the interior view was even more fascinating than the exterior, and I had to scan the area for any celebrity I might know. There were just a few people in the large room but when you look at them, you could guess the amount they had in their bank accounts. Tom muttered something to the waitress and she immediately ushered us to our seats. We were almost at our table when something caught my attention immediately. It felt so much like a dream. I couldn't possibly be seeing things, right? I had to pinch myself on the thigh to confirm what I'd just seen. I couldn't believe I just saw my crush, the man of my fantasy- it just felt like I was dreaming.