The next day, Chioma took a quick shower and enjoyed a simple yet satisfying breakfast before getting dressed. She opted for light blue overalls, paired with white sneakers and a white long-sleeved shirt. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and she only wore a touch of lip gloss. Looking youthful and beautiful, she bid farewell to her mother and gave Andrew a kiss on the cheek before heading to Star Restaurant. At Star Restaurant, Chisom's surprise at seeing Chioma was tinged with something deeper – concern. It flickered in her eyes, a question hidden behind her smile.
'You didn't get the job yesterday, and…' Chisom started, then stopped, sensing something beyond that missed opportunity.
Chioma shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. 'No, but I'm here now.'
Chisom pulled up a chair, her gaze lingering on Chioma's face. 'We agreed that you'd come back here to work with me if you didn't get the job. I can't believe you didn't come yesterday.'
'I planned to,' Chioma began, hesitantly. 'But… I was in an accident.'
Chisom's eyes widened. This wasn't what she expected. 'An accident? Did you go to the hospital? Are you still hurt?' Her voice held a motherly worry, the kind reserved for a best friend who feels like another sister.
Chioma forced a reassuring smile. She bent down and rolled up her trouser leg a few inches to reveal the wound. 'I'm fine now. Just a scrape. In the evening of that same yesterday I went to a clinic near home.'
Chisom moved closer to inspect the wound, concern etched on her face. She then looked up at Chioma and asked, 'Is that why you didn't respond to my WhatsApp messages? You could have told me about it...'
The question hung in the air, unfinished, as Chisom's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, then back at Chioma, an unreadable mix of emotions playing on her face. Before either could speak, a Whatsapp message arrived, and Chisom read it silently. It was from Andrew.
'Andrew,' Chisom typed, 'Chioma is already here.'
'Good,' came the reply. 'She was involved in an accident with the handsome, rich, and popular Michael Njemanze. She might not have told you everything about the accident, but I want you to always be there for my sister. She's your best friend.'
'I understand, Andrew,' Chisom replied, then went offline.
Chioma frowned. 'Chisom, I thought you'd be busy, so I didn't want to bother you.'
'How can I not be busy? I'm super busy! Busy like bees,' Chisom retorted, clearly upset. 'But how could you not have told me about the accident you had yesterday? We've been through everything together since secondary school. Does my job make me less… available?' She looked up at Chioma, her disappointment evident. 'You only told me about it now but you didn't say it in detail.'
The hurt in her voice hit Chioma like a blow. 'No, of course not,' she stammered. 'I just—'
Before she could explain, Chisom's anger finally broke through. 'Dammit, Chioma! We're best friends, remember? We tell each other everything. Even the stupid stuff.'
Chioma offered a sheepish smile. 'Hey, you, the queen of kindness and understanding. I just didn't want you to worry.'
Chisom rolled her eyes, a hint of a smile peeking through. 'Well, you succeeded magnificently. Because now I'm worried even more.'
Chioma laughed. 'I'm sorry, bestie.'
Then, Chisom's voice dropped to a whisper, laced with curiosity. 'I just learned from your elder brother that it was... Michael Njemanze who hit you.'
Chioma nodded, and then she opened up to Chisom about everything that had happened.
As Chioma finished, Chisom let out a sigh. 'So... are you sure you did the right thing by rejecting the money to treat yourself?' she asked gently, reaching out to hold Chioma's hand.
Chioma met her gaze. 'Yes,' she said with conviction. 'I took care of myself, on my own terms.'
Chisom's brow furrowed slightly. 'Chioma,' she began, her voice laced with concern. 'Are you sure you don't have any second thoughts about this? About closing the door on this potential connection?'
Chioma flinched slightly. 'Well, at that moment, I had to throw his money and card back at him,' she admitted, turning her face away. 'I was rude, but I couldn't stand the way he treated me like I needed his charity.'
Chisom paused, choosing her words carefully. 'You know why I'm asking. You told me that on your first meeting, you felt a spark with him,' she said, letting her words hang in the air for a moment. Chioma turned back, her eyes meeting Chisom's. 'You said he made you want to experience all sorts of emotions…love, hate, infatuation... Now, the opportunity came for you to grab it... and you threw it away.'
Chioma's voice faltered. 'Chisom, please. I was just being dramatic when I said that.'
Chisom met her gaze, her expression unwavering. 'I wasn't joking, Chioma. And I don't think you were entirely either. So, what now? Are you going to blame me for pushing you to confront your feelings?'
Chioma realised her mistake. Taking a deep breath, she looked into Chisom's eyes. 'No,' she said. 'You're right. I need to figure this out for myself. Tell me, Chisom, what do you think I should do?'
'You shouldn't have let anger get the best of you,' Chisom advised.
Chioma bit her lip, her mind still replaying the memory of Michael's arrogant smirk. 'I know I was wrong, but I couldn't stand him trying to show off in front of me.'
Chisom remained optimistic. 'He loves you. He acted like a gentleman in the simple way he knows. Someone of such status couldn't have cared whether you were dead or alive. But he waited patiently for you, despite his busy schedule. You're one lucky girl.' She patted Chioma's shoulder and asked, 'You love him, don't you?'
Just as Chioma was about to reply, Emeka Ndubuisi walked in, dressed in blue jeans and a black jacket that seemed to be from a low-end brand he bought from a street stall. The outfit suited him perfectly well.
Both Chioma and Chisom stood up to greet him. His gaze lingered on Chioma for a moment, a flicker of admiration in his warm brown eyes before he smiled. 'Haven't changed into your uniform yet, Chioma?' Although Emeka was an ordinary man, he was the boss of Star Restaurant.
Chisom was already wearing her uniform and ready for work. The uniform consisted of a black dress with a red scarf, and it looked great on her. She was about 168 centimetres tall, and her dark hair was tied with a red elastic band.
'I will get her something to change into,' Chisom said and turned away. She returned with the restaurant's black dress and a red scarf, handing them to Chioma. 'Change into these so we can begin work already.'
Emeka's smile lingered, warm and inviting, as he headed for the counter. Chioma's cheeks burned as she ducked into the changing room, the weight of his gaze still palpable on her skin. Was he happy that she was working here now, or did his smile mean something else? She wondered as she changed into the restaurant's uniform.
Chisom clapped her hands with delight when Chioma emerged into the dining area. 'My goodness, you look beautiful!' she exclaimed, her voice ringing through the air. 'Everyone is going to be staring at you instead of eating!'
Although Emeka was busy greeting a customer at the counter, he couldn't help but sneakily steal glances at Chioma. Seeing her in the fitting dress and scarf, Emeka felt his heart beat faster. She was beautiful, he thought. She might not be the epitome of beauty, but her unique charm had the power to captivate those around her. Her beauty was not easily erased from the minds of men.
Chioma caught his gaze and flushed, quickly looking away. But she couldn't help but notice the way his eyes lingered on her, even as he turned back to his customer.
'How do you feel to be part of us? I hope you're pleased?' Chisom asked enthusiastically.
'Yeah, guess I'm officially a working-class chic now,' Chioma quipped, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. But beneath the teasing tone, a knot of uncertainty tightened in her chest. Would she ever truly belong in this world of bustling orders and demanding customers? She would try her best to fit in here, even though her dreams had always been to work either in electronic or print media. As a mass communicator, she wanted to pursue her career. However, since getting a job in her field was difficult, she would do her best to serve the customers well.
Chisom chuckled. 'So, Miss Moneybags whom I will gladly rip off,' she teased, nudging Chioma playfully. 'Ready to start earning your keep?'
'You don't need to raise your hopes because I'm certain to be the number one stingy girl in the world,' Chioma replied with a mischievous smile.
They fell into playful banter as the first rush of customers began to arrive. Chioma, her initial awkwardness fading, embraced her new role with unexpected ease. As she approached a young beautiful woman on the phone, dressed in a trendy floral dress and a stylish beret, her cheerful greeting was genuine, her smile warm.
'What would you like to order?' Chioma asked, her voice ringing with newfound confidence. The young woman, momentarily distracted from her phone call, looked up with a surprised smile.
'Fried rice with boiled eggs,' the girl replied, reaching for a lipstick from her white Dior purse. 'Also, I'd like an iced cola,' she added while applying lipstick using a small mirror.
'I'll be right back,' Chioma politely said and hurried off. She returned with a bowl of apples and a glass of fresh juice. 'While you wait for the fried rice, would you like to have some apple with a glass of fresh juice?' Chioma spoke gently as she placed the items on the small table.
'Are you kidding? Do I have to wait for ages?' The girl's perfectly arched brow rose in disdain, her voice dripping with the kind of entitlement that could only be cultivated in high-end boutiques and luxury spas. It was a rare moment of frustration for her, considering she was still at the restaurant and needed to head to the airport soon to pick up her elder brother arriving from the States.
'Just a few minutes, ma'am,' Chioma replied calmly.
Once the girl finished applying her makeup, she placed the Chanel lipstick back into her purse. 'Eating the apple and drinking the juice isn't a problem, but I hope they're fresh,' she remarked, glancing at her luxury wristwatch. 'In half an hour, I should be leaving for the airport. My elder brother is arriving from the US. You'd better not waste my time, or I might blow up this place.'
Chioma muttered under her breath, 'Are you a bomb expert?' assuming the girl wouldn't hear her. To her surprise, the girl caught her remark and gave Chioma a disapproving look.
Chioma didn't know what to say to the girl. She didn't want any trouble, especially not on her first day at work. Remembering that customers are always right, she decided to handle the situation calmly. Most of the customers were regular diners whom she knew well, but this girl seemed different. Chioma sensed that she must come from a very affluent family. She was absolutely beautiful, resembling a doll, with flawless facial features that made Chioma wonder about her skincare routine and the secret behind her glowing skin.
'Hope the fried rice will be delicious?' the girl asked, picking up an apple from the fruit bowl.
'Yes, ma'am. My friend is on it,' Chioma responded.
'On it?' the girl scoffed. 'Is she sitting on it?' she said in a huff, then handed the apple to Chioma. 'Peel it for me.'
Chioma obediently took the apple from the girl and picked up a knife. Carefully, she began peeling the apple.
'Hope the eggs are from hens raised with natural feed?' The girl glanced at Chioma and enquired. 'I want to have delicious eggs.'
'Yes, ma'am,' Chioma replied, doing her best to please the girl.
'What's your name?' The girl raised an eyebrow, her voice softer now, almost curious.
'Chioma Chima,' Chioma replied. She kept her eyes on the apple, her fingers expertly peeling away the skin in a single unbroken spiral.
'Do you have a boyfriend?'
Chioma's head snapped up. 'No, ma'am.'
'Oh, okay,' the girl said expressionlessly.
'Here's the apple,' Chioma handed it back to her.
'Audrey is my name,' the girl introduced herself, taking the apple. She took a small bite and then gestured for Chioma to attend to other customers while she waited for the fried rice she had ordered.
Chioma picked up a tissue to wipe the knife before leaving Audrey alone. Audrey exuded an aura of a wealthy princess, and Chioma couldn't help but notice it. She wondered who Audrey was and why she chose to dine in a local restaurant instead of a high-end one.
Fifteen or sixteen minutes later, Chioma brought a plate of steaming fried rice and a can of iced cola. She carefully placed the delicious food before Audrey and turned to leave.
'Hey, Chioma,' Audrey called out.
Chioma turned around to look at Audrey.
Audrey gestured for Chioma to sit in the chair across from her. With a forced smile, Chioma complied.
Noticing that Audrey's glass of water was empty, Chioma poured water for her.
'You're thoughtful and observant,' Audrey said with a sweet smile as she took a spoonful of fried rice into her mouth.
Chioma wanted to mention that she had other customers to attend to, but she decided against it. Instead, she asked, 'Do you like the food?'
Of course,' Audrey answered happily, her eyes lighting up as she took another bite. It was obvious that she enjoyed the food.
When Audrey finished eating the scrumptious dish, she drank the iced cola and elegantly wiped her lips with a tissue from the box. Reaching for her purse, she pulled out a stack of cash and handed it to Chioma.
'Thank you for your time. Pay 2,000 to your boss and keep the change for yourself.' Before Chioma could refuse the money or ask any questions, Audrey was gone.
When Audrey handed Chioma the stack of cash, Chioma's eyes widened in surprise, and a fleeting expression of astonishment crossed her face. The weight of the money in her hands brought a mixture of shock and gratitude, and she couldn't help but glance at Audrey with a puzzled but appreciative look. Chioma was taken aback; Audrey was supposed to pay 2,000 naira for the meal but had given her 10,000 naira instead. Chioma wondered why this girl, whom she had never met before, tipped her 8,000 naira for such a simple dish of fried rice. Audrey seemed to be in her late teens. She must come from a wealthy family. No poor person would throw away money like this! Chioma thought, some people are just generous.
Lacking the courage to keep the money, she decided to inform her boss about it. She approached Emeka, who was talking to another customer, and patiently waited for him to finish before discussing the generous tip.
Chioma handed him the money, but Emeka refused to take it.
'This is the first time I've seen a customer giving such a huge tip,' Emeka chuckled. 'But you have to accept it because the customer gave it to you. It's yours. Don't be afraid to spend it.'
Chioma nodded with a sweet smile. As she turned around, an enthusiastic wave from a chubby customer greeted her, signalling his eagerness to place an order. Promptly, Chioma attended to the energetic customer who was keenly requesting her to take his order.