TWENTY YEARS LATER

The night in Garden City was cold and breezy threatening to rain any moment. The 'City Bus' transport pulled to a stop at the Garrison bus top. Ellie Brume, a lady in her twenties got down from the white coaster bus with her blue box in a casual wear. She wore a curious look on and her eyes held sadness. She started walking through the pavement with the streets light on, giving it a yellow appearance. Ellie was a tall, beautiful, light skinned lady with brown eyes that shone in the night Ellie had only managed to walk a few feet when suddenly like a spell, it became miserable outside as people ran for shelter.
Shop owners quickly packed their things in before the rain destroyed their things. A Cobbler was seen arguing with a woman that he was too busy to notice Ellie from his umbrella watching him from the bus stop.

Ellie looked up in the sky as she let the showers gently pat her soft skin but she still needed help. Ellie found a man about to enter a Lexus and decided to approach him for help.

"Please Sir, can you help me...,"

"No, I have better things to do." The man said quickly and got into his car. Ellie got almost similar if not the same treatment from other people.

Soon the rain started pouring heavily forming pellets and everyone left in the street ran for shelter. Soon the street was looking deserted. She sighed " Oh well"

She ran back to the bus stop for shelter, her body already soaked and it was bone-chilling. *Geez I am going to catch a cold* She quietly reached out for her luggage and searched for her jacket. She found it and put it on.

Ellie started sobbing, she was starting to regret her decision. She has been away from home for two weeks now but she has made her mind and she was never going back. Not like she had a choice though.

"It's getting late and it's not safe out here. I have to find a cab." She said to herself. She waited for hours before the rain barley stopped but hell was it cold outside.

Soon, she sighted a car in distance. It was an old blue Mercedes Benz. Sure, it wasn't a cab, but she definitely won't stand there waiting for a cab. Grabbing at the opportunity, she waved her hands signalling for the driver to stop.

The car zoomed passed her and for a minute there, she thought the driver wasn't going to stop the car but to her surprise the old Benz came to a halt a few feet from where she stood.

Ellie breathed a sigh of relief and ran over to the car. When she got to the car a man in his thirties got out of the car and helped her put her luggage in the boot. He had a black hair, a rectangular face and light brown eyes. His nose was also rounded which cast it's shadow outline on his huge lips. He was tall and muscular which gave him an almost perfectly symmetrical jaw. When he was done, he got into the car where Ellie was already seated waiting for him.

"Hi." She greeted warmly.
"Where are you headed?" Came the curt reply.
"Well I am looking for a hotel that is around here" She said pointing at the location on google map.

"What is your purpose here?" He asked curiously.

Ellie had done some research about the modeling agencies in Nigeria while she was still at home and decided to come here. There were other ones, but she found this one more appealing. It wasn't because of the structure and popularity but because it had everything it took to make her the super model she wanted to be. The modeling agency has worked with so many models and has helped to bring them to the limelight. Models like Jessica Chukwu, Ifeanyi Johnson, Sam Ideozu and so many more.

While searching for an agency, she happened to come across this agency. The name of the agency was; ' Star Modeling Agency'

These agencies earn their income via commission, usually from the deal they make with the models and/or the head agency. The top agencies work with big-budget advertising agencies and fashion designers. They invest money into developing their talent so they can increase their status within the industry.

"I applied for an interview," She said proudly "Oh, I am Ellie Brume by the way. You?"

"I am David Igwe. I see you are not from around here."
"Right. I am from Delta." She said stuttering.

David gave Ellie a toothy grin which caused chills to go down her spines. "Chill. I am not going to hurt you." He said once he noticed her discomfort.

"Then why that look on your face?"

"You said 'I am from Delta' so weird." Trying to mimic her warri accent but failed miserably

Ellie smiled nervously still not convinced but decided to let it slide. "How much will I pay for the ride."

"No. Nothing. Just a polite thank you will do." And she was about to do just that before he cut her short. "Let's get there first."

"Okay. The people here..." She began.

"Yes?"

"Are they usually heartless?" That got a scowl from the young man but she ignored it and continued. "I mean, no one was willing to help me, so I just got the impression that people here are heartless." David gave her a knowing glance. "Well except you." She added quickly.

"Look," David started. "People can be so 'heartless' like you said, but that doesn't mean everyone is like that. You just happened to come across the bad one's." He pointed out. "Do you mean to say that where you are from, there are no such people?"

"Yes. Maybe. But..."

"Also, you just got here and you started judging people, not only that- a City so quickly?" His anger was more evident in the tone of his voice. "How about you try to know people or a place first- which could take more than a lifetime as things unfolds slowly as time goes." He said as a matter-of-factly as his tone was rising at every word he said.

"Whoa, someone is so protective of his City." She thought it made more sense to her now that he'd said it. She shouldn't be so quick to judge. Maybe, just maybe they aren't that bad after all- well not all of them. "I am so sorry for what I said and you are right. I did not bother to know the City better before judging them because of the first impression I got and decided to see things differently like in a bad way. And maybe they acted like that because it was rainy and they had things to do." She said more soberly.

David considered her word carefully and spoke "Just so you know, I am very protective of my things or things related to me"

Curious, Ellie asked "Why?"

"Well, that's because I never had anything to call my own while growing up. So I tend to look after my things."

Ellie noticed a hint of sadness in his voice and thought there was more to David's story than he was letting on but decided to leave that to time to reveal that's if they will ever meet again but she hope they do. "Apology accepted?"

"Yeah. Sorry for that outburst. I have anger issues." He said apologetically

"Now that is a problem" She said half- jokingly.

"Like I was saying Ellie, never judge a book by it's cover. Always remember that"

With that said, he drove into the night discussing about politics and economic crisis in Nigeria. David also told Ellie his life history. Ellie was sad to hear that he had lost his parents at a very tender age with no one to cater for him. David had being left alone in the harsh reality of life to fend for himself. She then realized that she was just starting hers and was even more scared of what she was going to encounter on her way. The thought of that made her swallow hard and made her knee turn to jelly, trembling with fear but there was no going back. They got themselves into small talks that lasted throughout the ride till they got to their destination.

David pulled into a hotels parking lot and turned to Ellie. "You are soaked?" It was more of a statement than a question. "How come I didn't notice that?"

"I am sorry I soaked your car seat."

"No. It's okay. But you are soaked and you said you have an interview tomorrow," He said with the worry evident in his voice.

Confused, Ellie asked. "So?"

"You might catch a cold"

"Oh. Thanks but I think I will be fine. I just need to check in and get warm."

"Are you sure?" Still not convinced that she would be fine.

"Yeah, I am sure."

"Okay, do just that."

"I will. So, where are we?"

"Sky View Hotel- one of the best and cheapest in this area"

The hotel had it's name written boldly on it. The gardens were adorned with lights and every where was so bright and neat giving it that royal look though David said it was the cheapest. They really did know how to maintain things.

"It's really beautiful. Thank you so much" She turned to face David after admiring the view in front of her.

"You are welcome Miss Brume. It was nice meeting you"

"Same David, same"

David helped Ellie to the entrance of the hotel with her luggage "Take care Ellie. Good luck"

"You too. Bye." They both hugged and parted ways.

***

Ellie opened the door of her hotel room and immediately froze at the sight of the room. The room wasn't all that fancy but for a middle class room, it sure was amazing. It had an almost king-sized bed at the center of the room with side lamps. The room was painted white and most of the furniture were brown. It also had a mini kitchen at the far end with a balcony overlooking the city.

She walked to the bed and let herself sink in.

"A-a-achooo!"

"Achoo! Oh no I caught a cold. That's not good." She thought "No one will ever take a sick model."

***

A/N:Thank you guys for reading.

This chapter seems pretty boring but trust me, after now the drama will start. I need you guys to help me share this story and tag your friends. Please don't forget to vote comment and follow.

Also, don't forget to check out my other book, BHF  on wattpad.

Kisses*

Happy New Year Folks!!!