The image above 👆is Prince. I want my character, Prince Arinze to look like that. What do you think? Is he handsome, hot or what? Share your thoughts. Is this man good-looking? Is he okay for Anita? 😉😍

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I was having a busy but lovely day at work. I got into the changing room and relaxed on the bench provided there. It was lunch time and I decided to have lunch at a nearby eatery. I changed from the scrubs I was wearing into my normal wear; a red and black T-shirt under a blue jeans.

My phone rang. It was in my bag and my bag was on a chair a little distance away from me. I sighed but didn't stand up. I was just too weak at that moment. Hunger was dealing with my belly. Also, I have been standing for hours assisting one of the doctors.

My phone rang again and disturbing thoughts ran through my head.

What if there is an emergency at home and my mom is trying to contact me. Besides my father falls sick a lot.

I forced myself to my feet and strolled to my bag. I pulled out my phone and the caller ID was idiot. My brows scrunched up.

Who is idiot....Oh!

I smirked. "Hello," I voiced.

"Hey, Angel! How you doing?"

I shrugged and when I realized he couldn't see me, I said, "It's going well".

"Have you eaten?"

I rose a brow. "How does that concern you?"

"Chill, Angel!"

I rolled my eyes. Why is he always calling me Angel? I know it's my name but still....No one calls me that.

"I was hoping we could eat lunch together!"

"Why?"

"Cos I'm a workaholic and I'm hungry"

"What you just said doesn't make sense to me," I exclaimed.

"I want to force myself out of my office so I can eat but I'm just on my laptop doing office work. I want to take you out for lunch. If I'm eating with someone I won't think of work so much and maybe I can force myself out of my office".

"You are weird. I hope you know that?"

He chuckled. "Yeah!"

"Why do you work like that?"

"I feel like every minutes count and I should spend it wisely. So I use all my time to make money since I'm a business man".

"Okay! I was about to leave the hospital to eat lunch. Where are you?"

"In my office!"

"Eyah! I'm already leaving. I guess we can't eat lunch together"

"Wait! Can you like wait a little? I'll be at your hospital in a jiffy. Just wait," I heard some noise, then the sound of a door shutting and the sound of keys dangling. Thud! Thud! I could tell Prince was moving down a staircase.

"Why should I wait?"

"Err...." he trailed off.

"You see! You don't have a reason. Bye!"

"Wait! I have a reason"

"What?"

With a low, soft voice, he added, "Because you're my girlfriend and there is nothing wrong with a girlfriend having lunch with her boyfriend".

"Hmm...," I voiced and rubbed my chin. "Let me think. Should I wait or should I not wait?"

"Just wait!"

"I feel the urge to eat fried chicken!"

"Deal! I will buy it for you"

"Then, I'll wait. Bye"

"Yeah! Thanks for wasting my credit"

"Excuse me! How is that my fault?"

"It's your fault because you refused to wait for me"

"Are you driving while calling?" I gasped when I heard him ignite his car engine.

"I'm about to hit the road"

"I'm going to cut the call now but yeah, don't blame me for your low credit," I snapped and terminated the call. I went back to the bench I was sitting on earlier. I slumped on it and spent twenty minutes there.

Later, Prince called to inform me that he was outside the hospital building. I got up and left the changing room. I met Prince beside his car and waved at him.

"Sup, Hotshot!" I greeted and got to the passenger's seat door.

"Did you just call me Hotshot?"

"Do you have a problem with it?" I lifted a brow and glanced at him through my long lashes.

"Not really!" he shrugged casually and opened the door for me. "Get in, mi lady! I know a restaurant you will definitely love".

"Wo oh!" I exclaimed.

He winked at me and I slid into the car. He jogged to the driver's seat and hopped in. He ignited the engine and smiled at me. "So how is work?"

"I met new people today. Some of them are ill but us, doctors will do our best to get them back on their feet!" I said and he nodded. I began to give him detailed information about the tasks I did today and I felt happy that he was listening. I hardly have anyone to share all my daily experiences with. My flatmates believe that it's boring to listen to me speak about my job. Prince drove and parked at the driveway of a restaurant. The restaurant wasn't big. It was an average eatery. However, Prince assured me that they prepared good food.

"So what's your order?" I asked him as we walked into the building. We went to the front counter and glanced at all the variety of food they had displayed in a glass cabinet. I began to salivate when I spotted their fried chicken.

I poked Prince's belly.

Oh my Gosh! Prince is Mr Sexy. I am sure he has great abs under his suit.

"Yes?" Prince asked, pulling me out of my crazy thoughts.

"Chicken!" I whispered. "I love chicken and I really feel like eating one now".

"Sure! What else do you feel like eating?"

I glanced at their jollof rice. It looked tasty. "And jollof rice!"

"Okay! I will eat the same!"

I pursed my lips and gave him a lopsided smile. "Stop copying me!" I whispered. "Order your own!"

He chuckled and shook his head. He told the young man at the counter our order and we went to an empty table. I sat down and he took a seat at the other end of the table. So we ended up facing each other.

"Why didn't you order something else?"

"I suddenly lost appetite!"

"Why?"

He looked down at the plastic table. "I have been thinking a lot. It makes me lose my appetite easily".

"Thinking about what?"

"This stupid marriage that I don't want!" he frowned.

"Marriage?"

"My parents gave me a long list yesterday. They said it's the bride price I have to pay for Amarachi," he growled. "Why will I want to pay bride price for a woman I don't care about. It doesn't make any sense".

"Geez! That's messed up"

"My parents are giving Amarachi high hopes. I just don't know what to do. I forced all my attention on my work so I won't think too much".

I facepalmed myself and he cocked a brow. "Why are you stressing yourself for no reason? If you decide not to pay the bride price, will they kill you? If you don't come to the wedding, who can force you? Just ignore them while they plan. If a groom is not there, there will be no marriage".

"My mom woke up with a fever today. She said she was thinking about my marriage. I don't want her to fall ill because I refuse to accept the woman she chose for me"

"You know what? Now I really want to see this Amarachi. Is she that awesome?"

"No! I won't use the word awesome to describe her"

I chuckled. "So what word will you use?"

"Annoying. It fits her more," his face lit up in a mischievous smile.

"How about you pick me later? I'll go to your house and this time I will walk in. No matter what your family do"

"No matter what my family do?"

"Yes! No matter"

"I don't want you to get hurt. But...thanks"

"You know you are paying me for my service, right?"

"I know!"

"Not in cash...like sending money into my account. No...You pay me by supporting me financially for all the outings and adventures we go to. I'm really grateful about that. Even this lunch, I'm grateful that you will be paying the bill. It reduces the cost I spend daily. And..."

It will help me save money for my dad's medicine.

"And what?"

"And...I'm just grateful. So to also make you happy, I'll help you out with your family"

He smiled warmly. "Thanks!"

"Your welcome! And now, let's just think about food" I said, smiling as the waiter dropped each of our plate of food in front of us. I saw the large fried chicken on my rice and whispered, "Good stuff! I like this".

"I will take it that you love food, most especially chicken"

"Correct! You're smart"

He chuckled, picked his spoon up and asked, "Shall we?" There was a smile on his face as he gestured to the food.

"Yes, we shall!" I grinned and picked my own spoon. In silence, we ate our food. After eating, we talked for a while and then, he took me back to the hospital.

••••••••

"Prince, don't take another step with that woman," his mother roared.

Prince hesitated and glanced at her. His hand was in mine so I squeezed it a little. He looked at me. "Do you want to marry Amarachi?" I asked him.

He scowled. "No!"

"Then, let's go!"

He nodded and we walked up the stairs.

"Prince! Prince Obinna Arinze! Come back here! How dare you? Is this how I raised you? So you will choose a silly woman over your own mother? Your mother that carried you in her belly for nine months..." his mother kept yelling.

I shook my head and whispered, "Your mother is so dramatic!"

I looked back to see Prince's family helplessly watching us move.

Victory!

Yeah! I came to Prince's house again. His mom saw us at the door and created a scene by yelling...no! I mean insulting me. Barbara, Prince's sister and his dad came downstairs. Barbara was furious when she saw me. But Prince had his own plan, he glared at his parents and outright told them he would never marry Amarachi and they should accept me or he leaves the house. His dad and sister were quiet but his mom still insisted on chasing me out. Prince took my hand and that's how we walked upstairs despite his mother's threats.

He has made a bold step. Now just some push and he will be free from his parent's control. Prince is a mommy's boy. I can feel it.

I glanced at him and I could tell he wasn't happy that he disrespected her.

Though he might look weak. I think I admire the fact that he cares about his family so much. He cares about other people's feelings. That's why he finds it hard to rebel. He is definitely not the cold-hearted kind of guy. I wonder how he would be like if he falls in love with a woman. He will treat her like a precious gem. He will just shower her with love. Is it possible for him to fall in love with me? Am I charming?

I tensed and shook my head fiercely.

Why am I thinking of that? Sheesh! It doesn't matter who he falls in love with. I shouldn't be thinking of this. But sincerely, I'm curious to know how he will be when he falls in love. I will definitely tease him. Hehe!

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Thanks for reading. Did you enjoy this chapter?

What do you think of a workaholic like Prince? Can he ever be cured?

Who likes chicken? Fried, boiled or grilled? Tell me.

Hurray! Anita got into the house. Is Prince's mother dramatic?

What can you say about Prince? Do you angry with Anita? Is he the caring kind of guy? Is he weak_?

Have a lovely day, my awesome readers. You guys are the best. Thank you to all readers both the silent ones and the ones that comment. You guys are really amazing. You support me and you give me the motivation to write more. Love you guys.💝💖💖💕💗❤

That's right,
Itz Mabel....