Thirteen | Lady at the mall

Imperfections are beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than to be absolutely boring— Marilyn Monroe

~•~

Kemi and Ada stepped out of Ada's red Camry when they arrived at the mall. Ada had offered to sponsor their shopping spree for her father's birthday.
Kemi was also there as a chaperone to curb Ada's excessive spending habits. Sometimes Kemi wondered why Ada worked at Crystal Ltd when she could just have her own fashion line or something.

It was Friday the 7th day of December and Kemi could see mothers running around the mall for an early Christmas shopping before things became very expensive.

The company's closing time was by 1:30pm on TGIF days for some departments except for Nifemi and some others who still closed at the regular time. Ada had used that opportunity to suggest that they go shopping for her father's birthday on that would hold on Sunday.

"I dunno what to get for him," Ada stated as they walked through the automatic doors. "I mean he literally has everything."

"That's not possible," Kemi scoffed and squeaked her white sneakers on the tiled floor. Ada frowned at her childish act.

"Kiki when I say everything I mean everything." She put a hand on Kemi's shoulder and dragged her towards a Puma store. They waved at the door man and entered the store.

"Oh really does he have a treadmill?"

Ada shrugged while checking out some sneakers. "He has although he rarely gyms."

"Ok, a watch?"

Ada eyed her incredulously, "yes dozens."

"Jesus?"

"Oh Lord send down your son so I can give him to daddy for his birthday." Ada said looking up to heaven dramatically.

"Oh stop being a drama queen. That doesn't even make sense!" Kemi successfully dragged Ada out of the store before she would pick up something she probably didn't need.

"So we're shopping for dresses at your mom's right?" Ada asked while checking herself out in the reflective door of a phone store oblivious to the fact that the men inside the store were checking her out. She removed an invisible speck from her jean trousers before turning to face Kemi.

Kemi wagged her finger at her friend, "I told you to tell me where we were going to didn't I? Mummy's boutique is closed for now, they're preparing for the Christmas rush, black Friday and all that stuff."

"Seriously? It's early nah."

Kemi hissed. "Christmas rush is next week Zi."

"Your mother's boutique 'Bimi's palace', did she place both your names together?" Ada asked Kemi.

"I wish." Kemi clicked her tongue. "She kinda shipped she and my dad's names together." Ada still looked lost. Kemi laughed. "You know, Bisola and Femi." Ada laughed and said that she thought it romantic.

She then pouted complaining that she loved Kemi's mother's boutique and the free muffins. She suggested that they went to 'Max', Kemi complained a little but finally gave in.

"Try this one Kiki," Ada suggested waving a blue sequin gown in front of Kemi. An hour later the girls were still trying on clothes, taking pictures and squealing like teenage girls.

"See how short this stuff is, uh uh not for me," Kemi pouted and looked at the pile of clothes on the bench by the dressing room. She still had not found any dress suitable for the party and Ada had gotten two.

"C'mon stop being choosy," Ada nudged her side. "It's pretty nah!"

Kemi waved her away and headed towards some clothes at a secluded place in the boutique with Ada in tow. She heard Ada give a low purr behind her. "Man that guy is hawt! (hot)"

Kemi followed her gaze and noticed a guy leaning on the counter next to the cashier, she couldn't see his face but that didn't stop the unnerving feeling of deja Vu.

"You don't even know him," Kemi hissed trying to stay calm.
Why am I panicking?

"Oh please," Ada rolled her eyes. "The only thing I'm thinking of right now is 'Oh his so handsome what's his name?'"

Kemi laughed and watched as Adaeze strolled towards the hot man wearing a blue shirt over black trousers. She watched as her friend causally flirted with him and reach out to remove an invisible dirt from his shirt.

Kemi removed her gaze and ran her hands over the white gown that had caught her eye earlier. It was made of a transparent lacy material, the bodice was lined with satin but the long sleeves were not lined adding to it's perfect look. She traced her hands over the beaded neck and marveled at how little details gave the garment it's stylish finish.

"Nice eyes I must say. The dress is very pretty." Kemi looked up to see the person interrupting her bonding with the exceptionally beautiful material.

Kemi smiled out of courtesy, "thank you. It is indeed pretty."

The woman stretched out her hand. "I'm Chioma. Sorry if I interrupted anything, the dress just caught my eye that's all." She said in a smooth voice that sounded like if she was about to sing.

Kemi shook Chioma's soft hand, her nude coloured nails complimented her chocolate skin. "Oh it's okay."

Kemi assessed the lady in front of her. There was no the denying that she looked like someone that walked right out of an ad for a beauty pageant. Her full lipgloss coated lips were almost too unreal, her hands were on her hips that hugged her candy coloured gown. This was a woman that knew what she had and also knew how to flaunt it.

She batted her fake eyelashes slightly hiding her aquamarine contacts. "I can take it off your hands."

"Oh I don't—"

"Nah I'm just joking," she laughed and Kemi joined her. The woman seemed nice. "So are you here with someone?" Chioma looked over Kemi's shoulders.

"No I mean yes I came with my bestie Adaeze. She's somewhere doing what she knows how to do best."

"You mean shopping?" Chioma asked lightly.

Kemi chuckled, "scratch that, second best. Flirting with rich handsome men."

Chioma giggled. "I do that too."

Kemi laughed, "you two would get along just fine."

Ada walked towards them and didn't waste time in telling Kemi about her encounter. "Turns out he's married and very rich but he paid for my gowns and that means more money for us girl," she stated in one breath.

Ada turned towards Chioma and frowned, "I see you have company," she stated dryly.

Kemi thought she saw something flash through Chioma's eyes but it went as quickly as it came.

"Hi nice to meet you I'm Chioma. Kemi was just telling me about you." Adaeze reluctantly waved at her still studying her face. She seemed too familiar.

"Do I—"

"I have to leave now I'll see you later," she paused and smiled. "I hope to though."

"Me too," Kemi said wondering why she was in a hurry all of a sudden. Chioma gave Ada a slight smile and scurried away.

"I think I have seen her before but I can't place it. Kemi be careful of people like her she looks too— fake. You don't just talk to anyone Kiki." Ada concluded putting her hands on her hips.

"How?" Kemi queried. She didn't like when Ada talked to her like a child, she could put up with her parents and Nifemi but not Adaeze.

"I dunno just be careful okay?"

Kemi nodded still looking at the direction Chioma took. Ada was good at judging personalities, she wondered what her friend saw in Chioma that made her conclude that she was fake.

"The gown is goals though. I am definitely paying."

The girls looked at each other and squealed drawing attention to themselves. "I haven't found what to buy for daddy," Ada said suddenly spoiling the girl moment.

"Buy him a customized tshirt or a pen or even a wristwatch."

"That would work. Thanks babe."

"Babe ni Barbie ko, abeg shift lemme pass." Kemi joking stated earning a tickle attack from Ada. She giggled till tears fell from her eyes.

When they were done shopping, Ada told Kemi to wait that she needed to speak with someone. She narrowed her eyes to get a clearer view of the person, it turns out that Ada had gone to thank the good Samaritan for his kind gesture. Kemi drew closer to where they were and gave him a cursory look.
As if on cue, he raised his eyes to meet hers he had a smirk plastered on his face; it was the guy from the other night.

Benjamin!

💎💎💎💎

"So how may I help you?" Kelechi asked without looking up from his computer on the table.

Recently, he had to work extra hours especially before the holidays, they had a lot of deals with different clients and he couldn't afford to lose anyone of them. And he didn't like the thought of working during Christmas. Work now, rest later was his temporary motto.

"Here is an invite for daddy's birthday. I want you to come with Nnamdi because Kemi will be there," Ada said dropping the invite on his table. "You can be my date." She winked at him.

Kelechi yawned and picked the invitation card. "I have a fiancee Ada."

"Does it matter?"

"Yes," he stated flatly. Looking at the fair skinned beauty in front of him, he concluded that it was better to avoid temptation. He skimmed through the invite and sighed. "No can do sweetheart. I'll be very busy on Sunday."

"Why?" Ada folded her hands across her breasts and tapped her feet impatiently.

"Nadia is visiting. I have to be at home with her." Kelechi said looking at the picture of his fiancee admiration etched on his handsome face.

"But remember the plan!" Ada snapped impatiently. Kelechi looked at her lazily.

"Nnamdi will come don't worry," he used his hands to rub his tired eyes. He decided that he needed a long nap.
Maybe I'll sleep through the weekend.

"How? You know he won't attend without you." Kelechi closed his eyes and leaned back on his seat. "Please talk fast Kemi is downstairs waiting for me," Ada urged him.

Kelechi sighed again. He was too tired to have a squabble with the bratty lady in front of him. He racked his brain for a way to cajole his stubborn friend.

He got up suddenly. "He'll be there all right, I have a plan."

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