The first thing that takes the focus of anybody’s eyes is the five mannequins mounted on a slightly elevated circular podium. The clothes on them are breathtaking, that even if you’re a passerby, you’d be charmed into giving the store a minute of your time.
Ambient lights, decorate the ceiling, giving more shine to the aqua blue walls mixed in with off white. A lounge sits at a distance close to the three fitting rooms. By the sides are a bunch of clothing racks, all arranged according to the collection they belong. And on shelves beside them, complimentary bags and shoes.
Soma stands rooted in place, watching the flow of people and the unveiling of her plan. When she drew the design, she had no idea it would look like this or that it would come through.
Her eyes begin to water and she shakes her head, rubbing at her eyes.
“No. You cannot cry.”
“Why would you even cry?”
Soma turns her head to Remi who appears beside her. She gives him a small smile.
“Didn’t you feel like this the first time you saw your plan being brought to life?”
“Oh, that.” He puts his hands in his pocket and looks ahead, thinking about it. “I did. It didn’t last long though. My father called it child’s play and I was fueled to do a lot more.”
“What does he think now?”
“That he has hit the jackpot with me.”
Soma scoffs, rolling her eyes with the small shake of her head “Typical,” she murmurs.
“I know right? Which is why I have decided to ignore the old man.” He glances at her, taking her in. “Your parents?”
“I’m planning to take lots of pictures and videos and spam their DMs,” she declares with pumped fists. Her face beams with excitement. “I’ll probably hear the lecture of my life but it will be worth it.”
“Good luck with that. But make sure to enjoy yourself.”
“I will.”
He narrows his eyes at her. “I’m serious. You already look like someone who’s noting ways she can do better mentally.”
“Ugh. I’ve been shot,” she says dryly, clutching her chest like a dramatic wounded warrior. She straightens and continues, “Don’t worry. I’ll hang out with the team and have fun.”
“The team…” His face twists as he struggles to act normal, and Soma stares at him.
“Wait. Did you forget about them being here?”
Remi scratches the side of his head, looking anywhere but her. “You can’t expect me to remember anything else when you’re right in front of me.”
Her lips try to pull up in a smile, but she folds them instead, refusing to let him know how happy his words make her feel.
“I want to walk around holding your hands, and when I get tired, hug you just to feel you against me,” he says, lowering his voice into a seductive tone.
“You can’t do that!” she whisper shouts, her eyes widening.
“Yet. And not here anyway.”
He walks away, leaving Soma to bury her surely blushing face in her hands. Was Remi always this smooth with words? The way he was going, she would have to take extra precautions against a heart attack.
Luckily for her, her team mates were mingling with people, enjoying the light refreshment. The buzz for the store was beyond anything Soma could have imagined.
She goes to take a candy from the large table when a voice whispers into her ear, “Boo.”
She nearly jumps out of her skin. When she hears the out of place laughter, she slowly turns to the culprit. “You.”
Soma raises a fist at Lilith and she retreats, her laughter softening. “Sorry, sorry. Bad joke, but good results.”
It wasn’t surprising of Lilith to do that. In fact, it was her hobby to catch Soma unawares. There was something addicting about ruffling the feathers of a rational person, she would say.
“I didn’t think you would come.”
“I decided to drop by and see my girl’s handwork, of course.” There’s a hint of pride in her words. “And girl, this is gold. How is it your first project? It feels like someone’s fifth work or something.”
“Thank you.” She rubs at her ear, bashful at the compliment. “I didn’t do it alone, obviously. It was team play.”
“Is Emmanuel here?” she asks, her eyes unable to hide its hope.
Soma puts her hands on her hips as she squints at her best friend. “You came here for Emmanuel, didn’t you?”
“No. But I thought…maybe…I’d kill two birds with one stone?” Lilith plays with her fingers.
Soma suppresses the urge to roll her eyes. “He’ll be here soon. He has some work to do at the office.”
Lilith giggles, her face sharing all the excitement her body cannot contain. Soma couldn’t help the light scoff that leaves her lips. Her friend was crushing on her work friend, big time, and probably already imagining their wedding as they speak. But she’d allow it. Emmanuel liked her just as much, if not more, and among all the guys Lilith had liked, he was the only one she approved.
“So where’s your man?” Lilith nudges her arm with her pointy elbow.
“He’s not my man.” Then her voice quietens. “Not until I tell him about the gala.”
“Why bother? He didn’t recognize you and nobody even knows.”
“I just don’t feel right about it. Sometimes, I remember he’s not aware and I feel guilty somewhat.”
Lilith groans. “Valid, I suppose.”
“Oh! Is that Lilith Adebayo?”
Soma and Lilith lock eyes, confused someone recognizes her. And when they turn, they’re met with Lara.
Lilith squints at her. “I’m sorry, who are you?”
Lara smiles and something about it doesn’t sit right with Soma. “Lara Maxwell.”
Lilith moves closer to Soma and whispers, “Why does the name sound familiar?”
“She’s the second problem I told you about back then. The niece of the Vanguard Hotel owners.”
Even with that information, it still takes Lilith a beat to remember. “Oh!” She claps her hands. “I saw your uncle and aunt at the gala they hosted. It was them right?”
“Exactly. I don’t think I saw you though.”
“It was mask themed. Besides, I don’t remember meeting you to be able to recognize you,” Lilith says sweetly.
“I see.” She turns to Soma, barely hiding her contempt. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Hm. I’ll be going now. I have plans.” The two of them watch as Lara disappears into the crowd.
“She’s so weird,” Lilith comments.
“I know right?”
“Did I just see Lara?” Remi asks, coming out of nowhere.
“Yes you did. She just came to say congratulations and…see the store, I guess.” Soma gives a dismissive wave.
“You must be the famous Remi Williams,” Lilith interjects, taking his hand. “Wow. You’re a lot more handsome than the pictures and I am appalled that I was not made aware.”
Soma lets out an awkward laugh and disentangles Lilith’s unnecessarily strong hands from his. “Please forgive my friend. She is high on something invisible and unknown.”
He smiles, focusing on Lilith. “You must be Lilith.”
“Yes. The best friend slash roommate.” She taps him on the shoulder. “You’re doing well.”
Remi’s mouth opens and then closes. “Thank you?”
“Okay. No,” Soma speaks. “We are not doing this. At least not here when he is my boss.”
“What a joy kill.”
Soma turns Remi around and begins to push him out of the store. “See you later!” she tells Lilith who waves.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Away from that traitor who will divulge every embarrassing information about me if we spend another second with her.”
Remi releases a hearty laugh. “But that sounds heavenly.”
“Seems like you’re not interested in our date later today.”
“I don’t like how you’re threatening your boss, but I’ll let it go since I like you a lot.”
Soma doesn’t have anything to say to that. She stops pushing him and he turns to her, taking her hand in his.
He stares at her for a while before speaking. “Should we just go now?”
“We’ve been here for less than an hour.”
“I’d rather spend time with you.”
Soma hits him lightly on the shoulder and he chuckles. “Stop being so smooth.”
They begin walking down the corridor of the mall, hand in hand, as they point at various stores and talk about everything. They’re so focused on each other that they don’t see Lara waiting for them.
“Oh! Remi.” She waves at him and hastens her steps.
Soma tries to remove her hand, but Remi’s grip is too strong. She gives him a look, which he blatantly ignores.
The sight draws Lara’s attention when she reaches them. “Wow. You’re holding hands.”
“Is anything the matter?”
“Yes.” She points at Soma. “I just wanted to let you know that she’s a liar and a fraud.”
Soma’s heart drops to her stomach. As she looks at Lara, the realization dawns on her. Lara knows everything.
Dun dun dun. We knew this was going to happen right? But what will Remi’s reaction be?👀
We go again next week! Please continue to show love to this story with your likes, comments, shares and if you haven’t subscribed, here’s your chance!❤️
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