I get down from the cab and pay the driver off. Then I walk into the mall. There are many people here as always and I've caught most of their attention especially the guys but I don't give a shit. I walk confidently.
My shades always makes me look hot. I stride towards the clothes area. I look through to find my taste.
I spot a black top with "Bad Girl" written in white block letters on it. I pick it. Then I spot some blue shorts and I pick them too. I needed some new collection in my closet. Then I remembered I need a dress for tomorrow's party. I spot a black dress with one sleeve. It wasn't so long but it was beautiful. I picked it up. At least it will match with my black boots.
I picked a few sneakers and went to the cashier to pay.
"How much do they cost?" I ask her.
"500 dollars" she spits.
Fuck! I had only 300 dollars on me. My heart was pounding against my ribcage. I should have taken mom's credit card.
"Here" a guy says handing an amount of money to the cashier.
"Its been paid beautiful" he says and smiles at me.
How did he know I needed help?
He had blond hair and grey eyes. He was a bit taller than me and I could see his abs through his shirt. He had tattoos on his neck and arms.
"Ummm....no! Don't do this! I was about to pay" I say even though I was happy inside but I can't let a total stranger pay for me.
"Its okay! I've paid for you" he says with a smile.
I exhale heavily.
"Well, thanks" I finally say and grab my things and receipt. Then I stride towards the exit.
I stood by the roadside for a cab but none was coming. I sighed out of frustration.
A black Range Rover came to park in front of me. The window goes down and the face of the guy who paid for my things appeared again.
You've gotta be kidding me!
"Need a ride home?" He asks.
"Well, no I'm fine" I say.
"You sure?"
Okay what are you doing Nikki! There's a guy who wants to give you a ride right in front of you and you still want to take a cab which isn't coming! My subconscious mind reminds.
"Okay fine!" I say defeated and hop into the passenger seat. I put on my seat belt and he drove off.
I liked the smell of his cologne. It was so refreshing and soothing.
I look at the time on my phone. Its 2:30pm. Mom will still be at work and Trina will still be in school.
"What's your name?" The guy asks and my heart leaps into my throat.
"Nikki" I say
He smiles. "I'm Jake"
"Why did you pay for my things Jake?" I ask.
He chuckles.
"I just felt like paying! Its a normal thing I do for people"
I smile. He was so nice.
The ride is smooth and the air conditioning in the car is heavy. I think I'm going to freeze any moment.
"And why did you give me the ride Jake?" I ask again curious. I wanted to know this stranger.
"You like asking questions Nikki!" Jake says and I chuckle.
"Well I saw that you needed one" He replies in his bass tone.
"Oh really?" I say.
He smiles. "Yeah" he says.
I smile.
"Nice dimples" he compliments and I blush.
"Thank you" I say.
"So, where are you going?" Jake asks.
"Home" I reply as if obvious.
"I am going to get a haircut! Do you mind waiting in the car?" He asks.
"Sure! No prob" I reply and he parks at a salon.
"I'll be back " he says and gets down.
I sigh. I look out of the window and I see a coffee shop. Then I spot my dad. His dark hair looks gelled up and he was wearing a casual polo shirt and blue jeans. A lady was walking alongside. She was a brunette. She was wearing a skimpy dress. What the fuck?
He stops by and they both sit down and they begin to talk. Isn't he supposed to be in Europe? On a business trip as he claims? So he has been cheating on mom all along! I clench my fists at my side. My blood was boiling. The lady talks flirtatiously and batts her eyelashes. I feel disgusted. I take off my shades.
I take my phone out and take in the scene. Then I save the video. The lady leans and kisses my dad! That does it! I get down from the car angrily and walk towards the two. My dad sees me and is caught off guard.
"Uhmm... Nicole! What are you doing here?"
I was fuming.
"I should be asking you that! Aren't you supposed to be in Europe?" I yell back.
"Well yes! I came back yesterday." He fumbles.
"Why didn't you come home? Why are you here with this slut?!" I yell.
"What did you call me?!" The lady spits but I ignore her.
"She's my co worker Nicole!" My dad yells back. Everyone at the coffee shop have their eyes on us but I don't care about making a scene.
"Oh really? Co worker huh? Then why did I see you kissing and holding each other like some couple?"
My dad's face falls. He knew that I saw it.
"This is all a misunderstanding Nicole ! Just go home! I will explain everything"
"I will go home! You better have a good explanation" I spit.
I look at the lady and she glares at me.
"And as for you! My mom is a thousand times prettier than you ! So you better stay away from my dad ! He's taken" I yell at her.
"Also, if I see you near my dad again, I'm going to rip your hair off" I say and give her an evil smirk. She gasps and I'm satisfied. She's terrified. I put on my shades and leave their presence.
I hop into the passenger seat of Jake's Range Rover and slam the door. My breathing is heavy.
"What was all that about?" Jake asks and I notice he's in the car.
"Just my dad hanging out with some slut" I say the words even though it pricks my heart. I swear that I wanted to give that slut a proper beating.
Jake smiles.
"You look like you're gonna blow up any minute now! "
I look at him and exhale heavily. I calm my breathing.
"You look hot when you're angry" Jake spits and I laugh.
"Like seriously?" I ask.
He nods.
I look back at the coffee shop and my dad and the slut are gone.
"I can see you really wanted to teach that lady a lesson" Jake taunts and I chuckle. He moves the car. I notice his hair cut and he really looks hot with it.
"And the hot gets hotter" I say.
Jake chuckles.
"Nice hair cut" I say.
"Thanks" he says.
I spot an ice cream shop. I decide to buy an ice cream for Trina.
"Can you please stop by the ice cream shop? I want to buy some" I ask him
"Sure" he says and parks.
I get down and enter the ice cream shop. My braided hair was bouncing at my back.
I got two vanilla ice cream and one chocolate ice cream for Jake. At least he deserves some. He has been my chauffer all day. I pay for them and head back to the car.
"Which flavour do you like Jake?"
"You bought some for me?" He asks raising his eyebrow at me. He was handsome.
"Yes! You deserve some!" I say rolling my eyes.
"Vanilla" he says and I hand him one. He takes it gratefully. He moves the car again.
"So Jake! How long have you been staying here?" I ask him.
"I moved here recently. Its been three days since our move" he states
"Wow! Only three days and you know how to navigate around this place?" I ask.
He laughs and shrugs.
I can't help but laugh.
"I have my ways" he says and looks at me. For the first time, I notice how grey and beautiful his eyes were. He is so charming! Oh no! I think am falling for him! Snap out of it Nicole!!!
I take my phone out and try to take my attention from Jake. There were three missed calls from Aaron. I looked at the time and it was 4:30pm.
I look ahead and my house appears. I tell Jake to alight me in front and he does. I thank him and he leaves.
My hands are full with my shopping items and ice cream. I stride into the house.
"Nicole!!!" Trina yells on seeing me and she embraces me.
"What did you buy for me?" She asks.
"Relax Trina! " I say and she relaxes.
"You look gorgeous Nicole! I love your hair" She blurts.
I blush at her compliment. I smile and say thank you.
"Lemme get my phone! We need to take pics" she says and rushes to her room.
Mom comes out of the kitchen.
"You were not in the house when I came! Where did you go?" She demands.
I take off my shades and drop them on the table.
"I went to the salon and then to the mall"
"Nicole! I hope you are saying the truth!"
"Of course mom" I say.
"Don't fool me! I wasn't born yesterday! You think I didn't see that black Range Rover 2016 park?" She spits angrily.
I realise where all this is coming from. She thinks am sleeping around.
"Look mom! Its not what you think!" I begin.
"Are you sleeping around?" She spits and my blood boils.
"Of course not mom! It was a friend! He just gave me a ride home"
Mom snorts.
"Its the truth mom" I say completely heartbroken that she doesn't believe me.
"If you say so! But I don't want you to become a slut! Or A harlot! No! Else, I will disown you Nicole" she says. Her brown eyes are narrowed at me and she leaves.
Trina comes back with her phone. How could mom think I could do such a thing? I'm still a virgin!
"Earth Nicole!!!" Trina yells and I realise she's been standing there all along when I was lost in my thoughts.
"Yeah Trina!"
I drop the items on the table. I grab a pair of new sneakers and her chocolate ice cream. Then I hand them to her.
"Thanks Nicole! The sneakers are beautiful!!!" She yells.
"And I like the ice cream! Its my favourite flavour" she says.
I smile but it doesn't reach my eyes.
"I heard you and mom" Trina says realising the change in my mood.
I just nod.
"It was just a mere argument Trina"
"You know mom could be grumpy at times" she says and I chuckle.
"That's true though" I say.
"She was upset when she realized you were not at home Nicole. She said you might be hanging around with guys. And the time you arrived too didn't help you" Trina elaborates.
I sigh.
"You know me Trina! I don't hang out with guys. Even though most of them are my friends"
"Yes I know Nicole!" Trina says and I hug her.
"I knew you would understand" I say the moment we break apart. Trina grabs her ice cream and licks it.
"Yummy" she says. I grab mine and do same.
"So was that a guy who dropped you off in that black Range Rover?" Trina asks raising her eyebrow at me.
"Yes Trina" I say.
"Was it Aaron?" She asks
"Nope" I say
"Danny?" She asks again.
I shake my head and lick my ice cream.
Trina frowns her face. "What's the name of the last one? Is it Troy?"
"Yes that's his name! But he's not the one who dropped me"
Trina laughs. "Its been a while since he came here! Do you remember what he did the last time?"
"Refresh my memory" I reply.
Trina laughs. The memory must be very funny. I search my brain to remember any little stunt he pulled up in my house.
"Mom was angry when she saw him but you told her he was a good guy. Then he offered to help mom bake some cupcakes. Mom was surprised but she allowed him and gave him an apron. As soon as mom put them in the oven, she had a call and left for her phone giving Troy strict instructions to look after them."
She pauses and laughs. I remembered what happened thereafter.
"And when mom came back, the cupcakes were burning whiles Troy was busy playing games on his phone. I remember the beatings mom gave Troy. She swatted his arm and smacked his head. She was extremely angry. Then she threw him out of the kitchen. Troy was so sad" I end laughing.
"And what even kills me the most is when mom removed the cupcakes! It was so dark and the whole room was smoky" Trina says.
"Mom never jokes with her baking" I say to Trina.
"That was by the way. But tell me! Who is this mysterious guy who gave you the ride?" Trina asks. Curiosity was eating her up.
"His name is Jake and I met him at the mall"
"Jake. Nice name" Trina says.
"So is he handsome? Hot? Does he have tattoos? Is he tall? Is he a blond?" Trina asks and I giggle.
"Relax Trina!" I say.
"Okay...okay! I'm calm! Tell me" Trina says
"Actually Trina, he's all of that!" I say and she shrieks.
"Oh my gosh Nicole!!!" She yells and I shush her.