The next afternoon at Star Restaurant, as Audrey entered, Chioma turned her head and greeted her with a smile, nodding in acknowledgement. Chioma was carrying a tray of rice and groundnut stew with chicken for a customer who had placed an order.
Placing the food on the customer's table, Chioma said, 'Enjoy your meal, ma'am.' Then, she walked over to Audrey. 'Ma'am Audrey, it's great to see you again.'
'Always,' Audrey replied with a sweet smile. 'What do you have on the menu?'
'Just let me know what you'd like,' Chioma said, unable to bring herself to inform Audrey that there was no menu. This was a local restaurant, not a high-end establishment meant for affluent individuals like Audrey. Chioma couldn't help but ponder why Audrey preferred dining here instead of at a high-end establishment. Today was Audrey's second time of eating here anyway.
Audrey's gaze swept the room, dismissing the handwritten specials scrawled on a chalkboard by the kitchen door. 'I'll have what she's having,' she declared, pointing to a woman hunched over a bowl of ofe ede with akpu.
Chioma followed her gaze and replied, 'That's ofe ede with akpu... Are you sure you'll be able to handle that?' Her eyebrows shot up, surprised.
Audrey shrugged, her delicate nose crinkling in amusement. 'What's wrong with the dish? Besides, my grandmother loves eating swallow.' She gestured with her delicate hands, causing Chioma to laugh. 'Who can resist something so...rustic?'
A small smile appeared on Chioma's face. Rustic was a simple way to describe it. Akpu's unique fermented taste and sticky texture wasn't something someone like Audrey would often eat in her luxurious home. But Chioma could see that Audrey genuinely wanted to eat the dish. She knew that Audrey wasn't the type of girl who pretends to be graceful in public but turns into a wolf when alone. Audrey wasn't someone who conceals her true nature behind a mask. She was unpretentious, and Chioma could see that.
'I'm afraid your hand will smell after eating that. Akpu has a strong odour. It tends to stick to you like super glue or even like a jealous lover,' Chioma teased.
'As long as it doesn't smell like ogiri, I'm game.' Audrey quipped. 'But hey, I like ogiri whenever my grandmother uses it to cook. So sad that she's not alive to make me those traditional dishes.'
Chioma was surprised. Audrey knew about ogiri? This woman, draped in luxury, knew the pungent fermented condiment made from oil seeds loved by market women and labourers? Chioma felt a growing fascination, a desire to understand more about this unexpected patron.
'Don't worry, I didn't come from the moon... Go ahead and bring the dish for me. I'm starving,' Audrey said playfully.
Chioma went out and returned with a tray containing a hot, steaming bowl of ofe ede, another plate with akpu, a jug of water, and a washing bowl. She placed them before Audrey.
Audrey quickly washed her hands and eagerly dug into the food. Her eyes widened in delight as she savoured the flavours. She ate the dish with relish, as if it were her favourite. Within a few minutes, Audrey finished the meal and happily chewed on the snail in her mouth.
She poured herself a glass of water and glanced at the clock. It was almost two o'clock in the afternoon. A thought crossed her mind, and she waved at Chioma, who was attending to another customer. Chioma finished with the customer and approached Audrey.
'I finished the dish,' Audrey exclaimed excitedly. Then she reached into her handbag and pulled out a perfume bottle.
Chioma was taken aback when she saw the perfume.
'CR7...' Audrey glanced at Chioma. 'This perfume was produced by Cristiano Ronaldo... I bought it online... here.' She gently placed the bottle into Chioma's hand before she could refuse. 'This perfume is the best to apply after eating akpu,' Audrey said with a smile. 'Don't feel embarrassed, just take it. It's my tip.'
'But ma'am...' Chioma hesitated.
'No 'buts'... Take it,' Audrey insisted.
'Thank you,' Chioma expressed her gratitude.
Audrey nodded with a smile on her face. As Chioma was about to turn away, Audrey said, 'I want you to do something for me.'
Chioma looked at her and asked, 'What is it, ma'am?'
Audrey handed a wad of cash to her and nodded. 'My sister has dismissed for the day from school. But you see, I'm so tired and don't have the strength to pick her up. Could you do that for me?'
'Is that all?' Chioma responded, eager to help Audrey in any way she could. She knew she would need to seek permission from Emeka.
Audrey laughed mischievously and blurted out, 'Maybe you'll run into Mr. Handsome.'
Stunned, Chioma looked at her in puzzlement. It turned out that Audrey wanted to introduce her brother, Felix, to Chioma. Audrey genuinely liked Chioma and wished for her to be Felix's girlfriend.
Afraid that Chioma might suspect something, Audrey put on an air of excitement, as if her previous comment had been casual.
'Which school?' Chioma asked.
'Diamond Snow Secondary School... my younger sister Celine goes there,' Audrey replied.
That was the same school Michael had attended, Chioma recalled, thinking back to the group of girls who had mentioned it. She looked at Audrey with confusion. What trick was she trying to play? Audrey's innocent and charming eyes reassured Chioma that she wouldn't harm her, but Chioma couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to this request.
Chioma sighed slightly. 'I will help you, but just this once.'
Audrey smiled and reached out to hug her. 'Thank you.'
'I will have to seek permission from my boss,' Chioma added.
'That's all right. I will send your picture to my sister's phone so she can recognise you immediately.' Audrey took a picture of Chioma and sent it to Celine. 'She's Celine, in SSS 3A class. She has long, dark hair tied up neatly in a ponytail. She's tall, slender, and beautiful.'
'What's her surname?' Chioma asked.
'She's the only one answering Celine... you'll easily find her,' Audrey explained.
Chioma sought permission from Emeka and then set out for Diamond Snow Secondary School. After half an hour, the taxi Chioma had boarded stopped in front of the most expensive school in Nigeria. Chioma was taken aback by the sight before her.
Before she could enter the splendid and majestic school compound, the security officers at the gate scanned her with a metal detector to ensure she didn't have any weapons. The buildings were equipped with high-tech classrooms, and the meticulously maintained green areas provided students with a space to relax. The buildings themselves were worth millions of dollars and designed by international architects. They were not only visually stunning but also conducive to learning, with well-equipped laboratories for physics, biology, chemistry, biotechnology, and other science-related courses. Many students arrived in their cars, and some had their drivers drop them off and pick them up. The teachers employed at the school were highly qualified, holding degrees from some of the best universities in the world.
The students looked as if they belonged in a magazine advertisement for their school. Their uniforms, which consisted of grey pleated mini-skirts for girls, dress trousers for boys, a white shirt with sleeves and a collar, a jacket, a vest, a tie, and white socks, made them resemble models from a fashion magazine. The cost of the uniform for each student amounted to $300. It was clear that the school aimed to provide the best education, and only those whose parents were willing to spend extravagantly could afford to attend. A few students from less privileged backgrounds were granted scholarships based on their outstanding academic results, but their presence was like a lone wildflower pushing through the cracks in a manicured lawn.
Chioma, her worn shoes whispering against the pristine pavement, felt an unfamiliar prickle of self-consciousness. Around her, students moved with effortless grace, voices weaving laughter with the clinking of bracelets and the click of expensive heels. It was a world apart from the bustling market stalls and dusty streets she knew, and for a moment, her simple clothes and calloused hands felt like foreign currency in this land of privilege. Chioma looked around, taking in the dazzling displays of wealth - fancy handbags swinging proudly, polished smiles as bright as the manicured lawns. This wasn't her world, and she understood that with a heavy heart. However, Chioma's focus was on finding Celine.
Her gaze darted around, searching for Celine. Dialling her number, she waited with bated breath as Celine answered.
'I'm coming... Wait for me at the gate,' Celine said in a huff before hanging up.
For over ten minutes, Chioma stood like a lone island in a sea of grey, until a beautiful girl matching Audrey's description appeared before her.
'Celine...?' Chioma's voice was a question mark.
Celine's frown was as swift as a summer storm. 'Do you doubt my name? Bring me home,' she commanded, already turning to leave.
Just as Chioma was about to follow, a flashy sports car screeched to a halt, drawing all eyes. Celine, without missing a beat, slid into the passenger seat.
'Good afternoon, big brother Felix,' she greeted, her voice laced with feigned sweetness.
Felix, the epitome of cool sophistication, offered a curt nod and a smile. As Celine buckled up, a flicker of remembrance seemed to cross her face.
'Can you bring her along?' Celine turned to Felix and asked.
'Who?' Felix asked, looking around.
Celine leaned out and waved at Chioma.
'I'll take a taxi. You guys go ahead,' Chioma said.
At that moment, Felix emerged from the car, leaving Chioma astounded as she laid eyes on him. He bore a striking resemblance to Michael – tall, handsome, and exuding charisma. His fashion and demeanour immediately signalled that he belonged to an elite aristocratic class.
He frowned slightly when he noticed Chioma looking at him as though she recognised him. Celine stepped out of the car as well.
'Big brother, Audrey wanted her to pick me up from school because she was busy,' Celine explained. She turned to Chioma. 'This is my big brother, Felix. Would you mind riding with us?'
Chioma shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. 'I'll be fine taking a taxi,' she said.
Celine shrugged and climbed back into the car. 'Suit yourself.'
Felix lingered for a moment, his gaze locked on Chioma's, before turning away and disappearing into the roar of the engine without saying a word to Chioma.
Questions swirled in Chioma's mind. Could it be that they are related? Was this all a setup by Audrey? What was she up to? Chioma wondered as she turned away. As she hailed a taxi back to Star Resturant, her phone buzzed. It was Audrey calling.
'Somebody picked up your sister from school, a young man in a white flashy sports car,' Chioma informed Audrey over the phone.
'Yeah, my sister just told me. That's my elder brother,' Audrey replied.
'I see,' Chioma said and hung up.