Beautiful stranger - Episode 3

 

EPISODE 3
Toni pushed her weight against the leather seat and focused
on the Television. Nora was going to be fast asleep by now.
Nora never took long once she hit the sheets. Toni took a
deep breath as she reflected on her sister’s words. She had
never seen herself as selfish, she had only seen the men in
her sister’s life as the wrong men. James was new though
and it might seem too quick to judge him, but he already
got off on the wrong foot with his admiration for her . This
was never going to please Nora.
Nora couldn’t sleep. She didn’t feel right after yelling at Toni.
Toni had never been responsible for anything that happened
to her but it was just convenient to blame it all on Toni. Toni
was happy. She wasn’t. Toni’s happiness came from within,
it was so beautiful that it confused everyone around her.
Nora knew there was no sleep for her this time. On a good
day, once she hit the sheets, she was gone. But today, it
isn’t one of those good days. She prayed that the door
would open and Toni would come in to apologize as usual
so as to make it easier for her, but the door wasn’t going to
open. She stared hard at the door and eventually forced it
open.
“How long are you going to keep staring at that thing?” Nora
asked as she descended the stairs.
Toni grinned as she heard her sister’s voice

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/beautiful-stranger

. She then
straightened her head with a frown.
“We both know that you don’t like Fashion Police.” Nora
added as she joined Toni in the living room. “You think it is a
waste of time, the clothes have been worn and awards have
been…” Nora paused with a smile waiting for Toni to pounce
on their mantra.
Toni stared at Nora coldly. “Every girl loves Fashion Police…
and I am no exception.”
“Really? Since when did my sister fit into the majority? I
mean, that is so not Toni. Did you lose some nuts in your
head when you went for your evening walk?” Nora asked.
Toni ignored her.
Nora took a deep breath and drew close to her sister. “I think
we should watch football, I know you like to watch it. There
should be a match tonight, right?”
Toni ignored her.
“Cristiano has the biggest abs, right?” Nora continued.
Toni sighed. “Quit trying. It just takes five letters. One word.
I don’t need the full three words.”
“Sorry.” Nora said with a frown.
Toni smiled. “I can’t hear you.”
Nora nudged her sister. “I am sorry, Toni.”
“I need you to be a little more audible.” Toni said as she
stuck her tongue out.
Nora smiled. “I am sorry.”
Toni nodded and hugged her. “The good guys will come.
Always remember that.”
“It’s just that I really like James.”
Toni rolled her eyes. “And you really liked Nathaniel too…and
what is the name of that other douchebag?”
“Ude.”
Toni laughed. “Yeah…you liked him too. You liked them all,
but eventually, you let them go. The heart will eventually
forget unrequited love, Nora. It doesn’t matter how long it
takes.”
“Why do I always have to be the one giving out all the love
and not getting any?” Nora asked.
Toni shrugged. “Probably you think you have been giving
out love…maybe it is lust.”
Nora hissed. “Are you saying that I don’t know the
difference between love and lust?”
“There is a thin line between them.” Toni replied. “Anyway,
just so I am not a spoiler, I actually think that James might
like you, so you can be optimistic about it, but I’d advise you
not to get your hopes up.” She added immediately.
Nora sighed. “Just one question…why do guys like you?”
“Isn’t it evident? I am alive.” Toni replied as she rose to her
feet.
Nora frowned. “And I am dead?”
“Technically, you are dead…and to think I am the walking
corpse.” Toni replied with a smile. “Live life a little, Sis. Let
down your hair, play in the sun…maybe the rain, I won’t
totally advise the rain because it is not as romantic as the
movies make it, but Nora, you are beautiful and you have
the right and ability to be happy. Don’t waste it.”
Nora stared at Toni. “You know I don’t like it when you talk
like this.”
Toni smiled. “You know better, sis.”
Nora nodded slowly. “We should go to bed now, I am tired
of this day, I need a new one.”
“You will always need a new day, Nora. You don’t do
anything with the one you have.”
Nora groaned. “Enough! I am tired. Is that better?”
Toni smiled. “Yeah. Let’s go to bed.”
“Where did you go today?” Nora asked as they ascended the
stairs.
Toni smiled to herself. “The bar,”
“No way!” Nora replied. “I don’t even believe you.”
Toni grinned. “Okay.”
***
“Really, you want a job at my bar?” Tunji asked as he
cleaned a glass.
Jerry hissed. “Don’t flatter yourself, bro. I just need to be
here more often, I need to see that girl again. Tell me, what
have you gathered about her?”
“Nothing.”
Jerry frowned. “Nothing? How is it possible that no one
knows anything about a lady that I like?”
“You like her?” Tunji asked as he arranged some glasses.
Jerry shook his head disapprovingly. “No.”
“I heard you well. No shame in liking a girl, brother.” Tunji
replied. “She is a stunner. Can take anyone at first glance.”
Jerry sighed. “I need to see her…again.”
“You have a name?” Tunji asked.
He nodded. “Yeah…very helpful name. Stranger.”
Tunji laughed. “Bro, you just got zoned.”
“Zoned?”
Tunji nodded. “The friend zone. Never a friendly zone to be
in, when…no, if you get out, you are a Legend.”
Jerry turned his face away.
“So, how come you have run away from the Hospital to get
a job by the Bar? Very interesting change of job if you ask
me.” Tunji started as he stared at Jerry with keen interest.
Jerry nodded. “That is why I am not asking you.”
“So, why don’t you like anyone knowing where you work?
Being a Doctor is a very honourable profession, My Dad
would have killed to see me hang a stethoscope around my
neck.” Tunji replied.
Jerry grinned. “You can have my life. I certainly don’t want
it.”
Tunji gaped. “Seriously? You don’t like it?”
“It is overrated.”
Tunji shrugged. “Says the Doctor…From where I am
standing, you are living the life. Handsome wages, only that
this is your life.” He said, staring at the liquor bottles. “Find a
girl. Settle down. Stop drinking.”
“You will be out of business.” Jerry replied. “It is strange to
find a barman tell his customer to quit. What is wrong with
you?” he asked, laughing.
Tunji smiled. “That’s the first and last time I will tell you
about it, I might not be interested in dissuading you
tomorrow.”
Jerry nodded. “I like it here and now. Don’t bother trying
again.”
“So…about your mystery girl, any plans to find her?”
Jerry scratched his hair lightly. “I don’t have any plans, but I
will visit all the points at which I have met her until I find
her.”
“This is the only meeting point.” Tunji said laughing.
Jerry smiled as he got up. “No. I have another spot.”
“And I guess you are going there?” Tunji asked.
Jerry shrugged with a smile. “It’s all the gold I have got.”
“All the best, bro.”
Jerry nodded and walked out of the bar and down the road.
He took his seat at the spot where he had met ‘Stranger’. He
stared at his wristwatch tensely as he hoped that she might
just walk past.
Three long hours had passed and she was nowhere in sight.
It was 9pm and she didn’t seem to him like the type who
might stray at that hour. He tucked his hand in his jacket and
walked away.
***
“Toni, are you sure about this?” Nora asked as she applied
her lip gloss.
Toni smiled. “The night is still young.”
“I know, but then, Viber? I don’t like that club.” Nora replied.
Toni nodded. “I know, you met all the boys you have loved
there, but then we have never seen James at Viber, so
maybe this is a good sign…the dude won’t be there, you are
in luck for the right man, finally.”
Nora sighed. “Toni, you don’t like the place either, why are
you making us go there?”
“Nora, we don’t necessarily have to go to Viber, I just want
you to go out. Shake up a little.” Toni said as she wore her
wig. “By the way, I don’t like this wig, get me a new one,
else, I’ll be rocking Amber style soon.”
Nora stared at her. “I think you are perfect with the wigs.”
“Let’s face the reality.” Toni replied.
Nora drank some water. “So…it’s been six months here, do
you like it at all?”
“Do I like it? Nora, I don’t do anything…except but wait for
the day I get another appointment.” Toni replied. “So, I love
it.”
Nora nodded. “That’s good.”
“So. Nora, tell me, do you think you will get a second date
with James, or should I hook you up?”
Nora scoffed. “Hook me up? I sure can take care of me,
baby sis.”
“Yeah…right.” Toni replied as she slipped into her shoes.
“Let’s go, baby.”
Nora nodded and picked up her phone. Her phone buzzed
and James popped up as the Caller ID. “James is calling,
what do I do?” she asked.
Toni grinned. “I thought you could take care of you.”
“Come on, Toni. Just help me, would you?”
Toni stared at her with a smile. “Ignore it.”
“Ignore what? This dude will never call me again in his life.
He already thinks he is a Diva.” Nora replied.
Toni shrugged. “Then why did you ask for my help?”
Nora stared at the screen. “Missed call. Are you happy
now?”
“Yeah. Let’s go party.” Toni replied.
“Remember you can’t be out too long, we would be back as
soon as possible.” Nora started.
Toni stared at the clock. “It is 9pm and we are just heading
out, how soon would we return, Nora dear?” she asked,
cynically.
Nora’s phone rang for a second time and she stared
helplessly at Toni who rolled her eyes in disgust. “I have to
take this, Toni.”
“Make yourself happy.” Toni replied and sank into the bed as
she started to take off her shoes.
Nora walked away from her sister as she took the call. Toni
watched her with a grimace as Nora blushed into the phone.
Toni slowly started to take off her clothes. She knew better
than to think she and her sister still had a date.
Nora returned to her with so much hope in her eyes.
“Don’t bother telling me, go and meet him.” Toni said as she
changed into trousers.
Nora took her seat beside her. “It is just that James said he
booked us two tickets to see this new movie.”
“Movie?” Toni asked as she raised her eyebrow. “Can’t we
go together?”
Nora’s face sank. “Toni…”
Toni smiled. “Of course, you know I was kidding.”
“Can I go dressed like this?” Nora asked.
Toni stared at her. “I think you are slightly overdressed for
the movies.”
“So maybe I can wear that lemon top you got me last
summer?” Nora asked as she hurried to the wardrobe. She
was already pulling out the lemon top before waiting for any
response from her sister.
Toni smiled as she watched her sister agitate. Nora was in
love. The boys loved Toni effortlessly, she just didn’t find
herself loving anyone. She didn’t bother to love anyone and
her heart seemingly did cooperate with her and didn’t fall for
anyone too . Talk about cooperation!
Nora turned to her. “Toni, I don’t think you should go
anywhere tonight.”
“So you can have fun and I can’t?” Toni asked as she picked
up her phone.
Nora sighed. “You know we don’t have any friends here and
the time is quite unholy.”
“And I suppose you are going out on another time datum?
Say, American time?” Toni asked with a smile.
Nora frowned. “James is coming to get me. I am safe.”
“Trust no man.” Toni cooed as she sprawled on the bed.
“Don’t worry about me, I will go to bed.”
Nora nodded with a smile and pecked her sister. “I love you,
darling.”
“You love James more.” Toni replied.
Nora rolled her eyes. “Don’t keep me here, I need to meet
him downstairs.” She said, staring at her phone.
“ Na wa o! He must have parked his car outside the house
when he called.” Toni replied as she drew the blanket over
her.
Nora smiled. “Do I look good?”
“You are beautiful, Nora. Always know that.”
Nora nodded, blew her sister a kiss and hurried out.
***
“You look beautiful.” James whispered to Nora.
Nora turned to him with a smile. “Thank you.”
He nodded. “So…how is Toni?”
“Toni is good.”
James nodded. “She didn’t want to come to the movies with
us?”
“She was too tired.” Nora replied as she focused on the
movie. “We should focus on the movie, you know.”
James nodded as he faced the screen. “I think your sister is
really so much fun, she should rub off some happiness on
you.”
“Really?” Nora asked as she nudged him. “Am I that boring?”
He nodded with a smile. “And stoic too…”
“Come on, James.”
He grinned as he focused on the screen. “What is the most
spontaneous thing you have ever done?”
“I have been to Viber.”
James gaped as he stared at Nora. “Viber? You?”
Nora nodded confidently. “Yeah.”
“I can bet on anything that Toni took you there.” He said.
She smiled. “I can do some wild things too.”
“Are you trying to impress me?” James asked.
She scoffed. “Impress? I don’t need to…I am impressive.”
James smiled. “That sounds like a line Toni would use.”
Nora sighed heavily.
James wrapped his hand around Nora and drew her closer.
“I think you are beautiful as you are and you really don’t
need to bring a Toni swag to impress anyone.”
Nora pulled herself away from him. “You think I was not
being me?”
He nodded. “That was Toni.”
“You don’t even know Toni.” She replied.
He shrugged. “Maybe not as well as you do know her, but, I
have spent some minutes with her to guess how she talks
and I see you every day at work to know how well you
talk.”
“You notice me?”
He smiled. “From Day One that you stepped into our office.”
The man sitting beside James cleared his throat. “I am trying
to see a movie.” He grunted.
James chuckled as he stared at Nora. “Do you want to go to
someplace quiet?”
She nodded.
James took her hand and led her outside. Their exit was
greeted with howls and throwing of popcorns at them.
Nora laughed as they stepped outside. “I thought that only
happened in movies.”
“That was the movies.” James replied as he picked popcorns
out of her hair.
She smiled as though her face was going to crack. It was
just her and James and it seemed like something real was
happening.
“Come on, let’s go.” James said as he walked ahead. “We
would walk till we can walk no more.”
Nora smiled. “Now that is a real movie line.”
He nodded. “I am glad you know that. So, tell me Nora, you
just joined us say, six months ago and rumour has it that
you might be leaving us soon. I am not surprised because
you have a lot of money from your house and car, but,
why so soon?”
“And I am guessing that Ehis is the one that started the
rumour?” Nora asked.
He nodded. “The whole office is thinking you are leaving
soon.”
“Do you think I am?” she asked.
He shrugged. “I am asking you right now, are you?”
“I…I don’t think so. It all depends on Toni.” She replied.
James stared at her. “Toni? How does she come to play in all
this?”
Nora rubbed her forehead. “Toni…Toni is a bit of a traveller.
We spend our inheritance travelling round the world…and
touching lives too.”
“A lot of money your parents must have left for you guys.”
James said as they walked.
Nora shrugged.
“So, you must be the serious sister who can’t do without a
job that you decided to get a job to keep yourself busy…
hmmm…and to think the guys at work don’t know how
loaded you are…I should start blowing your trumpet.”
“And risk my house being burgled?” Nora asked.
He shrugged. “With the kind of security you have, that
shouldn’t be a problem.”
She smiled. “Interesting observation.”
“I take notice of everything…every little thing.” He replied.
She raised an eyebrow. “Security isn’t tiny detail, you
know?”
“I know…but really, I think you should get your sister to
work, staying in all day can be really depressing.”
Nora shrugged. “Toni doesn’t mind, besides, nothing brings
her down.”
“You think so?” He asked.
She nodded, “I know so.”
***
Toni stared at herself in the mirror and let the tears stream
down her eyes. She didn’t have the right or reason to
dream…to expect….to want. She just lived. Sometimes, she
hoped. Other times, she prayed.
She took off the wig slowly. Her hair had started to grow
again, she smiled as she touched the roots. She took a deep
breath as she thought about the call that she had been
expecting for six months in a corner of her heart. In the
other part of her mind, she didn’t want to receive the call.
She just wanted to live.
She pulled out her ‘sober coin’ from the drawer as tossed it
on the table. It had been almost five years since she last
touched a bottle. Moments like this took her back to her life
before the bad news came. She was the official party rocker.
Booze…Late nights, she lived what her friends would have
termed the life.
She however realised that what others called the life was
nothing close to what a real life was. Every day that passed
only drew her closer to a day she wasn’t sure she really
wanted to see.
Staring at the mirror was always a moment for her to
reflect. She wondered if one day she would actually wake up
and realise that the last five years in her life had never
happened and that the days that she lived now might just be
struck by a miracle. She hoped and prayed that it might
happen. She had been told several times that God does
answer prayers, she believes in God. She knows that he
does answer prayers and that her last five years on earth
was proof that God did answer prayers.
She took a deep breath and lay on the bed. She would try to
sleep.
***
Jerry turned off the alarm as it buzzed violently. “I don’t have
to obey you for the next two weeks.” He shouted as he
drew the blanket over himself. He had forgotten to change
the timer from 1am, he usually had his morning shifts as
early as four in the morning.
No sooner had he settled in the second round of his sleep
that his phone buzzed him back to live. “I should have
turned off the vibration.” He said as he drew the phone to
himself. “Tunji? Why is he calling me?” He said to himself as
he picked the call. “What’s up, man?”
“Guy! I think I just saw your girl.”
Jerry stared at the clock. “Dude? Have you been drinking?”
“No. She has been drinking.” Tunji replied