Beautiful stranger - Episode 5

 

EPISODE 5
Emeka took a seat, taken aback by Jerry’s words. Jerry
looked serious. This, in part delighted Emeka and also
worried him. “Love is a strong word, Jerry.” He said.
Jerry nodded. “You have never heard me say it before. This
time, it is real.” Emeka sighed. Jerry drew close to him . “You
should meet this lady, she is amazing. I was struck from
day one. She is so beautiful, and I am not just talking about
her face, she has a beautiful personality too…you should see
her when she smiles, Dude, she is-”
“-Abeg jare! Have I met the girl?” Emeka said, cutting him
off.
Jerry hissed. “You are just jealous.”
“I think I am…I don’t talk about my babe with this much
excitement.” Emeka replied. Jerry started to smile at this. “But
then, she is not your woman.” Emeka chipped in
immediately, cutting off Jerry’s excitement.
Jerry frowned. “You don’t have to rub it in. I am thinking of
taking her to the movies with me. The cinema is a nice place
to take a lady, right?” he asked.
Emeka started to whistle.
“Emeka, I am not used to these things. Be nice.”
Emeka turned to him with a smile

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

. “So, you need me to tell
you where to take her?”
Jerry nodded. “Obviously. What kind of place do you take a
lady…I mean, fun stuff. So that she might want to go out
with me another day.”
Emeka took a deep breath. “What if she turns you down?”
“I am not looking at that possibility. She won’t turn me
down.” He replied.
Emeka stroked his beard. “The Movies is a good start. When
your friendship progresses and you think she might have
subtle feelings for you, you should introduce the beach, it
gives you guys the avenue to walk and trust me, a lady
would love to take a walk with a man she loves. Key word,
a man she loves. So, I am sorry for you if this lady doesn’t
love you.”
Jerry swallowed at this.
Emeka smiled as he continued. “You can also take her to a
fancy restaurant on a dinner date, another good option is to
take her to Jazz night or see a Rock band, but be careful,
ladies love rockers and you may not come back with her.”
Jerry frowned. “You can stop with the advice.”
“But I am not through. We are yet to get to the part where
you start having dates at Shopping Plazas, bro, your life is
over when that starts. I know you are well endowed with
money from the Hospital, but once you start visiting
boutiques for clothes, jewelleries, you can start counting
your loss.” Emeka said.
Jerry smiled.
Emeka stared at him. “You think it is funny?”
“No. I now know why you are always so bitter. I mean, that
babe you are about to marry will make you pensive. No
offence, bro.” Jerry replied.
Emeka hissed. “And you think this girl you like won’t drain
you?”
“I am ready to be drained for her.” Jerry replied with a smile.
Emeka smiled cynically. “Smitten fool!”
“Now that I think of it, you should thank the Director on my
behalf for this two weeks suspension. I am going to use it to
the peak.” Jerry said as he picked up his phone. “I should
pay her a visit this afternoon. I don’t have her number, but I
have her address” Jerry rambled on.
Emeka nodded. “You can be rest assured that I will tell that
to the Director. So, what would you tell her about your Job
when she asks why you have so much free time?”
“Hmmm…I am on leave.” Jerry replied. “Besides, I told her I
work in a Bank.”
Emeka stared at him. “Why?”
“I…I don’t know. I am not proud about being a failing
Doctor.”
Emeka laughed. “Failing Doctor? Man, you don’t lie to people
you love.”
“Are you preaching to me? Don’t you lie to your fiancée?”
Jerry asked.
Emeka smiled. “I am not proud of it. And I just think that if
you love her as much as you claim, you should tell her the
truth about your profession.”
“She already knows I drink. How is she going to like me? A
Doctor that drinks? A custodian of life that is careless? That is
how she would see me.” Jerry replied. “I can’t let her know
that I am a Doctor. I am also a failure in the field, what is
there to talk about?”
Emeka sighed. “I get your point, but, I am sure that if she is
as amazing as you say, she would relate with you, you
might even gain her sympathy.”
“I don’t want her sympathy. I won’t let her feel sorry for
me. I just don’t want her to see me in that light. It is totally
ridiculous.” Jerry replied.
Emeka nodded slowly. “Quick question, Jerry. What if this
lady falls in love with you, do you think you can keep up
with the lie forever? The truth will eventually come out and
trust me, you won’t like it when a woman finds out that you
have been keeping things from her.”
Jerry wiped some perspiration off his forehead. “I don’t
know what will happen when…if that eventually happens.”
“No, Jerry. When the truth eventually comes out. I promise
you, the truth is something that would eventually come out,
you can be rest assured that I got your back on this, but I
just want you to know what you might be getting yourself
into.” Emeka said.
Jerry nodded. “Thanks a lot.”
“So, when is the first date going to be?” Emeka asked,
standing up.
Jerry shrugged. “I will ask her today when I go to her place.
If all goes well, Friday night.”
“Good choice. Jerry, just one pointer, you might want to
keep a good track of all the lies you tell her.” Emeka said.
“Maybe write it down in a diary.” He added quickly.
Jerry raised an eyebrow. “I don’t get.”
“Ladies don’t forget a thing. I don’t know how they do it,
but, they remember every tiny detail. And I hope you know
that you would have to tell many lies to cover up the little lie
you have started with. So, I would advise that you get your
brain ready to remember every little lie you tell, because,
they will be your undoing in the end.” Emeka concluded
with a smile.
Jerry swallowed. “I don’t know why you are being very
negative.”
“I am only being honest, bro. I wish you the best, man. I
would be glad if you can tell her the truth about your
profession before she finds out though.” He said grinning.
Jerry opened his door. “Thanks.”
Emeka smiled. “See you later, Dr Jerry.”
Jerry frowned as he pushed Emeka out of the house.
***
Toni brushed Nora’s hair backward. “You should feed your
hair more.” She started. “The hair needs to be healthy and to
be healthy, it needs food.”
“Rice and Beans?” Nora asked.
Toni pulled a grimace. “Is that you being funny?”
Nora nodded with a smile. “I try.”
“No. Failed effort.” Toni retorted. “Anyway, how much do
you pay Ehis for the wigs she supplies you?”
Nora turned her head over her shoulder quickly. “Are the
wigs of low quality?”
Toni smiled. Her sister might just have Ehis’ head for dinner
if she had even pulled a joke at the moment. “Chill babe, I
just think you are spending too much on buying me wigs. I
want to leave my scalp.”
Nora swallowed painfully. “No, Toni. You can’t do that.”
“Why not, Nora? Eventually the whole world will see the
scalp.” Toni replied as she continued with Nora’s hair. “I just
think the money could be channelled to other things.”
Nora scoffed. “Toni, stop being modest. I am not buying
wigs of fifty grand, you pump enough money into your
charity organization monthly, and we don’t need to donate
the money for your beautification too.”
Toni giggled.
“What is funny?” Nora asked.
Toni smiled. “Beautification is funny. The context I mean.”
She replied.
Nora sighed. “I just want you to be happy.”
“I am happy. You should sing that hymn in reverse.” Toni
replied.
Nora nodded. “I am trying to be happy.”
Toni smiled as she packed the hair. “Your hair is looking
lovely. You should pay me for this.” She said as she stepped
away and took her seat on the edge of the bed. “Nora…”
“Yeah…” Nora replied sloppily as she checked the hair in the
mirror.
Toni stroked her eyebrow gently, at least, she still had that.
“Do you think that I…I might live?”
Nora’s face fell as she turned to her sister. “I know you
would live. People get through Cancer every time. You are a
fighter and I know that you would.”
Toni nodded slowly. “Why then do you stare at me every
night? Why do you waste your time keeping vigils over me
every night?”
Nora took her seat beside Toni. “I…I just love watching you
sleep.”
Toni’s eyes started to get wet. “You don’t have to lie to me.
You think I might just go.”
Nora cleaned her sister’s eyes. “You are not going
anywhere…I have to go first, remember? I am older than
you, it should be turn by turn.” she said with a soft chuckle.
Toni smiled. “Death is not a respecter of any one.”
“God gives life.” Nora replied as she kissed her sister’s
forehead. “I love you, Toni.”
Toni pulled herself away from Nora. “Don’t get all mushy on
me.”
Nora chuckled. “So…what do you want for breakfast?”
“Your head.” Toni replied as she crawled up on the bed.
Nora frowned. “Babe, I don’t have time for your jokes this
morning. I need to get your food ready now. So, tell me
what you want to eat.”
“I really don’t know. I would have whatever you decide to
cook.” Toni replied.
Nora nodded as she approached the door. “I’ll be back then.”
She said and walked out.
Toni pulled out her diary and started to scribble.
“New Guy: His name is Jerry and yes…I really like this one.”
She shut the diary and left the bedroom.
“What are you doing here?” Nora asked as soon as she saw
her sister.
Toni took a seat. “Watching you cook.”
“You know that you don’t have to be here.” She replied.
Toni nodded. “I know I don’t have to be here, but, I want to
be.”
Nora sighed. “Fine. Have it your way.”
The doorbell went. Toni stared at the wall clock. “Early
visitor. Hmmm…doesn’t James sleep at night?” Toni asked
with a grin as she strolled out of the kitchen to the door.
Jerry stood before her with a smile as soon as she opened
the door. “Good morning.”
Toni closed the door after her as she shoved Jerry outside.
“Morning, Jerry.”
“I see you don’t want me inside.” He replied.
She folded her arms. “Why won’t I want you inside? I am
just surprised that you are here this early instead of being at
work. Don’t they miss you there?”
“I…I don’t think I can lie about what I want to say.” He
started.
Toni smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, Jerry. It is a thing of the
mind.”
“Can…Can you just quit with the…the sarcasm…I am trying
to say something serious here.” Jerry said as he stuttered.
He placed his hand behind his back as he crossed his
fingers.
“Okay, I am listening.” She replied.
The door opened and Nora joined them. “Look at who we
have here.” She said as she stared keenly at Jerry. “Mr Nice
outfit!”
“The name is Jerry.” He said, stretching out a hand.
Nora took the hand calmly and turned to Toni. “Why did
you leave your guest standing outside?”
Toni gaped. “We were-”
“-No. I was just leaving.” Jerry said hastily.
Nora gripped him by the arm. “No way, you just got here.
Please come in with us. Breakfast is ready.”
Toni sighed.
Nora smiled at her. “Let the gentleman come in. Won’t you?”
Toni flashed an awkward grin at her. “Of course, I will.” She
said and turned in Jerry’s direction. “Please eat with us.”
“I already had breakfast.” He replied.
Toni smiled. “You would love this one.”
“Besides, you can’t turn two ladies down. It so
ungentlemanly.” Nora added quickly.
Jerry nodded. “Okay then.”
Nora smiled and led the way into the house.
“So, tell me, what do you do?” Nora started as she stared at
Jerry.
Jerry cleared his throat as he prepped himself to continue his
lie. “I am a Banker. I work in the Microfinance bank down the
lane, the sort of investment bank that we have here.”
Nora nodded. “I know that bank. Does anybody still visit
there? I think you should consider a switch of jobs.”
Jerry smiled. “I am happy to help there. I am doing
someone a favour by being there.”
“Oh…that’s noble. But, I am more concerned about what the
bank does for you than what you do for the bank.” She
replied.
Toni watched her sister interrogate Jerry as though she was
her mother. She didn’t contribute to their discussion and
continued to eat her meal.
“I work in the Customer Care unit of the leading service
provider in this nation.” Nora bragged.
Toni hissed.
Nora flinched at her. “It is…”
Toni nodded cynically and reached for her phone. She
dialled her sister’s number on it. Nora’s phone rang to Toni’s
delight.
Nora smiled as she saw her phone ring. “Private Caller. I
have to take this, guys.” She said and picked the call. “Hello…
Hello…Hello…”
“Talk about leading service provider.” Toni said with a grin.
“That is a traditional network problem with them, you can
call endlessly and not hear anything from the other end.”
Toni concluded.
Nora dropped the phone on the table. “This is just a slight
hitch, Jerry. It doesn’t always happen like that, I can assure
you.”
Jerry nodded with a smile. “I quite agree with you.”
Nora smiled at Toni. “In your face, Toni. In your face.” She
said and then turned towards Jerry. “Just so you know,
Banking is a good profession and I have nothing against it,
but I just think you should consider a change of jobs.”
“Mom, he has heard you.” Toni interrupted.
Nora nodded. “So, off to the main question. What are your
intentions for my sister?”
Toni spilled her drink from her mouth. “Nora!”
Jerry smiled. “It’s okay. I want to take her out this Friday, if
you don’t mind.”
Nora nodded. “I don’t mind. Toni, you are going out this
Friday.”
Toni rolled her eyes. “This is just amazing.” She muttered.
Jerry smiled at Toni. “Do we have a date?”
“Of course, you have a date.” Nora replied. “Ensure you
bring her back home by midnight.”
Toni shook her head. “I have my own mouth, you know?”
“Yeah…and I also know that you have a way of making the
wrong decisions when I don’t wave my magic wand in
your direction.” Nora replied.
Jerry sighed. “You are really cool together.”
Nora smiled. “We try.”
Toni stared at Nora. Her sister was unnecessarily excited and
this worried her. She had always wanted to rub off some
goodness on Nora, but something seemed to have gone
wrong somewhere, Nora was overjoyed and jumping in
and out of every conversation that she would naturally not
want to have.
“Quit staring at me.” Nora said to Toni.
Toni smiled. “Done.”
***
FRIDAY NIGHT
Emeka handed Jerry a blue tie. “I think this should go.”
“It is just the movies, right? I think I am overdoing it.” Jerry
replied as he stared at the tie.
Emeka shrugged. “I don’t know, but you might get to her
house and see her in a dinner gown, so, you better at least
match up.”
Jerry sighed. “I should have told her that we were going to
the movies. Do you think I should call her and tell her that
now?” he asked.
Emeka hissed. “Guy, wear something jare. First impressions
matter.”
“But…But it’s not like I am proposing to her, right?” Jerry
asked.
Emeka nodded. “Either way, you might want to be
prepared, she might propose to you.”
Jerry stared at him with a grimace.
“Haha…I was trying to be funny.” Emeka replied.
Jerry nodded. “I observed.”
Emeka took a seat as he watched Jerry fumble with the tie.
“So, which new lie have you told to her?”
“Still on the same.” He replied.
Emeka nodded. “That’s good. Remember to keep the lies
simple, and beware, she will ask a lot of questions about
your family when you guys go to eat, try not to lie about
that. I don’t think she would forgive any of that.”
Jerry took a deep breath and sank into a chair. “Man, I am
scared. I don’t want to hurt her.”
“Bro, you have already started the lie trend, try to see it out
to the end…and maybe you can just come up with you
have decided to switch jobs, you know?” Emeka suggested.
Jerry laughed. “You don’t just switch to being a surgeon.”
Emeka nodded. “You are in soup, bro.”
***
“Nora, I think I am okay.” Toni protested as Nora stared at
her make-up box.
Nora ignored her as she picked up a brush. “We are going
to apply a little more powder here and there.”
Toni jumped up. “Okay baby, I am fine. I am not going to
let you turn me into a Chinese dragon.” She replied as she
slipped into her jean trousers.
“I was thinking you would wear a gown.” Nora said as she
stared at the gowns on the bed. “I already picked out that
black gown for you.”
Toni stared at the gown. “Hmmm…I’ll pass. Besides, I know
it is just the movies and I can bet that he won’t be doing
more than a top and denims. I am not going to show up like
someone who is about to get proposed to.”
“Oh come on, Toni!” Nora said.
Toni smiled. “Don’t worry, I am wearing that top you have
been dying to see me wear for ages.”
Nora didn’t smile.
Toni shrugged. “Whatever, man.”
The doorbell went. Nora stood up. “I would go and see Jerry
in.”
“I am going to tell him.” Toni said as she picked up her
purse.
Nora stared at her. “Are you sure?”
“It’s better not to let them get close and get hurt later on, he
would know about my condition tonight.” She replied. “Let’s
go.”
Nora nodded and opened the door as they walked
downstairs. Jerry was already standing in the Hallway after
being let in by a maid. Nora stared at Toni with an evil grin
as they stared at Jerry’s suit.
Jerry swallowed painfully as he stared at Nora’s simple wear.
“Emeka, you devil!” he cursed in his heart.
“Good evening, ladies.” Jerry greeted.
Nora smiled. “Good evening to you, Jerry. You look
dashing.”
Jerry smiled at Nora. “Thank you.” He then walked up to
Toni. “You are beautiful.”
“Everybody knows.” Nora cooed. She then shoved both of
them out. “Now be on your way, avoid the late night traffic.”
***
“Do I look seriously dressed?” Jerry asked as they walked
into the mall.
Toni smiled. “Do you think you look seriously dressed?
“Yes, I do.” He replied
She nodded. “Then, you do.”
“I…I hope this doesn’t embarrass you.” He said.
She paused and stared at him seriously. “Why would it?”
Jerry smiled. “I don’t want people thinking I am your
Daddy.”
Toni smiled. “In that case, I have one cute Daddy.”
He smiled. “That’s…that’s a compliment?”
She stared at him. “What century are you from, Jerry?”
“Alien world.” He replied.
“Is that a century?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No, that’s the movie we are going to be
see. It is amazing! I mean, you need to see the aliens and
their tricks at getting humans to submit to their will.” He said
with a glow.
“So we are going to see sci-fi?” she asked.
He nodded. “It is one of the coolest things you would ever
see.”
“I think we should see Cars.” She replied.
He stared at her. “Cars? That’s a cartoon. It should be for
kids”
She nodded. “And young adults. Did you see your face
when you were talking about Alien world?”
He shrugged. “I was kidding though, you get to choose the
movie.”
“Of course. No way am I going to let you torture me with
alien world.” She replied as they stepped on the escalator.
Toni looked around the movie section while Jerry got the
popcorns. He returned to her as she flashed two tickets
before him. “I got us a good movie.”
“Is there any part where you get to cry on my shoulder?” he
asked with a smile.
She paused to think. “Erm…”
“Dr Jerry!” A man with a young boy called out as he joined
them. “I didn’t know it was you, but my son kept on telling
me that it was you. Children” He said as he ruffled his son’s
hair with a smile.
Toni stared at them and then at Jerry who managed a smile
at the man.