The Bet - Episode 6

 

Jessica finished shopping at the supermarket, entered her mother's car and drove off, she had gone home that weekend and had decided to help her mother with groceries, glancing at her fuel gauge  she turned into the nearest filling station, her radio played blues as she tapped on the steering wheel and waited her turn..
 The fuel attendant filled her tank and she gave him the money for it, he looked at her after counting it
"madam..your money nor complete" he said
She looked at him shocked" How much is it and how many litres did you put? "she asked
"na 145 naira per litre" he replied
"145...ah i thought it was 120"
He looked at her incredulously "madam fuel Don increase na.. im even scarce sef, see am for metre" he showed her
"well I wasn't aware and I don't have any extra money on me" she said 
"wetin go come happen na, you go leave your car?" He suggested, she gaped
"what do you mean I should leave my car because of how much,. . you must be out of your senses.. It was 120 the last time I checked, I'm very sure you inflated it.." she said
"madam pay me my money o.... ", he said "or else.

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

. " 
she got out of her car
"or else what.. call me your manager,  I need to speak with him" she said
"My manager" he said looking at her strangely 
"yes, your Manager.. I need him here to clarify things, I'm very sure you got the price inflated.. " she shouted
The car behind began to honk loudly 
"what's happening now, serve me fuel.. " the man called out 
The fuel attendant went to meet him
"why is the car in front of me not moving?" The man asked
"oga she nor go move o,  until she pay me my money"
"why what happened?" He asked,  the fuel attendant explained to him what had transpired
"its 145 now,  everyone knows that.... Anyway just let her go,  would complete the money whatever it is, tell her to move "
The attendant went back to her
"na God save you today,  the oga for back say make you move "
"I'm not going,  I insist that you call me your manager.. " she said
"madam na him pay for you o,  if not eh wetin for happen today you for not believe am"
She clapped her hands "wonders shall never end,  so you ll beat me..." she pointed at her chest,  the guy behind came to find out what was still the matter
"what do you mean he paid,  I would have taught you a lesson, you wouldn't believe am female"
The man got to them.. 
"what's happe..?" he was about asking when he looked at the woman and discovered that he knew her, she too had turned and there was silence,  she looked away,  Raymond gulped and looked at the attendant
"Don't worry she ll leave now, we very sorry" he apologized to the attendant as Jessica got back in her car and moved it, she packed then got out as Raymonds car got filled,  she watched him then glanced at the fuel attendant who got paid in full.... she glared at his exit after he walked away then looked at Raymond 
"you really shouldn't have done that"
"I'm sure the manager would have made it worse" he said
"hmm" her arms were crossed as she took him in,  him her
"I never thought I would see you again Jessica" he said
"I suppose you expect me to say thanks" she said ignoring what he had said and the wild thumping of her heart 
"would be appropriate... but I do not expect it from you" he paused "except you want to surprise me"
She stared at her feet then looked up at him
"I'm not into the business of surprises...have to be on my way" she said and walked away,  she got into her car and drove off, he stared after her
"it was nice seeing you too" he said
He had battled to forget about her but now he realised he was fighting a loosing battle,  this woman would be the death of him. 

Jessica glanced at the rear view mirror to see if he was following her,  and discovered he wasn't,  thank goodness..and good riddance.. he was the number one problem on her list right now and she didn't know what to do about it,  she always thought about him even when she  didn't want to... 
She got home and carried the bags in
"put them in the kitchen Jess thank you"her mother called from the sitting room where she was watching TV "how was shopping ?"
"crazy"she replied,  after putting everything away,  she came back into the sitting room to meet her mom who was looking all made up,  why was she so vain.. She wondered 
"what happened?" her mom asked 
Jessica sat down and told her what had happened 
Her mother laughed "it's  145 now,  been long you used the car that's why you didn't know.. thanks to the young man who saved you,  he's really nice, you said you know him... ?"
"no.. I ..don't.. .. " she said coldly then stood up and walked away before her mother asked her more about the 'youngman'
"what are we having for lunch?" she asked 
"make the soup, we can eat semo" her mother replied
Jessica got to work in the kitchen putting Raymond at the back of her mind. 

It was two days later when she went to the boutique to pick up some accessories,  as she turned a bend,  someone was there.. It wasn't just anyone.. It was Raymond...Shocked she stared at him,  he looked up and saw her
"are you following me?" She asked
He looked up to the heavens "good God,  why does she have to be here now at this moment and time"
"it's not funny,  I think you're following me and I do not like it" she said sternly 
"what would make you think that.. You realize we live in the same town rii.. listen miss I may be a lot of things but I'm not a stalker "
"uh....fine.. Just act like am not here,  I ll do same" she eyed him and continued shopping,  Raymond too ignored her and they were both succeeding, that was until they lay hold of the same item and stared at each other 
"would you get off my back?" she asked
"would you get off mine..?" he replied,  she sighed and looked at the perf they were both holding
"I got this first" she said 
"uh-huh.. I do not think so miss"
"can you just let go.. I need this for a friend " she said
"A friend..wonder who could be so special, this is limited edition I cannot leave it for you" he said
She rolled her eyes "im sure you can get it from other places,  I need to get it for Mariam"
"oh,  she's giving it to Chris,  guess we buying it for same person"
She brightened "yeah.. You could get something else,  it'd be better coming from her"
"no it'd be better coming from his best friend.. Besides I can't possibly think of any other thing to buy,  except your gonna help me with that .."
She rolled her eyes "but I don't think so"
"just do let go and find something else"she said irritated 
"are you begging or what.. your so f-king proud,  you can't say three words,  please,  thank you and I'm sorry"
She rolled her eyes,  he was still thinking of that day..and of the other one
"fine.. Thanks for the other day and please I do need this for Mariam ... "she paused "and as for the party..

Read " Trapped " by the same author ( Funmi Anita Adesina )

. I allowed a dance and you advanced 
"I was carried away..who wouldn't "he touched her hair " I apologise" she held his gaze then looked down"I'm gonna give this to you.. "he said,  she looked up,  "On one condition"she rolled her eyes
"I'm not a kid trying go get his way.. I'm not gonna take advantage" he said and paused"although I did miss kissing you.. "
"god.. " she looked up
"I want us to be friends" he said out of the blue
She stared at him "why would you want to be friends with me? "
"Because.. I want to know you,  been thinking about you since we met.. I love talking with you.. Love your spunk,  the way your eyes flash when you angry and how when you roll it it drives me crazy ..." He was saying... 
She took the perf"just give it to me "she took it and walked away then turned to look at him
"Deal ".
He smiled. 

Mariam was elated
"where did you get it,  I searched everywhere it was out of stock" she said
" I was just lucky.. It was in the first store I checked"
"aww ..thanks so much" Mariam hugged her then went to keep it safe against Chris's upcoming birthday while Jessica laid on her bed and wondered about the deal she had made.....with the devil. 

*so this episode got delayed because I typed it and it deleted had to look for a time when I was free again.. Hope it was worth the wait 
So comments,  what do you think Raymond is up to.. ?
Next episode coming soon