The Reunion - Episode 3

 

Over the next two weeks, Mariah had become an expert in all things shopping, she quit her job and that was a step up for her wardrobe and style and, with the help of Lisa, she officially became a shopaholic. 
As they packed their luggage, in hopes of starting a fun journey, Mariah decided to take a second to breathe and analyze the whole situation. Two weeks ago, she had a manageable job, now she didn’t have any at all and on top of that, she spent a year worth of salary on shopping, and she was going to be in a whole other city for what was in her definition, a very long time.
“We shouldn’t go.” she told her roommate, all in one breath.
“What are you talking about?” Lisa asked as she checked herself out in a mirror, she had a black body con gown on, and she loved it.
“I mean we shouldn’t go, I don’t even have a life …what will I tell them when they start asking questions?”  Mariah asked with her mind filled with enough worries to build a sand storm.
“First of all, I’m sure nobody remembers you enough to care.” Lisa replied with no filter 
“Wow, thank you …that was helpful.”
“You’re welcome honey, secondly, f**k them  ...who cares what they think, but if any cute guy asks …you can lie with my life, tell him about your cool job at the most prestigious work place in the country.” Lisa stated proudly.
“That your parents got you.” Mariah muttered under her breath 
“I heard that...tell them about your ‘friend with benefit’ boyfriend, guys love wild girls.” Lisa continued with a smirk and a wink at Mariah 
“So you finally admit that Ikenna is your friend with benefit?” Mariah rhetorically, she knew it for the longest time.
“yeah, whatever …that’s why I am going with you, I need a real relationship …ikenna from work is not for me, sometimes, I wonder why you don’t have a guy in your life …I mean, apart from the obvious reasons, like your bad fashion sense . Anyways, you worked at a freaking supermarket, the number of guys that go in and out, not even one fancied you?”
“I’ve told you a million times, just because I work there doesn’t mean I should flirt with every  guy that walks in.” Mariah explained, again.
“Nawa ooh, sha you know yourself.” she zipped her bags and began to strut out.
“Are you sure we should go?” Mariah asked for the umpteenth time that day 
“Of course, imagine how we will chill …a free hotel room to ourselves, handsome, self made men to choose a husby from, we will probably be stars by the time it is over ,we’ll be on Stevie’s reality show for crying out loud, think of it as a mini big brother house, with all the benefits after, except millions of course … you get my point now ?” With that, Lisa rested her case and Mariah had no opposing argument, Lisa actually had a point, in a weird way, and she was ready to explore the possibilities.
After an hour of packing and packing, Mariah dropped her cat off with a neighbor, it took a lot of begging and more than enough cash for her neighbor to agree to cat-sitting munchkins, talk about neighborly love

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

. They boarded a commercial bus, and it took four hours of sleeping, munching, gossiping about weird passengers, sleeping again, and finally. They arrived.
Apart from the weird neck pain and a full bladder ,Mariah had more anxiety in that second than she ever had for the past year, after the bus stopped, they got a taxi to Piper hotel and suites, from what they goggled about it, it was the biggest in the city, and was a royal destination for a lot of celebrities, Lisa had her fingers crossed, in the hopes of meeting either kiss Daniel or, in her words, any other handsome celebrity . The taxi made a stop at the entrance, and they got out with as much composure as they could manage, it was getting dark, so there was a chance that nobody caught the over excited stunned looks on their faces, their bags were taken into the hotel and they followed close behind. They made a quick stop to the front desk, and they were welcomed by a beautiful receptionist that was all smiles, she almost sounded like a robot as she welcomed them and gave them their room keycard .
“The rest of your party are at the lounge, an official meet and greet with Stevie king started almost an hour ago, you’re expected to stop by before heading to your room, thank you.” the receptionist said in her robotic tune .
“Why, thank you.” Lisa replied sarcastically and over excitedly. They both headed for the lounge, and boy! was it a sight to behold , Mariah could remember some faces from a distance, she was amazed at how she could remember them, even after all these years .
“See Stevie, ooh my God!” Lisa yelled like a little fan girl. Mariah sighted him and was impressed at how much he had upgraded, everyone had, except her. “We should go over.” Lisa suggested excitedly.
“No, he is talking to someone.” Mariah said, she couldn’t tell who it was since the male figure was backing them.
“Who cares? You have a right to interrupt whoever you want; you’re doing Stevie a favour by being here.” Lisa said, she was fond of coming up with nonsensical theories about things, but she always had a little point, always. As they walked towards Stevie and the unknown figure, their plans were squashed by Judith, supermarket Judith.
“Mary!! You came...” she squealed as she squeezed Mariah in the name of a hug.
“Yes and its Mariah.” She replied with a fake half smile, Lisa looked at Judith with disgust, from the gist she got from Mariah, she knew it was Judith.
“I’m so happy you could make it, is this your sister?” she asked as she and Lisa were locked in a staring competition.
“Her best friend.” Lisa replied in the nicest mean way possible 
”that’s lovely.” Judith replied and Mariah could see Lisa rolling her eyes at Judith’s fake British accent. “I will see you later Mary, go…socialize.” Judith said, and she almost sounded like a white blooded mother. 
“What a bitc…” Lisa started immediately she walked away, but she was cut short by the two figures in front of her, Stevie king himself, and a tall cup of coffee in the form of a man, Lisa turned to see if Mariah was as stunned as she was , the look on Mariah’s face was priceless ,it was like she had seen a ghost, a handsome ghost, she was staring deep into the tall cup of coffee’s eyes and he was staring right back at her, Stevie was so engrossed with greeting other people and he didn’t even notice what Lisa had noticed. The way they looked at each other was utterly refreshing, and at that moment, Lisa realized that Mariah was finally at her reunion, her reunion with Michael.