He walked away from his car and towards the mall and luckily, he spotted Ciara standing by the huge doors. She was dressed in blue jumpsuit and a black sneakers. Her hair was tied in a bun and her make up looked perfect on her. He smiled on seeing her and increased his pace to get to her.
“Looks like you’re all kitted for war.” she spoke, smiling at him as she noticed him come up behind her.
“Fortunately, you’re my commander” he replied with a smile of his own and they shared a laugh. The atmosphere were calm and friendly. He extended his right hand and she took it. He pulled her closer and they walked inside.
Ciara pushed a cart around the mall and the walked through the different sections. They chatted happily like old friends as he walked behind her. They had gotten a few things including groceries.
“But, for real, why did you pick a mall for out first unofficial meeting?” he questioned as they walked past the wine section. He was really curious about it and realized this was the perfect time to ask the question.
“You looked too serious with your life and work, so I realized you needed so cool off a bit, atleast for few hours. Shopping is what works for me so I decided to do it with you.” she replied and he nodded thoughtfully.
“Ya. I’ve been going through some shits lately, I had to resort to work.” he replied shrugging.
“Mind to share?”
“I had a bad break up with my girlfriend, and now, a fight with my best friend.” he chuckled dryly and she turned to stare at him. She noticed his features darken as he continued walking.
“You didn’t hit me as someone in a relationship.” she confessed honestly and he smiled.
“Ya. I know I look like a player. Thanks, I’ve gotten that compliment over a million times.” she laughed at his playful tone, flipping her hair. He stared at her with wide eyes, mesmerized by the action. She had done it so simple and fast but it was enough to hook him. She practically looked like a goddess at that moment.
She clicked her fingers in his face, bringing him out of his trance. “Is there something on my face? You’ve stared for too long.” she asked and he coughed lightly to clear the awkwardness.
“Ohh sorry. What was I saying?” he asked and she sighed gently.
“You were telling me of how much of a player you are. ” she replied with a short laugh and she smiled. She had a very beautiful laugh. It sounded pleasing to the ears.
“Ohhh, that!” he stated, recalling his previous statement. “I used to be a player untill I fell in love with this girl. I changed.” his tone was bitter but his facial expression was neutral. “We dated for a few weeks untill she had to leave, so I’m now back to the streets.” he ended with a little laugh and she smiled. His speech almost sounded like a sad story.
“Back to the streets? Do you wanna become a player again?” she asked. Her curiosity had reached its peak.
“Hmmm” he replied and the tension between them increased. Her face fell as she continued pushing the cart, this time more aggressively. Why would he want to become a player again when he could fall in love?
“You seem suddenly quiet.” he noticed, turning to face her.
“That’s because I have nothing to say.” she replied.
“You look like someone that always have something to say everytime.” he countered with a little laugh but her face remained stoic, not finding the humor in his comment.
The remaining part of the shopping went on in silence. She rarely spoke to him unless when he asked questions which she answered with monosyllabic words. He noticed the stretched tension and decided to back off. He had offered to pay for her things but she had rejected the offer almost immediately.
“I planned the shopping and I’m with enough money to pay for my things.” she countered. They were at the counter where Harry had offered to pay with his card.
“Consider it as a gift” he argued, already pointing his card to the cashier.
“And I don’t need it. I’m capable of handling this” she snatched the card from his outstretched hand before turning to face the cashier who was staring at them with interest “My bill, please.”
Harry stood behind her, defeated. She was suddenly acting cold and had refused letting him pay for her things. He couldn’t decipher what had gone wrong. They were having a good conversation some moments back.
She paid for her stuffs and they walked out of the mall, with her holding two huge shopping bags. Once again, she had rejected his help with the bags.
“Give me your address, I’ll drop you at home.” he stated, heading towards his car. He noticed the silence and turned back to notice that she had stopped walking and was looking round the parking lot. He walked back to her and repeated. “Lemme drop you off”
“There’s no need for that. I already ordered a ride. It should be here anytime soon.” she replied, scanning round the parking lot again.
He nodded his head in resignation. She had already made his decision and there was nothing he could do. He waited a few minutes, pretending to be operating his phone untill her ride arrived. She waved him a solemn goodbye and she got into the car before the driver zoomed off.
He hissed in annoyance as he walked to his car, Angry at her for suddenly becoming cold to him, and angry with himself for not being able to figure out what went wrong.
Inside the ride, Ciara sighed loudly as she closed her eyes, relaxing into the car seat. She refused to think about what he had said at the mall, but somehow, his words were stucked in her mind.
“Back to the streets? Do you wanna become a player again?” that was the question she had asked.
“Hmm” his reply was affirmative.
She Shaked her head. Why would he want to be a player again? Somehow, she found her heart hurting at the thought. He wasn’t someone she knew too well so she couldn’t describe what she felt at that moment. The only thing she knew what that she loved talking with him. They had hit off very well.
She couldn’t deny, she was very captivated by him when she first set her eyes on him. She had high tastes, but he had managed to tick all the boxes. During their meeting the other day, she realized that he was quite a simple person and when he had announced that he would be working directly with her, her heart had skipped a beat. She knew he was someone of high standards and she too had her standards too, but the thought of it was just too much. How would she act professionally around someone she had liked at first sight.
“Oops” she took her hand to her mouth. Did she just say she liked Harry. She slapped her forehead in mock despair. She couldn’t like Harry. Atleast not now. She was waiting for the right person.
“We’ve arrived.” the driver’s words pulled her out of the personal conversation she was having with herself as he stepped out of the car, rounding the boot to take out her bags. She paid the driver and he zoomed off. She walked to her door when her shopping bags and noticed an oddly familiar car parked by the side of the driveway. Her car was parked in the garage. She had decided not to use her car today for flexibility but now, she regretted it.
She walked closer to the car before the door opened and Harry stepped out. “You’re back.” he smiled at her and her mouth hung open in shock.
How! How did he know her address?