Chapter 7

'Why would this man want me to pay him before he can give back my card?' I questioned myself, unable to find an answer to this. He is prosperous and I do not think money would be his problem, so what then does he want?

I kept on whacking my brain for answers, the ones he couldn't give me. Unable to meet up with what he wanted, I decided to ask him, to hear from the horse's mouth.

"How much do you want to be paid?" I asked in a serious tone.

I watched the huge figure of this handsome man, sit across the table, pretending like he didn't hear me while feeling the smooth layer of my card. Before he even pondered to answer my question, a naughty group of girls, (they were three ladies), strolled to our table, surprised at seeing Nicholas Larry. They doubted if he was the one, so they asked him to clear their doubts.

"Excuse me Sir, Are you, Nicholas Larry? I mean the wealthy and influential businessman in Douala?" the most pretty amongst the trio asked, still not certain.

I sat glued to my chair, the girls not even noticing me, even if they did, they acted as they cared less. Nicholas, looked at me with an apologetic look, as he understood my discomfort.

It seems like he didn't have a choice rather than answer their questions, so they can leave us alone.

"Yes miss, I am Mr. Nicholas Larry," he said in his reserved baritone, which came out as a bass.

The two others, who were dressed in short skirts and cropped tops, had a little chit-chat.

"I said it," she announced, while the other nodded in accordance.

They didn't leave, the pretty damsel pressed forth, asking stupid questions.

"You mean to tell us that you are the owner of Tarr and Wine Company Ltd?" She seemed surprised as she widened her eyes, using her hands to cover up her gaping mouth with it.

This made me feel embarrassed, and jealous at the same time because the girl was rubbing her hand on his shoulder seductively.

Nicholas, sensing my uneasiness, brushed the lady from his side, taking care not to hurt her in any possible way while confirming her claim.

"Yes, you are looking at the owner". Nicholas said rolling his eyes.

Therefore l didn't relent, even after being shunned away, all she did was to arrange her grey handless top, pushing her breast to pop up a little.

I was stunned by this and even astonished by this man's reaction.

He was nonchalant in regards to what the lady was doing.

"Well then, nice seeing you Sir, my name is Bih Stephanie, and here are my friends, Suh Mabel and Rosa Eposi, we are a great fan of your Milky-Wine, I think that's the best for me". She said, twisting the topic to face another direction.

Nicholas's reaction was one in million. His tone was not sharp, not harsh when he said;

"I am happy my products are reaching out almost everywhere, and I promise the quality wouldn't change. It's a pleasure meeting beautiful ladies strolling all by themselves without the company of a young man or young men, and if not for the fact that I already have a date, a cute, pretty, and precious one at that (he looks at me, who had a can of coke in my mouth, gulping it)

I should have invited you for a bite". Before Nicholas could even finish his sentence, I saw the ugly stare that was all over the girls' faces, and it read 'back off bitch'.

They could only throw hateful peeks at me, but none dare gives me an abusive word.

I was dumbfounded, still gawking at Nicholas as if he just sold me out. I wasn't even his date.

"Oh, we see, that's quite unlucky for us," Mabel hissed, clutching on Rosa's arm.

"Well, if you all wouldn't mind, we will love to have our private moment, the one we were sharing before you ladies interrupted". Nicholas said, then, removed his wallet from his pocket, offering them some notes. He handed about thirty thousand, (that is, a ten thousand note each), I looked from my half-closed lids, pretending like it didn't matter to me.

They were happy, as they waved him bye, asking him to take care of himself.

Nicholas twists his head, looking at me.

"Sorry about that," he said, lifting his hands high in resignation.

"What was that act for?" I said brushing aside his apology.

"What was what?" he inquired pretending like he didn't know what I was talking about.

"I am talking about the show you just put up for heaven's sake". I sputtered, letting him know how confused I was towards this act of his.

"You mean me telling those ladies that I was already having a date?" I heard him demand, as he passed his forefinger around the can juice, drawing my attention towards that direction.

"Absolutely, this is meant to be strictly business, so you shouldn't be taking me around town gallivanting with me". I uttered, not smiling.

Nicholas' reaction to my rantings was silence, he just smiled, taking the last gulp from his Fanta, hitting the can on the table, as if it was a kind of victory.

I hate this annoying-looking man so much, and I remembered he still had my Journalist card. I asked him in my ever-sweet voice, putting on a puppy face too begging.

"Sir, please can I have my Journalist card? I don't even know where I left it, maybe it was at your office, but I can't really remember. If they do a check and find out I don't have a card, they might say I am too clumsy, or that I am not a worker". I said pleading. My puppy eyes didn't do any justice to this man.

"As I earlier said, you will need to pay for it, nobody asked you to be forgetful, " he mumbled, judging me for not being mindful enough.

I kicked my lame ass for being this clumsy and forgetful, why would such things happen to me if I had been careful enough? I quarreled myself for what had just befallen me.

I looked up at this annoying man's handsome brown face, as he wore a scowl on his face. My voice was filled with resentment when I howled out;

"Name your price Sir," I fired, looking at him straight in the eyes.

It seemed like my words had no effect on him, as his words were heavy enough to make me gasp.

"I want two hundred thousand Francs". Nicholas let out, the corners of his eyes, cringing with odd lines.

"You don't mean it! Do you?" I questioned, seeing him have this intense look on his countenance, that said 'No'.

"I just named my price," he muttered, hooking me.

"Where will I have two hundred thousand francs to give you? This is exploitation at its peak, and I wish I had the money, I would sue you for picking my Journalist card and refusing to hand it to me, coupled with the blackmail". I angered, hitting lightly on the table.

"I wish Cameroon could render such services, for having time to settle such trivial issues. If you get blackmailed for being careless, then you will be more careful the next time". This arrogant man let out, stating his point clearly.

I racked my brain, searching where I could have even one hundred and fifty thousand francs now. I guess even your best friends will turn your energy when money is involved.

"But the amount is too much for just a little favor you rendered to me," I said.

"You aren't paying me, you are only compensating me, I deserve it right?" he queried, with his I don't care attitude of his.

"With due respect, I am giving up on the card already, you can do whatever you want with it. As for the job, I am quitting. I don't know why they will send me to interview an arrogant man like you".

I was fed up, and I watch this man's handsome face, making me almost cry.

"What about a deal?" he demanded pushing up my card a little bit high for me to see it.

"What deal?" I raised a question, wanting to know more.