Chapter 16: Bridges!

Its been 2 months Jamal and I died off, Mustapha told me that he couldn't stay around any longer. I didn't leave because my work was paramount & monumental. I couldn't just leave because of one single person, nah, that ain't me.

Unfortunately, Lola was locked up in jail for debauchery and fraud. I really never knew Lola was just the cover to what she really is. I really thought we stopped for good, she extended to swindling money for she and Jamie, her boyfriend.

I was at Ada's, they organized a get together party celebrating victory Pete became Governor of the state, amazing. Madam Carol didn't hesitate to invite me because we had this attachment, we sometimes talk over the phone like a mother and daughter should and of course she wanted something more out of our undying friendship. I couldn't wear my normal outfits, I got a red V-neck dinner down with a slit from the thigh downwards at the front and a Tiffany purse I got myself despite all odds, my heels was covered in leopard designs, I was lit, I knew that!

  "Gracious Danielle, I thought you couldn't make it here, you sure did!" Carol gave me a tight accommodating hug

  "I wouldn't miss it, Mother!" I smiled broadly accepting gesture

  "I'd love you to meet the new Governor himself, my dearest husband" she offered

Ada came forward with Eric holding her arms tightly, my mind flew. Did I tell you Eric got married, no? They are married not to catch seasons but for reasons of love, trust and understanding.

We hugged as well as I followed Carol to see the governor.

  "Evening Sir!" I was in the best behavior as always

  "Carol, is this Danielle? What a small world" We hugged

Gosh! I hugged the governor, well it felt like Dr Khaleefa then boom he mentioned

  "I think I heard about you.....Dr Khaleefa mentioned you as his son's wife months ago....(he laughed) really a small world. More reasons I shouldn't let you go!" He teased

We all laughed in accordance. Mentioning a marriage we called off 2 months ago, I bet Dr Khaleefa was too busy to know or Mustapha must have told him and chose to ignore our drama.

There was a lot of guests, lots of political & business critics. 

I  was leaning on my car, Hunter came to me unknowingly

  "Look who we got here, is she wallowing again?" He stood in front

I really took that sentence personal

  "I would be passive on the go!" I sipped cranberry

  "I didn't mean it that way, my bad! I'm a loud mouth though" he apologized

  "You are forgiven!" I shrugged "so why are you here? Its your family's party, victory for your dad means victory for you, right?" I teased

  "Logically! But I'm not my dad, I'm my own man, Hunter! Hello!" He joked

We laughed like we just needed besides being funny

  ".....I don't mean to get sneaky but i really can't find that diamond...."

I looked around before realizing he meant my finger

  "Oh that! There's a reason its on and off, don't you think?" I pointed

He sighed looking up then at me

  "Sure! Whatever it is, you win." He assured

Damn, he understood how I feel right now, that victory. I suggested we sit in the back sear instead, this conversation was driving to another  phase. Then I smiled

  "...you know,  (I adjusted emptying my glass) you keep doing this same thing....like why?" I beamed

I guess he was lost

  "How do you mean?" He asked for explanation

  "The magical thing, fixing me up. Its really encouraging!" I finalized

He sighed heavily and continued

  "...Good thing I was not a loud again...Let it go, you know."

  "Its a sure thing for me, really dealt with......" I added

  "I'd like to take you out for dinner tomorrow, 8pm! I wish you'd say yes...." He offered

  "Of course. You made my day...aside the party though" I accepted

  "I'll come pick you up, please. I know you are independent and powerful, I really don't mind driving you" he asked again

  "Silly Hunter. 8pm it is" 

Hunter looked at me like he was actually looking for something precious. Eric bumped into us

  "What did I miss, Hunter. Taking Ada doesn't mean you can make do...." Eric teased

  "C'mon bro. If you do this, then you have nothing to worry about, not a thing" Hunter teased again

  "Ok Hunter, you win this time" Eric concluded

  "I'll give you a call much later!" Hunter said to me in soft words 

They shook after Hunter stepped out of the car, walking away.

Eric entered sitting next to me, looking at me like he noticed something

  "Hmm, got a problem married man?" I teased

  "Yes ma'am! (we laughed) so what's new? How have you been lately you know the separation....." He stirred

I got pissed immediately

  "Ok Eric, hold up. I ain't wanna hear this. If that's the reason you came in, can you go back to Ada? She'd take off this mood of yours, seriously." I slammed

  "......no, I won't stop. Don't act like you not hurting, you are! Everyone sees that, its damn obvious. I care about you so much that I just can't help it neglecting you. It wouldn't be fair....." He continued

  "....Eric just stop!" I almost yelled

  "....blame yourself for making me a better man, maybe you shoulda left me unfixed" he got pissed too

He was about to leave when I called again, this time I meant it

  "Eric just stop! (calmly) I don't want you involved with this crap.....you've got Ada to bother about, she's been nothing but good and supportive to me. She became better than I had thought earlier so please lets not start this?" 

  "Sorry i can't help it. (He calmed too) I've known you for long, not because we are now exes doesn't mean we can't care for each other, I told you this before. Let it go....Jamal is a bygone. If he had cared about you, he'd risk it staying behind, even when Khaleefa intervened." He scored

Eric made a very sensitive point

  "Maybe he did not want any more trouble, I guess he wanted me to move as well. He always felt burdened depending on..." I tried to explain

  "It does not count, Danni. He messed up admit it instead of painting him all white, that's the shit." He scolded

  "Eric, he's...." I tried to defend

  "....if he loves you, he wouldn't leave for no cause. Believe that!" He pointed again

I was confused about everything and tried not to get mixed up again. I remembered going through some sessions with my psychologist, Mrs Brownie, I wouldn't want a second one this time.

  "Thanks Eric, I'd give it a thought" I simply replied cutting it short

  "Hunter is absolutely a good man, you should give him a chance." He added, wanting to leave

  "Eric!" I called covered in shame, blushing

  "I wouldn't approve of him if he wasn't."

  "You're married man! Don't treat me like you did...."

  "...don't matter. I need my Ex, my friend and secret lover......(we laughed) in a healthy hand."

  "Thanks man, I won't forget this" I hugged him tightly

  "You better not!" He walked briskly

I bided goodbye to the governor and family, some friends including Eric and Ada. I already missed them within a mile.

I got home exhausted, I showered. 

I looked into the mirror reminiscing about the changes I encountered lately. Deep down, I know I had to put work first even if the McClure's partnership was upheaval. I finally changed my furnitures all over the apartment not forgetting Jamal's suggestion to get a master bed, I did just that. I got a TV in my bedroom as well. I could remember back then, Lola despised TVs in the bedroom she believed it was really a silly and sulking idea. I guess I lived by her rules and terms in my own house. 

I laid down, with a bowl of cheese and popcorn and of course grape wine beside the bed. It was weekend, on my routine I had this Movie Night Out, so I had to follow religiously. Not just a movie but a horror movie to ease the night, coz of my indulgence to horror movies, most of them became a thing for fun, less scary.

Hunter's call interrupted my movie, I plugged in my air pods.

  "You missed me right!" I teased

  "Oh no...I just wanted....." He tries to deny, stuttering

  "Just admit it Hunter, you missed me......this is past 11pm yo!" I asked swinging my legs behind me

  "Well, just on my bed....thinking about everything including you..."

  "Oh no! Too bad coz I ain't thinking about you so.....I'm having my Movie Night Out, its accustomed to..." I started explaining

  "...Movie night..." He repeated

  "Hell yeah. Too bad for you...." I added

  "Ok Miss Movies, I'd just stay put right here instead thinking about you" he teased

  "Your loss, Hunter." I hung immediately

I couldn't miss the upcoming scene. He might just get passive or whatever...

I woke up stretching with a smile and high spirits after switching off the alarm at 6am, my routine. I brushed up my teeth, dressed for a jug then I yanked the door after me.

I ran some miles passing thru that old burger stall then I stopped directly opposite the stall. My mind flew to old times from the first day I met West to the last the day i watched him taken away in an ambulance for the rehab. I missed West though but it is what it is.

An old man horned from behind then I stepped away apologizing

  "Sorry old man!"

I ran ahead

I got home made some tea and buttered bread after showering.

I placed my laptop on the dining table sipping on my tea, then I got a message from work

I dialed Omar, my Assistant but it went to voicemail

     'Omar call me? We got work 

      dude...... And meeting at 10pm.'

I sent it with effect, it was all for the money.

Then I proceeded to check updates when my cell buzzed, I did not hesitate to pick up. It was from the prison then I accepted

  "Who's this?" I asked trying to figure out

I did not expect a call from prison as well

  ".....its its its uhmmm...." She stuttered

It was Lola, I can't forget her voice for no cause

  "I should hang up then you get the peace you want" I snapped rolling my eyes

  "I need your help, please." She pleaded it sounded urgent

I hung up on her not willing to listen to her bluffs.

I prepared for the dinner date, simple looking. 

Hunter pulled up at my apartment then we drove off after a kiss on the cheek. We got to an expensive restaurant and ordered food and wine.

  "You like it?" He asked

  "Good coordinates. Never been here, I guess its new" I added

  "Oh yeah. I tried it out before so I felt you'd like it.." 

  "It's great"

Hunter stared at me from the moment we started eating to the time we finished eating, at one point i got uncomfortable then he turned away noticing I felt awkward.

  "Where's your girl?" 

I started a new conversation

  "We uhm....we broke up. She got tired of the whole thing...."

  "Specifics!" I wanted details

  "Kinda extenuate the whole thing, time framing....." He scoffed "it sucks"

  "That's alright...Relationships sucks at large."

  "So tell me about the ring?" 

I knew this question was coming into existence and it did

I cleared my throat

  "...what do you call a situation where you keep the ring on the bed and your partner stares at you with no intentions of calling you back and you walk away....."

  "Woah! That's probably a call off. Divorced....Separated. My bad. It didn't have to end that way"

  "Its ok though, I'm gone past that now." I added

  "So what's next? I guess he's out of town?"

  "I think so! Really better off."

I really acted normal and i cared less

  "....Really don't mind taking over, doing better." He held my knuckles

I took my hands off after some seconds

  "Silly Hunter!" I simply said

  "You feel me?" He leaned over pressing a soft kiss on my lips

I pulled away after few seconds

  "....I'm sorry. I just couldn't help it tasting those lips..."

I wanted to talk when he cut me short

  "....its divine, too divine." He added

I smiled

I didn't know what to say or think but I was expecting this anyways

  "I need a chance to prove myself. At the mall back then, I was happy to see you at least reconnect not until he crept behind, I knew I couldn't make any shit work I couldn't call back either, I figured it'd be creating some issues since he felt some--some type of way hugging you...I really couldn't help it jeopardizing your marriage....." He confessed

  "Say no more!" I beamed

I just couldn't keep shut and say nothing

  "Its a lot of pressure on you, I understand. I promise to not rush nothing, if it ain't beneficial you can back out but I'd really want to prove myself worthy somehow" he added

  "Silly Hunter!" I teased we laughed

He gave me a Dior purse after he dropped me at my place. He seemed genius and honest plus sweet

  "A date at my house, 1pm. I want the whole weekend around you.....We doing Netflix on the go, baking cakes.....Miss Chris we have a lot on our bucket list" he teased buy meant it

  "I'm good, trust me." We hugged

He watched me enter my apartment before driving off. I was exhausted, all I wanted was to sleep off but then I remembered meeting at 10pm. I joined the meeting through Zoom on my laptop

  "Hi guys!" I sounded weary

  "Hi Danni!" They answered in unison

  "Are you sure about this tonight?" Catherina asked in confusion

  "Its money talk, where the money at..." I started waiting for their response

  "......that's where we at!" They all responded

Except for Kabir and Omar who answered like it was a choke on the throat while Jacinthe and Catherina answered swaying to it then we continued.