Chapter Seven

The way Mrs Jacobs looked at me from head to toe when we approached her at the restaurant she chose had me giving myself a once over to be sure I didn't have something stuck on my body.

Mum placed her hand on my back and pushed me forward as if to say 'you look alright.' I sucked in a breath as we got to her and greeted her.

She isn't Nigerian so I didn't buckle my knees in greeting. She's a strawberry blonde with sharp blue eyes and a glare scary enough to get you running the other way.

"Victoria right?" she stood up and stretched her arms out for a hug with a small smile stretched on her face.

I reluctantly accepted her hug, praying she doesn't stab me in the back, "yes ma."

"You're a lot more beautiful in person," she said this time with a grin on her face.

Her mood swing was giving me a whiplash.

"Thank you ma," I forced a smile.

"Oh please, no formalities here, call me Beverley or Bev," she pointed to the empty seats and I took my seat on one facing her.

I chuckled, "I'm sorry but I can't."

"But why?" She looked genuinely shocked at my refusal to call her by her name.

I looked at mum for a second and she had a smirk on her face as she sat down beside Mrs Jacobs. "You're going to be my mother-in-law very soon meaning you'll basically be my second mum, I can't call my mum by her name."

She nodded, "alright, suit yourself." She looked at mum. "Sade I'm so glad you could make it today?"

"I told you I'd make it," mum said a little bit too enthusiastically.

I was finding it hard to figure out if both women are friends for real or they are just faking it but either way I wanted to leave already.

"Sorry for my delay," a voice I haven't heard in a while said causing all of us to look up. "Good afternoon Mrs Black," he bent forward a little to greet my mum and he looked at me, "Victoria," he took his seat on the empty chair beside me.

I thought this was a lunch with just Mrs Jacobs.

"Miles bawoni?" (How are you?) Mum asked in Yoruba and I rose a brow in question, how does she expect him to understand what she said.

"Daa daa ni," (I'm fine ma,) Miles replied, the Yoruba sounding really weird as he spoke.

Where did he learn that?

Everyone on the table laughed and I just stared at them.

"I'm very sure you'll be able to speak Yoruba in a year if you continue like this," Beverly looked at me. "Please teach him how to speak Yoruba."

My eyes widened and I nodded, "yes ma."

The waiter brought the menus and when we were done ordering, Beverly spoke first.

"So Victoria, what do you do for fun?" She looked at me with interest.

"Read novels, watch movies, hang out with my friends," I shrugged casually.

"Do you play any sports?"

I nodded, "yes basketball."

She looked at Miles and smiled, "that's great, who taught you?"

"My boyfriend taught me, we used to play all the time especially growing up."

I felt something hit my foot under the desk and I winced, shooting mum a sharp look.

Beverly coughed, "oh your boyfriend that's nice."

My eyes widened as I realized what I had just said. Beverly just kept her smile on her face and she shared a look with my mum. Mum was definitely forcing on a smile and I mentally face palmed myself, stupid mouth.

"I hear you didn't grow up in Nigeria," Miles said and I shot him a grateful look for successfully changing the topic.

"Yeah moved here only for college," I told him and really looked at him.

He is handsome, but it's such a pity that such beautiful face is going to have to marry someone who doesn't even have a single drop of affection for him, he deserves better, we both deserve better.

"What about you, where did you grow up?" I asked to keep the conversation going.

"New York," he answered just as our food was served. "But moved to Chicago like three years ago," he added.

Now both our mothers were looking at both of us as we conversed.

"Nice, what was it like growing up in New York?" I took a sip of my water then set it back carefully on the table.

"It was," he paused, his eyes squinting as he seemed to be in thoughts. "Busy and growing up in a house with five siblings, I sure got used to it."

"Five siblings," my mouth dropped. "That's a lot."

"Oh trust me it's not," he leaned closer to me, "my mother's sister has eight kids," he whispered.

I gasped, "you're joking."

"Nope," he shook his head.

"Damn I can't imagine. With just my sister alone it was annoying talk less of with five or more siblings, I'll lose my shit," I said in amazement.

"Nah, you'll get used to it. It has its perks though," he took a bite of his burger.

"Which are?" I watched him with interest.

"You get to blame someone else for something you did wrong," he chuckled. "Also, you're just hardly ever alone, there's always someone at home."

I nodded seeing reason to his words, "that's true."

"What was it like growing up with one sister and no brother?"

"A lot of fun," memories of my childhood came flooding back to me. "But I did grow up with a guy around me I mean we basically lived in the same house it's just that he's more than just a brother to me."

"Oh your boyfriend or should I say fiancé?" His voice dropped.

"Yeah he's the one," I bit my bottom lip as I tried to keep in my emotions.

Miles finished eating his burger and wiped his hands, "you know I feel you it's just sad that we really can't do anything about it."

"How are we going to survive for the rest of our lives?" I looked at him with tears threatening to fall from my eyes.

"We'll find a way, but the least we can do for ourselves is to be friends, we can at least do that, right?" He placed a hand on my arm on the table.

I nodded, "we can try."

"You're not alone," he picked a fry and chewed on it. "Now please don't cry and let's get this lunch over with."

I sucked in a breath and nodded, willing for the tears in my eyes to vanish. We ate the rest of our lunch in silence and I was happy that our mothers weren't paying attention to us when I nearly had a breakdown.

***

After the surprisingly nice lunch our mothers decided it would be nice if we all went to the mall, did a little shopping and just 'got to know each other more.'

I know they just used this 'lunch' as an excuse to get Miles and I to talk and get acquainted with ourselves. I have no problem with it but just tell me to talk to him straight, don't trick me into it.

Both older women were having their nails done when Miles suggested to get ice cream, I jumped up instantly wanting to get away from my mother and her new found friend. They had tried to convince me to join in the 'fun' but I put my foot on the ground and declined the offer, besides I had gotten my nails done a while back.

"We're coming," I told them and they both nodded, not really paying us any attention.

The moment we stepped out of the salon, Miles heaved a sigh of relief, his shoulders dropping in the process and I chuckled.

"That exhausted already?" I smirked.

"You have no idea," he shook his head. "Come on," a smile appeared on his face.

I let him lead the way since he appears to know where he's going.

"So how long have you been in Nigeria?" I asked as I fell in step with him, his long strides were definitely making it difficult.

"About a month," he answered.

"Let me guess your dad told you there was some business you have to handle in Nigeria, that was how he dragged you here right?" He stopped in front of the store and he opened the door for me. I smiled at him and walked in.

"You are right," he nodded. "Though I was slightly excited for the idea of coming to Nigeria, it's my first time but I was most definitely shocked when he told me that he had someone he wanted me to meet, I knew instantly that he was going to force me to marry someone."

"Welcome to Coldstone what can I get you?" The lady behind the counter asked and I began to make my order.

I just picked a mixture of different flavors and a few toppings and Miles asked for the same thing. We watched as the lady got to work.

"Our fathers definitely need a wake up call," I said not knowing what else to say.

"Honestly," he agreed. "I wonder if they think we're still in the nineteenth century." He shook his head and his lips were pulled in a straight line.

"What did your mum say about it?" I watched as he shook his head again.

"She threw a fit, nearly wanted to kill my dad," he chuckled lightly.

"Ah, I see why it looked like she wanted to kill me when I first saw her," I pieced everything together, it definitely makes more sense now.

Miles laughed and dimples appeared on his cheeks, "she doesn't hate you I assure you she just hates the idea that I'm going to have to marry someone I'm not in love with, she has always been one for the romance."

I nodded, "if you say so but if I die I'm coming for you."

"Okay that will never happen," he rose his index finger and wiggled it as he laughed.

"Don't say I didn't warn you," I joined him to laugh.

I didn't want to admit this before but Miles is really fun to be around.