Chapter 17 Chapter Seventeen
I entered the store and went to the clothing section.
It was saturday and I decided to go shopping for more work clothes and perhaps a handbag.
I started looking at the different types of skirts. The materials seemed expensive, which meant they would likely last a long time.
I picked up a set in a clear garment bag and read the label. It was a royal blue suit consisting of a skirt, a white blouse, and a jacket. It cost fifty-five dollars, but to me, it was worth it. I took it along with two other skirts, including a black one with a split at the back.
I went to the blouses section and immediately saw one that I had to get. It was red but it had rose prints on it. I don't necessarily try on clothes, I just look at the sizes and knew what would fit me and what wouldn't.
"Hey," I heard a voice say as Akilah appeared beside me. She was dressed casually, her shiny black hair resting on her shoulders.
"Hey, haven't seen you in a while," I replied, picking up another blouse that I thought would go well with a pair of work pants I had at home.
"I know, right? Things have been really hectic lately. By the way, have you found a new job yet?"
"Yes I have. How about you?" I asked as we both started walking down the aisle looking at anything that catches the eye.
"I have but it's not something I want to do for a long time. I mean, babysitting is fun, but it can get to you especially when the kids won't listen," she replied with a slight grumble at the end.
We stopped at the undergarments section. I wasn't sure about buying any lace panties.
Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with them and they fit the body well, it's just you give them a few washes and they start to detach and get all stringy. I rather my normal panties so I took up a few of them in different colours.
Akilah's phone started ringing and she went to the side to answer it. Maybe I should take her phone number. It's been a long time since I talked to anyone on my phone.
"Hey, I'm going to cash and head home, my brother is in his feelings again and I don't want him to do anything that he'll regret," she said looking at me.
"Okay, make sure he doesn't," I replied before giving her a hug.
She walked away and I continued to look as I went down to the back of the store.
I stopped in my tracks when, to my surprise, I saw Devin talking to a woman. I thought he had left for business, and he had actually said he wouldn't be back for a while.
I was confused, but then I figured maybe he had returned sooner than expected, or maybe he hadn't left at all.
I turned and walked away, not wanting to disturb them. If he was back, he'd be at the house later, and I'd see him then.
I paid for my items, which filled two shopping bags, and left the store.
I had nothing left to buy for now, so I might as well go home. But I decided against it. I really needed some fresh air.
Tomorrow I'd be home all day, then back at work Monday. Just the thought of going to work brought mixed feelings. I couldn't stand Mordechai and his cocky behavior.
I made my way to the park and sat on a bench under a huge blossoming tree. The kids were having the time of their lives as their parents watched with such admiration.
I wonder if one day that will be me? One can only dream and hope.
"Well, hello again beautiful."
I turned around immediately, startled, and saw Hans standing there, trying to hold back his laughter. I groaned angrily and turned my attention away from him. I sometimes wondered if he was really Devin's brother, they were just so different.
Not that there was anything wrong with being different. Everyone was unique in their own way.
But Hans… he was pushing it.
"Vanessa, the beautiful woman who my brother won't try and get with," he said before planting himself on the bench leaving a couple of inches between us.
"Because your brother isn't like you," I replied. He only hummed.
"Well that's true. Maybe it's because I'm adopted. But still, you seem like a nice woman and he's not interested in you. It's pretty weird to me," he said, staring right at me.
"I didn't know you were adopted, and there's nothing weird in a man just wanting to be a good friend. Nowadays, it's like woman can't have men as friends, they have to be sleeping together," I replied, reaching into my bag and taking out a chocolate bar I took from the house.
"Well, it seems like things will never work between us, so I'll stop trying. One day, you'll meet someone you won't be able to push away. And you know why? Because you'll feel a connection with that person. It might be me, but I guess we'll never know," he said, making me roll my eyes at the end.
He just laughed and dug into his pocket for something. I continued eating, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the gentle breeze.
"Listen Vanessa, I'll talk to you again some other time, I have to go," he said abruptly.
I nodded and he walked away. He wasn't actually as bad as I pictured him to be when we first met. Well, aside from his flirting and determination to get with me.
His words kept replaying in my head.
'One day you'll meet someone who you won't be able to push away'.
I can't predict the future but what he said was a possibility. What if I actually met someone who took my breath away? Someone who treats me with such respect and appreciation? Someone who will always be there for me no matter what?.
Someone who will love me unconditionally.
But there's also a possibility that I will be spending the rest of my life alone. My past and everything had made me build up a wall and it was so hard for me to put my trust in someone especially a guy.
And what if they think I'm horrible because of my past and don't want me in their lives anymore?
Whatever the future holds, I had to be prepared for it. But for now, leaving New York was my main priority.
HONK!
I looked to my right and saw a white car that had stopped, the engine now silent. It couldn't be Zed, could it?
I grabbed my bags and was about to leave when the window rolled down, revealing Franco looking straight at me.
I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding and leaned back, trying to relax. A guard opened the door, and out he stepped in his expensive white suit. His hair was done to perfection, just like the last time I saw him.
"Miss Collins, didn't think I'd see you again this soon," he said as he reached where I was seated. His eyes scanned my body before settling back on my face. I was only wearing a pair of dark jeans and a red off-shoulder blouse.
"Well, we can never tell the future can we?" I replied. He smiled before taking a seat beside me.
"We can't but there are some things we know are bound to happen. It could be tomorrow, the day after or even right now."
I nodded slowly as I met his eyes. This was the guy who I may or may not have to sleep with. It was clear he had something on his mind. Something more than just having dinner with me.
"I want to have that dinner with you next Saturday. By the way, give me your number, I want to be in contact with you," he said before taking out his phone.
"My phone isn't working properly and it's not really up to date either," I replied before tapping my fingers on my lap.
He hummed before snapping his fingers. I watched as a guard went inside the car. A few seconds later, he came out with a box in his hands. As he came closer I recognized what it was.
An iPhone.
"Here," Franco said handing it to me, but I scooted away from him.
"I can't and won't take it. I don't need it," I said, but he only shook his head from disapproval.
"Vanessa, I will be very pleased if you take it. Besides, I'm sure you really need it and you don't have to think to pay me back. Its yours," he said sounding a tad bit hurt.
I didn't want to take it. There could be something behind it, he wanted something in return I know it.
But I do really need a phone seeing how dull my life was. I could even get Akilah's number and we could chat when I'm bored. I swallowed my pride and took the box from his hands.
"Thank you."
He smiled as he handed me his phone and I placed my number in his contacts.
"Now that settles it. I have to go now but I'll message you later," he said next.
I nodded and he walked away. I watched as the car drove away then I opened the box. I couldn't believe I was holding an iPhone. When I get home I'll set it up and then, I guess I'll be texting Franco.
Today was full of surprises, and they weren't bad at all.