Chapter 7 Moving Out
Angela and Zora stared at Mr Anderson, who stood there for a while, not saying anything. Angela started feeling anxious, thinking Mr Anderson had seen through her.
"Honey, come listen to something," Mr Anderson said and returned to the living room.
"I thought you said it was going to work," Angela whispered to Zora as soon as Mr Anderson went back into the living room.
"It was a suggestion. I didn't say it was going to yield the needed results," Angela raised an eyebrow, hearing Zora's reply. "Well, we need to know what is going to happen next. Let's go inside," she added, pulling Angela towards the living room.
"Our daughter is moving out," Mr Anderson said to his wife, who was sitting on the sofa reading a magazine.
"What?" Mrs Anderson reacted, lowering the magazine and placing it next sofa to her side, but just then Angela and Zora strode in. "Why?" she asked, taking her eyeglasses off.
"Her new job came with an accommodation," Mr Anderson said and found himself a seat.
"Angela, are you sure you would be okay on your own?" Mrs Anderson asked with concern.
"I would be," Angela replied and drew closer to Mrs Anderson.
"She would be fine. My rent is out, so I would be moving in with her," Zora said, and Angela turned to look at her. "Yes, remembered I told you my landlady sent me a notice," she said with her teeth pressed together.
"Yeah," Angela acknowledged.
"Okay," Mrs Anderson said. "And when are you moving out?" she asked.
"Today," Angela replied.
"That is too quick," Mrs Anderson said.
"Yeah, that is what I thought," Mr Anderson chipped in.
"I am supposed to report on Monday. It means this needs to be done today since I have 24 hours," Angela said.
"Is that why you came here?" Mrs Anderson asked, staring at Zora.
"Yes," Zora replied with a smile.
"I see, you are excited," Mrs Anderson said. "Okay," she added.
"Okay, Angela, let's go get packing," Zora said and pulled Angela towards the exit.
"Once you finish packing, let me see you," Mrs Anderson called after Angela as Zora pushed her out of the living room.
Inside Angela's room, Angela was very grateful to Zora for making things easy for her.
"You are welcome," Zora said and opened Angela's clothing closet.
"He said I should pack a small bag," Angela said.
"Okay, let's pick the important things," Zora said excitedly while Angela found a bag to pack her things into."I can't believe you are married to the owner of the club. Now we can visit the club for free," she said excitedly.
"Sssh, ssh, keep quiet," Angela silenced excited Zora, staring at the door.
Zora helped Angela pack a small bag. Angela checked to ensure she had everything she would need. At least the basic things.
"Ready?" Zora asked.
"I will leave at dusk. It would still be within the 24 hours," Angela said.
"Well, that sounds like six hours from now," Zora said.
"My father would want to drop me off at my new apartment," Angela began, recalling the tradition of the house. "I would need you to drop me off. That way my father would not have to," she requested. "And we can still keep things between us," she added.
"Okay, six hours is enough time for me to deliver this lunch to my next-door neighbour and come around so your parents don't suspect anything," Zora added.
"Thank you," Angela said and hugged Zora.
The two went back downstairs, and Angela was called aside. Mr and Mrs Anderson spent some time advising her since she was going to live on her own for the first time. She had been under their protection since she was a teenager. Angela paid attention to all the advice Mr and Mrs Anderson gave her. At the time, Zora had left the apartment with a promise to return by 5 p.m. Angela spent some time with Mr and Mrs Anderson.
Zora returned to the apartment at 5 p.m. as promised, and at 6 p.m., she left with Angela for the address Bryce had given her. Mr and Mrs Anderson stood in the compound staring at the back of Zora's car as it drove away.
After driving for an hour, Angela and Zora arrived at the address Bryce gave to Angela. It was an Estate. Angela stared in awe at the entrance of the Estate, which had the estate's name written across it. It was one of the most expensive Estates in the City.
"Would they allow us to go through the gate?" Zora asked.
"I don't know?" Angela replied. "Let's give it a try," she added, and Zora put the car into motion.
They got to the main gate, and they were stopped by the security.
"Who are you and who are you looking for?" the security man asked, stopping them at the gate.
"I am Angela Anderson. Mr Moore invited me over," Angela replied.
"I see," the security man said. "What is your proof?" he asked.
"He gave me this address," Angela said and showed the security man the address Bryce had given her.
"This is not enough. Anybody could have written this," the security man said. "Sorry, ma'am, I can't let you in," he added.
"Mr...." Zora began and looked at the security man's breast pocket. "Jonathan," she read the name. "Do you know who we are?" she began.
"No," the security man replied.
"Do you know the consequences of keeping us out here?" Zora asked, and Angela raised an eyebrow.
"I am only doing my job, ma'am. If you know Mr Moore, kindly call him. Everyone knows the rule here. These are measures put in place to ensure security around this place," the security man said, not at all moved by Zora's intimidation.
"Well, that didn't work. Call your husband," Zora said, staring at Angela.
"Keep your mouth shut," Angela said. "And I don't have his number," she added.
"What?" Zora exclaimed.
"Ma'am, please move your car to the other side and park over there," the security man said to Zora and pointed in a direction with enough space for parking.
"This is so embarrassing. A new level of embarrassment," Zora said and started her car engine, moving towards the space provided.
She realised there was another car behind her. She moved her car to the side and made way for the car. The car drove past them as they moved to the side, and Angela recognised the car.
"Zora, just leave me here. That is Mr Moore's car," Angela said, shifting her gaze back to Zora.
"That is great. Saved by the bell," Zora said excitedly and was about to step out of the car, but Angela stopped her.
"Please, don't come out. Just act like my Uber driver and drop me here," Angela said. "I am not supposed to tell anyone about my marriage," she added.
"Fine," Zora said, and Angela got down from the car.
Angela picked up her bag from the back seat. She turned around, and the car was already going through the gate. Angela ran after the car, but it was too late. The gate was closed. She turned around, and Zora's car was still there waiting for her. She walked back to the car and threw her bag into the back seat.
"What now?" Zora asked.
"We just have to wait," Angela said and got into the car. "I can't go back home," she added.
"Well, yesterday, I spent the time alone in the car. Today, we can spend it together," Zora added. "Lucky you, I do have a movie and a drink inside this car," she added and picked a CD from the car's storage compartment.
She put the CD into the CD player and got down briefly, returning with a bottle of drink and disposable cups.
In the middle of the movie, they both heard a knock on the car window. Zora rolled them down.
"Ms Anderson, Mr Moore asked me to bring you in," the security man said to Angela.
"Thank you, Zora," Angela said, grabbed her bag and left with the security man.
Zora turned the car around and drove away, heading back to her apartment. Angela, on the other hand, was being led by the security man towards Bryce's apartment.
"That is his house. Just press the bell," the security man said to Angela and left.
Angela took slow steps towards the apartment. It was a nice apartment. She walked to the front door and pressed the bell. A lady answered the door.
"Welcome, ma'am," the lady said and invited Angela in.
Angela walked in, admiring the place. Her gaze fell on Bryce standing at the top of the staircase. He was casually dressed.