UNMARRIED.. SO?? Part 2

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'Going somewhere?'

I heard the voice behind me and it stopped me in my tracks. Shoot! If only I had just walked faster, maybe he wouldn't have caught up wih me. 

I put on my best fake smile, took a deep breath and turned around slowly to behold the same man, holding 2 wine glasses, smiling at me as if he caught me in a cheeky secret. 

"I was just going to--", I started explaining. 

"Sneak out and hope no one notices?", he said, still smiling. 

" You caught me..i mean it's a nice party but, I just need to get back home to finish some things."

"You are Lulu, right?"

"It's Oluchi, but yeah, everyone calls me Lulu"

"So, can I call you Lulu?"

"Not yet, I don't even know your name"

This whole time I was scanning the environment to ensure none of my family members found me here and dragged me back. 

"I'm Clinton, And I promise I'm not an alcoholic. This other glass is supposed to be yours"

We both chuckled and surprisingly, I relaxed a bit, taking one of the glasses from him. 

"Nice to meet you, Clinton" 

He smirked before responding. 

"You know, I would believe that, if you didn't turn on your heels and escape the moment you saw me walking towards you"

"Ugh.. I was afraid you'd think that. It wasn't about you perse.. It was.. Everything."

I took a sip of the wine and leaned on my car, looking intently at him and waiting for what he had to say. 

"So why were you walking towards me? Let me guess, my mom OR my aunt invited you and set you up to meet me?" 

He laughed and leaned on the pavement beside my car. 

"Uhh, not exactly but yeah..."

I felt my chest tighten in annoyance. 

"And you actually came to a 3 year old's birthday party in hopes of what? Scoring a date? Sweeping me off my feet? How are you not embarrassed?"

"Slow down, Lulu"

"Don't tell me to slow down! And don't call me Lulu, you haven't earned that!"

"Uhm.. Okay..Oluchi. But you know that raising your voice would just attract the same people you are trying to escape from?"

"Well one of them followed me here, didn't he? This is so embarrassing. I am a fully grown woman and I can get a date or a man for myself if and when I'm ready to! Why can't they just leave me alone?!"

He was surprisingly calm the entire time. And It was all I could do to not storm back into that party and tell everyone a piece of my mind. 

But his calmness seemed to be contagious and so I took a controlled breath. 

"Are you okay?", he asked, concern in his eyes. 

I exhaled and paused. 

" I'm fine.. I'm fed up of all the setups but I'm fine."

"Look, for what it's worth, I'm sorry this is happening. I was made to believe that you knew about all of this, and that's why I pulled up. Heck.. My mom is friends with Aunty Ene and she all but convinced her.. "

"I knew it was her. That woman is so invasive and intrusive. Can you imagine?"

"Permit me to say this, she may not be going about it the right way, but she means well."

I leaned back. 

"I can promise you, she's not the only one. I counted about 8 unknown men in that party. And I'm sure at least 5 came for me. I just wanted to celebrate my little nephew, I didn't know I was walking into an episode of 'LOVE IS BLIND" in which case, everyone is out to get me. It's exhausting. Like an audition. "

He started laughing. 

"Why are you laughing now? This is not funny" 

"Out of the many things your aunt said about you, she failed to mention that you had an amazing dramatic sense of humor. It's really cute."

I stopped and looked down. Hiding the smile that crept up on my face. He was quiet but staring at me when I looked back up. 

"What are the things she said about me?"

"Hmm.. Are we curious now?"

"I mean, if it made you choose to attend a 3 year old's birthday party then it's probably a bunch of made up stories but either way, it must have been impressive. So what is it?"

He got off the pavement and walked towards me. 

"I.. will tell you everything she said.. If, and only if, you promise to share a meal with me. "

I was a bit taken aback, but slightly impressed by the move. 

Smooth. I think I blushed a little. What? Don't judge me.. He was so close, I could smell his perfume. The man's got good taste. In perfume. And now obviously in women. 

I cleared my throat. 

"Uhm.. Few paces back please, you are enveloping me."

He laughed. I smiled. He stepped back. 

"What if I don't want to hear the things she said anymore? What other reason would I have to accept your 'invitation to dine'"? 

" How about good conversation, and great food. You seem like a woman with depth."

"You sold me at great food."

I gave him the empty glass, turned around go get Into my car. 

"Will you give me your number, so I can call you and make the arrangements for our date?"

"I thought my aunt told you a lot of things about me, I'm sure she'd be more than eager to give you more information."

He stepped back as I shut the car door, maintaining eye contact with me while I put on my seat belt and stepped back, watching me reverse. I gave a little wave as I drove out of the compound, leaving him standing there with an accomplished smile on his face. 

Okay, maybe I am a little excited by this. Or maybe I'm just curious. 

But this doesn't mean that I'm okay with my family pitching me to eligible bachelors like a project. 

Anyway.. I'm ready to go home, there's a big bowl of pop corn, and a few episodes of QUANTICO waiting for me to binge. 

Clinton is handsome, but he holds no candle to Owen Hall on my favorite show. 

And that. I am looking forward to seeing.. 

To be continued... 

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