Judytex_Stories
*EPISODE 3*
(MY SOULMATE)
Arriving at the staircase, Gloria quickly freed her hand from Chris’s grip. They both remained silent for a while not knowing what to do or say before Gloria broke the silence.
“I really wasn’t trying to steal anything from your room. You have to believe me. This is just a misunderstanding.” Gloria said fumbling with her dress while staring at the floor.
“I know.” Chris said.
Hearing this, Gloria was surprised as to how Chris was taking her side. She raised her head to stare at Chris in total surprise.
“I know you came back for this.” Chris said bringing out the earing from his pocket.
Gloria quickly snatched the earring from him.
“Oh my God. Where did you find this?.” She asked with the earring already in her hand.
“Where you dropped it of course.” Chris replied smiling.
“Thank you so much sir. I really appreciate.” Gloria thanked Chris.
“Come on, it’s nothing. I actually want to apologise for how my friend reacted back there.” Chris said.
“Sir I totally understand her.” Gloria said.
“You do?.” Chris asked amazed.
“Yes sir.” Gloria replied.
“That’s good. So tell me, what’s your name?.” Chris asked with his two hands inside his pocket.
“I’m Gloria sir. Gloria oguike.” Gloria replied.
“That’s a nice name by the way. So, can I have your contact?.” Chris asked.
“Sir, I don’t have a phone yet.” Gloria responded.
“You don’t have a phone?. But why?.” Chris asked in total disbelief.
“Because I don’t have money for it. Please pardon me sir, I beg to take my leave now. My friend is waiting for me.” Gloria said.
“No problem. You are free to go.” Chris said.
“Thank you sir.” Gloria said.
She then walked down the stairs and went on her way while Chris turned to return to his room.
“Why Chris?. What was the meaning of what you just did?.” Vanessa questioned as soon as Chris entered his room.
“What exactly did I do Vanessa?. I just stopped you from hurting an innocent girl so I see nothing wrong with what I did.” Chris said.
“Really?. You humiliated me in front of her yet you see nothing wrong with it?. Tell me Chris, do you two know each other from somewhere?. I’ve been running into the both of you a lot this night. And it’s no longer funny. Why would you even take her side saying she was innocent?.” Vanessa questioned.
“Vanessa…..I can’t believe you are taking these whole thing too serious. I took her side simply because I knew what she was looking for cause I took it.” Chris said.
“Then you should have said so earlier. Rather than making me look stupid in front of her.” Vanessa said.
“That’s because you weren’t ready for any explanations at that point in time. Please vanessa let this slide okay?. Besides, you won’t be seeing her again.” Chris said.
“Hmmmmm……I hope so.” Vanessa said clicking her tongue.
Gloria huriedly walked to where Comfort was and handed the earring to her.
“Wait a minute. So this girl was actually serious?.” Comfort said staring at the earring.
“I told you didn’t I?.” Gloria said.
“How did it end up in Chris’s room?.” Comfort asked totally marvelled.
“Let’s go home first. I will tell you everything later.” Gloria said leading the way.
“Unbelievable. This girl is really something else I swear.” Comfort said following her from behind.
Back at Comfort’s house, while they both laid to sleep, Gloria narrated everything that happened that night to comfort who was totally amazed.
“In just one night at Ogbuefi’s mansion and you have met almost all the members of that household. Could this be fate or a bad omen?.” Comfort asked Gloria.
“It’s just a coincidence. Infact an accident that won’t be repeating itself again. Cause I will never take this my two legs to that house again.” Gloria said.
“Of course you won’t. I mean there won’t be any party such as this coming up anytime soon.” Comfort said turning to sleep.
Turning her face to the wall, Gloria flashed back to her encounter with Chris. Most especially when he defended her before Vanessa and when he held her wrist and took her outside.
“Why did he do that?.” Gloria wondered staring at her wrist.
The next morning after madam Agnes paid off the lady she contracted to cook food at the welcome party, Chris followed her outside to ask about Gloria.
“Hey, good morning ma’am. Please do you have any information about Gloria the girl that served my food last night?.” He asked scratching his head.
“Gloria?. I don’t think I’ve heard that name before.” She said putting her money inside her hand bag.
“But she served me food last night. Or did she lie about her name?.” Chris asked totally confused.
“I guess she did lie about her name. But I hope she didn’t do anything wrong?. And can you describe how she looked, her hairstyle or anything you can remember?.” The lady said.
“Well, she this tall…..” Chris gesticulated describing Gloria. But after everything, the lady said,
“You know what?. Maybe you should follow me to the guest room where I and my girls spent the night. I’m sure you will see her there. Cause none of them have gone home.” She said.
“Okay. I think that will be better.” Chris said.
He followed her to the guest room and when they got there, he didn’t see anyone that looked like Gloria.
“Is she here?.” The lady asked.
“No. She’s not here.” Chris said shaking his head.
“But these are my girls. And they are complete in number.” The lady said.
“Who amongst them served my food last night?.” Chris asked.
“That’s true.” The lady said. Then turning to the girls, she asked. “Who amongst you served his food last night?.” She asked.
But none of the girls stepped forward.
“Wait a minute. If none of them served your food last night then who did?. Cause I remember giving your food to one of my girls. Although I can’t remember which of them, but that particular person wasn’t putting on her uniform. Then I thought maybe she was yet to wear hers. Oh my goodness what have I done?. Could I have given your food to a random girl?. If this should get to your mother’s ears, she will surely have my head beheaded.” The lady lamented.
“No ma’am. You don’t have to worry about this getting out to my mother. Cause that won’t happen. And luckily, I didn’t even eat the food. The girl did. Now this explains why she was acting a bit strange and weird last night.” Chris said.
This gave rise to so many questions about who exactly Gloria was.
“Who could this mysterious girl be?.” Chris wondered.
One evening, Chris’s best friend Hilary came over and after a lengthy discussion, Hilary suggested they step out for a drive through the village. As he would like to show Chris around. Chris later agreed and so they both hopped into Hilary’s car and drove round the village. Hilary helped Chris to get familiar with the environment as it had been long since his last visit.
While they were driving back home. Hilary parked his car by the roadside to make an important call. Just then, Chris sighted Gloria and Comfort trekking towards their direction. Each of them were carrying a keg of water that was well balanced on their heads and they chatted happily hitting each other.
As they walked closer, Chris rubbed his eyes continuously to be sure that he wasn’t seeing any ghost. But even at that, he could still see Gloria walking towards their direction.
When Comfort and Gloria finally reached to where Hilary car was parked, Chris bent over to avoid being seen or recognized by Gloria.
Seeing this, Hilary quickly ended his call and asked,
“What’s going on? Are you alright?. Who are you hiding from?. Is it those girls that just passed?.” He asked looking behind him to catch a glimpse of comfort and Gloria who just passed. Then turning to Chris, he said. “Don’t tell me you’ve started playing around with girls just few days of your return” Hilary said.
“Why am I even hiding?. It is her who should be hiding not me. I didn’t do anything wrong. She did.” Chris said within himself. Then turning to Hilary, he said. ” Do you know what?.” Chris asked Hilary.
“What is it?.” Hilary asked.
“Turn the car around. Lets follow them.” Chris said.
“Follow them?. What for?.” Hilary asked.
“Just do as I say. I just want to know where she lives that’s all.” Chris said urging Hilary to turn the car around.
“Alright alright. I will do as you say. But let this not be what I’m thinking.” Hilary said starting the car engine.
Slowly and carefully, they followed Comfort and Gloria till they arrived at Gloria’s compound.
The two girls just got home and Gloria brought down her own keg of water and was about helping comfort to bring down hers when she saw a car entering into their compound.
“Are you expecting anyone?.” Comfort asked.
“Even if I was, it won’t be someone who is rich. The only thing I’m expecting right now, is money.” Gloria said helping Comfort to bring down her keg.
The car engine stopped and the car door swung open. And then, a young man (Hilary) stepped out of the car looking peng and ravishing. Gloria thought maybe he had lost his way and was there for directions. Just then, the other door opened and Chris stepped out taking off his sunglass.
Seeing him, Gloria’s heart skipped so much that she let go of the water keg and it fell and broke into pieces.
She stood frozen like a thief caught in the act.
“Hello, foodie. Long time no see.” Chris said smirking at Gloria.
