Chương 22: NATHAN MARTIN

NATHAN MARTIN

[MARTHA's POV]

This is definitely one of those days I am super confused on what to wear. Marcus called me about three hours earlier to ask me for a favour. He said a famous cartographer is to have a talk with final year Geography students in the next two days and the man said he would like to meet the class representative, which happens to be Marcus, for some rundown in a very fancy restaurant.

Marcus said he was too nervous to go before the man and would really love the presence of a friend. He said most of his other work-worthy friends are currently busy and that I would not need to say anything. He said he would create an excuse for my presence so it would not look too awkward when the man asks who I am.

Even though I have known him for barely two months and half, I can boldly say that he is a good guy and he has been of massive assistance to me academically and socially. This is the least I can do to feel not so indebted.

''Lily Mark, are you even listening to me?'' I asked Lily as I faced my full length mirror with two gowns hanging on each hand.

"Why are you disturbing me Martha Jordan? I could not get proper sleep last night because I had to prepare squarely for today's test and you still had the temerity to drag me down here to pick an outfit for you – that is known plainly as wickedness'' she replied with mock anger in her tone.

''Just help me! You know I have no one else beside you Lil' I teased as I blinked my eyes at her trying to look a tad pathetic.

"For someone who needs my help, you sure do know how to tease still. Stop calling me Lil young lady" she said but stood up any way and stood at my back.

She yanked the gown in my right hand from me playfully and placed it close to my neck line – probably checking if the colour of the gown and my skin colour looked alright together. The gown is a body hugging, light purple off shoulder gown that would stop right above my knees when worn. She placed it back in my open palm and yanked the second gown from my hand and placed it close to my neckline. Though she looked pissed at me, I knew it was all a charade and that she did not feel cheated for doing this.

''Mhh, I think this goes well with your skin colour. The contrast is attractive and makes you look like a well prepared steak'' she said and smiled and I joined her also.

I placed the gowns in my hand on the table and hugged Lily.

"Thanks friend, you are really one of a kind. I wonder what in the world I would have been able to do without you'' I said to her as I swayed the both of us around while still hugging her. ''Literally nothing'' she replied and we both burst out laughing.

She left few minutes later saying she had some important things to do after she had selected a black purse and a six inches black spool heel to match my outfit for me. I agreed to the heel because it was balanced and easy to walk in. I had my bath, applied lotion to my body, mascaraed my lashes, layered a red lipstick, put on my outfit and wore a Magenta Carat perfume. I looked at myself and I felt far from casual. I mirror snapped myself and posted it on my social media handles and captioned it 'total femme fatale' with a smiley face and a love emoji. Marcus called me to confirm if I was still coming and I calmed his uncertainty and soon got going.

The vehicle I ordered, arrived in time and I was soon at The Lifestyle hotel. I checked my time and I was five minutes before the time Marcus said he was going to be there. '

'I hope everything goes fine'' I thought.

As I stepped into the restaurant, to the flush room with beautifully decorated seats and tables. I wanted to turn back due to the stares I received. It was like the eyes of everyone in the room turned to me as the door man opened the door for me.

With my head held high, I walked elegantly through the narrow path that divided the room. My heart was beating like crazy and my palms became sweatier and I clutched my purse tighter, straining my knuckles. I spotted Marcus and was trotting towards his table when a familiar perfume assaulted my nostrils.

The scent of the sea and vanilla turned my brain into mush and in my little days of existence, I have known just one person that wears it.

No, it simply cannot be. Nathan cannot possibly be in Naylatan and even if he is, definitely not in Abroin.

I was two seats away from Marcus when I saw who I had thought of for the past few months, close to a table and my eyes met his. Nathan already saw me and was looking very intently and intensely at me. His eyes bore deeply into mine like he was searching for my soul while I was transfixed in that spot. Before I could open my mouth to mutter 'hi', the seated lady close to him touched his hand and he looked down to her. He glanced back at me but his eyes left mine like he never saw me and he pulled out a chair across the lady and sat down.

I blinked back the tears that were biting at the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill and composed myself. I placed a smile on my face and allowed my feet to eat up the space to Marcus' table.

"Hi" I said to Marcus as we hugged and he pecked both my cheeks.

"Always the gentleman!"I said to Marcus as he drew out a seat from under the table for me. ''Such a lady'' he replied as he took a seat opposite me.

"Where is our esteemed guest at?' I asked him. ''Let me make a call. Enjoy your drink'' he said to me as he stood up.

As I took the drink and brought it to my lips, I could feel eyes on me. I turned to the other side of the room and my eyes met Nathan's again and I swallowed the drink harder than I should and quickly evaded my eyes from his. What was he doing here and who is that lady touching his hand?