Ann2012:
Skyblueking
Treasure17
Oremeyii pls bring spring rolls and campari when coming.

Springrolls ain't really my kinda thing, but I'll Sha bring it because it's you.
Campari? is it white wine?..... don't mind me I'm bush small..

Soma and Pearl are already making me awwwnnnnnn and it's just d beginning!

I love ur writing style, skill, prowress.... everything

Know dat I'll be ur loyal follower, liker and commenter.

I love you even though I've never met u *sighs like a teenage girl belieber*

Oremeyii:

Springrolls ain't really my kinda thing, but I'll Sha bring it because it's you.
Campari? is it white wine?..... don't mind me I'm bush small..

Sha bring something

Ann2012:


Sha bring something

*In SpongeBob's voice*
Coming up!

KimberlyWest:


Better don't. This one is mine.

Please shift, he’s mine

Treasure17:

Lol. Just pronounce as it's written. Kim Jong Un is the name of North Korea president. Looks can be deceptive. Pearls should not fall for a heart breaker.

Thanks for the update Kim Jong Un

So Kimberlywest is now Kim Jong Un?
Heartbreaker or not, I don’t care Soma, you are mine

queenitee:

So Kimberlywest is now Kim Jong Un?
Heartbreaker or not, I don’t care Soma, you are mine

Yes o. The Nigeria version. You falling for soma too cause of his handsomeness. Nawa o.. I won't be there to console you when he shatter your heart anyway.

izaray where are thou??

Driver stop na... hian!
Shift lemme enter biko.

thanks for the mention dear Ann2012

Ann2012:
Izaray, Skubido, prudysara, toyhin123, Emex100, FantasticJ come and join this bus ooooo

Ann2012:
Izaray, Skubido, prudysara, toyhin123, Emex100, FantasticJ come and join this bus ooooo

Thanks for the mention dear

KimberlyWest:
Hello Everyone.

I've sha forgotten a lot of monikers.

Please if you see this, tell a friend to tell a friend that we've started a new story.

Queenitee
Crislyn
Mznaett
Evajael
Jane1234f
Hormobolanle
Chizzymaris
Lankyannie
Yewande1234
Divineroyalty
Hadampson
Adesina12
Divepen1
Oly23
Yewandequeen
Ladysuperb
Divepen
Eniqurl
Ritababe
Roladiva
Tushwitch
Sunshine46
Saraphina
Comelyjummy
Kajsa08
Bumbae1
Pepperoni55
Michelle55
Cyndylove64
Tohpahz
Spixytinxy
Azeequeen
Jagugu88li
Switup
Nanadeeva01

Welcome back KimberlyWest
I am coming with trucks load of sweet popcorn
Enjoy

Ann2012:
Izaray, Skubido, prudysara, toyhin123, Emex100, FantasticJ come and join this bus ooooo

Thanks for the mention babe

Treasure17:

Lol. Just pronounce as it's written. Kim Jong Un is the name of North Korea president. Looks can be deceptive. Pearls should not fall for a heart breaker.

Thanks for the update Kim Jong Un

You're welcome dear

Oremeyii:
Soma and Pearl are already making me awwwnnnnnn and it's just d beginning!

I love ur writing style, skill, prowress.... everything

Know dat I'll be ur loyal follower, liker and commenter.

I love you even though I've never met u *sighs like a teenage girl belieber*

Awwwwwwwwwn ... Thanks dear.

queenitee:

Please shift, he’s mine

Don't start

PrudySara:
Driver stop na... hian!
Shift lemme enter biko.

thanks for the mention dear Ann2012

Thanks for joining us too.

izaray:
Thanks for the mention dear

Thanks for joining the ride.

Adesina12:


Welcome back KimberlyWest
I am coming with trucks load of sweet popcorn
Enjoy

please do o. I've missed your popcorn.

***********

"Why did you call him that?" she couldn't help but ask, after all, she and Diane were best friends.

"Cuz that's what he is. Forget the cute face." She grabbed Pearl's hand. "you didn't even ask to know why you're here."

It was Pearl's turn to feign hurt. "Madam, have you finished keeping the secret?"

"What secret kwa? I just wanted to hang out with all my friends jare."

She walked past Pearl, with a smile gracing her face.

Pearl felt like grabbing her by her hair and punching her till she passed out...not punch punch, just small punch.

Diane knew how much she hated hangouts, crowd and girls gossip, yet she did this.

Pearl got to her and whispered "I hate you," before walking past her and into the building.

"OMG!" she screamed the moment she got a better view of the inside of the building that Diane has reserved for them.

Diane laughed. Pearl almost looked like her favourite whatsapp surprise emoiji, only that are eyes were not as big as the emoji. "Ogini?" She feigned innocence.

"I'm going back." There were at least fifty young people there and Diane termed it "Hangout" If this was what hangout meant, then she better go back and ask for a refund from her English professor.

"Stay, please."

"I wonder when you will stop all this your cunny cunny ways."

Diane flashed her teeth with her eyes closed, in her most playful manner.

They both laughed and walked in.

Diane knew Pearl could never do anything that would make her sad. If she had told her the number of people that would be there, Pearl wouldn't have left her room talk less of coming with Soma. In her life she had seen and related with introverts, but Pearl's case was a critical one, aside being an introvert, three is a crowd for her.

Pearl kept a neutral expression as she walked into the building. The first person her eyes caught was her 'heartbreaking' prince charming.

Their eyes met but she turned away.

She gingerly walked to an empty seat at the far end of the bar and sat down.

Soma couldn't keep his eyes off her. He knew he liked her even without being told. He was glad Diane asked him to go pick her.

On a normal day, he would have refused but anything to get away from Nosy Diane and her loud friends. He was surprised that Pearl was calm and reserved unlike Diane's other friends that he's met before.

Those girls were always too loud and suffocating, he thought quietly to himself, never taking his eyes off Pearl.

He found himself smiling at her discomfort.

From all indications, this wasn't exactly her kind of place. Pearl reminded him of him before 'She' came into his life and turned it upside down.

He got upset at the direction of his thought, just then Pearl raised her head and their eyes met.
She quickly looked away.

Without thinking, he stood up and went to meet her.

"Do you mind ditching?" he asked, offering her a half smile.

"Diane would kill me."

"She can't. I'm here. All she would do is, stand on her toes and drag my ears."

She laughed, Diane would strangle him when she hears about this.

"Let's go hang out somewhere quiet and private." he suggested, taking her hands.

She felt uncomfortable, knowing that the slay kings of this generation have forgotten what it is to become just normal friend's with a lady. And he, was a perfect definition of a slay king outwardly, he wore his ripped jeans and a shirt that showed his abs and toned muscles.
She wouldn't be surprised if all the decent conversations they have been having was just to get her to relax before it gets 'indecent'

"I would rather stay and remain in Diane's good book." Her voice dropped low, she knew she wasn't being totally sincere.

She wanted to leave.

But not with a man. The last time she did it. It ended badly for her. She had been so naive and young back then and had been taken advantage of by people who she trusted, which contributed to why she would rather stay in her room all day than make friends with anybody especially a guy.

"What are you thinking?" He frowned, in a polite manner. "I won't bite you. I won't hurt you. Are you scared of me?"

Hell no, she wasn't about to tell him that it's not just him, she didn't trust any male homo-sapien.

"No, I'm not." she countered.

"Then, come on. Let's go hang out somewhere.

This place is too noisy for you, you know that."

Enticing but she had no plans of moving an inch. "I'm cool here."

She had lied to just get him off her back, she was not a fan of lying. She just hoped the lie was not in vain.

"I won't hurt you. I see you're really uncomfortable here, likewise me. Let's leave together."

"I won't hurt you, I won't touch you."

Her heart started to beat faster. Soma reminded her of 'Him'

Those were 'His' exact words but then, he had done just the opposite of all he had said and promised her.

"I'm fine." she replied, tight lipped.

"Please." he begged, making a cute face at her.
He heart started to beat harder and faster, in a good way, at the sight of that look, it made him more...more handsome. Quickly, she forgot the thought of her past that were already gaining supremacy in her mind.

She couldn't resist his cute smile. She started to tell herself that it's been a while she hung out with anybody except Diane. So, going with him would do no harm.

"Only for an hour," she rolled her eyes and took his outstretched hand.

"Thanks babe," he laughed.

"Lead the way," she stated.

Take the lead and I will follow, baby always, always o.

She brushed off the silly thoughts and blushed.
She followed him quietly as he headed towards his Range Rover.

Rich, cute and handsome. The kind of men she used to dream about until she was exposed to the harsh realities of life. They could have such qualities and still come with extra baggage like devilish and cunny.

She made it a duty to avoid guys, especially the cute ones until Soma came and made her break her rules in less than two hours.

With that, she made a mental note to read a book about self control, she didn't like the kind of thoughts she was having with Soma by her side.

"Ladies first," He smiled, holding the car door open for her.

She flashed him her teeths and got in.
He slide in beside her and off they went to somewhere Pearl had no idea about.

He drove at top speed for about thirty minutes before he slowed down.

"Where to?" she finally asked, after sitting like a sacrificial lamb the whole time.

"Still thinking. I just like the way you're by my side." he confessed. "It's been a while since a woman who is not gracing my bed, sat by my side."

Now, where the hell did that come from? For some reason, she wasn't comfortable with the confession and the direction of the conversation.

"Where did you school?" She changed the conversation before it got sexual, from experience that's not the best conversation to have with a cute rich guy.

"I schooled in Canada.

She gave him her 'that's sweet' look.

...I was born in Canada to a Nigerian dad. I'm a dual citizen."

"Sweet Life," she finally said what's been on her mind.

"To an extent. Where did you school? I knew Diane back then in high school in Canada until she left. She was the life of the party back then, we were all sad when she left for Nigeria."

"She's fun to be with." Pearl acknowledged.

"No dull moment with her. So, tell me about you."

He smiled coolly at her when their eyes met.
She felt the usual shiver in her body especially her belly. "Well, nothing much about me. I've lived all my life in Nigeria and as you can see I'm a private person."

"Any relationship, for now?"

She twitched her lips. No way would she start narrating her terribly bad experiences to him.

Soma noticed from her face that she was having an inner debate.,"I've been in really, really plenty relationships."

"Mine was one," she spat out before she would lose the courage to speak.

"You don't sound like it was Heavenly. Do you mind sharing?"

It was a really uncomfortable topic for her but she figured that, if she finally let it out, she would feel better. Not even Diane knew what happened and why it ended.

"Promise not to judge me." Somehow, she was really happy that she would finally tell someone about it and somehow, she felt ashamed of it.

"I promise." his hand left the steering wheel to his chest. "heart crossed."

"Well, it wasn't really a relationship."

"I'm listening. If it wasn't a relationship, what exactly was it?"

"Well, there was a time my parents were having really bad finance situations. I was dead broke and I was in school. I didn't know what to do and I didn't want to tell Diane about it."

She felt her chest tighten. Finally, another ear was going to hear about it. "So, one day, I was in a whatsapp group when this guy, a member of the group also, he came and said he's giving out money. Normally, I don't do that but I decided to give it a try and I sent him a message, telling him I wasn't financially buoyant, that I would appreciate any assistance."

"And he took advantage of that?" she could feel sympathy in his voice.

"I let him take advantage. I wouldn't totally blame him, I also had a role to play in the whole issue." She paused as he took her hand in his.

"Tell me what happened." He slowed down and brought the car to a stop at the side of the road.

Pearl felt like shedding tears, not tears of sadness, but tears of joy. For real, she never expected him to be this human not after Diane told her he was a heartbreaker.

"When I sent him the message, he sympathized with me and told me that he just finished giving out money for that week. He told me that he would include me in the next one. I was so excited. I thanked God for sending him my way. I should have known. I was too excited to notice it was all a scam.

She stopped as tears crowded her eyes.

"It's okay if you don't want to talk about the other parts."

He brought out a handkerchief from his back pocket and handed it to her.

"I feel your pain. I can't say I know what you're passing through or the emotional trauma it caused but trust me, everything happens for a reason."

She sniffed. "Thank you. Well, as I was saying...
He shook her hand slightly. "You don't have to say all of it today."

She gave him a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Now, that I finally found the courage, let me do it."

"Nobody knows about it?" clearly he was puzzled. "I don't know what happened. But how did you manage the emotional trauma?"

"Self healing. When the thoughts felt like it's killing me. I would put my face to the pillow and let it out. I always feel better after crying."

"That's terrible. I'm sorry."

She could tell he was being sincere.

"It's nothing. Well, as I was saying. He called me to come meet him somewhere one day, in school. I obliged and we met. Turned out he was a student, and I felt at home. I thought he was among those working class who only needed certificates for promotion and he kept on talking about his office."

"You didn't realize that the world had gone bad? You don't trust people that easily."

"I was 19. I was so naive and I've never been the mingling type. I loved and still love to stay indoors."

"I've noticed."

"He started to call me, chat me up and he said he wanted to be friends with me, of which I quickly agreed. We became friends, all the while he kept talking about his office and we didn't even talk about the money issue again. I let him be. I borrowed from friends and managed to survive. So one day, he invited me to his house...

"God, you went? You shouldn't have done that? I'm not judging you and I don't cry over spilt me. I'm sorry, I just thought it was foolish."

"Before then, he was asking me out. That I declined outrightly. So he said he wanted to be friends and I felt really comfortable going there. Before then, he already told me he has no intention of touching me."

"You believed?" he brushed his hand over this face like a tired man. "You really need to mingle with guys more. We do the opposite of what we say."

"I'm sorry but at that point I already trusted him so much and he seemed really nice and spoke softly. And I believed him when he bragged about beautiful girls begging him to sleep with them. I just thought he had it all, so he wouldn't even notice the virgin me."


"Yeah, I've noticed you trust easily too."

"I know I do." She replied weakly. "That's basically it. I visited and everything happened."

"Just that once."

"No. Twice and those two times was because I didn't know how to say no. After the second time, I mustered enough courage and started to gradually give him space. The fact that there was atom of remorse after everything, told me that I wasn't dealing with a human being."

"Saying no to things that you're not comfortable with is a vital skill you need to learn if you want to go far in life. I'm sorry for what you went through. Ugly things happen to good people. You and my mum are such people. My mum told me her story too, and how she met the wrong guys before she met my dad."

"Tell me about it." Pearl was so curious. She wanted to know if someone had gone though what she went through. She almost died in the process because she couldn't speak out and let people know what she was passing through. She always wore a cute smile to mask her pains.

"In her case. She fell head over heels in love with a guy that only wanted her for a side chick.

According to her, the guy deflowered her and sent her text that he's done with her."

"That's terrible. At least, mine hung around for more."

"That's really terrible. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. I've learnt not to cry over spilt milk. Right, I just want to work on myself and be the best version of me."

"I like a lady with dreams. It's been a while since I hung out with someone with dreams and visions." He started the car and smiled at her.

"Good dreams cuz I know some people that their only dream is getting an iPhone 11 Pro."

For the first time, she smiled genuinely.

"Everybody still wants that."

"But you should never prioritize it over your career and future well being."

They kept on gisting about various things while he drove around the city of Abuja.

He talked about his sweet childhood.

She talked about her bitter one.

They seemed like the opposite of each other.
While she didn't like mingling. He enjoyed mingling to a great extent, when he's in the right frame of mind.

After two hours, they finally called it a day. He dropped her off but not before they exchanged contacts.

He promised to call her up the next morning before he went to work.

She couldn't help but smile to herself when she got to her bedroom. The guy looked like a tout but inwardly, he was the opposite and more still, he was very intelligent and his ability to hold a conversation was out of this world.

Thank God she didn't judge him by his looks.


Tbc...

This story is partly a true life story spiced with fiction!

Thanks sis

Treasure17:

Yes o. The Nigeria version. You falling for soma too cause of his handsomeness. Nawa o.. I won't be there to console you when he shatter your heart anyway.

He won’t, I’ve decided to trust him

That’s true life story part got me. Time to learn.

I just pray Soma is not out to hurt Pearl again...

Thanks KimberlyWest

Thanks for the update

Good to know peal is an introvert. Me want iPhone12 sha. Please retweet so that soma can see this

Thanks for the update Kim Jong Un.

queenitee:

He won’t, I’ve decided to trust him

That means you trust easily too. It's fine

KimberlyWest:
Hello Everyone.

I've sha forgotten a lot of monikers.

Please if you see this, tell a friend to tell a friend that we've started a new story.

Queenitee
Crislyn
Mznaett
Evajael
Jane1234f
Hormobolanle
Chizzymaris
Lankyannie
Yewande1234
Divineroyalty
Hadampson
Adesina12
Divepen1
Oly23
Yewandequeen
Ladysuperb
Divepen
Eniqurl
Ritababe
Roladiva
Tushwitch
Sunshine46
Saraphina
Comelyjummy
Kajsa08
Bumbae1
Pepperoni55
Michelle55
Cyndylove64
Tohpahz
Spixytinxy
Azeequeen
Jagugu88li
Switup
Nanadeeva01

And my moniker had to be among the ones you forgot, huh? I will tell my mummy for you

It was a huge burden off for Pearl, talking to Soma. I can't believe she didn't tell anyone since it happened, like 4 yrs ago!

I want to ask why she didn't tell Diane, but maybe she didn't trust her, or she didn't know her or she was just ashamed.

I feel sorry for Pearl, I'm really excited to see how dis story goes

@queenitee me sef I'm learning.

@Ann2012 Hopefully, he won't hurt her. But, guys are unpredictable.

@izaray You're welcome dear.

@Treasure17 I also want the money for an iPhone 12 Who will now retweet for me, if I retweet for you?


@ewawumi I'm so sorry dear. Please don't. It will not happen again.

@oremeyii fingers crossed. Introverted people keep a lot of things to themselves, especially when it's something that they might be judge for.

@Hadampson don't be a ghostreader.

@Asemark, you're welcome on board

CHAPTER TWO!

At work, Pearl kept on smiling to herself. It's been a while since she last met a guy who didn't just go, "I want to sleep with you!"

Funny as it may seem, she had been in such situations before.

One time she had gone to an acquaintance birthday party. The only reason why she agreed to go was because she didn't want to offend the lady.

She had sat quietly, as usual when the guy sitting next to her asked for her number. Like every girl, she gave him without any plan of ever meeting him again after that.

Sadly, the day he called, she had no choice but to meet him since he was just outside her gate.

The next thing she heard was, "Let's go to my house."

House ke? Was what came to her mind.

From her experience, let's go to my house meant just one thing. Guys don't just take you to their house to host you, when it's not even a charity ball.

The second time and more recent one was the time she went with a friend, not close friend though, to visit her boyfriend and it turned out there was another guy. As expected, the friend went to her boyfriend and she went to the other guy.

And the guy was like, "I like being sincere."

"Hmmmm," she muttered. She already knew where it was going, his hand was already very close to her waistline and then she was a total 'people's pleaser' she didn't want to offend him by asking him to keep his hands to himself. Remembering it she felt really stupid. She had kept quiet and taken a lot of sh*t just to please people.

"I want to sleep with you."

She felt this drag in her chest. She felt like smashing his head right on the wall next to him for coming out straight with such nonsense but she couldn't. All she could do was fight him off all through, at one time, he already had his hands in her dress and she had to struggle with him in a polite manner to get him off her back.

Well, that was then.

Now, nobody would try that nonsense with her. Life has already taught her a vital lesson, not to try to please everyone. Even God can't please everyone.

If he brings rain, some people would complain.

If it's sunny, some would still complain.

"What's popping?" a voice interrupted her thoughts.

She knew the voice very well.

It was a fellow worker who has been hitting on her.

"Nothing." she replied abruptly and focused on the file before her.

"You're glowing. Who's responsible?" He answering, smiling sheepishly at her.

"Nobody and please mind your business." her brows creased. "we are here to work."

She had learnt to tell them off the moment they start getting too close and she didn't want them.
Formerly, she would ask to be just friends with him. But not anymore. Your life is better off without some people in it.

"Why are you being this harsh to me?"

This time she felt a gentle pull on her chest. It wasn't anger. It was sympathy. "I'm sorry but we both know that what you want can't work between us..."

He face turned more sober. "Let's be friends then,"

"No, thanks. The last time I became friends with a guy who obviously wanted me. It ended badly."

"That is in the past. You don't judge...

She didn't even let me finish what he wanted to say before cutting him off. "If past experiences didn't teach you anything, then, obviously your case is critical."

"Please give me a chance. Trust me. I'm not like other guys."

She found that statement annoying. "No, you're not. You have something different between your legs. I know."

She didn't mean to be rude but sometimes, you have to do things the hard way.

"OK." he said and walked past her into his own section of the department.

She could clearly tell he was not happy with the way she treated him or even the last statement she made. But for a girl who had had some terrible experiences in the past, she had learnt to be harsh if need be and not play people's pleaser.
She focused on her work and totally forgot about Soma and the sweet call she received from him this morning.

It wasn't until 5 Pm that she finally remembered she had made plans with Diane for the evening.

"Pack, pack." Diane came in, looking hot and ready to party.

"I'm working." she reminded her.

It was funny how Diane went about her own human right activism. She believed that everybody should close by 5, so they could go home and rest for the next day's work. So whenever it was five, she would appear from nowhere and start to go around telling everyone to pack their things and go home and rest.

"I wonder how you would manage this company if it was mistakenly handed over to you." Pearl joked.

Even though she knew it was impossible. Diane had an older brother who was willing and capable, even her dad was tired of increasing employees salaries because Diane said so. So, there was no way in the world that Diane would be allowed to solely mange the company.

"Grab your bag and let's go."

Pearl rolled her eyes. She knew an order when she heard one.

"Let's me go and see how my old man is doing."

Diane left to her dad's office.

Pearly smiled, she couldn't have been more grateful for a fiend like Diane.

Right after her University Education, Diane had used her dad's influence to get her to serve in the company with her. After which, she had told her dad to retain Pearl. One of the reasons was for them to always hang out and drive around town whenever they liked but it turned out, Pearl loved her job and she didn't want the other employees to see her as an opportunist, taking advantage of her friendship with the chairman's only daughter.

Just when she finished getting her things ready and shutting her laptop. Diane came out grinning widely.

"What did you win?" Pearl questioned. That grin was not ordinary.

"I got somebody's credit card." she replied waving her dad's credit card in Pearl's face.

"Just let this man be kwanu!"

"He's lucky to have me as his daughter." Diane chimed in and carried Pearl's bag. "Let's go."

"Wait, how many people are you planning on inviting?"

She had not forgotten yesterday's experience.

"Just five. Don't be scared and don't run off with Soma again."

Pearl's eyes widened. "Tell the whole accounting department."

"You know I can do that. Double dare me." Diane winked and Pearl knew better than to play into the devil's trap.

"Let's just go."

Diane carried her bag and started to the car.

Despite being rich and spoilt to an extent. Diane was also down to earth. She respected people no matter their status.

They got into the car, a Mercedes Benz 2018 model that her dad had gotten for her on her last birthday.

He last birthday was a car competition. Her uncle got her a car, her dad got one for her and her boyfriend, Richie also got one for her.

"What happened at work today. Tell me everything."

"Aside Tony's normal give me a chance." Pearl mimicked him. "Nothing else."

"Boring. Old story. He should give up already." Diane rolled her eyes.

"He's probably reading Joyce Meyer's Never Give Up." Pearl laughed.

*******

I'm loving Diane, she's a great friend

Lucky Diane. I can relate with pearl's introverted disposition. She will be fine.

Thanks for the update Kim Jong Un.