Chapter 7 The bar

Bing!

Good morning Regee

Your attention will be needed at the bar this evening.

Jack.

Regee slowly opened her eyes at the sound of the notification.

As she slowly opened her eyes, her face contorted into a comically confused expression, as if trying to remember her own name.

"Now where's that phone?",

She said rubbing her eye lids.

Her hair stood on end, sticking out in every direction.

Her mouth hung open, revealing a hint of morning breath, and her cheeks were flushed with a soft, sleepy glow.

With a loud yawn

She asked Sally who was still sleeping about her phone.

Sally who looked like she had been put together by a playful puzzle maker, with pieces slightly askew. As she sat up, her eyes blinked blearily, and her gaze wandered around the room, searching for clues about why Regee would wake her up for a phone.

"Oh Regee it's beside your bed"

Sally said pointing towards the side of Regee's bed with a louder yawn.

Picking up the phone the soft glow of her phone's screen greeted her, Revealing the picture of her mum and the date.

She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, only to focus on a message that made her heart skip a beat.

Her eyebrows arched in surprise, and a hint of a frown played on her face. She sat up with a start, her hazel hair tumbling around her shoulders like a fine waterfall.

Her eyes sparkled with somewhat shock as she read the message again, her mind racing with possibilities.

By this time Sally was already up and staring at her,with her afro burst forth in every direction, a joyful tangle of curls and kinks.

It was as if her hair had a life of its own, sprouting from her scalp like a vibrant, unruly garden.

Strands shot out to the sides, some reaching for the ceiling, others cascading down her cheeks like a fine curly waterfall.

A few disobedient curls even escaped her hairline, framing her face and giving a whimsical touch to her morning face.

For some reasons her face looked swollen.

"What's that?"

Sally said stretching her hands for the phone.

"This sounds like urgent"

Sally said rubbing her eyes.

" Do you think I should go?"

Regee asked looking confused.

" Well, we're going there together"

Sally said leaving the room.

" Arggg!

I look a mess"

Regee said with mirror in her hand.

Regee headed to the kitchen after arranging and cleaning up the room, while Sally was in the kitchen doing the dishes.

Regee couldn't stop wondering why Mr Jack had sent that message.

"What if that arrongant fellow is arresting us? "

Regee blurted out.

" He wouldn't do that, beside he would be at our .... "

Ding!

Ding! Ding!

Sally said as she was interrupted by the door bell.

"I think they found us"

Sally said arranging her coverall and heading to the door.

While Regee followed weakly behind.

Regee opening the door, stood a delivery guy with two miniature boxes.

"Tadaaaaaaa"

"I ordered breakfast"

Sally said laughing hysterically.

Wow Sally, you got me on this one"

Regee said trying to calm her nerve by tapping her chest.

Meanwhile the delivery guy just stood there confused but patiently in front of the door, a friendly smile on his face and a professional air about him.

He wore a crisp, Maron uniform with the pizza company's logo emblazoned on the sleeve, and a matching cap sat atop his neatly trimmed hair. In his hands, he held two steaming hot boxes of pizza.

The aroma of melted cheese and savory sauce wafting up to tease the senses.

Uhhhhhh!

Is that melted cheese I smell?

Regee said hurriedly collecting the boxes from the guy.

The boxes were neatly stacked, one on top of the other, with the company's name and logo prominently displayed.

The delivery man's eyes sparkled with a hint of anticipation, as if he knew the joy he was about to bring to the ladies in front of him.

His posture was relaxed, yet efficient, conveying a sense of "food is here, and it's time to dig in"

" This smells so good"

Regee said talking the boxes to the kitchen.

Of course the counter top was their favourite position for any meal at all.

The two friends sat comfortably on the kitchen counter, their legs crossed and their plates filled with steaming hot pizza.

Regee with a sprinkle of parmesan on her chin, turned to sally and said,

"I'm so glad we're doing this as breakfast, I needed a break from thought of Mr jack"

Sally chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the corners,

"I understand darling, I mean look how funny you looked this morning".

Regee nodded empathetically, "lol, I'm glad you could relate, But hey, pizza makes everything better, right?"

Regee laughed,

"Absolutely! And this one is extra cheesy, just how I like it, you really did surprised me."

As they savored their slices, their conversation just flowed easily, like a gentle stream meandering through the kitchen.

They discussed everything apart from the ordeal with Mr Jack, their ranged from their latest TV show obsessions to their early memories, their laughter and chatter filling the air.

At one point, sally exclaimed, "Oh my gosh, remember that time we tried to make our own pizza in"

Regee's eyes widened, "How could I forget? We ended up with a burnt offering to the pizza gods!"

" So how did you know I was craving pizza"?

Regee asked a mouth full.

Well, thinks we do for love, I guessed right."

Sally responding munching nosily.

They both burst into laughter, their joy infectious, as they relished the warmth and comfort of their friendship, fueled by the simple pleasure of sharing a delicious pizza on their kitchen countertop.

AT THE BAR.

The bar owner was seen trying to make calls severally, but it seems he could reach who he was trying to call.

"Sir I think Mr Richard is growing impatient"

The bartender whispered to his boss.

Mr Jack looked a bit tensed.

Soon the billionaire beckoned on the bar owner.

"Tell her I'll triple her pay"

Mr Richard said with authority in his voice.

I don't think she'll be here, she's normally here by this time.

Mr Jack said sitting close to tge billionaire.

The billionaire, dressed in a tailored suit, who sat looking agigiated in the dimly lit bar, his eyes scanning the room and they landed on the bar owner who sat opposite him.

"Jack, I want to believe you sent her the message on time,"

the billionaire said, his deep voice commanding attention.

"Mr. Richard, I don't think she is coming

The bar owner said dropping his phone on the table.

"That's not an answer to my question"

The billionaire bellowed.

The he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm here to see the pianist,and you'll make her come.

The bar owner hurriedly drop another message.

"but I didn't know you were a fan of jazz, and piano.

Mr Jack said trying to feign a smile.

The billionaire chuckled.

"Let's just say I appreciate talent, and I'm willing to pay for it. Is she here yet?"

Mr Jack Wondered what sought of man, Mr Richard was. One minute he was smiling another minute he was pissed.

Mr Jack checked his watch. "Should be arriving any minute now.

But, Mr. Richard I gotta warn you, I think Regee isn't one for... shall we say, 'business deals'."

The billionaire lifted an eye brow."I never said I'm not here to buy her out, Jack. I just want to enjoy the music"...

Mr Jack ,smiled but nodded, his eyes never leaving the billionaire's face. "Well, I'll make sure to pour you a stiff drink, then."

Not too long Sally and Regee had arrived.

The bar owner walked up to them and excused Regee, who had no idea whatsoever about what was going to be discussed.

But

Sally just stood there and suddenly caught a glimpse of the arrogant man from the other night.