She stayed on the call for a little while, after talking on phone for more time, she left her bag and drink and went out of the bar, still on call.
I wondered why she would do such a thing when she doesn't even know me and I don't know her either. For the records, we just met maybe less than an hour ago. She quite of a good observer, but I was still curious to know why she would leave her bag here, just to answer a phone call.
I thought about Eddy, what he had said when I called him earlier and how he had sounded over the phone. I became bothered about him. He has been having issues with his wife lately, but this time they fought.
I wondered what the problem was that made them fight. Eddy wasn't the person to miss this kind of of a thing, especially when it meant both of us hanging out together.
I would call him later, maybe when he's calmer to know what the problem might be. Immediately, my mind raced back to the DNA test result. Could it be that the same thing happened to the Mambira's? I wondered, then I shoved the thoughts away. Not wanting to bring up anything that would remind me of the ordeal I was trying so hard to forget.
The strange lady returned to the seat finally, smiling calmly as she sat down gracefully. That smile, was charming and seductive maybe, but there was more to it. It looked sweet and stunning and enticing, but it felt deceitful and unreal. Maybe, I was just imagining things though.
"Hey strange lady. What took you so long? I asked as soon as she had sat down.
She gave that smile again, this time broader which revealed her gold side tooth. "Did you miss me already? That was too quick of you, don't you think? She said, winking seductively.
I scoffed at that, then went on with what I was saying previously. "I'm not saying because I am concerned, but I am wondering why you would leave your bag here and you spent some time outside. Just inquisitive though." I added.
"Well, it's very simple, I just looked at you and that's all. I made my own deductions." She answered.
I stared at her, trying to understand the what she was saying as it wasn't really making sense to me. "So you mean you just look at someone and then you mark the person good or bad? Is that how yours work?
"Most times. Except when it's complicated, I might not have the liberty to make such deductions. But, on a normal day as this, well, yeah. It's that simple." She answered. Taking up her glass up, "cheers to that." She sipped and dropped the glass back.
"If you'll only sip that little, you might end up not taking up to two cups of the wine. Then, you might have to sleep here, or you'll go with the wine."
"Hahahaha, that's far from it. I usually sip my drink no matter how long it takes, especially when I have a handsome man infront of me."
I nodded for the compliment she gave. "So, tell me strange lady..."
"My name is Stacy. Stacy Lambert? Not strange lady okay. So, uhm, what's yours?
"Just call me Alex."
"Alex." She repeated. "Sounds sweet on my lips. So, you were saying?
"Yeah. I was about to ask, what were your deductions after observing me? I asked inquisitively, expecting an honest reply.
"A long one, but I will tell you what I want you to know." She said, smiling.
"I would want to hear that."
"From your ring, you are definitely married. Have maybe two or three kids. Young marriage, committed husband, right?
"You never can tell. How would you know if I am not the opposite of that?
"Hahahaha. That's a very funny but direct question, so I will answer that. It's very simple, you can't even flirt with a woman. Just few men still does that. Committed men, or then ones who aren't straight. So, which are you? She asked, smiling again.
"Well, I chose not to answer that anyway."
"Everyone has a choice they say, but I don't believe that. In some situations, you are forced to do something that is just against your plans and you can't do anything about it. Would you call that a choice? Well, I doubt."
"Are you talking from experience?
"Everyone has experienced that one way or the other, haven't we? I think we all have. Don't you think so?
My mind went back to the incident that just occured at home. Now I'm wondering if I really have a choice on that. Not only did the person behind the scene take my children, he is also asking that I release my wife or my employees will be killed. Do I really have a choice on that? Technically speaking, I really don't.
If I am to choose, that means I will forfeit looking for my children and handover my wife to the barbaric being and I will be, without a family again! I don't have a mother, nor a father, not even a sibling and will that also happen to my only family again.
Stacy is right though, we don't always have a choice. We are just left with what nature or those in power leave for us.
I wondered how I was going to cross this river infront of me or let myself be swallowed up by it. Do I really have a choice right now? Do I?
Stacy coughed lightly and she did that on purpose just to get my attention, which she did.
"I'm sorry, I just got carried away. I was thinking about something very important. Please, what were you saying again? I asked, trying to cover up.
"You look like you are in a big trouble or something. Family issue again? Your own case must be a tough one, because you are really not yourself. You will need to ease yourself a bit with some outdoor stuff, not your usual fashion." She suggested.
"It's not something I can discuss with you, so don't just bother about it okay. Thanks for showing some concerns, I really do appreciate your kindness." I replied calmly.
"I wish I could help. Your handsome face and body don't need all these kind of stress." Then she said in a more low tone, though I could hear. "I don't know why some ladies would have this kind of guy but still would not be okay or comfortable with that. They need to show some gratitude."
I smiled coolly when I heard that, but pretended I didn't hear anything.
"You don't have a ring on your finger, so I must assume you are not married." I said to her, studying her closely to see what her reaction would be.
I was no longer drinking as I was tired of it already but enjoying the ongoing mild conversation.
"Married once, got divorced." She replied coldly. She took up her glass of wine and this time she didn't sip, she drank half of the cup at a stretch.
"Wow, wasn't expecting that at all. I am really sorry about that, I shouldn't have asked you." I apologized, feeling remorseful.
"No no, it's fine. I actually filed for the divorce myself. I just had to because I couldn't cope again." She complained and her tone changing and becoming bitter.
"What happened to you two? Do you mind sharing it? I asked more curious than concerned.
"Yeah, it's cool. It's been a while though. The thing is that, this guy cheats on me. I found out from a friend of mine who caught him with another woman in a shopping mall. When she told me about it then, I refused to believe that my sweet Jack is what I heard he is. I didn't listen. I had to stop calling that friend of mine that made that statement."
"Not knowing she was right."
"Yeah and that cost our relationship a whole lot. I didn't know she was trying to protect me. Till I found him one day on our matrimonial bed with another lady, quite different from the one my friend told me about. He did not just stop at cheating outside, he brought it into my own house and slept with a whore on my own bed."
"You couldn't have known, it's not your fault anyway, so don't blame yourself." I said, trying to console her.
"I wish I knew or understood on time, I would have fought for my own right. Marriage taught me a lot. Luckily, we were yet to have my kids. I wonder how it would have been.
"I understand where you are going. Perhaps, If you had acted on time, you might have stopped some things."
"I filed for a divorce, so all those talk didn't matter to me again as I was no longer interested."
"I, I hope you are fine? I asked.
"Of course I am. It's been three years now, so I have gotten over it. I moved on already and I think I am enjoying the single hood for the meantime."
"It's quite easy for you because you didn't have a child with him. It would have been harder if you did, or don't you think."
"I think we have talked about me enough, now let's talk about you, Alex!
"Okay. What do you wanna know?