Chapter 4 Chanced Meeting

Brenda sat with Greg, in the limousine that was taking them out to a special place, in Greg William's words. He was making the best effort to ensure that her home coming was pleasant and enjoyable, since she arrived at the Muritala Mohammed airport, last week Wednesday. Brenda Lewis had always wanted to come home to Nigeria to practice but had never gotten to it; plus she wanted to gather enough experience working as one of the junior partners at Darwin Law firm, Times Square in New York- one of the best law firms in the States, thanks to her father's connection abroad. Brenda, was excited when the opportunity presented itself; in the form of her father's proposed participation in the coming election.

Desmond Lewis had called her a few months ago that he was considering going for the Lagos state gubernatorial election. Brenda was scared at first, given all the news flying about politics in Nigeria. She lost her mum when she was young and she did not want to lose her Dad too. But her father allayed her fears. So she is definitely cool with helping him become the governor. Excitedly, Brenda had decided to come home and assist her father with legal side of things.

"Are you still not going to tell me where we are headed?" she smiled at her companion.

"If I told you, it won t be so special any more, will it? He responded with a teasing smile."

She was definitely enjoying this; she smiled her response at him; with the raise of one beautifully arched brow. Brenda turned her head towards the tinted window, looking at the beautiful streets, as the limo sped by; but came to a slow stop at the traffic light. Some things never change, she thought as she watched some boys hawking to car drivers at the traffic light stop. She was mesmerized by how each boy was struggling to sell his wares to the road users She remembered another time, when a young boy hawking in traffic captivated her and awakened love in her heart for the very first time. A nostalgic smile on her beautiful lips… she convinced her heart that it was a long time ago, and she was definitely over him.

"Enjoying the scenery, I guess?" Greg s voice broke into her reverie

"Yes, just thinking how some things never change, despite the times."

Greg searched and admired Brenda's beautiful and flawless face. "Yes, you are right; some things don't change in spite of times."

Greg Williams remembered the time he was introduced to Brenda when they were both abroad. Both their fathers had come to Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York for a particular share holders' meeting and they had both followed them. Sometimes Greg thought it was an intentional arrangement between both their fathers to persuade them to tag along for that particular meeting. The meeting dragged so long. He observed her boredom and slipped a short note to her. I know you are bored, as I am. Please join me for a drink at the hotel lounge, Greg. He remembered her getting the note and smiling at him. And she excused herself a few minutes after that. Greg had followed her. It must be pretty obvious that he followed after her but he was beyond concerned if anyone observed them at the shareholders meeting, and even doubted if they would be missed, two young lawyers who were present just to lend support to their parents. They had hit it off, especially when they both discovered they were lawyers. They became very close friends since then.

But Greg was obviously nursing the idea of taking their friendship to the next level, especially now that she was back in the country for the time being.

The limousine slipped into a very large and towering sky scraper hotel. It was a grand edifice. Greg watched Brenda's excitement.

Brenda sat up on her seat, as the limo maneuvered the beautifully ornamented environment. She whispered like a small girl handed a bar of chocolate. "This is huge." She was obviously proud of the visible growth in her dear country. She was always a home girl and, maybe because she stayed long abroad. She valued her country; every little progress in her country excites her. A proud African one would say. She always wondered if it was possible to develop her country the way it was in the Diaspora, which was part of the reason for desiring to come home to practice, so she could contribute her own little quota. She almost did not believe what she was seeing. "This is magnificent" she was awed.

Greg smiled content, just by looking at her expression. "This is just the beginning Brenda, the evening is just about to get better." He muttered under his breath.

The chauffeur opened the door for them to step out. He wanted to make her welcoming party as memorable as possible so he had gone overboard to make it grand for her. So he had chosen the grandest hotel to throw her a party, with the help of some of her friends and cousins of course.

Greg had booked the ballroom, for the evening's event and had invited everyone important to Brenda to welcome her back into the country, only her father had to go for an important meeting and he promised to join them as soon as the meeting was over. He was even lucky to have the owner of the hotel breeze in as part of the hotel customer satisfaction culture.

Brenda looked around her awed by the beauty of her environment. It was like she was in one of the hotels abroad. Though unaware of the charm she wielded, she was one beautiful woman, her full long tiny braids cascade down her back. Her proportionately curves fitted the knee-length dress she wore to perfection, her light skin glow with health under the receding sunset. Silver colored shoe complemented the silver teardrops on her lobes.

Greg could never get enough of Brenda's beauty. He walked close to her proudly, taking her hands in his; they matched like a power couple towards the waiting guest. He must be the envy of every man in the room as he watched the trailing looks of the people around them. Greg led her into the room, moving before her to quickly open the door for her to come in.

Surprise!

Brenda was truly surprised, she chanced an astonished look at Greg, who responded with a smile and I can't help it shrug, as she was enveloped in the embrace of her loved ones. She was still dazed by the love, as everyone came towards her one after the other to give her a handshake, a hug, a peck; each person telling her how much she was loved in their own way…… The ambience was really beautiful, she was a sucker for a good interior decoration, and she would admit that the décor was superb. From the wall papering to the chandelier and every single detail of the room was impeccable. The soft music playing added a giddy feel to the atmosphere. She walked slowly around the room, thanking everyone, and representing as the good hostess. But she was also admiring the beautiful room in the process. If she thought the outside was beautiful, the inside was much more so. She always told her friends that if she was not a good lawyer she would be an interior designer, she had the keen eyes for details and for beautiful and quality things. She was still greeting everyone, some she remembered some she didn't. Then one face stood out of the crowd. She would remember that face anywhere and at any time…. All the years that separated them thinned like it never existed.