CHAPTER 2

FINGERS-CROSSED

Song: Fingers Crossed by Trevor Daniel ft Julia Michaels

ZARA's POV

At Four Seasons Hotel

It wasn't too long till I arrived at the meeting venue, only to notice that I was too early.

Well, yeah that's me, Tardy? Not a word in my dictionary
Always Time conscious

Perhaps, it's because this meeting is really important to me and I really want to secure this deal too.

I took a seat, while I waited for the other members to arrive

A Ding sound emitted as my phone buzzed up with a text from Mum

Zara please don't forget to stop by as you promised, I and your dad haven't quite seen you in a while because you're always too busy. Please drop by when you're done with your meeting

Tipical parents

But it's true, I've been too busy these days that I haven't had time for myself lately

"Am I forgetting something? Just to be sure I should review the documents concerning this meeting" I said to myself while I still awaited the arrival of the other members.

I opened my briefcase

Scanned through gradually, they all seemed in place but I couldn't find the confidential agreement, I could have sworn I put it in, Or did I leave it behind?. Gosh I really needed this to secure this deal, I scanned through severally over and over again to no avail.

I went ahead to pour out the contents of my "Walker brand Leather hand bag", but i still couldn't find it.

"Gosh where did I keep those documents having the Confidential Agreements to this meeting" I said to myself"

"Here you can have a copy of mine" A masculine voice said, startling me

I looked up to see a young man in his mid twenties. He was a tall man of about 6 feet 5, I could tell even while he was sitting, He had hair the color of cinnamon, his pointed nose added a touch of glamour to his light skin, His square chin was the finishing touch indeed. I couldn't tell the colour of his eyes because he wasn't too close, but it seemed to be brownish I guess.

Damn how can someone be this handsome
And know I didn't just say that

"Last time I checked I was the only one in here"

"When did this guy arrive" I thought to myself

Perhaps he might be an angel

"I always keep a couple of copies other than the original" he added
"Don't worry I'm not asking for anything in return" he said

Now this guy seems to be a Chatter box

Besides that's what they all say Nothing in return indeed

I reluctantly took the copy of the document which he had offered me

"I don't accept favours, I'm indebted to you
Count it as a one time favour which I owe you" I said

He kept on staring at me like he had just seen a ghost.

"Will you stop staring at me" I said with an Obviously pissed off tone

"Oh, sorry I lost you for a moment there" he said with a slight smirk

"Okay I'm starting to think there's something up with this guy" I thought to myself.

It wasn't long before the door of the T-effiel house opened and people began to swing in. It was a Round table meeting which included Directors, CEO's of different Publications houses, Editors of high standards, Managers and so many respectable personnel's in the world of Literature.

I even caught a glimpse of Book-pedias very own Manager, he was really scarce these day. It was rumored that he had a very huge publication in the works, well it was not actually a glimpse it was more like quick Eye contacts between I and him.

It wasn't too long till I began exchanging pleasantries with both known and fairly known personnel's.

We were half way into the meeting already when the Mr. Winfred, the Director of Rosewood Publications spoke about awarding a publications contract to someone....

Well that was the main reason why I was here in the first place, though I had something in the works already. it was a recent contract which I was awarded to by Blue-prose publications, I needed this to fortify my Publications House. I just started recently with only a single publications deal which skyrocketed to the fifth rank on the Markets Chart within weeks

I really have my Fingers crossed for this deal

Yeah I know it's a nice start for a beginner I guess, but I'm actually looking forward to the Top.

"Good day respected indigenes of the Publishing world, "he said jokingly with a mild chuckle

"Hmmm...' he continued

"My company has been working on something recently which would be published at a yet to be known date. Due to the recent developments in the industry, as we all know the aim is to strengthen our individual companies with Collaboration of works alongside various companies." He paused this time looking towards the guy from earlier

"Mr. Udo I'm really sorry but I'll be awarding this contract to the founder of Stalwart publications.....Miss Zara " He said

Whoa, did I just hear my name?

I wore a shocked look on my face as I stood up to show a sign of gratitude

I was already on my feet when he continued

"Hold on, I'm awarding the contract to Miss Zara because she recently got hold of the deal with Blue-prose publications and...I'm sorry to say this but we all know how influencial Blue-prose Publications can be"

Wait was that the only reason I got awarded this contract?

Well I couldn't care less... it's all just part of business I guess. Though I thought it was because I was the right person to carry out the Job.

"Wait, did I hear you clearly?" The guy from earlier cut in...oh yeah Mr.Udo said while standing to his feet obviously wearing an annoyed look

"So you're the one who took the Blue-prose deal from me, when I was noticeably the best candidate for that deal
Only a few minutes late and he handed over the deal to this" he continued with a pout while pointing his fingers at me

Wait did he just refer to me as...This?

"Sorry sir with all due respect I won't take such an insult here" I said trying my best to sound professional

"It's not my fault that you were incompetent to the task at hand, the last time I recalled, I wasn't the one who made you late for your appointment to secure the deal, so please would you just sit and allow Mr. Winfred conclude his statement" I said this time raising my Voice.

Looking around the room everyone had their eyes on me wearing a I should not have done that look

Did I say something wrong? I silently asked myself

Suddenly the whole room went silent, all eyes on me

I found myself silently wishing for the ground open up and swallow me whole right now.

Bh it's not like I said anything wrong, I only stated a fact...

"I won't stay here and have this lady insult me" Mr. Udo said before walking out...

As he walked out of the door, every other person followed behind including Book-pedias Manager. Just leaving I,Mr. Winfred and a young man.

Whoa what just happened. I silently asked myself

The young man walked up to me and said

"Miss Zara I'm a huge fan of your work, as much as I love your work I don't want to get into the bad books of Mr.Udo, No one does.

Last Year a director of Forbes Publications got into an argument with him, and right now Forbes is out of business.
I'll advise that you send him an apology"

Whoa that's pretty intense

I shot the young man a really annoying look because I was really pissed off by what he said
Then he said
"It was really nice meeting you in person" and I watched him scramble away...

"Who the hell does that Udo guy think he is" I thought to myself as I left the T-effiel house leaving Mr. Winfred who wore a pretty scared look behind.

I didn't even get to sign the deal all because of that nitwit...

I swear I can strangle somebody now oh

I quickly walked to the hotels parking lot to pick up my car. I walked up to the hotels Valet and I collected my car keys from him as I watched wear a broad smile...

The kind of smile which says I'm waiting for my Tip...

I brought out a pair of one thousand naira notes from my bag and handed it over to the man

"Ah Madam-m Baba God go bless you ooh" he said with a much broader smile this time and I shot him a pretty daring look as I watched him scramble off.

I got into my Range Rover Evoque 2021 model

The way I love this car ehn, it has always been my dream car until I got it a few weeks back.

Turning on the ignition and about driving out, someone tapped on the slightly opaque glass of my car. I quickly lowered it down, Only to see a built up dark complexioned young man standing by it.

I can recall seeing him from the meeting earlier he sat beside Mr.Udo

"Hello Ma'am, I'm Leonard and I partner alongside Udo" he said peering down through the glass already let down glass whilst passing his hand through for a hand shake which I ignored...

"So...how can I help you" I replied while giving out a pout

"Well, Ma'am I was hoping we could talk about what transpired at the meeting today" he continued, while he retrieved his hand

"Well I'm sorry but I'm not interested" I said

"Oh Ma'am I'm sure you would be interested" he said while handing me a paper which contained all the documented facts about my recently reinstated company.

How did he get his hands on these

I quickly recalled what the young man from earlier said about the Forbes guy.

Yeah I was frightened, But I tried my best to hide it from being visible.

Staying professionally calm

I hope I did a good job in doing so.

"Ok what time and what's the venue?"

"9pm today at Grille's Diner"

Did he just say Grille's? I hate the food service over there. ughh

"Naah let's change the venue...uhmm Blue Collars would be nice" I said

Blue Collars was a new restaurant which opened up recently, a few weeks back to be precise. And in no time it turned out to be one of the best restaurants in Lagos.

It's my Favourite restaurant currently, their meals are out of this world

"I don't think that's a good idea" He said

Just then Mum called, oh I'm running late already

I drove off immediately

"See you at 9:00" I yelled whilst watching his unsettling figure stare at me from afar.

° ° °

I was at the front door of my parents Mansion already, trying my best to stay cool because my parents could be a little Extra sometimes

About knocking on the Door, it suddenly opened only for me to meet Mum at the Door.

" Zee-e..your here already,

Ehh...Like she didn't know, Mum's sef

"Mum Good Evening" I said

"Welcome welcome...come in" she said while placing her hands on my Left cheek

"You've grown taller oooh, ah your now slim sef, are you sure you've been eating well?" She continued while putting a frown on.

Just Mum as usual being Over dramatic

"Mum, yes I've been eating well" I said trying to force a smile.

"Cassie is over there at the sitting room, come on let's go join her" Mum said

We walked down the long corridor which was decorated with different kinds of flowers, I could sense the sweet cocktail of those Lilies and Roses.

Oh, How much I miss home

Stepping into the marbled flaw of the Parlour which led to the dining, I shocked at the shouts I was welcomed with

"Welcome-e Home-e ZARA" they all said in unison

Wow, a Surprise indeed.

I could see Larry, Mercy, Prisca, my best friend Vanessa was there too. A whole bunch of friends and relations were there chattering with smiles on their faces

Remember when I said they could be a little extra, yeah this is what I was talking about

"Awwwwwn, Thank you guys I said I really do appreciate i wasn't expecting this at all" I said with a smile filled face.

"Mum but you do know I'll be going back to my house today right" I whispered to her ears.

"yeah,yeah I know. Just enjoy the moment now will you?" she said while giving out a chuckle

"Zee-e" My 8 year old little sister yelled as she ran to give me a hug....

"Hey Cassie how are you" I said with a funny voice as she gave out a chuckle

"Zee, I hope you know tomorrow's my birthday right, I'll be turning 9" she said while wrapping her tiny fallenges around mine, jumping around in accordance.

"Of Course, I do and guess what!

I booked Blue Collars for the birthday party venue, all your friends would be there too"

"Reall-y...Ya-y" Thank Alot sis your the best she said as she gave out a slight giggle."

"Mum where's Dad ?" I asked amidst a chuckle

"Oh he left for Abuja few minutes before you arrived" she said

"He had an urgent meeting to attended though he really wanted to be here. He thought you would have arrived earlier before he left" She continued

That's my Dad for you, always busy with work, barely has time for himself...well I guess I inherited that trait for him.

"Oh Yeah he said I should give you this, it's an invite to a Launching event of one of his Friends. He asks that you fill in for him as he wouldn't be able to meet up" Mum said while handing me the invite.

"It's the day after tomorrow" I muttered

"Do I have a choice?" I asked

"Nope, Oh come on you should know your father by now" she said

Yeah I do, that's how dad is, always telling me to fill up for him both at work and otherwise

For god's sake I've got my own stuff to handle

"Oh it's 8:45 already, Mum I gotta go now, I have a meeting by 9:00" I said

"What kind of meeting holds by 9pm at night" Vanessa cut in
"I think it's a date" she continued with a chuckle

I could spot mum smiling already

"Oh no no, it's a meeting" I said

"Vanessa when will you stop being mischevious sef" I said jokingly

"Thanks you guys for being here today, I really appreciate" I said out loud to my friends

"Your welcome zee" the Majority replied

Hey Cassie I'll pick you up tomorrow then

"Don't be long tomorrow ooh" she replied in an excited tone

I said a quick goodbye to mum and headed for the door while Vanessa saw me off....

"Hey, help my mum clear things up over here could you" I asked Vanessa while making a cute face

"Yeah sure I gat you' just tell me how your date goes" she said jokingly

"It's not a date" I yelled as I made my way to my car.

° ° °

It was a 15 minutes drive down to Blue Collars, I quickly alighted from my vehicle as I handed my keys over to the Valet

I made my way into the Restaurant, welcomed by a sweet fragrance of Tulips, the air in here seemed refined.

The Interior decor was made of Blue upholstery which played a major role in shading more light at it's name.

I saw Leonard waving his hands at a distance signalling that i should come over, I walked down to where he was, he had already booked us seats

"Could we make this quick" he said while I took a seat

Uhh... why's he in a hurry

Just then the waiter came along

"Good day sir and ma'am what would you like to have" he said while looking in the direction of Leonard

"Bro you didn't tell me you have a date" the waiter said casually, referring to Leonard

Wait I've heard that voice somewhere

"Who's the lucky woman" the waiter said as he gradually directed his glance towards me

"Wait it's Youuuu again." He said in a harsh tone

Damn It, it was Udo, the guy from earlier.

What the hell was he doing here?
And as a waiter!
__________

Wow...I so much love this Twist

What's Udo doing as a waiter bikonu!😂

What do u think Udo's reaction would be like?

If you were to be Zara what would you do?

Find out as things unfold in the next chapter of
FINDERS KEEPERS

Hey guys it is I MIGUEL♥️
Goshhh!!! I spent hours writing this chapter...Hope you guys loved this chapter of FINDERS KEEPERS

What do u guys think about having an aesthetic?

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