🍲 Chapter 35  🍲

                         Quba's pov

  Getting illegal documents was a great challenge and expense. Thankfully, it worked out well for me, and I can now conduct some important transactions without being recognized as who I am registered as in the government system. I had no idea that holding my head at a slightly different angle could make me look so much like a completely different person. Dying my hair back black, was the only thing I hadn't wanted to do, so into the salon I went to get my new thirty-inch-long curly burgundy wig installed professionally and to learn how to DIY like a pro.

  An hour later, I walked out of the salon, looking cuter than ever. I went into the Amazon walk-in store and shopped for the stylish glasses, tams, stretchy dresses, jackets, sneakers, slippers, and underwear. Over by the tech section, I bought cameras, a printer, and some cool lights for the Earthroamer. The food section had everything, and I bought all the food stuff I think I need. I chuckled and got into the Earthroamer where I unpacked all my shopping. The card Malia gave me paid for everything I bought on Amazon, which surprised me at first, but I know she was tracking me with it.

  I drove to the carwash to give the Earthroamer a good wash, and while there, I turned on the iPhone, which I had used to call her, and paid my internet bill. There was only one message from her that read. •A certain man is furious that you've run away again. Please keep safe. You know what we're up against.•

  After a minute of thinking, I respond to her message. •Tell him I just need time by myself, right now, and he has a lot more important things to focus on than me.•

  I got into my sparkling, clean Earthroamer and drove to the restaurant I had made a reservation at. It was the one Mavuto had told me he did graphic designs for sometimes, but I think judging from everything I've learned so far, he either owns it or has trusted friends who operate it. That man does not trust anyone, and it's written all over him. I'm still wondering how I ended up in his bed and had unprotected sex with him. A thought surfaced amongst my thoughts, and I nod my head as if I were actually having a conversation with someone. He had not known his picture would be posted in the media. At his age, he must have gone through strict security measures to keep his identity hidden.

  The restaurant had asked if I lived in the area and wished to have my meal delivered to my door. They may do so with those in the surrounding area, but my overthinking mind tells me it was a security measure they took with strangers. I had told them I was a traveling nomad and had a doctor's appointment close by, and their restaurant came up in my good reputation Google search. It was also not too far away from the grocery store, so my speculation may just be correct.

  With ten minutes to spare, I parked in their car park, which could hardly be seen from the roadway due to the trees that grew close to each other and changed into one of the comfortable stylish dresses I just bought. It showed up my figure and cute baby bump, and I touched up my lip gloss, sprayed with a glorious smelling cologne, and pushed my feet in a pair of platform sandals that match the color of my dress. I took up the stylish handbag that I had chosen specifically to go with this outfit, then locked up the Earthroamer and went out with my tripod and cameras to take pictures of my beautiful self.

When I felt like I had enough pictures in my gallery of me, I went inside the restaurant and gave my name to the doorman. "Cameras are not allowed inside." He told me.

"Mines are allowed, I'm a content creator, and you don't want me to call your boss," I told him seriously, and he looked at me from head to foot and then back up before signaling to the receptionist who was looking at us.

"Good afternoon, Miss." The pleasant, good-looking receptionist greeted me with a smile.

  I smiled back and purred. "Miss Atsocad. Good afternoon, my dear. Miss Malia recommended that I come here and she knows I take my camera everywhere."

  With that, I strolled in past her and found a seat where I could catch a glimpse of the parking lot. I set up my tripod and began snapping pics of myself while the receptionist spoke rapidly into the phone. She glanced discreetly up at a camera in the corner of the ceiling, and I stood up and went there to pose. A few of the staff were looking at me, and the receptionist came over and told me.

"Miss Malia says to be on your best behavior or else she's going to come over here and whoop your bum."

  I laughed out unlady like then told her. "I will behave, don't worry."

  She smiled and motioned to the waitress who brought over my first course of appetizers. A rich beef pumpkin soup with mini pressed plantain sandwiches, both of which were delicious and true appetizers. The second course meal was piping hot, fully cooked grilled lamb chops with mashed potatoes, a large raw vegetable bowl with spicy ranch dressing. It was also very good, and I sipped the non-alcoholic champagne delicately. The third course, the waitress, brought a buffet on wheels with tiny sample desserts for me to choose from. They were probably regretting doing so when I took up the seventh tiny cake and pushed it inside my mouth.

"Mhnm. I would like a slice of this one also. The creamy, fluffy sweetness is giving. Please package them to go. Thank you." I tell the waitress.

"Would you like to try anything else?" She asked, surprising me.

"Ah, if I do, I may eat everything on the cart," I told her with a smile.

She smiles and tells me. "Well, you're after all spending your money, so you're allowed to."

"Oh, I thought that I could only taste a few," I said, and reached for the pretty pink and white one decorated with tiny strawberries.

  By the time I reached what was surely my twentieth, I was aware that I had a small audience. I grinned uncontrollably, causing them all to snicker, and then taking up one last one and telling the waitress. "I think I'm really full now, package all of what I have just tasted for me to go. Thank you very much."

The receptionist came over with my bill, and I used the card Malia gave me to pay. Her eyes widened, with surprise and she stuttered a bit as she told me. "Tha- Thanks for choosing our restaurant. You're mo- most welcome to visit again."

  "I most definitely will," I respond discreetly, looking at the card machine in her hand and seeing VIP costumer.

In a poised and professional manner, she tells me while pointing. "Your takeout order is now at the counter. Enjoy the rest of your day."

"Enjoy the rest of your day, too," I tell her and took thirty dollars from my bag and leave it on the table before gathering up my tripod and camera and walking to the counter.

  I collected my bag of cakes and left a twenty-dollar tip for the receptionist before walking out happily. After packing them neatly inside the refrigerator, I put a bonnet over my hair and took a quick shower. I put on a spacious stretchy flowery dress, a flat pair of slippers, and climbed through the secret passage into the cab, noting that I'll soon be unable to do so. With a little time on my hands, I drove to the store and purchased three packages of hot pockets in the three stuffing I love, six luncheons, corned beef, fresh vegetables, potatoes, wraps, eggs, cheeses, snacks, ice-cream, and some fruits.

  I didn't spot anyone on my drive to the hospital, and I wonder if Malia had anyone place a tracker on the Earthroamer. After going for my checkup, I use the security built-in scanner to check the vehicle. I chuckled and went and pulled off the tracker from beneath the wheel well under the passenger side of the vehicle, wondering how the alarm didn't go off when whoever stuck it there. I drove away and parked on the roadside of the forest road. A quick check of the outer cameras showed me the man who had cashed my goods at the supermarket when I was given the card. He drove the same sports car and parked close to the Earthroamer. He bent beside the passenger wheel for only a second before going back into his car and driving away.

"Too bad, Malibou. I don't need any unwanted visitors." I said and drove off into the forest with a wide grin on my face.

To be continued...