-Shelley-

It's a bright and sunny Saturday afternoon, and once again, I'm confined to the four walls of my room, feeling a sense of restlessness and solitude. I reach over to the side locker to fetch my phone and absentmindedly start flipping through my Instagram feed. "Man, I'm bored," I murmur to myself, setting my phone down and reaching for my purse. As I rummage through it, I stumble upon a considerable amount of cash, prompting thoughts of a spontaneous shopping spree. "Which mall should I head to?" I ponder, tapping my chin in contemplation. "Melcom or Shoprite?" I decide on Melcom and quickly get ready, tossing on a cardigan and grabbing my handbag as I eagerly make my way out the door.

I've been on the road for two hours now, hoping to reach the mall within an hour. Unfortunately, I've been stuck in traffic while riding in an overcrowded Trotro vehicle. For those unfamiliar with Trotros, they are very popular buses in Ghana, serving as a cheap means of transportation for about 70% of the population, with fares about half the price of a taxi. You might be wondering why I didn't just take an Uber, but it's too late for that now. Anyway, the most annoying part of this journey is the passenger sitting beside me. He seems completely unaware that the seats are small and that we need to make room for each other. Instead, he's sitting with his legs wide open, leaving me with very little space to be comfortable.

As I sat in the never-ending traffic on my way to the mall, frustration bubbled inside me. The excitement that had been building up in my stomach, eager to explore the renowned Melcom shopping mall for the first time, had now turned into a sense of disappointment and regret. "I should have just stayed home," I muttered to myself, exhaling a heavy sigh. They couldn't think of a less bustling location than Spintex. People have been gushing about the place and here I was, stuck in traffic.

As I finally arrived at my destination, I felt relieved to have made it there without any issues, although I was a bit later than I had originally planned. Getting out of the car, I walked towards the towering entrance of the mall, with its massive doors welcoming me inside.

"Wow! What a place!" I exclaimed as I looked around. The place was organized into different sections. I walked through each floor, admiring the beautiful display of items, from kitchen utensils to furniture, decor, and various groceries. The place was huge and truly impressive. It was bustling with people of all backgrounds – black, white, Asian, you name it.

While I cautiously approached the kitchen section, I remembered that I needed to buy some glassware. I found myself standing by a shelf that housed a variety of glassware. I was astonished to find a wide selection of glasses to browse from, but my particular fascination lay with the champagne glasses. I was so engrossed in the assortment of champagne glasses that I failed to see the dashing gentleman who had casually positioned himself next to me. "They are beautiful, aren't they?" he says. "Tell me! Which one do you think I should go for?" he asked.

Turning my attention to the direction where the voice was heard, stood the most handsome man I have ever laid eyes on. He wore a fitted grey shirt that revealed his abs; he is tall, in his thirties I think, and has dark brown eyes. He looked great with white sneakers and blue denim, I have to admit. Everything that man touches turns into something luscious and alluring. Brought back from my inner thought, I replied, "Were you speaking to me, sir?"

"Umm! Yes of course," he says.

"Sorry, but I think I saw the clerk somewhere here. Should I get them for you?"

"There will be no need for that. I was only asking for your opinion," he says. Giving me a side glance, he continued. "You see, A friend of mine is getting married next weekend, and I need to get them a gift. I have no idea what to get them."

"Bride or groom?" I asked.

"Actually, both."

As I gazed at him with a solemn look, I couldn't fathom why a complete stranger, who also happened to be a customer, would seek assistance from another customer whom he didn't know—especially me. But then again, he seemed to value my opinion. "Well, Mr.," I began, gesturing toward the assortment of glassware before us, "I'd recommend choosing any of these. Instead of stressing over specific gifts, why not get them something they both can use to entertain their guests?"

He gazed at me with admiration and exclaimed, "That's a fantastic idea. I'd like to get two of these." Extending his hand, he introduced himself, "Ben Adam's." As our hands clasped, our eyes locked, and I found myself unable to break away. I was captivated by his enchanting gaze, and his half-smile was utterly mesmerizing. It felt like encountering Boris Kodjoe in the flesh—so dreamy.

In a moment that seemed to stretch on forever, we gazed into each other's eyes. Suddenly breaking the silence, he cleared his throat and interrupted my thoughts. "Do I have the pleasure of knowing your name?" he asked.

"I am Shelley Dickson," I firmly replied. He flashed me a smile and said, "What a beautiful name for such a lovely lady!" Feeling slightly flustered, I released his hand, thanked him for the compliment, and swiftly bid him goodbye. Knowing that there were other places to explore, I confidently moved on.

After spending two hours picking out the things I needed, I casually made my way to the cashier to purchase my items. After paying, I headed to the roadside, hoping to catch a cab home. Suddenly, a navy green Range Rover with the license plate GR1190-23 pulled up beside me. The window of the passenger seat rolled down, revealing Mr Adams' face.

"'Hello there.' Hop in let me drop you off at the station," he said. With my nana's warning in mind, I was not accepting a ride from a stranger. I respectfully declined his offer and thanked him for his generosity. He bid me good night and drove off. When I got home late, I grabbed some drinks and headed to bed.

_

That will be all for chapter one. I can't wait to edit chapter two.