Twelve

“You look amazing in everything.” Jimmy said, making Nita roll her eyes for the umpteenth time. There was nothing like comfortable clothes in her house, but now she needed to attend this ball which she had no idea who and who would be coming.

Not that she was trying to impress others, but she couldn’t be caught un-fresh.

“How about I accompany you? It will make you less nervous.”

She dropped the sky blue dress in her hand, “I’m not nervous. And there was nothing said about bringing a partner.”

Her gaze moved to Nate who sat quietly on her bed, pressing his phone, “What are you doing, baby?” She asked purely out of curiosity.

Usually, he was of the habit of commending her dresses whenever she was going out, but he seemed so pre-occupied he didn’t have time for her.

Nate put his phone down and glanced at her, “I’m doing research.”

Nita raised her brow, “On what?”

He shook his head, “It’s a secret, mummy.”

She shared a look with Jimmy, before smiling. Her quest for the socialite ball dress temporarily forgotten, “When did we start keeping secret from mummy?”

Nate sighed like an adult, “That’s because I am trying to surprise, mummy.”

Yet, she crawled on the bed and tried peeping at the content of his phone.

“No, mummy. It’s a secret.”

He hid the phone behind him, and she sigh in defeat. “Fine. Mummy will just keep dressing.”

He nodded, and the phone was back in his hand with a new intended focus.

Nita turned to Jimmy who stared at them both, interestingly.

“Do you have any idea what he is researching on?”

Jimmy shrugged, “No idea.” He picked up another random dress off her bed. “Wear this. I’ve a purple tie to match you.”

“I thought I said there was no requirement for a date.”

Jimmy shook his head, “You’re sometimes too naïve, Cyborg.”

Her eyes widen, and he apologized immediately. She hated when she was refer to Cyborg anywhere around her son. It could easily confuse you, and he might slip up in front of strangers.

What he doesn’t know can’t kill him? Right?

“Sorry, dearest.” He corrected with a hint of amusement. “Unless you want to be disturbed by guys over there, you need to go to places like that with a date.”

The thoughts of guys coming over to her made her shudder; she didn’t need more people like Sam all over her. She was lucky enough to have handled the office issue amicably, although, it brought with it lot of controversies at her working place.

But soon enough, she would be done with her work, and would be gone from the state.

She looked back at Jimmy who stared at her waiting for reply.

Well, better the devil you know than an angel you don’t know.

“Fine. If you want to, let’s go.”

Inwardly, Jimmy celebrated that. She had always refused to go out with him. Was this a sign that something was about to change between them. But, outwardly, he smiled, “Great. Let me go and dress so I don’t disappoint my date.”

Nita scoffed, “It’s not a date.”

But he was already out of her room.

She was hoping on leaving Nate with Jimmy, but now that he was going with her, she needs to take him too. “Come on, baby. We’re going to a party.”

Nate frowned; just like Nita, he hated parties and crowded places. “Can’t Uncle Jimmy stay with me?”

She shook her head, “Sorry, but Uncle Jimmy is coming with us.”

Nate knew there was no escaping his mother’s invitation. So, he resigned to fate.

He allowed himself to be groomed up for the party, while his mother also dressed up.

She wore the beautiful purple dress that was backless with one strip on the shoulder. The other shoulder was sleeveless and her dress had a slant that stopped right at her tight. In a word, she was breath taking.

By the time Jimmy came to collect them, his eyes raked all over her, and he couldn’t hide the desire to have her, “You look so stunning, Nita.”

She nodded. “Thank you. Can we get this over with now?”

The ride to the ball was filled with awkward silence; each of the car occupants were lost in their seas of thoughts, that soon they arrived at the ball.

Nita glanced at the entrance as their car stopped. She helped Nate down, and stopped to take in the view presented to her. She hadn’t expected a red carpet or the media that were all over. Most of the people gaze were on her, but no one made an attempt to converse with her.

Her hand was tucked safely in Jimmy’s, and she was glad he had convinced her to bring him along.

She moved inward, and the interior only seemed to complement the outside. Unlike outside swarming with media; the inside was deep silent. And as she walked in, all eyes turned to her. Some whispered into their partners ears, and some shamelessly spoke about her.

They were talking more about her dress.

“They are all staring.” She noted.

Jimmy nodded, “Of course that’s because you look beautiful, and beside you is a handsome man. We look like the power couple with a handsome son.”

Nate looked like he was amazed by the settings, too. As soon as they settled down, Carl King, who had sight her from afar made his way towards her.

“It’s a privilege that you honored my invitation.”

She smiled at him, “Thank you for inviting me. This is my son, Nate, and my personal assistant, Jimmy.”

Jimmy cringed at the way she had introduced him, but he still shook hand with Carl. Would it be so hard for her to introduce him as her date?

Well, all of that would soon change when he finally win her heart.

After few words been exchanged, Carl King made her leave her seat all in the name of introducing her to the real people that held the society. It was harmless and she was having fun meeting new people until he walked into the room.

Drapped on his arm was a woman who looked like she could be a model. She complimented his handsome look, and together they made head turn to stare at them.

Nita stopped her greeting at her heart picked up a pace.

She knew he had moved on from the moment he gave her the divorce papers, but why was it still so hard for her to see him after five years?

Her eyes met his, and he didn’t stop staring at her, as they walked towards her direction.

Nita willed her heart to stay still, but the damn thing kept beating fast in his presence, and she let out a low curse when he stopped in front of her.

His voice just exactly like she remembered it, “It’s so good to see you again, Wife.”