Chapter 3: MAKING NEW WAVES

Joanna's Pov

I sat in the reception area of Future Fabrics And Designs stamping my feet impatiently. I have an appointment with Dorsa, the owner of the company. I needed allies to help me keep pushing my company forward, it doesn't matter if I've got a few days.

Dressed in my navy blue shirt and milky-coloured skirt, I wore a long brown jacket and stilletoes with my grey-brown blonde tied up in a ponytail, any visitor who walks in will mistake me for the company’s secretary.

“Miss Joseph?”

"Here," I answered almost immediately, as I walked into the office after being told to. I was eager and anxious to strike a deal with the owner of the company.

“Ha! Miss Joanna, It’s nice seeing you again." Mrs Dorsa smiled.

“It’s also good to see you again Madam Dorsa” I grinned, handing my business proposal to her.

“This is wonderful, I’d love to work with your company” she sounded excited, but I didn't like it.

“Thanks a lot” I smiled

“You’re welcome” She looked at me for a while.

"Joanna, your ex-fiance is heartless. Seeing how he crumbled your years of hard work. Did you let him get away with it?” She asked.

I never thought such a highly respected person would join her staff gossiping and spreading rumours.

“No, I didn’t. I plucked out his eyes and made him eat them” I replied sarcastically followed by a wicked laugh, something I learnt from Yolanda.

“Now, Dorsa, I thought we are here to talk about partnership, not discuss my ex,” I said, she cleared her throat, turning back to the papers.

“Well, this proposal will surely benefit us all, ”She agreed, nodding her head slowly.

“My company will offer you thirty per cent of this,” I continued.

“That would be great. It’s nice doing business with you,“ I stood up and we shook hands.

“I'll anticipate your reply, soon.“ Mrs Dorsa said.

“You will, in a couple of weeks. One more thing, my ex-fiance didn't ruin anything because I outsmart him in many ways. “ I said and headed out of the building with a smirk on my face.

I walked out of the building majestically, one hand in my pocket and the other holding the large file.

If this deal works out, then Joanna's Stitches will get to be heard one last time before I'm gone and thankfully I'll leave this life without regrets. Glad that she had accepted my proposal even when I was a bit harsh earlier, I went back home completely exhausted, though it was quite a good day for me.

I just hope things work out as planned so that I'll prove to the losers who thought it would be my end.

Chris Pov

“ This is useless!” I pushed the mouse away, frustrated.

I’ve searched the whole net for all the Joannas I know but none of them matches her identity.

“Relax Chris, I’m sure we’ll find her soon,” Axen said, smiling.

I heaved a sigh, it’s impossible, I won’t be able to find her with this lame internet.

“I can’t Axen, I need her so badly, “ I said trying to express the way I felt towards Joanna.

Picking up my car keys from the table, I headed out.

“Wait, where are you going?” Axen asked.

“ I need to clear my head, “ I say, opening the front door.

“I’m coming with you, “ she said rushing to me.

“You don’t have to. I don’t want you stressed out “ I looked at her, noticing she seemed tired.

“It’s fine, I insist “

Seeing that I couldn’t talk her out of this since she already made up her mind, I open the door wide so she can step out.

“How about our favourite?” She suggested.

“Yeah, let’s go there “ I drove to Berries.

Axen and I came to this place often when we were both in high school. It's classical.

“ So, there’s no way we can trace her? Not an ID card or something?” Axen asked.

I’m glad she’s helping me with this, after a $500 bribe.

“ Nothing, she didn’t even leave a note” I sighed.

“We’ll just keep searching, maybe we’ll figure out something soon” She stroked my hands gently.

“Thanks for helping” I smiled.

“Don’t thank me, I’m just doing my money’s worth “She grinned with satisfaction as my face dropped.

“Just kidding, you’re my best buddy, I’ll always be here for you “

“Those words were heart soothing, I’m grateful” I kissed her knuckles and she blushed.

“Alright, let’s enjoy our meal so we can go find this girl, “ she said, turning to her plate.

She was having grilled chicken, while I had salad since I’m a vegetarian.

“Eat up, “ she said, sounding so much like my mom.

“Sure “ I nodded with a faint smile on my cheek.

Joanna's Pov

“Come on girl, it’s going to be fun” Yolanda insisted.

I raised a sceptical brow, her lies sickened me.

“What’s the point of doing this? You know how much I hate those whores” I blurted.

“Joanna, they’re called strippers. There’s a difference” she quickly said.

“But I don’t see any though, they dance half-naked around poles and hook up with a customer,” I say and Yolanda growls.

She must be frustrated right now, just like I am.

“But it doesn’t matter, your time is short, stop being a sadist, “ she said, shaking me vigorously.

“Alright, just… I'll just do it because for once I want to do something fun,” I replied.

“You’re late “ Madam Gloria, the owner of the club walked to us.

“Sorry, we were stuck in traffic” Yolanda lied. Why does she want me to do this badly?

“Okay, I believe you know how it’s done, I don’t want my customers complaining “Madam Gloria started.

“She has the experience “ Yolanda assured.

“Come in and get changed, others have already started.

“Make me proud,” Yolanda said like she was going to cry.

“Get your ass out of here” I pushed her playfully.

“I’ll be back in four hours” She raised her thumbs before running off.

I sat near the club, drawing lines on the ground.

“Hey, baby girl” Yolanda sounded excited. She even got me dinner.

“Was this necessary?” I ask as she hands me the paper bag.

“Of course, you’ve been working all evening” she beamed.

“Actually about that..”

“You met a customer?” her eyes widened. She wouldn’t even let me talk.

I chuckled“ No, I was fired!”

Her cheeks flushed, and she slowly sat beside me and cuddled me. I don’t understand why she’s doing it though, but it felt good.

****WHAT HAPPENED IN THE CLUB***

“Let’s see your clothes, “ Madam Gloria said as I unzipped my bag.

I brought out a red dress, it was just hip length. I’d prefer to wear this, instead of the stupid clothes the others wore.

“This is the wrong dress, you can’t go up there dressed like you’re going to a chapel “ she snorted.

Did she just say…may the good lord have mercy on her. I quietly did the cross sign on her behalf.

“No no no, this dress is better, I’m not a whore, I was raised decent “ I argue.

“Then what’s such a well-bred girl like you doing in a club?” She asked.

“I don’t see how that’s your business “ I snapped.

“You know what, just go back home, I’ll call you later, “ she says.

" Of course “ I packed my stuff back into my bag.

“Her parents did a terrible job raising her like this “ I heard Madam Gloria say and my temper got out of control.

I’ve been tolerating her since I got here, but no one bad-mouths my parents.

“Come again,” I said moving closer to her.

“Do you have a problem with what I said?” She asked. Got nerves.

“Yeah, I do. If you want to say that then say it to my face” I challenged.

“I said your parents did a terrible job raising you like this”

That’s it, she just crossed her boundaries.

How dare she, a lame club owner. She has no right to say anything foolish about my parents, she doesn't even know who they were and being an orphan does not give anybody the right to trample on me.

******

“I hit Madam Gloria real hard with a pair of the silver boots you got for me, she deserved it.“ I said and she gasped.

“Is she okay?” Yolanda asked.

“ I’m not sure, she was rushed out to get her wounds treated. “ I frowned slightly, I need to do something about this uncontrollable temper of mine.

“Let me guess, she fired you, “ Yolanda giggled.

“Yeah. I'm sad, all I wanted was to do something fun.“ I said.

“Don’t be, you did something fun already. Girl! You are a little monster. “ She said proudly.

“So, you’re not mad?” I ask.

“Why would I be? She deserved it for not minding her business,” She said.

“Moreover, you’re my best friend, I’ll always take sides with you “

“Aww, thank you! She doesn't even know who I am, she goes around hating on people when she doesn't even know their background.“ I snorted.

“Now let’s get out of this stupid place before I knock some sense into one of those whores” she spat.

I immediately glared at her with surprise, did she just call those strippers whores??

“Don’t look at me like that, you’re a bad influence”

I giggled at her words, two crazy girls as best friends.

“Let’s grab a bite first, maybe at our spot” I suggest.

“Yeah, great idea. We need to celebrate your failure” she laughed.

“Sarcastic kid” I muttered to her hearing and she laughed louder.

“You did fail though”

“Yolanda!” I called looking around before whispering. “People are watching us”

“Oh, my bad baby. I couldn’t help it” she said and laughed out loud that everyone in the restaurant turned to stare at us.

I sigh, slapping my forehead and stuffing a full chicken lap in her mouth.

“ Let’s have a quiet lunch,” I say.

Yolanda just stared at me as if her stares could kill me with her gaze.

She only bit out of the chicken and chewed slowly, not saying a single word till we were done eating.

I appreciated that.

Suddenly noticing the man at the next table staring at us, I alerted Yolanda.

I didn’t like it when people stalked her.

"What exactly does this man want? Am I just imagining things again?"