Chapter 2: Arriving in the States

Nineteenth years later, Dede Mensah and her friend Julia, arrived in the States to seek better opportunities in life.

“Oh my God, this place is amazing. I can’t believe we are here,” Julia squealed with happiness as she squeezed the hand of Dede as the plane touched down.

“Our lives will change for the better in this new place. There are lots of opportunities and I heard the money here is good. Here we can be all we dreamed of. You can get into the modelling industry easily here,” Julia said with excitement and Dede amidst her fears tried to smile.

Dede sat next to Julia frightened like her life was over recalling the feel of suspending in the air for hours, the speed of the plane at takeoff and now the landing feel. She just wanted to get out of this frightening metal bird. Julia on the other hand, didn’t have much of a problem on the flight as back in Ghana she travelled to Kumasi in a plane multiple times.

They soon stepped out of the plane and the cold weather hit them as they walked towards the checking point. Dede looked around her new environment surprised they were indeed out of Ghana and in a different country. They walked into the checkpoint and there were so many flags of different countries. The place was big and there were so many people going about their business. Dede’s eyes caught a TV showing the news. She focused her attention on the TV because of the image of the handsome man behind the newscaster. She read something about a new partnership deal signed by someone called; Bryson Adams. The name was displayed at the bottom of the TV screen.

“Okay, now what do we do?” Julia asked drawing Dede’s attention away from the TV and the man that seemed to have caught her attention.

After doing much reading of the signs and following in the direction of where those they have arrived with went, they soon find themselves going through the necessary checkpoint. It was late and they left Ghana the previous day, in the evening. Dede recounted the day, the news of their trip came to her.

A couple of weeks back

It was a Saturday, Dede was up and cleaning the room while her friend Julia was out to buy some porridge from the street for breakfast. Dede was humming a popular Nigerian song, Buga won.

Dede stayed indoors and only came out when it was necessary. She cleans the house and does the cooking while Julia goes to work and brings home money for the running of the house. This arrangement seemed to work perfectly for the two and they were happy.

"Dede, I didn't get your favourite doughnut today," Julia said as she entered the room. "But I came bearing good news," she added and Dede was suddenly excited.

"You remember the US visa lottery you took part in the last time?" Julia reminded and Dede waited anxiously for what Julia would say next. "You won and my boyfriend had also secured a visa for me. We are both going to the US," she screamed excitedly.

Dede screamed and they both jumped excitedly in celebration.

"There, we will be able to make a lot of money and take care of ourselves," Julia said.

"But do you know where we will be staying?" Dede asked.

"Don't worry, my boyfriend has already taken care of our accommodation. He has an apartment in town. In the US. We will stay there. It will be easy to become a model and earn lots of money for yourself," Julia squealed.

Back to the present

"Is there an AC or opened fridge somewhere?" Dede asked hugging her body and Julia couldn't answer as she was feeling very cold herself.

Dede had her small backpack behind her and Julia struggled to pull her bag as she felt she was freezing. They managed to drag themselves through the checkpoints and were again out at the mercies of the weather.

"Hi," greeted a tall man wearing a long coat with a beanie cap and a scarf which almost covered half of his face leaving just the top of his nose and eyes showing.

Julia and Dede exchanged glances before staring back at the man who had extended his hand for a handshake. Dede shook his hand first and Julia was next to shake the man's hand.

"You must be Julia," the man said and the side of his lips curled up when he took the scarf off so they could see his face. "I must say you are more beautiful in person than in pictures," he said flirtatiously and Julia smiled recognizing him.

"Brian?" Julia squealed and the man smiled.

Julia hugged him excitedly and quickly introduced Dede.

"Dede, this is my boyfriend, Brian Jackson," Julia introduced and Dede shook his hand again and managed a smile with her hoodie covering her head.

"Okay, let me take you girls home," Brian said and led them to his parked SUV helping Julia with her bag.

Julia was wearing an up-to-knee-level pink skirt with a knife pleat from the hip down and a V-neck white blouse with three-quarter sleeves. She was bursty and with the V-neck blouse, her chest was a little exposed. She had on black 2-inch ankle strap sandals. Dede on the other hand, wore loose blue jeans with a black loose T-shirt. She wore her hoodie over this and had a white Snickers on. She dresses like this to hide her figure which always seems to give her trouble.

"What were you girls thinking wearing clothes like this? It is winter. Very cold," Brian said as he opened the car door for Dede to sit in the front and Julia to the back seat with him. The driver put the bags in the boot and soon they were off to Brian's apartment.

Dede sat next to the driver who immediately closed the divided knowing the kind of person his boss was. Brian wasted no time in kissing Julia in the back seat as soon as the divider was closed. He slipped his hands under Julia's dress and Julia for some crazy reason allowed him to take her in the back seat. The heater in the car was on so Dede started feeling hot. She removed the hoodie. Her long black waist-level hair was braided in a French braid style. The driver kept stealing glances at the the beauty sitting next to him occasionally while Dede on the other hand looked outside the window admiring her new environment where she believed her life would be changed for the better.

The driver knowing what was going on behind the divider, turned on the stereo filling the car with music. The car finally came to a stop driving into a compound and parked inside the garage. He knocked on the divider and got down from behind the wheel. Dede got down next and Julia got out of the car adjusting her hair and clothes. Brian was next to come out of the car and stood behind Julia who was standing next to the opened door trying to fix her clothes. Dede had her back turned to the two as she admired the garage.

"Wow!" Brian thought staring at the back of Dede.

Her long braided hair freely hanging behind her. Despite the big size dress she was wearing, her small waist and broad hip which gave her the perfect curvy body of a model was slightly visible as she had her hand on her waist. Her light bronze skin tone was just amazing.

"Dede, come for your bag," Julia said as she headed for the car boot.

Dede turned in the direction of Julia's voice and Brian froze for a moment staring at the face of Dede. In the light and without her hoodie on, her beautiful face was in clear view and her blue eyes which gave her that seductive look were out in the open and Brian couldn't help be get lost in her unique beauty. Her crazy long lashes, plump pink lips and the perfect shape of her face left Brian in a daze. He could already imagine himself kissing her lips and stripping her off her clothes to have a feel of her body.

Dede walked past Brian whose gaze was locked on her and she managed a smile. She quickly put on her hoodie and covered her head. She grabbed her bag from Julia who had managed with the help of the driver to get the two bags out of the car boot. Brian snapped out of his moment walking the two ladies into the apartment. He showed them to their rooms even though there were servants there to do that. He asked Julia to take a shower and she understood why. They were busy in the car. While Julia was in the shower, Brian went into Dede's room.

"I hope you like your room?" Brian said and Dede smiled turning to find Brian standing at the entrance to her room.

"Yes, please. Thank you," Dede appreciated standing still.

"Has anyone told you, you are very beautiful?" Brian said going straight to the point, closed the door behind him and walked towards Dede.

Dede took a couple of steps back maintaining a good distance between them and immediately became uncomfortable with the way Brian was staring at her. She recalled a similar situation happening with Julia's ex-boyfriend when they were back in Ghana. Julia had rescued her back then. Brian had that same look in his eyes.

Dede took a step back as Brian tried to close the gap between them not sure what to do. She thought men in the States would be different.

"Why is this thing still happening? Am I cursed?" Dede thought as she tensed up not sure if the man would attack her or not.

"Dede?" Julia called out and both Brian and Dede's attention shifted to the door as they both heard footsteps approaching.