𝟑𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐥

~~ 26. ~~

"2 0 1 4." He said.

           She looked up at him. His eyes were on the road." It's 2014." He said without looking at her.

          That is the same password for his ATM card which he gave her. She thought. She wondered what was special about that year. But she didn't ask.

          She nodded gratefully and took the pictures she want to take as he drive.
        

             The car stopped in front of Chicken Republic. It was her first time coming there. She and her brother always wanted to come there. Ibukun and Ada always come here when they got new boyfriends that they wish to spend their money on. And she also wished she could bring her father and siblings there for a day out.

           But she can't afford the transport fare and the money to buy the chickens.

           They climbed out of the car and entered the building together. Lola could see different eyes on them. Most of the ladies' eyes were on Demilade. And she felt a bit of jealousy.

          Demilade took her hand when they were about to enter the building and her heart swelled with joy for a reason unknown to her. He lead her to an empty seat and they got stares from people in the building. Even the ladies with their dates were all staring at them. She can see the envy in some of them. And the admiration of others.

            A female waitress came over and she smiled flirtatiously at Demilade ignoring Lola and she asked for their order.

           Demilade in his stone-cold voice told her his order. She seem quite shocked at his tone and his bored face. She looked at Lola and her eyes were saying 'are you seriously dating a guy like this'. Lola gave her a small smile. And she walked away to get their order.

"You've never been here?" Demilade asked when he noticed how she was staring at the building.

         She suddenly seem embarrassed that she had been caught. But she answered. "Yes." She replied honestly. "I always want to come here with my siblings." She smiles.

"You can bring them here." He said.

     Lola looked at him. He always seems to forget that she is not as rich as him. And they've got important things to do with the money they earned.

"It's expensive. Maybe when I get a good job later." She said.

           They bought their order. A plate of fully garnished chicken with cold orange juice. Demilade also ordered a vegetable salad.

"Wow," Lola exclaimed. She takes in the scent of the chicken. She didn't mind if people were watching her. It's their eyes. Let them look. She told herself. "It smells nice. But can we finish this?"

"Tell me that when we are done with it?" He answered. And he watched as she smiled and picked a knife and fork. He helped cut the chicken into smaller sizes and put it on her plate and gave it to her.

"Thanks." She appreciated.

           Demilade began to eat his vegetable salad. Lola looked up to see him using his fork to remove something from his food.

"Let me." She said and she took his plate and she helped him remove the green beans in the vegetable salad. She gave him back the plate when she was sure they were non of it left in the food.

"How do you know I don't like green beans?" He asked surprised that she knows that.

"Uhm... Your mom told me." She said and she hope he did not get angry at her and ruined the day. He can be very unpredictable.