CHAPTER EIGHT
McKenna looked out the window as the car that picked them from the airport made its way to the hotel. She was fascinated with her new surrounding and since it was her first time in Lagos, it even made her eyes wider.
It was already dark outside the moving car but the street light illuminated so brightly that she knew it was a beautiful city. The first billboard that caught her fancy, on it was written boldly 'THIS IS LAGOS, SHINE YOUR EYES'.
Most states in the country welcome you but not the busiest city in Africa. She warns you to be aware of dangerous people, swindlers and thieves. McKenna smiled at the warning on the billboard and joked in her mind that someone should put up "THIS IS JASON, DON'T SLASH HIS TIRE OR FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM'.
*Jason's eyes were closed as they drove to the hotel or so McKenna thought. Jason stared at McKenna and there was wonder in her eyes, the sheer wondrousness she viewed her surrounding almost looked appealing, almost childlike and Jason was envious, it's been a long time since he had wonder or twinkle in his eyes. He has come to accept that his, will always be an old soul. But boy he wishes he could have his childish curiosity and fascinated eyes again. He has to do all he can to protect that wonder in McKenna.
Jason rolled down the car's reel window only because he knew McKenna would enjoy having the breeze on her face. The driver instinctively turned off the air conditioner and increased the music volume.
*The music played slowly as McKenna felt the cold fresh air on her face and smelt the city. That particular music always brought tears to her eyes –Hero by Enrique Iglesias.
Would you tremble, if I touched your lips?
Would you laugh?
Oh, please, tell me this
Now, would you die for the one you loved?
Hold me in your arms tonight
I can be your hero, baby
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
you can take my very breath away
Would you swear that you'll always be mine?
Or would you lie?
Would you run and hide?
McKenna looked at Jason and his eyes were still close and she became sad. Everything Enrique said she wanted with Jason, too bad he was not hers to keep.
McKenna moved closer to watch his face while he slept, it was creepy but she couldn't help herself. One thing was clear to McKenna; she has to find a way to get over this beautiful devil but until she is able to, she will steal moments just like this one, memories that will be hers and hers alone forever. Without thinking she rested her head on his shoulder. Maybe later she can deal with the consequences if she is caught.
The hotel they drove into made McKenna's eyes go up and down as she surveyed it. it looked more like a modern castle than a hotel. The driver turned the car off and McKenna gently tapped Jason to wake him up.
The majestic hotel stood at the centre with well trimmed flowers surrounding it as far as McKenna could see. Imagine if prince Charming's castle was suddenly made of glass and much bigger, with several cars parked in the car park, how wonderful it looked!
The driver opened the car booth and carefully placed their bags on the ground. Within seconds, two guys dressed in golden color shirts and black trousers came to wheel their luggages inside as McKenna followed Jason into the reception.
The receptionist smiled politely as they approached and she looked like a model with her beautifully made up face and body.
"What rooms did you place us in?" Jason asked Mckenna while he typed on his phone.
"Rooms?"
"Miss Chukwuka… our room numbers so we can check in" Jason requested
"Yeah… rooms of course but just a little problem…. I didn't book any because I thought you would do that" she told him slowly as her mouth slightly twisted as if she swallowed a bitter pill.
"You are my secretary… it is your job to do these things" he told her slowly while he was boiling with rage.
"I'm sorry, we can book them now" she said and walked up to the receptionist, who still had the smile she had few minutes ago. McKenna wondered if she was required to smile so unnatural all the time and if so, how the hell she managed to do that. It looked like hard work.
"Excuse me… hi, we would like two rooms, please" McKenna asked nicely and gave the receptionist a smile too
"I'm sorry but we are fully booked. There is a conference holding here for a week and regretfully until it is over we can't accommodate anymore guest" the receptionist answered still with a smile.
"Yes but we came for the conference"
"Then you made reservations before hand for it, right?" The receptionist asked.
"No, I kind of forgot… Please my boss is already looking at me like he wants to murder me, can't you help me out?" she pleaded with the receptionist
"May I suggest you check the bridge hotels, I am almost sure they can accommodate you and your lovely boss?"
"My boss is not going to love that…at all"
"I am sorry, but there is nothing I can do" the receptionist told her again.
McKenna walked back to Jason
"I'm so sorry sir but we have to stay in another hotel"
Jason looked at her as if she was the most annoying person on planet Earth and at that moment she might as well be.
He walked up to the receptionist and introduced himself.
"Is there no available rooms you could put us?" he asked
"No sir, I already told the lady"
"Can I speak to your manager?" Jason demanded
After what seemed like much deliberations with the manger, Jason was able to get them a suite, two bedrooms that had an adjoining sitting room and it cost him a fortune.
"How much did the room cost?" McKenna asked even though she was afraid to know the answer.
"A million naira"
"What?" McKenna screamed
"So I'm going to say this once, do… not… screw up this project for me. You have cost me five hundred thousand naira extra for these rooms and so for as long as this conference shall last, you will do everything I ask you to do when I want without any questions, am I clear?" Jason said resulting to blackmail.
The look on McKenna's face told him that if he asked her to jump up at that very moment that she would. He smiled silently to himself, patting himself as they were showed to the expensive suite. He asked McKenna to unpack and went down to the reception to conduct some other business.
"Good day, Jason" the receptionist greeted him again smiling but weirdly calling him by his first name.
"Atinuke, your performance was extraordinary and had I not be your employer, I would have said you look exquisite like always…. You did exactly what I asked you to do" Jason told the receptionist smiling
"And if I weren't your employee, I would have said thank you and you know I can do anything for my lovely boss" the receptionist answered, they joked like they were old friends.
"Take this for your trouble" he said and gave ten thousand naira each to the Manager and Atinuke the receptionist.
"Thank you boss" the manager was real grateful.