The Tim in question, just stood there wordless with an unreadable express. Ginny was pretty confident she can get back home by herself. She had memorized the address. She waved at her sister and her boyfriend until they were out of view.
"Big br-... I mean Mr.Timini, you don't have to worry about me. I will take an Uber,"Ginny reassured him as she picked up her clutch, ready to leave the restaurant.
Tim smirked, "Who said I'm worried about you?"
Ginny's smile fell as she looked up at him, "I just-I meant..." she didn't get anywhere with her stuttering before she was cut off.
"I thought you were raised in a Christian home. Didn't your parents teach you the basics of appreciation?"
The mockery in his voice took her by surprise, but she was confused as to what exactly she was supposed to thank him for. But even in that situation she chose to thank him since he wanted it. She hated confrontations. "Thank you, Mr. Timini. Thank you so much."
Tim scoffed, "For what?" he pressed. Knowing that she didn't know what she was supposed to thank him for.
Ginny blinked at him, she had no clue why he wanted another thank you. Had she not thanked him already for his help with her leg situation? "For everything. It was really nice meeting you." Feeling she had said enough she walked away. Hoping they won't meet again soon.
She had barely walked a few feet when a man came to block her way. Thinking he was trying to walk past like her, she uttered a small sorry and attempted to walk past him when he started saying something to her.
He smiled sheepishly, "Hie, my name is..."
"She's not interested in knowing your name, buddy. Step aside."
Startled, Ginny looked behind her at deadly looking Tim. He was standing a few inches behind her, towering over her like a guardian angel protecting an innocent human from danger. Ginny was mesmerized by his dreamy looks but even so, he was looking way too deadly for an ordinary greeting.
"I was just tryna make a friend, man. You shouldn't be too protective of your little sister, man. You will chase away all the potentials."
"Step aside," Tim said coming around Ginny to push the man aside with way too much force than was necessary. The man staggered backwards and crushed on his table. Tim grabbed Ginny's hand in a not so gently manner and pulled her out the restaurant. His long strides making her jog behind him to keep up.
Ginny tried to pry her hand free of his grip but failed. When she continued trying, Tim gave her a glare that sent chills all over her body. She stopped struggling right away.
A valet brought his car, he opened the passenger door and shoved her inside so fast Ginny didn't even get a proper look at the car or protest until the door was shut.
"Wait! I can take an Uber!"
He walked around and found her opening the door, "Don't," he warned as he started the car.
Ginny was pretty sure he didn't want to take her home. She suspected he would drive and dump her somewhere in the middle of nowhere. She furtively glanced at him wondering if a handsome man like him would actually do something like that.
'Maybe he will drop me somewhere I can take a taxi or Uber.'
"I all about nice views but now is not the time."
Ginny looked at him, unsure if he was talking to her or not. He didn't look like he was on a phone call either.
Seeing her look at him blankly without response, he added, "Cover up!"
Embarrassed, she tugged at her slit. It didn't help that even in the driver's seat, he was still on her left side where her slit was.
'Why did it have to be on the left leg?!'
She had been so preoccupied with thoughts of where he was taking her and his attitude that she had missed her exposed leg for a moment. She managed to cover up some using the hem by pulling it up to cover the thickest part of her leg.
Ginny couldn't believe the way her night was going. She had embarrassed herself so much in front of one man it was starting to feel like this will be how she will ever be in front of him in the future as well.
'But there's future encounters! This was a one time meet.'With that thought in mind, she felt a bit better.
"What is Ginny short for?" he asked suddenly as they drove in parts of town she had not seen before.
She always dreaded this question, "That's my full name," she said in a low voice looking out the window. She hoped he wouldn't ask what it meant.
He scoffed, "Is that you work name?"
Ginny looked back at him at this, "Work name?" she asked, clueless.
"The innocent act isn't fooling me but if that is your brand, I get it. After all you're supposed to be the clueless virgin who flirts with every man close to her."
She looked away, his words reminding her of the reasons why she was in Lagos in the first place. If someone like him she had met that day could think of her in that manner then maybe there was something wrong with her.
Tim watched her turn away and smirked, "I'm more of a commitment type of guy. I don't do 'call girls'."
Ginny bit her lower lip, realizing what his earlier words and actions had meant. His mocking tone biting at her heart "I'm not a-"
"Hey, there's no shame, as long as you are making money with your own efforts. It's better than stealing. Besides, most girls do it, you aren't the first," he said nonchalantly.
This wasn't the impression she wanted to leave with her new brother's friend but it couldn't be helped. Though she wasn't sure what exactly she did that left that impression on him, she wasn't ready to ask. She knew he would think she's acting again if she asked him about it.
She looked out the window and tried not to think much, but think she did.
Maybe other men back home had seen that side of her and misunderstood her too. Maybe that's why her parents were being extra hard on her. How was she going to correct something she didn't know was wrong? Back home she barely ever speak to any man unless they were relatives or family friends.
Tonight, she had laughed, talked and enjoyed herself without a worry. She had been the total opposite of how she was back home. So looking at herself from the time she was home and when she was with her sister, her boyfriend and Timini, she couldn't find any similarities in her behavior that she thought could be misunderstood.
"How long are you going to sit there?"
Tim's irritated voice woke her up from her deep thoughts. He wasn't on the driver's seat, then it registered to her that her door was open. There he was, standing with her door open and an expression she couldn't read.
"So-sorry, Si-Mr.Timini. I didn't realize we were home," she said as she got out of the car as gracefully as she could without exposing her leg to his piecing gaze.
"I didn't know you knew where my sister lives. I forgot to tell you the address," she said organizing her dress and looking around. Maybe because it was dark, she couldn't recognize any of the houses around. Infact, there was only one visible house. "Umm, I don't think this is my sister's house, Mr. Timini. I-I don't recognize this place at all."
"You think? Well, I suggest you go in before the dogs get you," with that, he strode away leaving her behind.
Ginny stood there contemplating her next move until she heard a bark from somewhere in the dark corners of the unknown. She ran after him, dreading her situation.