James asked what beer the girl wanted and bought for them as well.
After having enough for that day, he unwrapped up and went home.
Next morning, James opened the shop around 6 A M as was his usual act of each day that came by.
School pupils were passing by buying one or two items whilst others made orders in advance for what they would eat at lunchtime. James' days were loaded with fulfilling people's needs most days, especially Monday to Friday.
Around 8:00 A M that morning, Edward came to the shop counter, 'Hey bro! Did you have a great night?'
'Yep, it was. Are you good?' James replied with his own greeting. Edward appeared troubled, anyone could easily pick up on that. Concern plus curiosity began building up in James. He had to get to the bottom of it.
'Yes, and you?' Edward flung back, his face extremely forcing a smile. James noticed but he chose to let slip momentarily.
'All good, are you off for work?' James took another route. Though he had not abandoned the first.
'Yes, I didn't see you yesterday evening?' Edward put forward. There existed a common place where the two usually intersected. It's clear James didn't show up last night. They are very predictable. Anyone may be able to notice their routine.
James grinned at sight of the fact that he had an interesting story to tell. At the same time, he needed to cheer up his friend. What way to do that than to get a little more attention? How could he do that? Simply paint a picture which he could use to accomplish his end goal.
'Bro, I found a new drinking place. It's not crowded, it's well chilled, unlike Rivonia Complex which has too many inconveniences!'
He described the place with great enthusiasm and passion.
Edward found James' story very persuading, captivating, 'that sounds interesting. I guess I would love to pay it a visit as well. We can actually go there this evening. Are there any girls?'
James expected this question to come through. James and Edward had both recently come out of extreme painful heartbreaks that had left big emotional scars in their lives they had not yet fully healed. They were still in the nursing process of their wounds.
To simplify their course of life, they resorted to sleeping around with different girls. They knew that couldn't be the only way. Were they solving their problems? Not really? Did they find comfort? Yes, though not long-lived, maybe they just loved that kind of lifestyle, it helped at the time to tend to their wounds and broken hearts.
An astounding beam flashed on James' face. They knew each other's minds. He had come to the conclusion that Edward would fall for his ideal. If he himself had already fallen in love with it, for Edward, no doubt the easiest.
'Yep!' James admitted happily.
'Are they beautiful?'
Edward needed confirmation, and James knew what he had seen. Any normal man would at least spend quality time admiring those two beautiful girls he met yesterday.
'They are good enough, you are definitely going to like one or both, perhaps?'
'It's a date then bro, see you later, I am running late.'
Edward said hurriedly, after looking at his watch.
'Ok, see you later.'
James threw back, his mind filled with the memories of yesterday's early evening till 22 pm.
Edward walked away from the shop. James beheld Edwards before he disappeared in the thin air. He first slanted down the cliff, then the tree shrubs covered him out of James' sight, and he couldn't be seen anymore.
Soon, the shop attendant arrived. James glared at her with unbelievable eyes as she walked majestically like she was not late at all. James' bosom grew hot and hotter with anger because of her attitude. James glanced at the time, it was 8:30 A M.
After she had settled down, James couldn't hold it anymore.
'Why are you late?'
His face had seriousness fixed on it. He demanded a viable explanation. Inside, he tried extra hard to confine his emotions so that he did not explode with anger. He fine-tuned himself, did his best to keep his temper under control, but he fumed with rage.
He hated someone who consumed his time, he had trained his mind to believe that time had to be equal money. He had been attending to customers for thirty minutes instead of doing his business.
Her reporting time was 08:00 A M sharp, which means she was thirty minutes late.
'I am sorry,' she replied in a soft, gentle voice, filled with pity, feeling ashamed at her behavior. Though James thought that had to be pretense, he would not let go of her so easily. She had to be aware of the next consequences of her attitude.
This did not happen to be her first time coming late, her actions were turning into a habit. He had to uproot it before it grew into a big baobab tree which would be difficult to tame. Her head was flat down on the ground, she could not look up at him in the eyes.
I don't need your apology, my question is straight forward, why are you late?'
James repeated the same question for the second time. Looking forward to her plausible answer.
'I woke up late, it took me a while to prepare, I had to do some cleaning plus the bus took longer to come through.'
James found her excuse vague, he shook his head, not knowing how to punish her, his mind drifted to the contract terms and conditions.
'This is the third time you are late, there won't be a fourth, you are stealing my time. If you repeat this same kind of behavior, I will deduct thirty percent from your salary. According to the contract agreement, I have been lenient enough already.'
James reminded her of one condition stipulated in the contract.
She just made a nod without looking at him, 'Alright, I leave everything to you, all the best '
James went into the kitchen, carried the popping machine outside the shop, cleaned it, he added popcorn to the machine, then the cooking oil and pressed on the button, and it started popping.
From there on, he went to prepare the dough. Inside the kitchen, when it became ready, he got sausages from the freezer, washed them, left them to dry.