‘So!’ Banjo thought as he watched Emily leave the party with the Kenneth Okorie. ‘Oh well, he would get his introduction some other time.’ he thought as he turned to look at the spot where he had last seen Patricia’s boss, Alero.
He had been heading towards her to personally welcome her to the party when he had spied Kenneth Okorie sitting down at a table to the side of the pool. He had been surprised to see that he had been chatting rather intently with none other than Emily. He wondered how he and Emily would have met. He could not imagine where that could have happened but they had looked very familiar with each other. He shrugged mentally as he tucked his hands into his pockets and walked over to where Alero sat sipping on a drink, as casually as possible.
“Hello there.” he greeted as he got close to her. “So glad you could make it.”
Alero smiled politely at him and turned to look around at the guest. “It looks like a great party.” she answered mildly still maintaining that small smile on her lips when she turned back to him.
Banjo took an empty chair from another table and placed it beside her. “May I join you?” he asked with a cheeky grin.
Alero smiled wryly as she responded, “Please make yourself comfortable.” He laughed out loud at that as he sat beside her. He hailed a passing server and asked for a drink.
“Are you by any chance enjoying yourself?” he asked as he settled in his seat.
Alero turned to look at him more fully in the face. “Don’t you need to go mingle with your guest?” she asked with some curiosity.
“Not really. I have said hello to those that count and the rest came here to celebrate Patricia and not me.” The server arrived with his drink which he took from him. He turned to see that Alero was still watching him intently so he shrugged. “They should celebrate with her.” He took a sip of his drink.
Alero turned from him with some consternation. She did not know what to make of Adebanjo Adeniran. While he was all charm and polish, she could not but sense the undercurrent of something she could not quite name underneath it all.
“Do you enjoy your work?” he asked into the silence that had settled uncomfortably on them.
“I do.” Alero answered. “Are you hungry?” she asked.
Banjo looked over at one of the nearer tables. “I guess I could eat something.” he responded. “Would you want one of the servers to bring something over?” he asked.
“I have a better idea.” Alero said as she stood up. “Why don’t we go over ourselves and do that.”
“We really could get a server to do it you know.” Banjo replied not moving from his place.
“Yes I know but I may miss out on something I might have liked if...” she tapered out wondering if she sounded hungry.
Banjo stood up. “Okay, let’s go pick it out ourselves.” he said as he started towards the buffet table he had looked over. Alero stood in place, mentally debated following him to that table or going off to another farther off table that was still laden with food.
“Are you not coming?” he asked halfway to the table.
Alero looked longingly at the other table. “Would you rather we went to that one?” He asked, a pinch of exasperation permeating his tone.
Alero turned towards that other table “It has a wider selection it seems.” she responded over her shoulder. She really did not have to put up with him did she? She stalked off not checking whether he was following her or not.
After she had made up her plate, she returned to her seat and began to eat. Banjo came over shortly after with his own heavily loaded plate and a bottle of water. She felt her eyebrow rise in surprise at the water.
“What?” Banjo asked when he noticed her expression as he took his seat.
“Just surprised that you have water.” she said.
“Why is that surprising? You have a bottle of water.” he said
“Yes, I do but guys...” she shrugged her shoulder in an uncertain gesture.
“Guys?” Banjo queried.
“I was thinking you would have a beer or some wine, that sort of thing.” Alero admitted.
Banjo smiled and began eating. “I do drink the occasional bottle of beer and wine.” he said.
“Oh.”
“Oh?”
Alero looked up at him and put on a face of innocent consternation. “Yes, oh.” she shrugged. “Like, that-explains-it oh.” she said.
“You are wound up pretty tightly.” he commented.
Alero shook her head, “How do you mean?”
Banjo stared at her for a few more moments and continued with his meal.
“You don’t say something like that and then not answer my question.” Alero scolded quietly as she placed her cutlery on her plate and placed her hands on the table.
“That you’re prickly.” he indicated her posture with his fork.
“I am...” Alero huffed and picked up her cutlery but she only played around with her food as her appetite had fled. “I’m not prickly.” she said, her voice contemplative.
“You are, with me.” Banjo stated and set his cutlery down. “Why is that?” he asked.
“How am I prickly around you?” she wondered.
“You keep your answers as short as possible and you do not extend the conversation beyond the necessary...”
“I am conversing with you.” she said.
“I have to drag it out with a crowbar though and I’m not sure we are conversing. More like we are sparing verbally.” he said.
Alero dropped her cutlery and pushed her chair back gently. “I think I should leave.” she said.
“Why? Do I make you uncomfortable? You don’t like the conversation we are having?” He challenged, pushing his own chair back with some more force than she had hers.
Alero shook her head in disbelief at how badly the situation had degenerated. “Have a good day Mr. Adeniran.” she said as she made to stalk off.
“Why do I feel that you just hate my guts?” Banjo asked loudly enough so that some party goers began to look at them oddly. Alero stood transfixed staring at him. For the life of her, she would never have imagined that Banjo Adeniran would be one to cause a scene.
“I...I...don’t ...”
“Hate my guts?” he asked, his tone was milder, softer.
“Mr. Adeniran...”
“Banjo. I promise it won’t make your tongue fall out.”
Alero heaved a sigh, “Banjo.” she conceded and quickly sat down. “Can we not create a scene?”
Banjo sat back down and looked around at the openly gawking party goers. “People need to mind their own business more.” he said in passing and he focused on her.
Alero sighed noisily and put a hand to her suddenly aching head. “You do not...I do not hate your guts.” she felt discomfited by the lie.
“You do. What I want to know is why?”
Alero stared at him nonplussed. “I don’t know you well enough to hate your guts.”
“And yet you can barely stand me.”
“Banjo...”
“Let’s begin again. Hi, I’m Banjo.” He held out his hand for a handshake. Alero stared at his hand for a few moments and shook it.
“I’m Alero.” she played along with him, a puzzled frown across her brow.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you Alero. Can we eat in peace?” he asked with a cheeky smile.
Alero smothered the laugh that rose suddenly to her lips and looked down at her plate. She picked up her cutlery even as she peeked at him through her lashes.
“Fine, Let’s eat.” she said and put a forkful of food in her mouth.