Chapter 38

Maria Hall walked back, a lot of thoughts going through her head. What she'd do right now to ensure that the rest of her day goes well. She was already tired and frustrated. Flagging down a cab, she hurriedly shared her home address with the driver. With the nod of the driver's head in confirmation, she entered the cab.

Heaving a sigh of relief, she relaxed into the passenger's seat. Maria Hall sat behind the driver, grateful for the partition in front of her. She didn't need anyone watching her through the driving mirror. She really needed her space. She was worn out from the invasion of privacy she had received since the beginning of her day.

On spotting her favourite restaurant “Eat Some More", Maria Hall thought of getting her meal there.
She called out to the driver from the back seat.

"Please, stop”.

The driver turned to look at her. “Okay ma'am”

Immediately, he pulled the brakes and the car came to a halt.

Maria Hall reached for the door handle and pushed forward as she stepped out. She made her payments and strode down towards the direction of the one storey building.

"Eat Some More” restaurant was a place open to all kinds of people. Eat Some More offered varieties of food to various classes of people. Meals ranging from Grilled pork, Sushis, Spaghetti buggies, Soups, Salads, Mac and cheese, fries and many more. It was always open and Maria was grateful for this. She was in love with this place and the fact that they served based on the time of the day; 7am-11am breakfast, 12pm- 6pm lunch and 7pm- 10pm dinner, was exceptional. All these features attracted more people to the restaurant. Rarely would one for in to find the restaurant empty, it's always packed with people in office wears, house wears, classy wears, among others.

Maria Hall stared at her watch, it was already few minutes past 6. She still had time. She was going to sit and eat, rather than order a take out.

She entered the restaurant and was again in awe. She basked in the new aura she received from stepping into the restaurant. The feeling never gets old.

Oh my! It is still a lovely place, she thought. Maria Hall had frequented the restaurant since her release from the prison. She had always found some sort of comfort and hope in that restaurant. She would watch people come in and go in at will, without having to be bothered about someone watching their every move or trying to pick dirts on them. Maria Hall was free from jail but not free from people.

She's sighed, wondering when all this would be completely over so she could face her life, truly free.

Maria Hall shook her head, bringing her pathetic thoughts to an end. Returning her gaze to the fanciful restaurant, she admired the interior decors, a splash of red and gold. It inded was a beautifull sight. She looked at the ceiling.

“Oh wow!” She exclaimed. She noticed it had been changed from it's plain white colors to a dark rich color. Almost translucent. Oh wait!... It's glass. She stood amazed at how much development this restaurant had undertaken since she got wind of the restaurant and decided to go. She was at the restaurant just a week ago and it had the same color of ceilings and in less than a week, it was renewed.

Money is really good, she thought.

One thing Maria liked about “Eat Some More” was it's simplicity, despite it's complexity in decors and meal. It was Maria Hall's favourite restaurant because she could enter the restaurant all glammed up, looking classy, find a good hidden spot, order something really cheap, eat and leave. She could do this all week long knowing fully well that no one would come check her plates to know that she didn't order something expensive. All this was possible because of the barricades demarcating each table from another.


She looked up, her eyes searching for her favourite spot.

“Damnit!”.

Her countenance quickly changed as she saw that her spot was already taken by a family of three.

Making for the stairs, she found an empty seat. She wondered if she should go upstairs or stay downstairs and take the seat just in front of her. Finally making her decision, she made for the seat but a family was already heading for those seats as well.

Maria Hall didn't want any more drama, so she went up the stairs.
Climbing up the stairs, she couldn't help but admire the gold rails, wondering when she'd be able to afford real gold.

That's extreme Maria, she thought, a small grin playing on her lips.

Finally on the first floor and securing a good seat, she was ready to place her order.

A blonde petite lady dressed in gold and black, walked towards her table with a menu in hand, smiling broadly.

“You're welcome ma'am to “Eat Some More” restaurant. I am…” she paused recognizing the face.

“Great!” she thought aloud. Maria Hall never buys anything substantial. She'd look at the menu over and over again, keeping her waiting. By the time she's done going through the menu, she'd just order her “usual”- Mac and cheese.

Smiling wryly, she continued. “I’m here to take your orders. What would you like to eat ma'am?”