What was missing (last part)

I appreciate those who take their time to read the first and second part of the story and if you not kindly click.

Valentine slid into her car. The cool car seats send chills up her back, her bare legs flattering against the rough but soft material. Her mother insisted she dressed a bit feminine for dinner today, so she shopped for a short sleeve chiffon wrap dress that surprisingly suited her. Her mother was thrilled to see her in it and Kehinde loved making her happy.

Valentine tugged at her seatbelt, secured it at the latch, turned the engine on and started towards a night of silent pain and wine drinking. The car was deafeningly silent but it contrasted her loud thoughts. Her eyes were trained on the road which was empty of cars. The buildings were sluggishly moving past as she turned onto Admiralty Way.

She felt prompted to speed up. Her hands firm on the wheel and her eyes darting to both side mirrors. Her bare foot pressing ever so lightly against the accelerator. The engine roared with each extra unit of pressure she applied. She felt adrenaline course through her and warmth spread all over her body. She didn’t want to die, she was just following the urge to run. The buildings turned to blurry images flashing past her.

In the blink of an eye, she slammed her hands against the horn.The sound cut through the air and without a thought she swerved as she saw a car turn left onto her path. The sound of tires grazing against the road combined with car horns replaced the silence of the night. She stomped on the breaks like her life depended on it as the other car smashed into her front bumper. A cocktail of emotions washed over primarily spiked with fear, confusion and shock. Fear that she could have left her children motherless and her parents childless. 

Confusion because she didn't understand why she was being so reckless.Shock because fear and confusion paralysed her.Her car had come to a halt, jerking a bit before it settled. She didn't realise she was frozen till she heard a knock from her left window.  She didn’t lift her gaze until she had lowered the window all the way down and when she did, her eyes locked with his.

He seemed calm and relaxed like she hadn’t almost ended his life. In fact, he looked concerned. 

His lips parted and he said, “are you okay?”

His voice was deep and rich. It held a certain Yankee accent. His concern made her fear and shock wash away and dissolve like salt in water. She nodded without hesitation but she couldn't speak. Instead, she studied him.He was dark-skinned with a small afro and a full beard. He had a regular T-shirt on, his broad shoulders spreading it taut against his chest. With the way he was bent down to her car level, she could tell he was tall. “Well, I’m hoping we could easily resolve this…” he trailed off looking to his right at the damage. “Little issue,” he concluded. 

He smiled and at that moment she remembered her father's laughter, their smiles were similar. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind.

Valentine coughed and regained a little composure. She turned off her engine and motioned to the man that she wanted to open the car door. He straightened and backed away from the car. She was right, he is a tall man. She pushed her door open after unlocking it and slid out slowly dreading the outcome of this disaster. The dry Lagos wind blew strongly, lifting her wrap dress a little. It gnawed numbly at her skin but she ignored the feeling and proceeded to inspect the damage. She saw the huge dent in his bumper, his front lights completely shattered. Glass laying scattered across the road meanwhile her car looked untouched.

Valentine swallowed heavily. She lifted her eyes up and caught the gaze of a woman in the passenger seat of the car. The woman looked rather pissed. Her brows were scrunched together and her lips pointing downwards.

“Yes, we can be civilised about this” she did not sound like herself. She sounded scared and weak and it disgusted her. She was never one to stutter or lose guard but something about this situation took her by surprise. “I am so sorry about the car and I take full responsibility,” she clasped her hands trying to appear in control of her emotions and of the matter.The strange man stood there silently, his hands tucked comfortably in his pockets. He seemed unaffected by the arid weather this night. He stood watching Valentine. When he had realized she stopped talking, he filled the silence with “it’s not my car so I’m not the one you should be apologising to.” His hand went up to his chin scratching below it. It made a small grating sound.

"It’s my wife’s car, but she’s rather upset at the moment,” he chuckled nervously. Valentine instinctively searched for a ring on his finger and she noticed it on the hand that he was using to rub his chin. It was a simple golden band that sat comfortably against his slender fingers.

Valentine faced the woman again and waved sheepishly mouthing a pathetic sorry, she knew she should've gone to speak to her but it looked like the woman would rather insult her than talk.It’s okay, I will get it sorted out as soon as possible tomorrow morning, like I said earlier I take full responsibility and I am truly sorry for the inconvenience,” she turned to look at the damage and winced at the destruction she caused. 

 “No problem, here is my number and address, so that we can talk about it later,” he pulled out a pen and blank card from his shorts pocket. He scribbled hurriedly on it and handed Kehinde the card. 

She took it without glancing at it.

“Alright, thank you and have a good night,” he said sincerely with a small smile on his face. His actions reassured her a bit and she gave him a nod.

“I didn’t get your name,” valentine stated before he started for his car.  

He stuck out his hand for a handshake. “My bad, my name is valentino.”