Isren

"You must like looking for trouble," Isaiah says to me.

This earns him an automated eye roll.

"I don't know what you're talking about baby bro," I say looking back at my phone screen.

There's no way I'm having any meetings tomorrow.

Immediately I hear a cackle beside me. "Now you're claiming the old man card. Oya explain why you were all over that small girl."

"I was only being friendly, not like you would have noticed with your head in Sade's anus," I say controlling the twitch of my lips.

"A true gentleman, making sure our female guests feel welcome. I hope to be like you when I grow up." Isaac remarks in mock adoration.

"If you want to be me that bad let's swap places, I'm tired of dealing with mother's candidate," I say, snapping my fingers for my first drink of the night.

"She's really trying to rope you in a business marriage? That stuff should stay in chicks' CEO movies." he says looking surprisingly serious, yet I can't help my amusement.

The lengths we've gone -and movies we've watched- to get in women's pants.

"I don't know who started that rumor in Hollywood, or why a "mogul" would marry to negotiate better deals, but I'm facing worse my guy."

"Tell me then?" he says, and I laugh without mirth.

"She's been pulling childish stunts to get me on Yvonne's matter -imagine a fifty-year-old crying over your love life on the phone."

Isaac cracks a grin, and I scowl as he hides it behind a wine glass.

"Twenty-eight, and still fighting for my life's autonomy."

My brother sighs opposite me, reclining in his armchair. "That sucks bro."

"It'd be easier if she wasn't a nice lady, but she bores me to death with her good girl get up," I say after a long time.

"Isn't that what you call wife material?" Isaac asks.

"Who said I was looking for a wife?" I say in defiance of what the world asked of me.

"True that my brother, true that." Isaac hails raising his glass to mine.

I clink it with his and we both drink to our singlehood.

"Here's to more chicks..." I holler.

"...And good vibes!" he says in the same manner.

"Already tipsy." I shake my head. "Now I need an Uber," I say after our exuberance dies down, and two glasses are empty.

My drunker brother responds after articulating the slurry words in his head, "I thought Mr. Emeka was supposed to drive you home tonight. Unless...?"

Suddenly he erupts in laughter almost choking himself in the process.

"I thought I'd leave with some company tonight, what's so funny about coming prepared," I respond with a wry smile, jokes on me.

"Hmm, I fear you o old man like you," Isaac says.

"If you're not careful I'll add those three years to your face," I say glowering at him.

He raises his hand in surrender. "Okay okay, no need to get your boxers in a twist. For real though are you going to go for that chick?"

"She's a bit younger than my type but really pretty, I mean if she's legal why not?" I say after some contemplation.

"Okay o, don't sha call me when her father wants your head for deflowering his baby girl."

"Shut up, let's just head out already," I say, reminding myself that hitting a drunk man was a low blow.

Isaac concedes to getting up with his annoying laughter following me down the hall.

Nimi

"Ooh look at Ms. Adventurous, tell us how you're feeling after last night's events," Victoria says buzzing with energy.

"Are you sure the arts isn't your calling? You have the makings of a journalist." I answer, barely seeing her through heavy lids.

Honestly, I feel like a truck ran over my skull thirty times.

"Just play along don't be such a bore," Vic says, clucking her tongue as she eyes me.

"It was nicer than I had excepted," I say hoping the tinted glass would disguise my closed eyes.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and in my case roadside 'prescription' glasses.

I rub my head as another needle pricks my brain.

What kind of idiot goes to a party till 3 am -on a school night?!

"Nicer than expected? Mhmm Mr. Hot CEO had you grinning from ear to ear, now you're trying to be modest? Nice indeed." Victoria says, laughing like the witch she is.

"Oh shut up. You couldn't see past your 'arm candy's' triceps." I say in a faux dreamy voice.

Horrified, her hand flies to her chest and she gasps like the drama queen she is.

"I'll have you know his abs are his best features. Besides is that my thank you for hooking you up with that money bag?" Victoria says flipping her twists over her shoulder.

"Now that's why you're an accounting student. Igbo girl, you too like money!" I jeer at her in pidgin.

Victoria rolls her eyes and is about to reply when a voice cuts in.

"Hey Nimi, Victoria, what's up?" the smooth voice says.

It sounds...familiar?

"Demilade? Nice to see you, how can we help you?" Victoria says since she can see the figure approaching from behind.

So it's him. Star student of our set, top of the class while he runs for track, and still manages to handle the post of Head Boy.

What's he doing here? Did his friends bunk school something?

"Just wanted to drop by and say hi." he says grinning at Vic, "Also before I forget, I'll need your help for the World Book Day preparations, so your number please," he says sliding a white scrap to me.

I scribbled quickly and hand it back to him, making no effort to reciprocate his smile.

Still, I couldn't ignore how the sun made his eyes honey-like, and the array of freckles I needed henna to create.

He stares for an extra two seconds, before speaking. "Thank you."

Finally, he retreats and Vic looks between the two of us.

"Hmm, Joromi Joromi." she begins, crooning a popular love song.

"How many guys will you ship me with bayi, warn yourself, missy," I say, not entertaining the thought of it for a second.

My ever annoying friend cackles beside me before continuing her prior interrogation. "Okay, so did you get his number?"

"Who?" I ask feigning ignorance.

"Simon Cowell. Don't even start playing dumb," she says, wagging her finger in my face.

"No. He collected mine though." I finally whisper over the table.

"And has he texted you since then?"

"Nope," I say feeling a little disappointed, even if it was irrational to think he would message me in the early hours of the morning.

"Well, who knows, maybe he's waiting for tonight to call you, it's always the best time to talk," Vic says waggling her eyebrows.

"No one would even know you were brought up in church with the way your mind is ashen," I say sniggering at her poor innuendo.

"Ah pele o (sorry then), why are you still sitting with me? Aren't you afraid I'll soil your white garment?" Victoria asks mockingly.

"Sometimes I wonder myself," I respond messing with her.

To this, I get a handful of popcorn thrown in my face.

I unsuccessfully dodge the kernels and see one land straight in my drink.

"You witch, I'll do my own today!" I say lunging for her remaining bag.

Author's Note

If you've made it this far thank you for reading my book! I appreciate every single one of you so much❤️. Please remember to leave a vote if you enjoyed reading it as this really helps my books. Feel free to leave a comment to say hi! Or let me know your thoughts as you read. And share this book with a friend you think would like it.

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Love y'a :)