Song of the chapter: Marylyn Monroe by Pharrell Williams

...

The bachelor's life was easy...

Wait, let me rephrase that.

The bachelor's life for Tobi Ademi was easy. As the third richest man in Nigeria, all he had to worry about was making more money and avoiding his nagging mother.

Every morning, he woke up in his 160 million naira mansion, and went for his morning run around his 75 billion naira estate in Lekki. After his run, he always made a smoothie, and he never failed to add a little bit of brandy to it.

Then he would go to work, without having breakfast. After work, he would have lunch, sometimes with his best and only friend or sometimes in the office when the paperwork was too much.

After work, he would go back home, sometimes with a hot model clinging to his arm, or sometimes alone.

On Saturdays, he hung out at any of his many clubs or at the Quillox Club playing golf; sometimes he was visited by his mother with a young girl behind her. The ageing woman hoped that her son would fall for any of the women she brought to his house.

So you see, Tobi had a routine, and one that wasn't to be broken, especially not by a nagging wife. He was in control of everything, and that was exactly how he liked it.

...

"Guy, I'm going to be late, again, because of you." Tobi complained as loud as he could while trying to ignore the screaming children in the background.

"Patience is a virtue you lack." Joseph pointed out.

Joseph was Tobi's childhood and only friend. They attended the same schools all the way from nursery to university. Now, he was Tobi's only friend and lawyer.

"Well, forcing crying children to get ready for school isn't something worth my patience." Tobi retorted.

"So this is why my children hate you." Joseph mumbled loud enough for Tobi to hear while he struggled with his son, trying to make the five year old put on his shoes.

"You two should get going or you'll be late." Joseph's wife, Dera, walked in all dressed up for work in a green dress that ended just above her knees.

"You'll be able to manage?" Joseph asked struggling with his tie not noticing Tobi roll his eyes.

"They are my children, so obviously yes. Now go, before Tobi kills us both." She joked while helping her husband with his tie.

"Nice to see you too Dee." Tobi said sarcastically with a hint of humour in his voice.

"I can't wait for you to get a new car." Tobi said as they exited the house. "You'll definitely miss my company." Joseph teased.

"I prefer my silence." Tobi replied dryly.

"Don't forget to get the milk hun!" They heard Dera call from inside. "I won't!" Joseph replied.

"Yet they ask why I'm not married." Tobi muttered as he started the car.

"See, this is why you have no friends, except for the fact that I decided to pity you by giving me mine, you always say the wrong things." Joseph pointed out.

"What did I say wrong?" Tobi asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Tell me, what's wrong with marriage now?" Joseph asked.

"Everything. You're limited to one woman, you have no silence, women talk too much, expect too much and nag too much." Tobi shrugged nonchalantly.

"What about kids?" Joseph asked curiously. "What about them?" Tobi asked with his eyes focused on the road.

"Don't you want any?" Joseph narrowed his eyes at him.

"Yeah I guess. It would be nice to have a little girl. I would have adopted but Mama won't agree." Tobi grumbled.

"Ha! Mama! How is she? Did she come last Saturday?" Joseph burst into laughter.

"It's not funny jare. She came with this fat short woman who kept on ogling me. She was smiling so hard I'm sure her jaw was hurting." Tobi complained pulling up into the parking lot. Joseph's law firm was just opposite his gigantic office building.

"You have to give that woman a grandchild before she does something you hate more than ugly girls." Joseph said.

"I know, I know." Tobi agreed while raising his hands up in surrender and they both walked into his office building. They ignored the greetings of the workers who made way for them as quickly as they could.

"It's not like you can pay someone to have your baby or anything." Joseph joked.

"Why not?" Tobi said seriously and turned to his friend with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You're a genius." He smiled broadly.

"And you're joking." Joseph said rolling his eyes.

"We'll talk later. Why are you following me anyway? Your office is across the street." Tobi asked as they stepped into the elevator.

"I know." Joseph replied dryly. "I want to see Muna about something." He added, secretly thankful that his friend had dropped the subject.

"Who's that?" Tobi asked furthering his eyebrows.

"She's the head of your Law department. Do you even know your employees?" Joseph asked as they walked towards Tobi's office.

"I have over a million all over Africa... so no." Tobi boasted and acknowledged Funmi, his secretary.

"Show off." Joseph grumbled.

Funmi was not the typical secretary. She was in her late thirties, married with four kids and almost overweight; yet Tobi preferred her to any skinny bimbo. She was efficient and loyal. Just what he needed.

"She's in there." Funmi stopped him gesturing towards his office door. "Who?" Tobi asked startled.

"Eniola. She came. I couldn't stop her. Said she brought you breakfast." Funmi explained apologetically.

Tobi nodded and Joseph had an amused smile on his face.

"Eniola? Who's she?" Joseph asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Met her at an award ceremony. Now she won't take a hint and leave me alone." Tobi gave an exasperated sigh.

"Still don't want to get married shay." Joseph chuckled.

"Nope. Can't stick to one woman." Tobi said. Joseph opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the sound of Tobi's office door.

Eniola balanced expertly on a pair of stilettos. She was wearing a turquoise coloured jumpsuit and flashed a smile seductively at Tobi who in return, have her a strained smile. She was the daughter of the Oba of Lagos, and nobody wanted to piss off the Oba.

"Hey hun." She purred touching his tie. "I brought you breakfast, your favourite. Yam and egg sauce." She smiled pulling him in before he could utter a world in protest.

When the door was shut, Funmi chuckled and returned to her desk and Joseph smiled in amusement. He turned to leave but reversed as an afterthought

"Wait. What's his favourite? " He asked before leaving.

Funmi looked up from her laptop and said with a smile, "Spaghetti Bolognese."

...

Tobi stood impatiently outside the KFC restaurant just a few blocks away from his office. He ignored the excited stares from passersby and the suggestive stares of the women. He was waiting for Joseph so they could have lunch together, but the latter was held up at court.

He couldn't stop thinking about what Joseph said earlier. Any woman would want to have his baby, and for the right price too. Why didn't he think about it before?

His thoughts were interrupted by a lady who was arguing with the staff of the restaurant. She wore a faded red dress with flip flops and her ebony black hair was packed but had strands falling out.

She was beautiful.

Class-less, yes, but beautiful anyway. He didn't realise when he was smiling obviously amused. She wasn't exactly his type of woman, but he couldn't stop staring.

She sat down on a chair with a scowl on her face. A man came to talk to her and she glared at him but he didn't seem to take the hint.

Without thinking, Tobi walked into the restaurant and towards her. Before he could say anything, she stood up and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"There you are! Why did you keep me waiting?" She said then turned to glare at the man. The man looked away with a frown and left.

"Sorry." The lady turned to him with a shy smile. "I was trying to get rid of him. I told him to leave me alone but he just kept on talking and talking and argh." She explained with frustration.

Joseph walked in with confusion written across his face and Tobi replied with a shrug.

"You have a little lipstick, on your-" She pointed to his cheek and he chuckled. "No worries." He said pulling out a handkerchief. "I need to go to the restroom." Joseph whispered and left.

The girl sat down and brought out her purse. She brought out a notebook and some bills and started writing some things down. He sat down with her and she looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"I said sorry. You can leave now." She said dismissing him with her hand.

"I want to sit here. Keep this seat for me while I order." He said ignoring her comment.

He returned with a plate of Jollof rice and chicken and sat down with her, ignoring the scowl on her face.

Her stomach grumbled but he pretended not to notice. "Would you like some?" He offered. "I can't eat it all alone." He lied.

"Then you shouldn't have bought it. I'm fine." She snapped although her gaze lingered at the plate of food longer than it was supposed to. She looked back at her notebook with a serious expression, counting money and writing some things down.

"So, what are you doing?" He asked curiously.

"None of your business. Go seat somewhere else. I'm already having a bad day." She said without looking up.

"Anything I can help with?" He offered with a smile tugging at his lips before taking a huge bite from his chicken. She fought the urge to look up at his food.

"If you can get me a job, then yes." She murmured but he heard her.

Breathing in nervously, he said, "You need a job? I have a job for you." She finally looked at him suspiciously.

"What kind?" She asked and he gave her his card.

Tobi Ademi

CEO

Ademi Group of Companies.

Her face went pale. She had no idea she was talking to the Tobi Ademi. How could she be so stupid? His face was everywhere. His name was in every business you could think of. She pretended not to recognize the name and looked at him.

"I'll be there on Monday morning." She smiled politely.

"Just show them the card, they'll let you see me." He replied with a cheeky smile.

"Thank you." She stood up to leave, and as an afterthought, she picked a drumstick from his place and bit into it. He looked at her with a raised eyebrow and an amused smile.

"What? You said I could have some!" She said with her mouth full before she walked away.

Joseph walked up to the table and sat down, placing his tray of food gently on the table. "What was that all about?" He asked before taking a spoon of Fried rice.

"She's perfect." Tobi stated still gazing at the door even if she had left a moment ago.

"For what? Your wife?" Joseph asked hopefully and Tobi stared at him as if he had grown two heads.

"No you idiot. To have my baby." Tobi said nonchalantly as though it was a normal thing.

"Where is this going?" Joseph asked carefully. "You didn't actually take me seriously... did you?" Joseph asked in an alarming voice.

"I actually did. I've got it all planned out. See, it's simple. No woman would refuse an offer to get pregnant for me." Tobi pointed out with a smug smile.

"Any woman who wants to hold on to her virtue would." Joseph argued.

"Oh but virtue can be bought, at the right price." Tobi said still smiling. He looked like a little boy who got an A in his math test.

"No woman would reject that kind of offer, especially when there's 40 million naira on the line." Tobi added.

"40m! Are you crazy?" Joseph exclaimed.

"No. Just brilliant." Tobi shrugged. Joseph looked at his friend and was convinced he needed to be checked out.

"We'll sign a contract. She gives me my baby. She'll get 40 million. That girl needs money desperately. She'll totally jump at my offer." Tobi's grin grew wider but Joseph just started at him in surprise.

"And which stupid lawyer is going to draw up that kind of contract?" Joseph asked with a raised eyebrow as they stood up to leave.

"You, obviously." Tobi stated and walked out.

...

"So when would you start drawing up the contract." Tobi asked Joseph. They were seated in his car, on their way to Joseph's house.

"As your friend, and lawyer, I would like to sincerely advice you against this very foolish act." Joseph stated seriously.

"Just give me an answer." Tobi snapped and Joseph rolled his eyes.

"I'll get started alright. Just mail me the details." Joseph grunted. He was still very opposed to the idea.

They pulled up in front of his house and he kept his laptop inside his briefcase before stepping out. "Did you get the milk?" Tobi called after him.

Joseph groaned. "Oh shit."

...

Abena walked into the huge building feeling completely out of place. She was wearing a pair of black pant trousers and a short sleeved blue button up shirt. She was already sweating because the company was far from where she lived and she had to enter three buses to get there.

She just hoped she would get the job after all the trouble she went through just to get to Mr. Ademi's office.

She was still nervous about seeing him again. She had to admit, he was very attractive. She had no idea who he was and she was very rude, but still, he offered her a job; so he was nice too.

She shook her head trying to get rid of her thoughts. Who cared if he was handsome or nice? She just needed the job. She had a bill to pay.

She walked up to the reception where a man was sitting there clicking away on a laptop. She mustered enough courage and walked up to him with a polite smile.

"I'm here to see Mr. Ademi." She said with a strained smile. He looked at her with suspicion. He gave her a curt nod and asked, "Do you have an appointment?"

"He gave me his card?" She said unsure and then placed her purse on the table. She started rummaging through it, obviously frustrated and the man rolled his eyes at her. After bringing out her lip gloss, phone, a gum wrapper, her C.V, and some scraps of paper, she brought out the rumpled card.

"Here it is." She smiled triumphantly and he grunted in response while eyeing the card.

"31st floor. Meet his secretary." He grunted rudely and looked back at his laptop without waiting for her reply.

She looked at him in surprise. Weren't receptionists supposed to be friendly? He obviously hated his job.

Ignoring his attitude, she walked towards the elevators. She passed the one that read, 'Private', and went to the other one.

When she got to the 31st floor, she assessed her surroundings. The secretary's desk was by the window blinds and a comfy couch was opposite her. There was a chandelier in the middle and the room had a homely look. He obviously didn't bother with extravagant designs.

She walked up to the secretary, with a polite smile. If she could get past the rude receptionist, she could get past the woman. Besides she looked nice enough. She was a robust woman who looked like she was in her late thirties. She had a pair of glasses on, and her hair was braided and pulled into a bun.

She looked up at Abena as she saw her walk in. With a raised eyebrow, she asked, "Do you have an appointment?" Abena drew in a breath.

"Not exactly, but Mr. Ademi gave me his card, said I should come on Monday morning for a job interview." She explained sheepishly.

"Your name?" The woman asked with a straight face.

"Abena Omotosho... ma'am." She said trying not to show that she was intimidated.

"He didn't mention anything like that." The woman said narrowing her eyes at Abena suspiciously.

"He didn't even ask for my name." She gave a forced laugh.

"So..." The woman looked up from her laptop.

"Please, I really need this interview. It's very important. He said he'll see me." Abena pleaded and the woman's expression softened.

"Okay. I'll send you in when he's finally free. But that'll take a very long time." The woman warned.

"No problem. Thanks. I'll wait." Abena let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She slumped wearily on the couch and before she knew it, she fell asleep.

"Miss, Miss, Mr. Ademi would see you now."

Abena opened her eyes and blinked. Suddenly she remembered that she slept off while waiting for him. She rubbed her eyes and nodded at the secretary. She checked the time, 2pm! How long did she wait for this appointment?

As she straightened her clothes and hair, she reminded herself that the wait was worth it because she would get a well paying job.

She strode into the office with the little confidence left in her. "Good morn- afternoon sir." She smiled politely and he gestured for her to sit down.

His office was huge. The room had a cool look. His table was in the middle with two chairs in front of it and his own chair at the other side. She saw the door to the bathroom at one side, and a kitchen at the other side. The blinds were closed and the air from the A.C hit her unexpectedly.

She sat down opposite him and handed him her C.V. He gave it a cursory look before looking at her. "Abena? That's-"

"Ghanian." She cut in confidently. He nodded before looking back at the C.V.

"You finished university on part time?" He asked.

"Yes. I had to." She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and rubbed her sweaty palms against her trousers.

He dropped the C.V on the table and stood up. He sat down on the table just in front of her.

"How old are you?" He asked.

"22." She replied with confusion. Wasn't that included in her C.V, and why was he seating so close to her? She was already nervous and he was making it worse.

"You look 19." He muttered.

"What?" She asked looking up at him.

"I said you don't look a day over 20." He quickly said.

"Oh." She looked down.

"How's your health?" He asked. "Good. I haven't gotten sick in the past six months." She replied.

"Miss. Omotosho, or Abena, can I call you Abena?" He started and she gestured for him to continue. "The job I have for you isn't at the office." He finished.

"If it's at home, I don't mind. I can clean, cook, I'm very neat and organized-"

He held up a hand to stop her. "I don't need a cook or cleaner. I already have them."

"Then what type of job is it?" She asked curiously.

"Don't overreact. Just hear me out." He said cautiously and she replied with a nod.

"See, I want you to get pregnant for me." He stated. Her jaw dropped and she stared at him in disbelief.

"What do you take me for? A whore? I'm not going to sleep with you for money?" She exclaimed but he still looked calm and collected.

"I didn't ask you to sleep with me. Trust me, I don't ask women to sleep with me, they offer. I dont want you to sleep with me." He said eyeing her with disapproval.

She suddenly felt self conscious but refused to make it obvious. "Why? I'm not pretty enough?" She spat out obviously offended.

"You are. That's why I chose you, I want my daughter to be like you... but more sophisticated. You're not the type of woman I would sleep with." He shrugged ignoring the glare she shot him.

"Back to what I was saying, I'm asking you to get pregnant for me. Have my baby for 40 million naira."

"40 million?" Her jaw dropped.

"Yes. It's very reasonable, isn't it?" He smirked.