They were perfect. Everyone saw it. There was always an air of relaxation among them. If they were not laughing, they were smiling lovingly at each other. Many had always felt the undying love among them, envied it and hoped for it. The man, tall and dark, had his wife with him everytime like a handbag. He encircles his hand around her waist or rests it on her back in a way that tells other men she was taken.

The woman was slim, shorter but of average height. She had flawless creamy skin, one which many had envied and admired. The thick black mane which adorned her head was lengthy, voluminous and curly. It was a healthy hair that glistened from expensive treatments. Sitting underneath perfectly arched brows were bold eyes. Her eyes were one of her prettiest features, bordered with lengthy eyelashes. Her mouth was full, pink and rested beneath a pointed nose. She was an epitome of beauty almost perfect with her slim and fit body.

Their clothing were of the same colour. His a black suit and hers, a black dress that swept the floor. She wore silver heels and held matching clutch purse. He whispered into her ear. When she laughed, her laughter rang deep into his ears, staggering his heart. He could feel his heart almost halt beating. Still talking, they headed towards a door. The man at the door opened it and they walked into a noisy dining room still engrossed in their conversation. There were eight people in the room. Three women and five men. Everyone whipped their heads to the door. A smile formed on their faces as they acknowledged the couple's arrival.

"Look who has arrived. I thought you guys will never come" A dark woman sitting next to a man of the same complexion said. The couple laughed, holding hands.

"Oh Hairan. We are so sorry" The man apologised, leading his wife into the room. "The traffic held us back a bit"

"Ahmad and Haseenah, it's what you always do" Another woman who was older said with a dismissive hand. "Please come and have your seat. We are running late"

"Thanks" Haseenah said.

Like the gentleman he was, Ahmad pulled out his wife's chair, had her sit before he sat next to her. The dinner continued. Conversation rolled in. There was a lot to talk about and everyone had something to say. Soon, it became business. It was a business dinner between business associates. After the business deal had been sealed, the dinner continued in full swing with merriment. From time to time, Ahmed would glance at his wife who gave a shy smile.

A man at the table said something funny. Many laughed including Haseenah. While laughing, she had reached for her glass of juice just to knock it off causing the drink to spill across the table. Little dropped on Ahmad's lap staining his suit.

"Oh God!" Haseenah exclaimed jumping back.

"Holy shit!" A man exclaimed at the mess.

"I am so sorry" Haseenah apologised, reaching for a serviette. "I am sorry" She repeated as she took a serviette to dab the juice from the table. "I am sorry" She said, taking another serviette to clean the juice on her husband's suit.

"You do not have to worry" Ahmad held her hand, halting her. He felt the tremor in her hand which came from fear. "Please excuse me" He stood up and left.

"I am sorry" She repeated to others on the table. Haseenah turned around and looked at her husband's retreating back. Her throat went dry.

"Do not worry, dear" Hairan said. "Someone will do the cleaning"

"Excuse me" Haseenah stood up and left for the bathroom.

Few minutes later, she was back to find a lively atmosphere. Ahmad was back, talking to the man next to him. Dinner ended with a series of hugging and assurance to meet again.

"I told you I wanted perfection" Ahmad growled out immediately they walked into their house.

The ride home had been quiet with tension hanging in the air. He had dropped her hand as soon as they entered the car. Her heart had skipped many times because she understood what it meant. Haseenah trembled, knowing what was coming next. She sat rigid in the seat, barely able to breath.

"It was a mistake" She replied with a tiny voice, halting behind him.

His shoulders were hunched, back muscles tensed. She could see the reflex of muscle under his shirt indicating his growing anger.

"A mistake?" He snarled turning around. She jumped back when her eyes met his hard eyes. "A mistake Haseenah?" He took few steps to her and she took few back. "Is that what you call a damn mistake?" He roared, the back of his hand making a hard contact again her cheek. She shrieked as her head snapped to the side. "You made me a laughing stock!" His masculine voice rumbled through the room.

Haseenah had her hands over her stinging face. Her shoulder shook from her silent sobs. "You good for nothing woman!" He threw his hands. "I told you how I wanted everything to be perfect" He paced the room. "I explained it to you over and over again how to behave" He said through clenched teeth. "But you ruined it and embarrassed me in front of them! You spilled that fucking juice!" His jumped at her, slamming a hand hard against her face again.

This time, the impact of the slap sent her to the floor with a loud cry.

"Subhanallah, Ahmad" She squeaked, laying still on the floor. Warm tears travelled down her hot cheek.

"You embarrassed me!" He began to unbuckle his belt. "You know nothing! You foolish woman!"

"Ahmad, please" She shook her head, trying to swallow but her throat was as dry as dust. Her fear intensified when he began to roll the end of the belt around his hand. "Ka yi hakuri. Please, I....." She screamed when the black belt made contact against her back.

-----

Josh slid his foot into the second pair of sneakers. It was rare to be out on a Sunday because it was a day to rest for him but today was an exception since he was seeing a woman who stole his thoughts and appeared in his dreams. He bend down to tighten the lace and pulled a blazer from the wrinkled bed before heading out of the room. His thoughts went wild. He had to get a house. He had a feeling he will be needing one soon in a wealthy area. Somewhere like Lekki or Victoria Island will be good. He had met an agent who had set a meeting for Tuesday. The house had to be big with a big wardrobe because the woman he can see as his wife does not seem like the type to have little amount of clothes.

He hopped down the stairway, wearing his wristwatch. In the living room, his family watched a movie. His elder brother held Nate in hand with Sophia seating next to him. Omolara had her head on her mother's laps. Both mother and daughter had their attention on the television.

"I am out" he announced jogging to the foyer.

"Where are you off to on a Sunday?" he heard his brother's voice which he halted to. Nate made baby sounds as he hoped on his father's laps. Sophia admired the duo, her heart swelling.

"To see your future sister in law" he grinned at them.

"Where are you off to, Olamiposi?" His mother asked the same question. He twirled and walked to his mother.

"Maami (my mother), I am off to see your future daughter-in-law" he kissed his mother's cheek.

"What?" his mother looked at him. Omolara raised her head from Ibironke's laps to have a look at his face.

"Lola Kola-Daisi"

"Oh Lola?" His mother beamed. "You are finally considering what I said"

"Lola?" Sophia's ears picked the name. She sat up letting go of her husband's hand. "What did you say maami?"

"Lola's grandmother spoke to me about Lola. She would like if Lola and Olamiposi meets and he is going to meet her" Ibironke gushed.

"Olamiposi is going to see Lola?" Sophia said in a state of shock.

"Yes and if something good comes out of it, we might be planning a wedding soon" Ibironke squeal. "Isn't it my dear?" Ibironke ranted with pure happiness.

"Yes maami"

Jesus! That is a problem, Sophia thought. That can't happened! That girl had to come back. The mad idiot was back. She balled her fist, her mood suddenly sore at the thought of a sworn enemy. The brat had always been on her nerves. That year she left school after beating one of their mates to coma, she had thought that would be their last meeting and now, it seems fate was playing a game with her. Josh had a big crush on the brat. She could tell. His eyes glimmered and his face was full of joy. Why? Because he was meeting that fool.

"So when will you bring her home?"

Home? Sophia's nostrils flared.

"Very soon. I am leaving. See ya later" he declared rising to his feet.

"Take care. Olohun a sho e o (God will protect you o)" his mother shouted out a prayer.

"Amen" he replied.

She dressed very casual which he liked on her. A pair of jeans, lavender off shoulder top and white sneakers. A sling bag dangled from her shoulder. She locked the door to her Range Rover which had arrived from the mechanic's place throwing him a deadly look. Her free hand had her Canon Mac 6. It looked perfect on her. It seemed the camera was made for her. He would like to see her at work. He was such as hell that she would be sexy. He rose from his car where he leaned against, hands in his pockets.

"You are few minutes late, Orekelewa" he said treading towards her.

"There is something called traffic jam Josh. Where are we beginning the shoot?"

"From the lions' cage. I will like a picture with them"

She snickered. "That would be perfect. I think going in will make the picture better" Sarcasm dripped from her voice.

"I agree" he played along. "It will be called tamed territory"

"A free meal with make the lions happy. I am sure the pregnant lionesses won't hesitate to have human flesh"

"Mine will be the best meal ever"

She sneered "Good, I will be glad. At least I won't see your face anymore" she breezed past him. Her scent, he shut his eyes and inhaled hard. Intoxicating, he thought. That kind that makes a man tipsy.

"That hurts you know?" he jumped next to her. "I will like to see more of you. So for your sake, I am not going into the lions' den"

"The pictures will look better when you get in. I can help you with jumping over the fence"

"How much do you hate me?"

"You have no idea how much I do. I just want you to disappear. Why am I even conducting this shoot?"

"Because something called fate want to bring you and me together" she rolled her eyes.

"Where should we begin?"

"The lion's den"

"I am serious"

"As we tour the zoo, I will stop and you take shots of me"

They did as he said. He talks so much and funny that he had nearly make her laugh. He was also a pain in the back, halting when she least expect then tells her to take a picture of him. Why was she doing it? She could have told one of her staffs to just do it. She snickered when he gets all tacky, snorts when she was displeased and ward off his words to flatter her on his face. She was a hard nut to crack.

"You take good pictures" he said later when they were done. They stood by the bonnet of her SUV checking the pictures that were nice and those that he disliked.

"It is a talent"

"How much per copy?"

"It's not per copy. It's per hour. I charge twenty thousand per hour for a normal photo shoot"

"What?"

"Yes! It's actually more expensive than that but I will just consider your pocket since you are some poor riff raff. We spent" she looked at her gold wrist watch "Two hours thirty six minutes. I will deduct six minutes making it two hours thirty minutes. You are paying fifty thousand naira"

"Wetin happen! (What's wrong?). Hin pass film and editing ni? (Is it more than the film and editing?)"

"You heard. Can't pay?" she flicked her eyes up to look at him.

"Why now? The money is too much"

"Well, you should have thought about that before you hired me. You can't afford it right?" he scratched the back of his neck. "You got no choice but to pay"

"Hm....ehm...can we?" he cursed under his breath avoiding her eyes due to humiliation. Josh why bite off more than you can chew?

"Which secondary school did you attend, Joshua"

"Isale-Eko Grammar School" he grumbled out.

"Your university?"

"University of Lagos. Why are you asking?"

"You see Josh" Lola stood, arms folded over her chest, her stance confident. "This should put you in your place. I am not your type neither are you mine. You lack the qualities of my kind of man. You lack everything from money to sophistication and taste. I want loaded men who can get me pretty things with good quality. When I speak of men, I do not mean young boys with money, I mean real men.

"My family should tell you I am of higher class than you. I can buy you and buy your family. You guys worth nothing next to me" she saw his smile fade away. Pleased, she lifted her head up. His chest compressed as the gravity of her words got into him, a sharp lingering pain. "You can't sponsor my lavish lifestyle. I am sure you understand what I mean" Her proud gaze lingered on him. His face had lost its colour and contoured with fury.

"I do" his voice was icy.

"Good" she gave him a cold smile with a stoic nod.

"You think I can't do what you just said" he grinded out.

"When you have my money, you get your pictures" she decided to walk away.

"How much is your hair?" he shouted after her.

"A hundred and ninety thousand"

"The one before?"

"Two hundred and twenty thousand. Any problem?"

"You think I can't afford them? Your lifestyle? Try me Lola" it was a dare, something he meant. She laughed taking pleasure in the rage on his face.

"A year later you still won't be able to and if you would be, you will go bankrupt"

"You need to learn how to control your tongue, Lola"

"Wow, calling me by my name. How much did my words piss you?" she had not heard him promenade to her. She felt the quick tug and violent turn. Her heart skipped to her throat, knocking any form of breathing for a while. Josh twirled her around to meet his face, his grasp around her arm constricting and aching.

"You should think about people's feeling before talking" her fear filled eyes met his blazing black ones. The mesmerizing pair radiated his rage. They became callous. "You don't know how much words can hurt" his voice was dangerously low as his face neared her face.

"I was not brought up that way" her pulse pounded. She had never seen a man as angry as he was neither had she thought he can get angry for a man of his kind. Pride had not made her show her fear instead she lifted her head higher, her spine straighter "I am glad my words were true and now you know your place"

"When next you want to insult me, don't bring my family into this"

"What will you do?"

"You really are so full of yourself" His grip intensified. She wanted to beg him to stop hurting her and leave her alone. His fingers sank into the soft skin beneath the chiffon.

"I know"

There was silence. Heated pair of black eyes pierced into infuriated brown ones. Lola felt the dander that exuded from him. It came in powerful ripples, emitting heat.

"God" he left her arm stumbling back. Lola released a breath she never knew she was holding. He shut his eyes and pressed his fingers over them trying to lessen the rage that roared inside him. "I won't spare your life Lola when next you insult my family. If family means nothing to you, they mean more than what words can describe to me"

She watched his retreating back. Her shaking hand flew over her chest where her heart hammered. Was she harsh?

"I will send your pictures to you and I will be expecting your payment" she shouted behind him.

He carried on with his stride, got into his car and drove away with the tyres screeching as he zoomed off.

Joshua hit his head on a pillow the moment he got home. Tiredness began to set in. He had pushed past everyone downstairs and headed for his room without sparing them a glance. Her words still pierced his heart each time he remembered them. The cotton caressed his skin as he pushed his sneakers off and laid well in bed. The bedside lamp he had switched on the moment he entered the room reflected beams of gilded light across a side of the room. He reached for the other side to switch on the other lamp. Powerful stream of light lit the room dazzling over the rug and dancing over the leather sofas on it. He blew out air from his lips, tucked his hand under his head and stared at the ceiling.

The Kola-Daisi, everyone knew them. The name was popular among Nigerians. BTK Oil, a moneybag industry. Work there, you earn well. Richard Kola-Daisi, the Nigerian billionaire and senior advocate. He graces the covers of tabloids, newspapers and magazines, one of Africa's richest men. Today, she had shown him his place. True, he was not from a rich home. True, she could buy his family but he was living a comfortable life. He works an accountant in ExxonMobil where he earns more than enough. It was not easy getting in there but he did. He strived hard to achieve it because his mother had always wanted one of them to work there. He had done it to make her happy and to satisfy himself.

His elder brother, Olasupo, had not wanted that same life their father lived so he worked hard, began his business. Olasupo was a distributor of Life is Good. They live a life many people will call rich but they were not rich instead they live a comfortable in money that kept growing. Their father was a struggling man who ended with a miserable death in prison. Joshua had dreams which he was working towards. He wants to own his accounting firm. He had a land for it. He had a plan for the building. Every successful man began from somewhere before getting to the top. He will be successful. He will be rich but it might just take a while.

He won't deny Lola had hurt his feelings. She had made that razor tongue of hers cut through him. Her words tore him apart within. Despite that, he can't still shake away the feeling he had developed for her. The imp, she had floored him with that he can't pin point out. Why was he disappointed? It should have been what he should expect from a woman of her kind. Boye had spoken about how impudent she was. He sat up in bed, raking his hand through his buzz cut. Swearing, he rolled back in bed and sulked over her.

Someone else mulled over her. Slow music drifted from the speakers fixed into the pallid ceiling, the cool notes and melodious voice of a woman permeating the air with ease. He shut his eyes, relishing the feeling of foam-covered water against his light skin. It relaxed his mood, leaving his mind at peace and enabling him to think well with ease. He had his hands draped over the gold-plated Jacuzzi bath tub.

His bathroom mirrored who he was, luxury and refinement. It had an erudite feel. The walls were large inlays of white polished travertine and the floor was made of white marbles with under-floor heating. The vanities were of monochrome granite and the counters were a brilliant gold-leaf quartz and grey. A transparent glass displayed different bathing products. There was a corner golden bath and a big walk in shower. Gold-plated framed mirror sat above two silvery sinks with gold faucets. Fluffy white towels were organized in neat tidy rolls on silvery towel rack.