The long sleeve emerald green dress hugged her figure and subtle curves in the right places. It was a straight silk dress that fell past her ankle. She had worn nude heels that prevented the dress from sweeping the floor and used the same shade of nude scarf. The silk scarf hanged loose around her neck, settled half way through her head, showing off her braids. She had it done few hours back. The braids were long, a light shade of brown and the edges were tight making her face prettier and forehead shining. The edges were curly and slept lazily against her hair line with the aid of an edge control. It had been hard deciding which colour of attachment to use. Colour thirty-three or thirty. She settled for colour thirty and loved its outcome.

She met Osasere in Jafar's house the day before. It was Saturday and she had nothing to do. She paused, trying to rewind her memory. Okay she had something to do. Her friends had invited her out which she refused. Since her outing with Jafar three days ago, she had wanted to see him again.

When she knocked, Osas had opened the door. Anyone would be shocked. Anyone would think she was his girlfriend with the way she answered the door. Osas had been nice. When did Jafar and Osas get to the stage where they visit one another at home? The first word that rushed in her head was girlfriend. But Jafar has no girlfriend. Even though he want to have, why will he choose a Christian, an Edo and a single mother?

The day Jafar had asked her to hang out with him, they had branched some nice spot to get ice-cream. There, they met Osasere and a little girl. Atikah would never have known the girl was Osas's daughter if she had not called Osas mummy. It had shocked her, left her almost frozen. Osas was a mother of a four year old. Her daughter, Esosa, was a pleasant little girl. The girl was chatty and had called her beautiful. She would never forget the look in Jafar's eyes when he looked at Osas. There was a sparkle she barely saw. That twinkle in his eyes spread across his face. He introduced Atikah as a friend and both ladies had shared pleasantries. Jafar had always been adorable with children but with Esosa, it was different. It seemed like they share a bond the kind he shares with Umar.

Esosa had made a statement that nearly choked Atikah. "Uncle, when will you come to our house again? I want you to take Umar and I out again?"

What? Her breathing seized. When did he start visiting Osas at home? When did he start taking her daughter out? He barely come to her house. He only visits their house whenever his mother asks him to drop her off. Those few times, he entered her house twice. There had been pain in her chest and jealousy. She looked at Osasere and could not help but feel jealous.

Osas had been in his house because he was sick. Jafar had an ulcer attack. With the way Osas spoke and behaved in his house, anyone would think they were dating. She was even cooking. Cooking! Who cook for a man she has nothing with? Jafar should have called her. She would have rushed down with the speed of an antelope just to make sure he's alright.

"You know you can always leave. I will just stay with him until he wakes up. I am sure you have something to do" Atikah suggested, finding a way to get rid of Osas.

"Not really" Osas had replied which nearly dropped Atikah's smile as her heart had dropped at the pit of her stomach. They were seated in the living room. Atikah sat on a sofa and Osas laid on the three seater, her phone in hand. She was watching television. Osas was very comfortable in Jafar's house and Atikah hated it. "My daughter is out with my mother and there's nothing much to do at work. I was about to leave work when he called. I will wait until he gets up"

And Osas did. Jafar had called out for her as he came into the living room. When Osas got up to meet him, she saw something. Maybe it was from the view of an envious woman but she could swear they were almost perfect together, like a couple. He had not noticed Atikah in the living room until Osas told him.

Atikah got home that day feeling her heart falling into pieces. She was angry and hurt. Envy started to make her blood bitter. But Jafar said he would make her his female best friend when she asked.

"Jafar, I want to be your best friend" She had said at their last outing when they were done watching a live play. "I want to be the friend you will call whenever you need something or want to talk"

"I will try to consider that" Had been his reply.

But she thought he would make her one. Why is she pining for another man when she had a boyfriend who is ready to do anything for her? She gripped her fork hard, fury pouring through her body.

Mustapha watched Atikah across the table. She has barely eaten anything on her plate. She kept twirling the pasta around the fork, a faraway look in her eyes. She had unconsciously sighed and changed her position by placing her hand on the table.

"You okay, babe?" He asked, his voice snapping her out of her reverie. Atikah blinked, her false eyelashes flapping to the little movement of her eyes. "You have barely touched your food. What's wrong?" His hand reached for hers over the table. There was warmth in his touch. It nearly made her sigh. She found herself surprisingly relaxing to his touch. Maybe because she saw everything she had seen in Jafar's eyes for Osas and it was nice to know someone felt that way for her.

"I am fine" She gave a small smile, taking little pasta into her mouth.

"You sure? You have been moody all night"

"I am fine" She assured her boyfriend of one year.

"You look beautiful as always" He commented making her smile. "I missed you, Atikah"

She found herself laughing. "Mustapha, you were away for just nearly two weeks"

He was glad he could make her smile and laugh. Mustapha squeezed her hand. She gazed at him. Her eyes had their light again. "You know I am always here whenever you want to talk"

In his eyes was understanding. In his smile was assurance. In his touch was tenderness. The man opposite her liked her. He loves her and she likes him. He is a good man who will end up becoming a great husband. Why is she yearning for another man?

-----

Laughter boomed around the table yet he had not laughed. He was pained, angry and hurt. It's been nearly two weeks since Lola spoke him. She gave him the cold shoulder, pretended he never existed and her conversation with him were callous. When they arrived home from the beach, she had gone to the bathroom. Joshua had waited for a long time, wanting to ask her why the sudden change in behaviour. She made him drive but throughout their journey back home, she had not exchanged a word with him. They got home some minutes past three in the morning due to the traffic on the way. She spent over an hour in the bathroom. Tired, Joshua had gotten up to leave for the dining room in order to continue some work thinking it might take things off his mind for a while. Returning back to the room before dawn breaks, she was sound asleep.

The rest of the week continued that way. When he tried to talk to her, she had a way of ending the conversation. He had tried making things better between them but she gets up and walks away to do something or the other. The rest of the week had been very hectic for her because of work and the upcoming movie premier. There was always one shoot or the other.

It still angered him that Lola had gone on a date with two different men, on different days. He had watched dress up, looking pretty and gorgeous as usual then left in her Porsche to see them. He knew it had been a date. He could tell from her conversation. That's the highest form of disrespect she granted him. Joshua knew she had done it purposely, a way to annoy him and she had succeeded.

Lola had nightmares for three consecutive nights and she had not accepted his consolation when he offered. He saw her taking her medications every time she had a nightmare or before she goes to sleep. There were sleeping pills, antidepressants, mood stabilizers and selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). He had kept an eye on her and noticed the medications were daily. A doctor friend of his had explained that the pills were meant for psychological issues. That was how it was revealed to him that his wife has intermittent explosive disorder (IED). He was shocked and frozen for a jiffy, he had lost his voice to speak. He browsed out what IED meant and got so many articles on it.

Joshua had someone follow Lola. The man had tailed her to the hospital. In the hospital, she had visited a psychiatrist named Benjamin Sansa. His wife had a section with him that day. Two hours later, she came out and drove to meet Lolu at a restaurant. She came back home to him to continue giving him the cold shoulder. Jealousy bit deep into Joshua, causing every part of him to get bitter. Damn Lola! Damn her! What a crazy woman? She made him feel ways he has never felt before. He had wanted to explode, wanted to let out his growing anger when she had returned back home. He wanted to confront her and ask her what the hell's wrong with her but had held back everything.

"Hey man, you seem so lost in thought. When are we meeting your wife?" Boye's voice pulled him out of his thought.

He sighed then sipped from his snifter. "You guys don't want to know her. She's rude and arrogant"

"Everyone knows that. We will cope with that" Ebuka joined the conversation.

"I doubt if Boye will" Joshua stared at Boye.

"Come on" Boye threw his hands.

"Invite her out one day" Bobby suggested.

"I doubt if she will agree" Joshua tapped the tip of his glass with a finger. He knew his wife. Lola might say she does not want to hang out with people who barely reach her standard.

"It is simple. Just tell her babe, I am going out to see my friends. Wanna come along? Don't worry about her being the only woman among us. We will brings ours with us"

"You can also invite Loretta" Boye suggested with a mischievous smile.

"What?" Joshua sat up.

"You said you guys are talking and in touch" His eyes glinted.

"Does not mean I want her to meet my wife? Loretta is my ex-girlfriend" He spelt out.

"Who is still interested in you"

"She is not. We have moved on" He relaxed back into his seat.

"Not after meeting her four times. You guys have met four times since you met again. Two had been your suggestion"

"I just wanted to be with someone. Lola was frustrating and.......it's just outing between friends"

"Tell me you don't feel or recall those memories you had with Loretta?"

"No! I feel normal. There are no strings attached. I am married" He shrieked.

"Does not mean married men don't cheat?"

"I can't cheat on Lola"

"You can't say so. Temptation is real. Anything can happen if you keep going out with Loretta. It starts with a simple touch"

"What? Boye, your assumptions are wrong"

"They are not assumptions. They are the truth. Real facts" Boye held in a laugh. He knew whatever his points are, they do not please his friend but they are real fact. Anything can happen between them.

"Come on" Joshua threw his hand and slumped into his seat. He huffed out.

The other men laughed. "Joshua is frustrated" Ebuka laughed out. Boye started to laugh. It was then Joshua understood Boye had been pulling his legs.

"You dey craze" He sulked and drank the rest of his Hennessey.

Joshua's mood changed. He was able to make fun of Ebuka who has refused to pick up his troublesome fiancée's call. Some ladies came over from another table. It was obvious they were prostitute looking for sales that night. One had sat on Joshua's lap. They had been friendly to one another. When she shoot her shot, he had dodged it like a bullet. With the knowledge that the man is not giving in to her, the lady left. Boye had mocked him, told him what he did was a perfect example of temptation. He left with the determination of making things right with his wife.

-----

Lola's hair tumbled down her back in elegant curls. She kept the pins in hand inside the drawer where they belong among others and proceeded to remove her jewelleries. She took her time like she had the whole time on earth. The night had been great and successful. Adeola's film was a masterpiece. The storyline was captivating. The camera, flawless. It had been a story that touched the heart and kind of spoke to her. She nearly cried at the end. There had been a standing ovulation for the film. Lola picked a makeup wipe from the pack of wipes and swapped it over her lips. She had her eyes on Joshua who sat on the bed, his phone in hand. They came home the same time. It had been purely coincidental. She had barely looked at him when she walked into the house.

Since she shouted at him few days back to stop disturbing her, he had also been distant which she did not like. She loved the way he disturbed her, tried to speak to her and get her attention. Pride won't let her give in and ask him what's wrong. Lola knew they needed to talk. What had happened at the beach last time needed to be spoken about. They had kissed! It was a fact they can't run away from. They needed to finally sit down and face what they feel about one another. She knew it was not love but lust she had for him and if he wanted to have anything to do with her, he needed to bear in mind that love was not what she felt.

It had not been easy to give herself to a man, to go into relationships and commit herself into them. Becoming that guy's girlfriend five years ago was a big step she took with fear and insecurity. Doctor Benjamin had called it insecurity and relationship avoidance. As she grew older over the years, she can't just take away the memories of things that had happened in her parents' marriage. How her father had had an affair in the past. How he had hidden his other family from them. Those nights her parents fought a lot. How their marriage turned cold and it was still cold. The distance was still there. It was evident.

Anytime she remember those days, it pulls her away from men. After kissing Joshua on the beach, all she could think about was Joshua cheating on her, was Joshua just playing with her heart and emotions like that man did. Negative thoughts had clouded her mind. She sighed done with wiping her makeup. It was time to remove her dress. She pushed her chest forward to unzip her dress. Trying many times, she gave up. Joshua had seen her struggle to loosen the zip but had chosen to ignore her. Two can play the game. His heart can't play such game, he knew. But his mind would.

"Joshua" she called turning on the stool she sat on to look at him.

Her dressing table was like a makeup store with the best and expensive products anyone can find. From Fenty to MAC to L'Oreal, Dior, Huda, Zaron, Tara and many other products. Lip sticks of different shades were arranged according to their shades. Powder of different brands, concealer of different brands, different shades and labels of eye shadows, creams for feet, for hands. Masks she uses morning and night. She had the one she rubs on her face at night before she showers and after she does. The one she uses in the morning. Lola bath was not the kind that one finishes in less than ten minutes. She spends so much time in the bathroom. There was something to rub on her skin few minutes before going into the bathroom. Something to use when in the bathroom, from scrubs to soaps and body washes. All just to keep that chocolaty skin of hers glowing and soft. Fine and refined. She enjoys pampering her skin.

"Loosen the zip for me. I need to get out of my dress" she said, her voice lacking the slightest hint of politeness.

Joshua sneered without looking up. What a tone to use? He was no servant of hers for her to talk to that way. Lola stared at him surprised he had not moved or tried to look up. He continued to type away on his phone, a small smile forming on his lips. Her nostrils flared, eyes going hard. Who could make him smile while he chats on his phone? Curiosity kicks in. He can't be..... Her thought trailed off in her head. She shook her head to get rid of such thought. She can't trust him completely but he can't be that heartless to hurt her badly.

"I am speaking to you Josh!" she spat.

Joshua looked up, relaxing as he put away his phone.

"There is something called please, Lola. It is a magic word" he got to his feet.

"What? Are you alright?" fury blazed in her eyes. How dare he tell her to use please?

"Perfectly alright" he nodded his head, hands going into the pockets of his trousers.

"Then loosen the zip for me" she turned her back.

Joshua laughed. "I can't" he shrugged.

"What?"

"Try to be polite" he gave her a smile that did nothing but added to her fury.

Lola got to her feet, anger coursing through her veins. "You stupid man!" she tried to gather the full end of her dress. "Adding please to my words will not make you bigger than you are" she took an angry step to him. "Just unzip......" She shrieked. A toe hooked the end of her dress. He saw her trip over her dress but had not flinched or moved to meet her even after she landed on the floor. When she was on the ground, palms flat against the cold floor, he still had not bothered to move.

Lola cried out and he pretended not to hear, his eyes on her. She yanked her head to him, her hair sweeping to the movement. Her angry eyes met his mocking ones. She huffed, pushing back the strands that fell over her face. Joshua removed his polo shirt, a little smirk on his face. He threw the material on the bed.

"Can't you help?" she barked getting to her feet. "I...." she fell again.

Lola blew out air from her lips, gathered the end of her dress well before getting up. It hurts her he did not progress to help her.

"You cold man! I tripped!" she squealed.

"You are already on your feet" he began to unbuckle his belt.

"What's with the attitude tonight?" She asked, shaking her head to sweep back the strands that obscured her view.

"The same attitude you have been giving me for nearly two weeks now" He barked. Frustration from the past week turning into anger.

"What?" her eyebrows came together.

"Lola" Joshua exhaled tired of everything. They can't keep turning away from reality. "Let's talk" he told breathlessly.

Lola swallowed. She knew what that meant and she was not ready to talk or face reality.

"There is nothing to talk about" she ambled to the wall, trying to give the art on the wall her attention.

"You know there is"

"I am not ready to speak about it"

"We can't keep running away from what happened. Lola, we kissed. We...."

"It was a mistake" she turned over to look at him. "A mistake that should not repeat itself"

"What?" he exclaimed startled.

"Nothing happened. Let put it behind" She lifted a fine boned hand to push back her hair.

"I can't"

"It is your choice to either put it behind or not"

Joshua snickered. What nonsense? Her eyes were lying. They gave away that night meant so much. He was not going to give up until he squeeze words out of her. "So" he took a step closer and Lola tried not to take a step back. "You are trying to tell me" he came closer. "That you felt nothing that night"

"Nothing" she stood her ground.