Lola had her hand pressed to her face, embarrassment causing heat to rise against her cheeks. If she was not dark skinned then she would be as red as a beetroot. What had she done? Why had she been that way? She had shown him a part of her that made her extremely vulnerable.

The most embarrassing moment was waking up to be held by him and her snuggled into him. God! She laid her palms over her cheeks, tapping them lightly as if to reduce the heat that rose against them. The night before, she had held him, wrapped her hand around him and cried into his back as she wanted him to save her.

She wheezed out taking a hand full of her hair. That reminded her. She needed to loosen the extension and do something new on her head. The hair was already old and her look needed to change. She reached for a drawer beneath the vanity to search for scissors and a razor blade. Going natural for a day won't kill her and before the end of the day, she would have a new hairstyle on. That instigated her lips to stretch upwards. Excitement coursed through her. Oh! She can't wait. It's time to play with Snap Chat filters.

Loosening the extension was not easy. Searching for the thread to loosen and trying not to cut her hair with it was a tiring job. Why could she not just wait until she gets to the beauty parlour where everything from loosening to washing and making would be done?

Lola ran a towel through the kinky curls on her head to dampen the hair and halt water from dripping into her bathing robe. The sun had risen early compare to the day before. The sky was a lighter shade of blue and cloudless. It was the kind of day that urged her to take a walk. Her damp hands parted the curtains to reveal the windows. Bright beams of sunlight spilled into the room stinging her eyes. She shut her eyes the moment light splashed into them. The day was as though rain had not fallen the night before.

Beyond the window of the lush bedroom, the garden was a hue of green and different colours of flowers. Amidst the wide spread of grasses, she sighted a bird that hopped and hopped as it picked what she does not know from the soil. The gardener had arrived and amongst the bed of buttercups, he worked on the soil. Nature thrilled her but flowers do not. She never loved flowers or had the urge to own them because they never picked her interest. She had seen her sisters especially Sister Toke become touched at the sight of flowers when gifted to her by people. The only reason why she had them in her home was due to fact that they beautify the environment.

The distant sound of okada and vehicles passing by floated through the air. Horns blared causing an early morning noise pollution. She could hear the distant voice of a woman shouting and the voices of children screaming in the house next to theirs. The day had begun and most people had been pushed out of their homes.

With a leg slightly bent at the knee, Lola tipped her head a bit to have a look at her husband in bed. A little smile graced her dried lips. Joshua had his hand sprawled out at both sides of his head, back against the bed and the sheet half was through his body. She had no reason to why her heart had flapped at the sight and why that sight was a beautiful view to look at. She does not know where this new relationship was leading to but she knew she was already giving in too many things. She can't fall hopelessly for him. There had to be something she can do before she finds herself becoming more defenceless than she was. Hugging him last night was a way to take things further and she was sure Joshua was not the kind of man to let that chance slip away. She snatched the curtains together, turned around and headed for her dressing table while she found herself getting restless at the thought of him. Only if she had paid attention to another thing that got more restless. Her heart.

Joshua woke up to an empty room but the concentrated scent of a woman permeated through his nostrils into his nerves that reminded him of who it belonged to. His eyes scanned the room, mood grumpy, as he scratched the back of his neck. His mouth was dry and tasted funny. He grimaced, disliking the fact that another working day had begun. Work the day before had turned out to be more stressful than he had thought. If he had no boss to please, he would have left work earlier than he was released. His eyes fell on the wall clock. Mouth dropping, eyes wide, his heart beat increased. It was some minutes to eight. He was extremely late for work. Why had Lola not woken him up? Jumping off the bed, he knelt down, closed his eyes and interlocked his hands together to pray.

"Oh Osas, calm down and listen to me" Lola drawled walking out of the closet.

A mellow voice greeted Joshua's ears as he walked out of the bathroom after brushing his teeth. Now he felt better. The funny taste in his mouth had been replaced with the minty taste of his toothpaste. Joshua looked up from his phone which was in his hand, the little frown on his face easing away. There was a long pause from Lola as she listened to her friend who ranted on the other end.

His eyes landed on his wife's tall and beautiful frame causing amusement to sink into him. An eyebrow went up. Gone was the silky hair extension. What he saw was a thick bush of black African virgin hair on his wife's head. Her hair was of normal length. It was neither short nor long. She had divided the tresses into two. Keeping a natural hair told him Lola had no problem with keeping a virgin hair unlike his younger sister whose virgin hair was stubborn. There was always a problem when it was time to loosen and run a comb through it.

At the moment, her face was bare of any makeup. Everything about her was natural. His mouth became dry. Lola continued her conversation, making gestures with her hand as she tried to calm down her friend who was hysterical at the end of the phone. Joshua stood frozen where he was, his heart beating in his chest. God! The woman in front of him was a damsel, an African beauty. She appeared less intimidating and more mesmerizing. Her natural beauty took the wind out of his sail. Does she know she got one? He felt the way he had felt when he had seen her for the first time. The end of his stomach had a tight knot. His heart won't stop racing, banging hard in his chest almost with a little ache. His sweat pores dampened. An audible ding from his phone made him divert his attention back to his phone.

The ding was a notification from instagram. He tapped on it. He had lot of notifications but the particular one that notified him that Lola had posted a photo got his interest. He clicked on it and what appeared what a picture of his wife. Lola had already taken a picture with her natural look. Below the picture, she wrote. "No Makeup. No hair extension. All natural but still pretty". He laughed. She was so full of herself. The kind that compliments such as you are beautiful do not get into her because she knows she got the looks. There were rolls of comments below. He would read those later but before he locked his phone, he double tapped on the picture. When he looked up again, Lola had ended the call. She stood in front of her dressing table, hands on her waist. She seem stressed and disturbed by whatever conversation she was having with Osas. He had not paid attention to her conversation. Worry sank in and he found himself heading towards her.

"Hey, good morning" Joshua husked out, his hand slipping over his wife's waist. Lola, taken back, gasped out loud and jolted.

The delicate scent of her coconut shampoo hit his nose. He shut his eyes, tightened his hold around her and relaxed into her to inhale her intoxicating fragrance. Beneath his hold, Lola's tensed muscle relaxed. The ends of her lips stretched up.

It would be a lie if she says he does not give her chills. Her stomach flustered like something feathery and gentle rose in it. She loved the feelings she got. The spark against her skin. The tingling sensation.

"Morning" She let out a soft giggle.

"How was your night?" Joshua hummed into her neck before lifting his head to plant a kiss on her temple.

Lola closed her eyelids revelling in the moment. Soft lips caressed her temple. The spot tickled causing her smile to widen. She loved the moment.

"Great?"

Joshua loosened his hold around her. He spun her around to have closer view of her. His deep eyes were tender. They smiled from his heart as they took in the view of God's beautiful creation he had for a wife. Under his assessing gaze, the corners of Lola lips widened. Only if she saw the other thing he had for her. Affection.

"I know" She rolled her eyes throwing a hand. "I am beautiful. You don't have to keep staring"

"You are so full of yourself"

"You got no idea how worse I can be"

Joshua brought down his lips to hers shutting her up. He locked his lips to hers for a very brief moment full of affection and the right hint of passion.

"You are beautiful"

Lola, never in her twenty four years of life, had felt so much need to blush neither the need to palm face and hide it. She was acting like a shy bride. Deep inside, she felt her stomach flickering from the little passionate contact of lips against lips. Pride struck in. She lifted her eyelashes to meet Joshua's adoring gaze, her head lifted high.

Slowly and subtly, a smile appeared on her face with a seductive stretch, eyes becoming more charismatic and striking. "I know" she detached herself away from him to seat in front of the mirror.

Lola soothed a hand over her hair. She admired her beauty in the mirror, a little smile on her face. He chuckled understanding that reaction. She had so much pride in her eyes and movement.

"Whose phone is this?" She kept the phone she had in hand away as she brought a face primer forward. "Did you keep it on my dressing table?" she pointed at the new carton of iPhone.

"Yes, I did"

"Is it yours?"

Before he answered, he glanced at the phone next to her hand and the one he kept on the dressing table. He got his answer. Lola had gotten herself a phone before he can. The phone he got her will be of no use to her. She might not even appreciate it. So he said "It's mine"

"Joshua!" She exclaimed, whizzing to look at him. Shock had her eyes going wide. "You got yourself an iPhone X" The words came out like she could not believe he could afford it. He hated it. She made him feel small. "That's shocking" She said, slightly impressed. "And where...." Lola pressed little primer into her soft palm.

"Did I get the money?" He completed her question. "I am working Lola. I have savings" He replied, frustrated with her constant question about where he gets money from.

"It's nice though" She raised her eyes to meet his gaze in the mirror. "So we will be using the same phone?"

"Yes" He grinned which she returned.

He loved the smile. The glow and happiness in her eyes. He was glad he was the reason behind it. The past few days had been nice. No fight and they were beginning to understand one another but he knows they can't be living without a fight. They would still fight. Lola's a difficult woman he is trying to put up with. With his personality and hers, they can never avoid a fight.

"I actually got you something yesterday" He got hold of the bags next to her dressing table. "I don't know if you will like them but I tried my best" He handed over the bags to her.

"What are these?" She twirled the bags around. "Lorey Clothing" She read out the words on the customised bag. Lola's brows creased. "I know the lady. I have worked with her. Do you know her?"

Shit! Joshua cursed in his head. He should have changed those bags. How does he explain to his wife that the CEO of Lorey Clothing is his ex-girlfriend? "No. Why will I know her? I was around that side and just wanted to get you something. I thought laces and ankara will be nice. You can make something gorgeous out of them" He said, his voice calm, words coming out composed like he was not fidgeting underneath his collected posture.

"I did a photo session with her few weeks back. She's thick and light skinned. Her name is Loretta"

"I think I saw someone like that there but I am not sure. How about you check what's inside?"

Lola did as she was told. She brought out the content of the bags. "These are expensive lace materials" Her emotions were hidden under her facial expression. "I like them. Where did......."

"Oh no!" Joshua exclaimed, slamming a palm over his face.

"Any problem?" Lola asked, eyebrows coming together.

"I....I am late for work"

"What's the time?" She looked at the wall clock. A sharp gasp left her lips. "You are" She nodded her head in agreement.

Joshua began to panic. He was scared because of the boss he had. His boss won't allow him to hear the end of it. Lola tried calming him down. He had so much in his head. What will he wear? How will he get over the holdup he would meet on his way? Lola told him he should take his bath and she would lay out his clothes for him. It was the first time she said that or even attempted to so it surprised him. Dazed by her help, he headed for the bathroom.

It's a little bit over two months of marriage and she had never done anything like washing or ironing her husband's clothes talk more of laying clothes out for him. She knew she was changing almost committing and she wanted to resist that thing growing in her. Lola had never laid hands on her husband's clothes. She had no idea what kind of suits he wears and what colour of shirt he loves the most. What she knew she did over the past few weeks was tell the maid to take their dirty clothes for laundry which she pays for. That reminds her! She needs to tell the maid to collect their clothes today and give the dirty clothes to the dry cleaning service.

By the time Lola laid out Joshua's clothes and got shoes that would go with it, Joshua was out of the bathroom and ready to dress. With his wife's help everything was quick. Breakfast was the last thing on his mind not when he could see his boss fuming with anger. They laughed, had small talks and it was nice to have Lola help him with dress up.

"Here is your bag" Lola handed his bag to him.

"Thanks" He gave her a loop sided smile.

"Now you are good to go" She pats his chest.

"Alright then. My car key" He mused out, his eyes darting around the room.

"Here it is" Lola picked it from her dressing table.

"Thanks. You are a darling"

"I have always been" she gave a slight shrug.

She saw him off to his car. When he entered, he watched her though the wind screen, his eyes softening. So much for a wife. He hopes things get better. He hopes they bound better and finally be able to open up wounds they have tried to hide. Only then will they know they have begun to trust one another.

Lola waved after his car as he drove out of the compound. She got a busy day ahead but won't be getting to work early. Today, she would dress in a comfortable wear. No heels. In her hand, her phone vibrated. Lola halted. She glanced at the screen, her eyebrows knitted together. It was an unknown number. One swipe against the screen, she picked the call.

"Hello sweetheart. Hope you did not forget me?" A masculine voice said.

Eyes wide, a loud gasp due to shock, her phone slipped from her hand. That was all it took for another dilemma to begin.

-----

The morning sun beats down on them. Both women leaned against the red Toyota Venza, deep into conversation. The atmosphere around them was busy. Ambulances drove in, patients and visitors threaded in and out of the exit and hospital staffs resumed for their shifts.

"You look stressed" Kiki voiced out her observation to Osas.

Osas sighed, running a hand through her hair. The weaves were rough and needed a change but that was the least on her mind. "I am. I have been up for most part of the night" She rested on Kiki's car. In her four inches heels, Kiki was of the same height with Osas.

"Care to share" Kiki rested a hand on her hip, her brows knitted into concentration.

"The auditor inspected the sales for the past week but something is wrong somewhere. I can see that someone is stealing from me. In a trailer containing five hundred cartons of coca cola products, about fifty are missing and there is no account on them. Aside from that, I can see some missing items in other goods too"

"You have just been away for almost two weeks and someone's already stealing from you? That's absurd"

"I don't know why people are so wicked" Osas's frown deepened. "I thought I can have peace of mind since I have a manager managing the whole thing but I see I have to go into work today"

Kiki tapped her yellow nails on her car's bonnet "Who will stay with Esosa?"

"My mother will until I come back from work. Esosa's better this morning. A little bit more active than usual. I am glad" She placed her hands on her chest, her dull eyes smiling a bit.

"Don't worry, dear. Everything will fall back into place"

"I know but I am just scared. We have to wait for four to five weeks to know if the cancer cells are reducing. I am so scared of the outcome of the test. What if she is not to go into remission? She won't be able to start the consolidation treatment"

"You don't have to worry" Kiki rubbed her shoulder. "Everything will be alright. I have a feeling you will hear good news"

"I just want to have that feeling for once but I am scared. There is fear within me. The fear of losing my daughter"

"Nothing will happen to her In Jesus Name. Esosa will be with us longer than we ever imagine. We will never bury her. She will be the one to bury us"

"Amen"

To clear the atmosphere, Kiki said with tease in her voice. "So tell me. How's Jafar?" Her eyes were full of mischievous thoughts.

Osas shifted. "He's fine" She could hardly look at her friend.

"Huh? You guys are not dating yet?"

"Dating? No!" Osas bellowed, her voice rising a little. "And why will you think we should be dating?" She gazed at Kiki.

Kiki shrugged, taking her sleek ponytail in hand. "Because I see what you both are turning blind eye to" She released her hair, the left corner of her lips moving up.

"And that is?" Osas folded her arms around her chest.

"You like one another. You have feelings for him just as he does for you. Don't you?"

Dropping her eyes to look somewhere else, Osas said in a quiet voice. "Who won't like a man like that?"

"Then have him. Accept him if he tell you his feeling because I have a feeling you both will make a great couple"

"I doubt it" Osas shifted from the door to allow Kiki enter.

"Don't start thinking negatively" Kiki's made up eyes wavered between her wristwatch and her friend. The wristwatch's gold. One given to her by her client. The man travelled and when he had called her to spend a night with him, he offered her the watch. It cost something around five thousand dollars. She loves it thought. Slim, glistening and perfect on her wrist. Who will believe she will live such a big life one day? To hell to those who frown at her job. Back belle people. She won't be doing this if she had hope of living off some good work. But where is the job? "Enjoy whatever you guys have while its last before life rips it away from you" Kiki sat in the driver's seat. She shut the door and brought the engine to life.