CHAPTER III: I Came to See You!

When she met him, he had nothing but his name, a dream, and some balls to make that dream happen. She loved his name and also believed in his dreams. Lanre Briggs. It was one of those names that whenever you heard it, you’d want to know the person behind the name. How they even met was funny. Lanre and Ese met on one of his job-hunting runs. He was so exhausted that afternoon because he had gone to six different offices to drop off his resume. He would trek till the soles of his shoes become flat if he didn't have a car; he would apply for jobs he was way more qualified for, just to make ends meet. He would have to keep experiencing moments where a pretty lady with hips, boobs, and nothing else would get the job over him or where someone with the right connections would get the offer before he even applied, even though he was often more qualified. In frustration, he decided he was done hearing “No!” for the day, so he stopped to get a cold bottle of water. That was when he spotted her across the street. She was on her way back to the office from her lunch break, and he watched as she walked into the law firm building across the street. He hurriedly finished the water he was drinking, threw the bottle into a nearby bin, and crossed the street into the building with no plan in mind. He had been single for three years and had told himself that he won’t get into any kind of relationship till he had a job. He really wanted his next relationship to be his last. But then, here he was, still without a job, in pursuit of a lady he didn’t even know and yet hoping she would want to date him.

“Yes, who are you looking for?” a stern-looking uniformed security guard manning the foyer asked him. “Ahem, good afternoon, sir. Please, that lady that just walked in, where’s her office? She forgot her phone, and I want to go give it to her. ” I blurted out, amazed at how fast the lie came. The man gave me a once-over look as if the lie was written all over me, then he said, “That’s Ese. She’s on the second floor, first door by your right.” That was all the information I needed as I took the stairs, two at a time, rushing to meet Ese, a woman that wasn't expecting me, a woman that didn’t even know me, and all I had was just a name and my dream of making it in life. I got to the door leading to her office, and my heart started to race. I was about to turn back after I thought things through, and the fear of rejection suddenly became stronger than my desire to meet her. Then, the door opened from inside, and the woman I was running after bumped into me. “Sorry, sir. My apologies. Are you here to see someone?” she asked as she made way for me to come into the very luxurious office. The air-conditioned office was a cool respite from the hell my day had been. I debated within myself if I should tell the truth or tell another lie. One lie had brought me this far. I didn’t think another lie would take me farther, and then I remembered what my late dad used to say: “a lie would have gone halfway round the world before truth laced up its boots.”

“I came to see you.” I said those words in all the confidence I could muster as I looked her straight in the eyes. “I beg your pardon?” “I came to see you. The guard downstairs directed me here. He said you were Ese,” I added, as I smiled at the incredulous look on her face. “Alright, mister, anything specific you wanted to see me for?" she said as she sat back down on one of the chairs. She didn't even offer me a seat; it wasn't like I even had any intention of sitting. I still felt like bolting out of there. "Yes, ma'am. My name is Lanre Briggs," I said all this in one breath. "And?" she said, wondering to herself what it was about this man that screamed trouble. "Actually, I have a problem,” I started as I watched her bring out a notepad and a pen to write down what I wanted to say. “I saw you from across the street as I was drinking water, and something about you screamed out to me, and even though I had a rough and tiring day, seeing you gave me a new burst of energy. I ran into this building and had to lie to the guard downstairs that you forgot your phone, and I had come to return it. That’s why he let me come here.” “Really? Mr. Red Bull” were the only words that came to her, and he smiled at her insinuation and watched as she dropped the notepad she was holding and then really looked at him, starting from his shoes that looked like they were about to run away from the person wearing them. His trousers and his rumpled shirt looked like they had seen better days, and he was holding a folder she was sure contained all his documents. He was looking for a job. She looked at his appearance and then looked him straight in the eyes for that was what she excelled at: reading people. She saw in his eyes a fire that was blazing, a truth that rivalled hers, and something else she missed feeling. In one look, she knew this man was the kind of trouble she needed, but she definitely won’t let him think she was okay with a total stranger barging into her office the way he did.

“Mr. Lanre Briggs, I’m flattered you went through all this trouble to see me, but it’s wrong, and I would like for you to leave. If you have a serious situation and need the services of a lawyer, we would be honored to represent you,” she said as she walked to the door and opened it, waiting for him to leave, yet hoping the determination that brought him here was still there. “I’m happy I got to talk to you and express myself. Can I at least have your number? I don’t think I would have an issue that would require a lawyer, but if I don’t get to see you again after today, I might need a doctor,” he said as he stood in front of her. “And what would make you need a doctor, Mr. Lanre?” “Ese, I know I just met you, but something about you makes me feel I don’t need to search anymore,” he said, and he meant it. “I’m sure that line works for all the girls; it won’t work for me. Moreover, have you even thought about what my man would think if he came here and heard what you’re saying to me?” she said and watched how his face changed, the confident smile was no longer there. “I’m jobless and don’t have the time to be using lines on ladies. Even if they would work on girls, they won’t take me seriously. That’s why I’m using it on a woman. You’re not wearing a ring, so that means you’re not married. You’re either married or single, and since you’re not wearing a ring, then your man doesn’t count. Here, have this,” he said as he took out a ring he had on his pinky finger and held her hand, shocking them both, as he slipped it on the middle finger of her left hand, not even giving her time to adjust to the shock of what he had just done. She watched him in shock as he put his ring on her middle finger and was more surprised at how it fit and looked good on her finger.

“Here is my ring. Now, you owe me your loyalty. I would replace the ring when I get a job and can get you something better. Please, don’t take it off. Hope you won't ask me if I go about giving ladies rings.” She surprised herself when she said, “Well, do you?" Then, she laughed when she saw the disappointment on his face. "I won’t take this off, sir. Have you had lunch, Lanre?” She suddenly didn’t want him to leave anymore; moreover, he didn’t even look like he wanted to leave. She had gone out earlier to have lunch but had forgotten her purse in the office and had only just got back to collect it when Lanre barged in. "I’ve not had lunch. I’ve not even had breakfast, but I should be the one asking you out to lunch, not the other way round,” Lanre said, embarrassed as he realized that all he had on him was just 500 naira, enough to take him back home and then get noodles and an egg to eat later that evening. He was very hungry, but he never thought he would be invited to lunch. He never thought she would even talk to him as long as she had. “Don’t worry. It’s only today I will buy you lunch. Next time, it would be on you, so shush,” she said, quieting any arguments or explanations he had on the matter and smiled because she felt good at his honesty, unlike her proud boyfriend, Hassan. All Hassan had was money and nothing else. He was that poor. Hassan used money for everything, even for his numerous apologies anytime she caught him cheating on her. And now, she knew Lanre was going to be different. Well, she hoped he would be because men were always nice at first before their true nature started to show after you've fallen deeply for them.

Lanre stepped out of the office and watched as she locked the door. This was going way better than he'd expected. There would be a next time, and she didn't even take off the cheap ring he had worn on her finger. "The other lawyers at the firm have their own keys. They will let themselves in when they get back," she explained to him when he asked about the other people that shared her office with her. As for her, she was closed for the day, but she didn't tell him that, though, not wanting to let him know how highly successful his chase had been. Lanre took the time she spent turning off all the appliances and locking the door to take a proper look at her. His heart may have made the choice for him; now, his eyes were starting to affirm that decision. She was tall, built like a real African woman, and she was obviously intelligent because he’d seen framed pictures of her certificates and accomplishments on the wall. She had been called to the bar two years ago and had never lost a case, and he just realized how understanding and generous she could be. In all the relationships he’d been in, none of them had even offered him lunch. And here was a woman he’d known for just an hour, and she was already taking him out for lunch, without even knowing him. Today definitely was one of his luckiest days. She asked if he would want to drive her car, and he was surprised at the offer, but he said no. Was she really this nice or she was trying to test him? They drove to the restaurant a few blocks away from the law firm. Ese was obviously a great customer there because as soon as they got into the restaurant, the owner of the place came to welcome her on first name basis, asking her if she needed the usual to which Ese nodded, and not knowing what the usual was, Lanre said he’d have whatever she was having when they asked for his order. "I actually ordered beans and plantain with fried fish. If you're not okay with that, I can call them back to change your order," she said as they walked towards a table. "I'm in luck then because that's my favorite food." "Really?" She smiled as they sat down at a table that gave them a view of the entrance and the entire restaurant.