Thirty-six

The pulsating bass of Kizz Daniel's Sofa and the neon lights flashing like a beacon drew me in, like a siren's call. My body buzzed in anticipation as I waited beside Chinwe in the waiting line. I couldn't wait to get in.

It finally got our turn and when the bouncer looked at our IDs and gave us a nod of approval, we wasted no time pushing into the warm glow of the club's interior. We weaved our way through the sea of bodies, our outfits turning heads as we made our way to the bar hand in hand.

We had planned for this night for days since I came back home, and it was obvious from the way we were dressed that we were determined to make it unforgettable. I was scantily clad in a fishnet dress which showed off my flimsy thong and bra, while Chinwe was in a cut-out pink dress highlighting her perky breasts and toned legs. Our smoky makeup and high heels made us feel like queens, ready to fulfill our mission.

Get over every feeling of attachment to the Afeelo boys.

As we settled into the empty bar stools, the bartender's eyes locked onto us like a magnet, his chat with his friend forgotten. "Beautiful ladies, what can I get you?" he asked.

"Tequila sunrise," Chinwe replied immediately. It's what she's craving since.

"Coming right up," he said with a smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners before he left to get our drinks.

I leaned in to whisper to Chinwe, "The bartender has a cute butt" and she nodded with a mischievous smile. We were both watching his butt and laughing at each other as he prepared our drinks till two guys appeared beside us, one taking the seat next to me and the other next to Chinwe.

"I couldn't resist," the man said, his voice low and husky, his eyes fixed on me like a target. He was attractive, with chiseled features and a charming smile, so I gave him my attention. "The moment I saw you step into this place, I told myself I was going to get you," he added.

"And what makes you think I'm going to let you have me?" I asked, licking my lips slowly, my eyes locked on his. He spun his stool to face me directly, our legs touching, his Hennessy-scented breath wafting towards me.

"Because you won't deny me". He deadpanned and a spark of defiance ignited in me, ready to be fanned into a fiery rebuke. I hated when men made it look like women didn't have choices as to who they liked as if we were mere puppets awaiting any owner who bought us. I was going to shatter his confidence and prove him wrong.

The bartender returned with our drinks, and I thanked him with a wink, making Mr-You-Must-Let-Me-Have-You's jaw tick with annoyance. I smiled inwardly. I had thrown him off his high horse.

Very good.

"What's your name?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Tarila," I replied, not asking for his name on purpose.

I took a long sip of my drink, looking away like I was bored, leaving him to prove his claim which he was failing woefully at doing.

Chinwe wasn't interested in her date either, her eyes were firmly fixed on her phone as he droned on.

I scanned the crowd, searching for another guy to take this annoying guy's place, but most hot guys were already wrapped around ladies at the booth or dance floor.

"I'm Lawrence," Mr-You-Must-Let-Me-Have-You said, trying to regain my attention, but it was too late. He'd already lost it.

"Alright, Lawrence. If you don't mind, I and my friend," I said, wrapping an arm around Chinwe's shoulder, "would be heading to the dance floor for a much more interesting time. Hope you find what you're looking for." I rose to my feet, tugging Chinwe along.

"Thank you for saving me" " she whispered in my ears over the music. "That guy's breath stunk like dead fish and he didn't even know how to speak correct English."

"The way mine was very much determined that I would let him have me, someone would think he bought me or something. You know what?", I paused in our movements making Chinwe do the same and holding her by the shoulder. "Fuck men. No one needs them to have fun. Let's have fun together. Just us."

"Sounds like a good idea". She giggled as I pulled her deeper into the dance floor. We lost ourselves in the music, our bodies swaying to WizKid's "Come Closer." The alcohol in our systems fueled our carefree abandon, and we laughed at each other's silly moves. We were finally enjoying ourselves, free from the weight of past heartaches. Our dance session ended all too soon, and we retired to the bar for more drinks.

"You're a better dancer than her." The bartender, who had been watching us, remarked as we both settled on the bar stools.

"Popular opinion". Chinwe agreed. "I could never dance like Tari even if I tried".

"Seriously, the way you rolled your waist should be illegal". He said and I smiled at the compliment.

"You girls are sisters?".

"Yes". Chinwe replied.

People often mistook us for sisters due to our similar energy, despite our different appearances. We'd grown tired of correcting them, so we simply said we were siblings.

The bartender continued, "You girls are gorgeous. Your mother must be a beautiful woman." His twinkling eyes exposed his attraction to older women, and I playfully called him out on it.

"Beautiful. I'm sure you'll love to meet her". His full brows lifted, and he placed his skinny arms on the counter as he laughed. He knew I'd noticed his attraction to older women. Chinwe laughed, finally picking up on everything that was going on.

Just then, a deep voice whispered in my ear, "Hello, beautiful." I turned to face a stunning man with a brawny figure and dark, neat skin. His smirk hinted at his confidence, and I couldn't help but be drawn to him.

"Wanna dance?" He stretched out his hand to me. I turned to Chinwe and she gave me a slight nod of approval, failing at hiding her smile.

"Sure". I accepted, placing my hands in his and letting him lead me to the floor.

As we moved to the music, our bodies close, he lowered his lips to whisper in my ears. "I couldn't take my eyes off you as I watched you dance with your friend. I was waiting for the nerve to finally ask you out".

"Good for you then". I leaned and his hand tightened on my waist as I rolled my ass faster on his groin.

Just as things started to get hotter, a bouncer appeared from nowhere and gripped my hand. "Your dress is against the dress code," he said sternly, pulling me away from the stranger.

"What are you....". I started to protest but the stranger cut me off, grabbing my other hand and coming to my rescue.

"Bruh, let her go. This is a club. She can dress how she likes". The stranger tried but the bouncer shut him down with a hardened glare.

"I'll take orders from you when you start managing this club".

The guy shot me an apologetic look before turning and walking back to the booth, leaving me there to fend for myself.

Geez, what a coward!

The entire club was oblivious to my plight, too engrossed in their revelry to care about the bouncer manhandling me out of the club for his ridiculous reason.

I mean, who gets kicked out of a club for not being "well-dressed"? Most people here were dressed worse than I was!

This was a nightclub, for crying out loud!

Did he expect me to wear a suit and tie?!

My frustration mounted as I tried to wriggle free from his grip, but his hold was like a vice. My eyes darted to the bar, and my heart sank when I saw Chinwe's empty stool and the bartender chatting up another girl who had taken my seat. Chinwe had probably joined someone else on the dance floor.

The bouncer dragged me out of the club hall, and my anxiety spiked as he led me to a dark corner beside the building.

"Where are you taking me?!" I demanded, but he remained silent. "Answer me, or I swear, I'll stab you! I have a knife, and I'll use it on you, you kidnapper and rapist!" I threatened, my voice shaking with fear and anger.

"Do all that to him," The man said and I was about to ask him what he was talking about when I noticed a male figure, one that looked somewhat familiar. Confusion filled me and I followed the bouncer in curiousity till we got to where the man was.

The bouncer's grip on my hand loosened and I felt a mix of emotions swirl within me like a stormy sea, tears prickling at the corners of my eye as Mene who was leaning against a black Bentley became clearer in my vision.

I stood there motionless, unable to move or do anything as I watched Mene reach into his pocket to draw out bundled naira notes before handing it out to the bouncer who thanked him and left.

The bouncer's departure left an eerie silence, punctuated only by the distant thump of music and the soft rustle of Mene's suit jacket as he pulled it off him and draped it over my shoulders. The soft leather enveloped me, a gentle embrace that belied the turmoil brewing beneath.

His eyes, dark and piercing, bore into mine as if searching for secrets I dared not reveal. I didn't want him to know how much I missed him. I didn't want him to know he was the reason I was here in this club.

My heart twisted in a tangled dance of anger, frustration and guilt as I noticed how worn out he looked. His stubble was messy, his braids were rough and dark circles under his eyes showed he'd barely slept. His usual polished appearance was now rugged, evidence that he also faced a hard time during our time apart. But instead of any form of satisfaction that he had also been struggling, my heart went out to him in concern.

The air grew heavy with that usual tension that always clouded us and anger overshadowed the other emotions.

I hated how much this guy affected me. I detested it even!

I laughed, a sound that bordered on hysteria, and flung off his jacket from my shoulders, the soft whoosh of fabric echoing through the silence as it dropped to the group. I shot him a death glare before I turned to leave but didn't get anywhere as he grabbed my hand, halting my movements.

"Let go of me." The tears were falling even faster than before.

"I'm not letting you go into that place dressed like that."

I turned to give him my full attention, my body vibrating with anger. "You have no right to appear in my life whenever you like and dictate my actions! Let go of my hand."

"Get in the car, Tarila. I'm taking you home." His order almost stunned me to silence.

"You're a lunatic." The words tumbled out, a defiant cry against the storm that was Mene.

"You can curse me all you want, but I'm not letting you go in there looking like a slut."

"I was a slut before you met me, don't you remember?" His jaw clenched, and his nose flared. Now he was angry. Good.

With two steps, he closed the distance between us, his familiar scent - a heady mix of spice and smoke - enveloping me like a shroud. My resolve wavered, a fluttering flame threatened by the tempest raging within.

"Call yourself a slut once more time, and those would be the last words you'll speak again."

"Why? You want to cut off my mouth?"

He dropped my hand and gripped my chin, forcing me to stare into his eyes blazing with a fierce intensity as he let out the words that knocked me out of breath.

"No. Because you'll be sucking me off till I finally let out any form of desire I feel for you".