Forty eight

I waited till we were done with our braids, nails, lashes, and shopping and had settled down at the restaurant we went to eat at before I split the tea with Chinwe. I told her everything that happened in the hall and after joining me in swearing and cursing at Mirabel, she surprised me by taking Mene's side. This was extremely shocking because Chinwe had never taken a guy's side before. Even when I intentionally stood a guy up and made him waste thousands of naira renting out a cinema for our date, she defended me telling me that men who wore green suits were red flags.

It has been scientifically proven that no man who wears a green suit has good intentions so it's good that you put an end to it before it even began, she'd told me.

But here she was pursing her lips at me and asking me what I wanted.

"What do you mean what exactly do I want?"

She took a huge gulp of her soda before she replied. "Exactly what I mean by what exactly do you want? I mean, you narrated how you lashed out at Mene yesterday for even letting Chinonso suspect that you're seeing him and you're here right now complaining about him doing exactly what you wanted. Did you want Mirabel to know? I'm genuinely confused".

"The only reason you're saying this is because you're not in my shoes".

"No. Don't even say that". She retorted, shaking her pointer finger at me. "I don't have to be in your shoes to understand what you're saying. You're just being unfair to him at this point".

My mouth dropped. I couldn't believe she'd just said that. "What?"

"Do you think it's easy for him to act like you're just his mother's PA?"

"It didn't look like it was hard for him to do that". I remarked, remembering how well he played that role. I also almost believed I was nothing but his mother's PA.

"You're forgetting that what you see is also what Mirabel sees. Don't you know it will beat the whole point if he makes it look hard?"

"So what's your point?"

"My point is for you to take it easy on the man. That man drove miles to come see you today cause you were mad at him. He's also trying his best to do what you asked of him and yet, you're ignoring him in reward?"

Guilt exploded in me like a hydrogen bomb. She was right. I was currently acting unreasonably. I bit my lip as I glanced at the twelve missed calls that sat on my phone screen. Now, I have to apologise again.

I nestled further into my seat with a sigh. This was all too complicated. I wished for a day when Mene and I would get to live our lives in this relationship without caring about what other people would think. A day where Mene and I would experience nothing but peace.

Chinwe reached over to rub my shoulder in encouragement. "This is why I don't like the whole attachment shit". She relaxed back on her seat, a grimace marring her face. "It comes with a lot of...shit".

I rolled my eyes at her. "Then maybe you should make that clear to whoever you meet so you don't end up damaging people".

I didn't have to spell it out. She knew I was referring to Suka.

"Well, in my defence I never said I wanted anything more than the sex".

"You don't have to say it. Your actions were enough to give him that thought. You let him take and save your nude pictures and when I asked you why, you made it seem like you'd found the one you wanted to settle down with".

"It's that first time high. The sex was good so it made me say and do dumb shit" The confusion splayed on my face and made her explain further. "It's just like when you take weed and get high and then you do and say stupid things cause of the weed that's in your system but when the feeling fades, you get yourself back. Also, when you're done with that weed, you'll discard it and take another one".

I shook my head at her in disappointment."I'm going to act like you didn't just compare a human being to weed".

"Why are you bringing Suka up anyway?"

"I saw him today. He looked like shit".

"He'll be fine". Her careless tone made me pause chewing my food and I looked up at her.

"What?" She shrugged. "Did I say anything weird? I mean..." She licked off the spaghetti sauce that had gathered at the corner of her mouth. "...look at us, we were once heartbroken but we survived. Besides, my attention is now on someone else".

My eyes shot daggers at her. "I told you he's off limits".

"And the last time I checked, you weren't the captain of my sail. Why are you even against me seeing him? You haven't given me any tangible reason".

"He's a red flag".

"Well, I'm not exactly a green flag either". She winked at me and I let out a sigh of exasperation. Chinwe was insufferable.

"Let's just eat and go".

"What about Mene? You're still not going to talk to him?"

"It will be best to talk to him in person".

"So?" She demanded, looking at me blankly. "Don't you know where he stays?"

"I thought the plan was that we'll spend today together since I'll be leaving tomorrow". I reminded her but she waved me off.

"We just spent time shopping and braiding our hair. Go and save your relationship".

"Are you sure?" I enquired, searching her face for the slightest hint of sadness or disappointment but found nothing of that sort.

"I'm very sure". She assured me, flashing me an okay sign. "Hundred percent sure. Mene is a good guy. He's also rich and gives you lots of orgasms. I don't want you to lose him".

I beamed at her, reaching over to grab her hand and squeezing it softly. "What will I do without you?"

"We'll never find out baby". She winked at me and I laughed as I released her hand.

"Let me text him and tell him I'm coming over".

"Fine by me". She approved and I immediately picked up my phone to text him. The twelve missed calls and unread messages on my screen deflated my excitement. I couldn't just slide into his dm and tell him that I was coming over after ignoring his calls and texts.

"The problem now is how do I tell him that I'm coming over?"

"Just ask him if he's home and tell him that you're coming over. Don't apologize or anything yet".

I shook my head in disagreement. "It's going to be weird".

"That depends solely on you. You didn't work as a tease for years for nothing. I trust you".

Those words and the look on Chinwe's face formed a plan so mischievous in my mind, that it made me shiver.

"I know exactly what to do".

"That's my girl". Chinwe cheered me on as I picked up my phone and texted him. I rose from my chair once the message was sent.

It was time for me to get my man before I lost him.

*****

Mene's reply came in an hour later.

I'd almost given up, thinking that he was never gonna reply when my screen flashed with his message.

*It's late. I'll send Dogo to pick you up instead*

I replied to him instantly. *Alright. I'll be waiting*

I dropped my phone to the bed and walked over to the mirror to look at my reflection once more. The sight of the red sheer lace lingerie set on my skin was sexier than sin. The bra was hollow out, showing off my breasts and covering just my nipples and my thong was too thin that it barely covered the lips of my pussy.

Now I understood why all those men almost went crazy at the sight of me back at The Eden. I looked too sexy in this.

My phone rang and I rushed to the bed to pick it up thinking it was Mene. My joy vanished when I found Bernard's name on my screen.

What in the randomness is going? Why was Bernard calling me?

I silently prayed it shouldn't have anything to do with seeing me before I picked up the call.

"Hi, Bernard. How are you doing?"

"Great. I'm doing great. How is life as a non-stripper?"

"Perfect just like I imagined. Do you still work there?"

"Yeah, I still do but I might quit soon". I didn't ask him why or when. It was none of my business. "I called to talk to you about something but it has to be in person".

I shut my eyes, throwing my head back and sending a silent "God, why me?" scream to the ceiling before I replied. "What do you want to talk to me about?"

"Bobby. There's something you need to know".

I would have drowned in relief at the reason for his call not being what I thought if the name that followed that statement didn't evoke it's usual goosebumps.