Picture of Timi above.

DEJI

After the call with my ever dramatic but absolutely loving mother who kept showering me with all the prayers in the world, I walk into the place labelled 'Ihe's place'. Imagine my amusement when I see the dumbass who poured coffee on me here. Funny discovery is the fact that she is a masseuse.

Timi suggests I select who I want to attend to me among the two ladies and I pick her because the other lady looked too forward; I need a drama free evening and that lady looks like a person that comes with alot of drama.

"Thanks, sweetheart." I hear her say over the phone.

"Not so professional, are you? You should not be talking to your boyfriend when you are supposed to be working. No work ethics at all." She is supposed to be working and she is busy making phone calls with her boyfriend. You can imagine the nonsense! People like this always have excuses for their failures when they most likely are the architects of it.

She turns to face me and I see the shock evident on her face as she gives me a once over. She quickly regains her composure and speaks up.

"May we begin, Sir." From the way she stresses the word 'Sir', I know she is being sarcastic. I hate her. And honestly, I really do not feel comfortable with a stranger massaging my body. This is not sex where everything can be done even without concentrating on my body.

"Please lie down and turn your back to me." She says as she guides me to the massage table, which I do.

"Don't get any ideas in your head, dumbass." I speak up in warning.

"It is a full body massage but your private areas are off limits which is a strict part of our mode of engagement here. So, be rest assured I have no ideas in my head, Sir." She says back in a professional manner and ends it with a forced smile.

The oils, lotions and every other essential thing she needs are already on a stand closeby. I hear movement in the room and next thing, a soft relaxing sound resonates the walls of the room.

From the corner of my eyes, I watch her pick up a lotion and rubs on her palms before she starts massaging my shoulders.

Her fingers feels so slim and perfectly sculpted as I have no control of the moan that escapes my lips due to the de-stress and unwinding that is currently occurring in my neck and shoulder areas.

Her hand leaves my shoulders and I feel something dripping on my back, replaced again my her fingers doing their magic. The soft sound playing in the room did help the situation as I feel myself visibly relax, enjoying the whole massage treatment.

"We are done, Sir." Her voice draws me out of my riverie.

Afterwards, she leaves me in the room to finish with up with my personal business. Then I head out, surprised to see her by the door, still waiting for me.

"Desperate for attention, aren't you?" Anger contorts on her face but she says nothing, simply leading me back to the main parlour. Timi is already there waiting for me. Apparently, his was quick.

In all honesty, I did feel good, perfect even.

"Goodnight, ladies." He says, flashing them his mega watt smile as we exit the place.

"You still want to go clubbing?" He asks, raising his eyebrows at me in question.

"Definitely not." I can't possibly finish with this and go to the club. He smirks at my reply.

"Told ya." He replies, copying the accent of a Black American.

We get into the car and he zooms off to drop me at my penthouse.

UWA

Some people are just plainly deluded and outrightly rude. Not losing my job and the need for this money is what made me continue with the work on him. I have a fair share of annoying clients but never have I met one who gets on my nerves as much as that man did.

What did he think he was made of? Gold dust, precious gems or diamond crust? Talk about men who think they are God's gift to women. He exudes so much arrogance and self appraisal. Who will even want to have anything to do with him? Definitely not me. You can have drool-worthy nicely toned abs but when a nasty attitude is attached to it, I don't know about other ladies but it is a major turn off for me.

I just finished 😥. I text to Nimi.

God, this is 8:30, Uwa. She texts back, I know she is very worried right now.

I'll be fine, abeg. Stop worrying. I reply.

Okay o. Sha, be careful. She sends back almost immediately.

Till I reach ❤. I reply her and put my phone in my bag. I lock up everywhere and hand the keys over to the security man and step out of the building, praying I get a bus home else I'll have to take a cab or order an Uber or Bolt vehicle and I don't have such amount of money to willingly spend.

A Benz E350 stops in front of me and the driver presses the horns to get my attention. I shift away from the car in fright. What if it is a kidnapper or a ritualist? The car reverses and follows my movement till it gets in front of me. The windows suddenly begin to wind down and a voice speaks from inside the car.

"Miss Uwa." Ehn? Who is this one, God? But on the bright side, it is a woman's voice, still one has to be cautious.

"Miss Uwa, right?" The person repeats and I am forced to look into the vehicle. My gaze meets that of the customer that came in yesterday.

"Good evening, ma." I bob a curtsy to her.

"Good evening, you look stranded. Hop in." I sigh at what she says, what choice do I have? Saying a silent prayer to God Almighty, I open the door and get into the vehicle.

"Thank you, ma." I say.

"Please call me Shalewa." She replies and smiles back at me.

"Where is your location?" She asks.

"Ikeja, ma." I reply her.

"You are just in luck. I am going that way too." I study her look and notice that she is adorned in an outfit that screams clubbing. Well, today is Friday and the day set out for these calibre of people to turn up. One luxury that time doesn't permit me and even if it does, it takes more than just time to turn up as there are financial implications too. Nimi is a social bird but she rarely clubs too.

"Thank you, ma." I smile back at her.

•••••

The tapping of someone else's hands on mine is what startled me and woke me up from my sleep.

"We are in Ikeja now. Where exactly are you stopping?" She asks, smilling at my form.

Abieyuwa! How will you fall asleep in a stranger's car? We know you are tired but at least you could have made an effort to resist the urge to sleep. I mentally face-palm myself.

"Sorry, ma." I quickly adjust myself and direct her to my junction. The bikes are still there, thankfully.

"Thank you, ma. God bless you." I say, unhooking my seat belt.

"Please call me Shalewa. The age difference between us wouldn't be that much and we might even be age mates. Plus, Ma makes me feel old." I chuckle at the last part, she seems very nice if you give it a second thought.

"Alright. Thank you, Shalewa." I say.

"Ehen. That is better." Her eyes scan the environment.

"Are you sure you'll be safe here?" She asks with genuine concern.

"Yes, ma. Sorry, Shalewa. I will be." I assure her.

"I could help you to your door step." She says.

"No, thank you. You've done enough already." I smile as I highlight the vehicle.

"Alright. Take care." She says and waves at me before zooming off to her direction.

I take a bike and head straight home. Pay the man his money and with the remaining ounce of strength left in me, I struggle to move my feet till I get to the door which opens up immediately.

"Pele (sorry)." Nimi says, helping me into the house and to my bedroom. The moment my head touches the pillow, sleep consumes me.