AMINU

I chose her after carefully observing her because she is a strong woman. It all started when she bumped into me that fateful day at the plaza. She apologized and walked away. I really read no meaning to anything since she apologized for it, until I found it missing.

At first, I didn't want to believe she would be the one to take it until I ran an analysis of my activities for that day and luckily did not do much that day.

After paying a generous amount of money, I was allowed access to the building's CCTV system. I got evidence of her face and saw when she picked it. It was swift.

Ozumba was quick to help me find her name and how to locate her. Digging more into her, I began to unravel more secrets she had. Like how she's a stripper and has concealed that part of herself from her two best friends, one of which used to be a regular at my underground racing track till she got married. She also has a very huge secret that she's kept for years.

I could have just gotten her arrested but decided against it since I needed a woman to get my family off my neck. Coupled with the fact that Eunice is coming back. It is wrong, I know. I am selfish, I know. I am an idiot, I know.

Eunice. A bitter feeling fills me when I think of her. How for one, I think still affects me and has me under her control. I needed to prove to her that I was over her. It's why I took advantage of the plight. If there's one thing, I admire Bukky's strength and how she puts me in my place. Most women would not do the same.

I quietly make my way into the club. After making myself comfortable, the next stripper is announced.

Ginger.

Something about the name strikes me and makes me glued to my seat. To my astonishment, she walks in, twirling and doing a backward dip.

She sashays her way to the pole, a sultry look on her face. Almost all the men around me howl, while some let out a whistle of excitement. What the hell? Even with the makeup and net which draped over half of her face and stops just by the tips of her nose, I find it strange that I could recognize her.

When I had Ozumba make some findings about her, I didn't bother finding out what club she stripped at. Soon as she is done, I request an audience with her from Lady B.

"A stripper I knew you were, but one that grants extra attention to men, especially one you know not, I over estimated you."

"What do you want?"

"Whatever services you offer."

"You can't talk to me like that." She fights.

"I can, and I will." A smirk dances on my lips as I fold my arms across each other.

"Now, strip!" I order.

"I have a right to decline offensive requests!" Of course, I am well informed on that. Reason being that this is my club and I set the rules.

Strippers are not to be forced to do anything they don't want to, and it's an agreement any man that comes here appends his signature to. Anyone not willing to go by the rules, I have bouncers suit for them.

For this one, I just want to ruffle her edges a little. Something about messing with her makes me elated. So, I inch closer, moving close to where she is stood. I watch as slits form in her eyes and in a split second, she knees me in the groin.

"Ow!" I exclaim.

"That's what you get, you stupid motherfucker!" And like that, she's out.

•••••

"Are you mad?" A fuming Bukky asks the moment my secretary leaves.

"Excuse me?"

"I said and I will repeat, Are you mad?"

"To what do I owe your presence this bright afternoon?"

"You are annoying. Acting like you don't know what you did."

"I don't. Indulge me, please."

"Since you have chosen to have selective amnesia, I'll play your stupid game." She sneers. Watching her lose it is fun.

"I'm still lost in all these."

"You got me fired, you idiot."

"Oh. That..." I trail off. "I even thought it was something serious." I add.

"You thought it was something serious. Can you hear the trash you are spewing?"

"Are you done?" I state casually.

"Nope, I am not. In fact, I want my job back. Lord knows whatever string you pulled. But I want you to pull it and get me back my job."

"Your audacity every single time, Bukola!" She lets out a snicker and roll her eyes.

"For your information, I do not need to pull any strig for a club that I own." It's interesting how her eyes widen at my declaration.

"Oh. Simpler, then. Just do your thing and let me go back to work." She smiles sweetly. The first time I have seen her smile since I have known her.

"Nope. I'm not. Do your worse."

"You want me to beg for it? I won't give you that satisfaction. I'll just look for another job. If nobody can muster up the guts to tell you, I will. You're an asshole." She huffs and slams her way out of my office.

Poor expensive door! I simply don't want her working at the strip club. It's why I fired her.

"Who was that?" Sammy asks the moment she walks out. I bet she did not even notice that we had an audience.

"Bro, it's quite an interesting one, I tell you." He's my cousin and well, my best friend.

We are basically the two black sheep of the family. For one, we do a lot of stuff they don't approve of. Like me owning a strip club and an underground racing track. Sammy runs an underground fighting ring and also has some shares in the strip club.

"You know how mama has been disturbing me to marry?"

"Yup. You're 32, bro." He points out.

"And you're any younger?" I shoot back.

"At least, I am 2 years younger." He chuckles.

"Anyway, she's my to-be wife."

"Ah! You didn't inform me I'll be having a sister-in-law soon." From under my table, I kick him. I narrate everything to Sammy and he just looks at me bewildered.

"I know you have scoin, but I didn't know it has developed into full blown scoin scoin."

"Fool." I hiss.

"No, I'm serious! Who blackmails a woman because she's a stripper?"

"She stole from me, that's reason enough."

"Still, you could have taken action, not force her into a marriage she doesn't want." Well, I left out the third part.

"And you made her get fired from the club? You really are mean. That woman fit kill you one day." He chuckles at the last part.

"Irin wannan magana ce ba na so (this is the type of talk I don't want)."

"Ya hakuri (sorry)." He apologizes in mock surrender.

"Na ji (I hear)." I answer him.

•
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BUKOLA

That asshole thinks I will beg him. Over my dead body. I will look for another job. His wealth be damned! He is the owner of the club and he sure as hell knows the rules. So, why the fuck is this man doing this to me? It's honestly unfair. Totally unfair.

At first, the prospects of marrying him and being a billionaire wifey seemed pleasant to me. The billionaire wifey part, though. Now it just seems so frustrating. I am just so scared to let him expose my secrets.

"Bukky?" Farida calls.

"Yeah? What's up?"

"We've been calling you for almost a minute now. What's wrong? You don't seem okay." She states.

"You know you can always talk to us." This is Tee speaking.

I want to cry my eyes out and seek comfort from them, but I am too ashamed to tell them of my predicament. For one, they are not even aware of the fact that I lost my job. Now giving them the strip club gist, I think the whole thing will just overwhelm them.

"Yes, I am fine. I'm just on my period." Farida scrunches up her nose and her forehead.

"Bukky, I know you are lying sha. Period that is supposed to come in like one week." She eyes me via the phone's screen.

"Me too. But it seems you are not ready to talk about it and it's fine. Whenever you are ready to talk, just know we are ready to listen."

I am grateful for the friends I have. I won't lie, I am sometimes jealous of their lives. They have everything; happiness, love and families they can call their own. But look at me, stuck to marry an arrogant man. Story of my life.

"Thank you." I say and they both nod.

"How are the kids?" I ask them and they both chorus 'fine'.

"It's been a while I saw those little babies."

"They always ask of Aunty Bukky." These two mothers meet up for playdates occasionally.

"You can have them over next week. I want a day to spoil them silly."

"You can even have them for sleep overs. If you know what I mean." Tee winks.

"Eww... I didn't need to know that information."

"Shut up. Like you don't get laid too." Farida playfully says.

"Ehen... How far Emmy?" She continues.

"What about him?"

"Are you not tired of telling him off all these years?"

"Abeg abeg, I don't like him. How is that difficult to understand?"

"Sorry, no vex."

"Besides, I am dating someone now."

"Ehn?"

"Répéter (repeat)?" They both say at the same time. Why the hell did I just blurt that out?

"Yup. You ladies ever heard of Aminu Sambo?" I ask.

"You don't mean it!" Tee exclaims.

"Well, he's my boyfriend." The announcement leaves them more shocked.

"Damn, girl!" Farida cheers me on.

"All of that Tall, Dark, Rich and Handsome man, for you?" Tee asks, wiggling her brows.

"Yup. Mine and only mine."

"Girl, I want to be you right now." Farida says.

"Mumu. Let your husband hear." Tee jokingly says.

"L.O.L. He is here sef. You don't mind, baby? Right?" She lets out a very loud laugh, turning her face back to the phone.

I smirk. For the first time I have something they don't. I might as well go on with this contract marriage thing.