Monday 6:20 AM

Toyin stretched as she strolled into her mini walk-in closet to pick out her outfit for the day. She worked in one of the engineering departments so she didn't have to dress formal but she was also a junior manager that meets with clients, banks and government officials so she tries to strike a balance between casual and formal in her work style.

She set out brown khaki pants, white long sleeve chiffon blouse and a pair of black 3 inch block heel pumps. She could have gone with flat pumps but its Monday and because flats would completely destroy the casual-formal equilibrium.

She pulled out her jewelry drawer with a smile on her face. "My babies" she whispered, running her hand through her collection then she stopped midway when she noticed the hollow empty spot where her current favourite should be resting. Her smile turned into a frown.

In seconds she was back in the room emptying her bag on her bed searching through it frantically. She shouldn't be panicking yet since this happens a lot but she knows she should be worried because the last time she had on was on.....CURSED FRIDAY.

The piece was a gift from her former Team members when she got promoted to a manager. It wasn't even one of the most expensive ones but she had a sentimental attachment to it.

As she rode to work in her Uber she tried to remember how or where she lost it. By now she had established already that she didn't come home with it. She has turned her apartment inside out searching for it fruitlessly, that only made her an hour late for work.

She knew she most likely lost it at the club or at Bus conductor guy's house but it was easier to remain in denial instead of confronting her memory from Friday night so she kept herself distracted by calling the Uber driver that brought her home on Saturday morning. Saturday Uber driver said he personally washed his car Sunday morning and he didn't see it.

Maybe he took it. Some of these uber drivers are thieves right? she kept her mind busy with some mental gymnastics knowing damn well that she wasn't wearing it on Saturday morning.

It was at work that she finally mustered up the courage to check with the club. She watsapped Sofi.

Toyin: Babe how far

I think I lost my watch in that club

Sofia the first: Ye!

Toyin: I swear

Sofia the first: Did you take it off there? Have you checked your house?

Did you branch anywhere before going home?

Toyin: It's not in the house, I don't recall taking it off in the club and I didn't branch anywhere.

She couldn't tell Sofi about her 'sexcapade' in Ikoyi. Sofi would definitely scold her and maybe judge her like she did on Saturday for cooking for man. This one is even worse. She was immensely ashamed of what she did with that that Osaze guy.

This is a secret she is taking to the grave no one can find out. Not even Sofi who is her closest and most reliable friend right now. You see, Sofi has a lot of 'friends', acquaintances and connections in this Lagos but her inner circle is small and tight-knit and she doesn't fuck around with ratchet or runs girls, she was a clean girl and she only associated with clean girls like herself.

It's not like Sofi would unfriend her or anything but she just wasn't ready to share her wild story with anyone. It was just too embarrassing for her.

Sofia the first: Call the Manager 08032xx3x4x. His name is Fire Tiger.

Toyin: lol what kind of name is that?

Sofia the first: Lmao it's for packaging and effect na.

Toyin: Na wa o. Anyway thanks.

Sofia the first: Keep me posted.

The Manager said she was in luck because they didn't open on Saturday and Sunday because they had some noise pollution issues to resolve with the Lagos State Government. He said the cleaners were going to clean it in the afternoon and promised to help her search.

Her lunch break was 1-2pm so she decided to go there herself before one sharp cleaner will pocket it.

1pm

She was yet to register her new car and her driver's license was expired. Although one can drive a new car around for 3 months before registering it without getting into trouble but she didn't want to try LASTMA or road safety officials which is why she respected herself and took uber today.

The steel abi aluminum staircase that led up to the entrance looked scary in broad daylight she had to hold the railings tightly. She wondered how they walked up the same staircase in 6 inch stiletto heels on friday night if she was struggling in her 3 inch block heel today.

The interior looked completely different with all the ambient light off. Surprisingly, it looked nicer to her. The 'Fire Tiger' guy was super nice to her, the power of Sofi. Two of the cleaners started searching while the others continued cleaning.

As she sat on a sofa opposite the bar. Her eyes casually landed on that golden rack that held the menus and her mind went to him. And she got mad at the possibility of it being him who took her watch. Maybe he robbed me, what if he is really a thief that picks up stupid girls like myself to rob them.

"Madam good afternoon" It was the bartender that served her...and 'bus conductor' guy.

"Ehen it's you! Thank God! You remember me right? Please I lost my watch that night." She said with hope in her eyes.

"You left with it" He said confidently. He looked like one of those unilag students hustling on the side because he had his backpack and handouts. He looked like he came straight here from a lecture.

"Are you sure?" How is even possible for him to pay that much attention to detail with all the customers he attended to that day?

"The Tag Heuer? Yes. I am sure." He said this time with a smile. Taking her by surprise with his correct pronunciation.

As if he could sense her scepticism, he added "Usually bartenders pay attention to customers' belongings especially phones, purses, car keys people loose stuff all the time when drinking. Also, we pay attention to jewelry to kinda gauge if customers can afford to pay for what they order" He whispered the second part.

"Oh" She was speechless, it actually makes sense and that's genius of them. People usually pawn their wrist watches at clubs or restaurant when they drink more than they can pay for. So he must have gauged her when she sat there and ordered for those overpriced cocktails. But what about bus conductor guy? He wasn't wearing anything expensive and he ordered for a whole tray of shots, got another one for them to share why-..

"Remember when you were about to leave," The bartender continued "you wanted to pay for your drinks, you gave me your card, but your guy asked me to return your card and he paid for everything?"

What! She nodded anyway.

"You were wearing it then, so yeah. You definitely left the club with it." He was very sure of himself.

Back at work she searched her phone for his number but she didn't find it. She knew that at some point they exchanged numbers but she couldn't find it, not even on her dialed numbers.

The only link she has is his house address on her Uber app, but she was afraid of going back there alone. What if he actually harms her today. You know, perhaps he didn't do anything to her the other day because he was high.....and horny.

She racked her brain hard for who she could take with her to go and retrieve the watch. That's if he is not the one that stole it and has probably sold it already and used the money for drinks...... or drugs.

She couldn't ask any of her colleagues to come with her, they were the last people she wanted to find out about her 'sexcapade'. She finally decided to call her trustworthy private cab driver, Ola.

He works mainly as an airport taxi, but she calls him for long trips like; trip to Ibadan for a wedding or if she wants someone to drive her all day. She has established trust with Ola because he drove the car she bought for her father's from Lagos to Port Harcourt when it arrived from the US plus he was recommended to her by her Aunt Daisy during her NYSC days. He likes money too much but he is competent and can deliver good results.

6:45pm

"In 200 meters, you will arrive at your destination, on the left" Her Google map announced.

She left work 6pm but they got to Osaze's street around 6:45pm the traffic was crazy. As Ola parked the car she reminded him of what they discussed earlier.

"If I no come out after 15 minutes, come look for me" She opened the door.

"Aunty Toyin, be like say you wan go fight person?" He laughed as he switched off the car.

"Something like that" She cracked her knuckles.

"No worry I get cutlass for my boot. If anybody try you I fit keee person here" he said casually as pulled out his phone and he started playing subway surfers.

She didn't even know if what he just said made her feel safer or uncomfortable but she nodded anyway.

"Anyway 15 minutes you hear?" she reiterated. 15 minutes should be enough for her to search for it naw.

"No shaking" He confirmed.

She tried to look gangsta as she walked towards the faded black gate. The pedestrian entrance looked ajar but she knocked. A lanky aboki appeared and she almost ran away. She didn't know there was a gateman there.

"Yes?" He questioned, toothpick hanging between his upper teeth.

"Errm I'm here to see Osaze" She said looking around nervously.

The gateman's face brightened up. "Ah madam, I no know say na you. Welcome"

She wondered how he knew her and prayed to God that she didn't do something embarrassing in his presence on Friday night.

As she climbed up the stairs to the first floor she all of a sudden remembered that Osaze carried her on his back that night, he said he didn't want her to fall.

She knocked on the door lightly, music was playing softly inside. Nothing, maybe he didn't hear her so she knocked harder. She heard some movement and then the door flung open.

He was shirtless, wearing a light blue stonewash jeans. His v-cut abs were not very defined but they were there, like he used to work out before but stopped not long ago. The jean was hanging way too low, he wasn't wearing boxers inside. A smirk formed on his face as soon as his eyes settled on her.

"I knew you'd be back. But I didn't think it would be this early"

He peeped right and left checking to confirm no one else was there then settled his gaze back on her, looking straight in the eyes he added, almost whispering;

"Was it that good?"

NOTE: This chapter is coming late because the editing was a struggle. I had to cut out alot of scenes coz I want the reading experience to be pleasant. Even with all the cutting the chapter is the longest so far. On the bright side tho another chapter is dropping tomorrow so Yay!

⬇️⬇️⬇️Don't forget to vote ;) Thanks!