2 weeks later

It was her birthday and it fell on a Friday, so she planned a small hangout at a nice new restaurant in Lekki with a few friends and coworkers.

But you see in this Lagos ehhn when you throw a party with free food just know that each invitee is coming with 3 other people. Her guests took over the whole place it became a full-scale party. Sofi got her a massive cake and offered to pay half of the bill for the night.

Osaze was busy today he had some stuff to do around town but he dropped by around 10pm-ish. They ate, drank, took some pictures. She noticed he was somewhat uncomfortable because it was starting to look like a girl's night out; there were only two guys there and one was Farrah's Fiancé.

She thought about how funny it is that they were acting like strangers here when in reality she woke up in his bed this morning. In addition, he was the first person to sing the happy birthday song to her.

As he stood up to leave, he went over to her side and whispered something in her ears; "Don't stay out too late. I'll be waiting for you"

When she got home that night, he was in the kitchen. Eating some of the cake, she brought in from work earlier.

He opened in arms wide "Come here birthday girl"

He hugged her tightly again for the second time that day wrapping her in in his strong arms. She rest her head on his chest. She was getting used to him.

"I got something for you" He handed her a paper bag

She looked in and found a box; on pulling it out, she saw that it looked like a timepiece box.

Her eyes widened. Did he get her a watch?

She opened the box carefully but quickly and she saw the red of the Tissot logo.

"You got me a watch? No!" He does not have money now.

"Don't worry I didn't sell my kidney, it's just $1k" He muttered.

She raised her eyebrows questioningly again. He should not be spending on her like that.

"You should save every money you make, you're going to need it for your startup" She scolded him.

"I know but...." He took her hand looked her in the eyes deeply. He wanted to say something but he shook it off and quickly changed the topic.

"Do you like it?" He smiled.

She nodded shyly. It was nice!

"Common try it on let me see now" He collected it and helped her wear it.

"I feel guilty accepting this, but it is so cool and stylish" She admitted shamelessly.

"If it makes you feel any better. My realtor has finally found a buyer for my Condo in Vancouver"

"You have a House in Canada?"

"Yeah but I still have some mortgage balance on it"

"So you were already a homeowner over there, and you had a great job, but u still moved back to THIS Naija" She looked at him in disbelief "Osaze you are one brave Man!"

"I don't regret it, I love it here" He said then kissed her passionately.

A week later, she came home early from work with severe menstrual cramps. She did not have any pain medication with her when it started so she suffered most of the excruciating pain in full before she was able to get her hands on Felvin.

When he saw her, that day like that he was so troubled "Should we go to the hospital?"

"Don't worry the painkillers will soon kick in" She said through gritted teeth.

He was not convinced. "Is it always like this? Is this normal"

He had to go on the internet to read all about it before he calmed down. He ordered pasta for lunch so he dished some and brought for her to it but she did not have any appetite. Her own was like that. She only had wild cravings in the days leading up to the first day of the period.

"Do you want ice cream?"

"No" She answere.

"Frozen yoghurt? I know you love eating those"

Actually, she could use something tangy.

"Where is the place, I'll go get some for you"

"Don't worry I'll go myself. I need to pick up my laundry in phase one"

"No, I'll pick them up for you give me the address. You stay here" He said.

She stood up to show him she was fine, the painkillers had kicked in fully and she had gotten herself back.

He still wasn't convinced so he insisted on driving her. They picked up the laundry then they went to her favorite froyo café, Sweet Kiwi.

He sat with her and they started gisting, the colourful ambience of the Café lifted her mood and he was cracking his funny jokes and she was laughing her head off so much that she forgot about her crappy day.

He watched her with heart eyes as she ate her yoghurt slowly. He wasn't interested in the yoghurt so he was just playing with his own cup. As her cup emptied, he started topping it with his own. At a point, he even started feeding her. She didn't even stop him, she needed all the pampering she could get today. The Café was empty, it was weekday and it was getting late they were the only ones inside.

He was wiping the side of her lips with a serviette as she struggled not to laugh at one of his jokes again when suddenly Sofi appeared at their table, shock in her eyes.

"I knew there was something between the two of you!"

Sofi's POV

Sofi had a lot on her mind on that night of Toyin's birthday but she didn't miss the way that Osaze guy was looking at her friend. Friends do not look at each other that way. His love-struck eyes were on her the whole time.

She also saw the way her friend smiled flirtatiously when he said something in her ear before he left; she knew at that moment that her friend was hiding something but she didn't ask her, she was planning to but they've both been super busy.

When she saw Toyin's car parked outside the frozen yoghurt Café on her way home from work she sharply instructed her driver to stop. She wanted to collect her own share of frozen yoghurt too work was hectic today.

However, as she walked towards the entrance she saw them through the glass window. Her Agbaya friend was there doing like one baby, being spoon-fed by the same Osaze guy.

She laughed so hard at first but gave them small time to finish their nollywood romance. She stood outside like one stalker watching them with her jaw hanging it was hilarious. She will so yab her friend. She was so tempted to take a picture but she saw that the security man was already looking at her with anger so she gathered herself and went in to crash their little rendezvous.

The look her friend's face was priceless.

"Hi Sofi" He greeted her smiling shyly.

"Well-done Sir. You are trying O. Me too I want Frozen yoghurt but you don't have feed me sha" They both laughed.

"What flavor do you want?" He asked as he stood up.

"Anything... no I'll have what you guys had"

Immediately he left.

"Eheeen so you guys dating?" She said still in shock.

"No we are not" Toyin said with a high pitched voice.

Sofi rolled her eyes. "Aunty I was outside for at least 5 minutes watching you two, I saw everything. You better start talking"

Toyin came clean finally, told her friend everything.

"I don't get it, why won't you guys just date then, have an actual relationship. what is this?"

"Sofi, He is...."

"What? You are living with him already you guys are like a married couple!"

"He is not what I need right now in my life."

They were alone. At the parking lot. He left them to gist since he had evening work to do. Sofi promised to drop her.

"Why, what do you need?" Sofi shook her head.

"He is not ready to settle down, he is still sorting out his life and I don't know if this is the real him, or he is only being this nice because I am putting a roof over his head" Toyin said confusing her friend even more.

"Then why are you leading him on, he seems he is head over heels in love with you"

"I am not leading him on. He knows we are not in a relationship, he knows I am looking for a husband"

"Do you like him?"

She could not answer.

"TY listen, you're playing with fire. I know you; you are not the type, you don't do casual. Stop lying to yourself. This is why you've been ghosting that Gbenga guy right?"

"I didn't ghost him, I told you he is not here, and I can't do long distance relationship based on one date"

They talked for almost an hour before Sofi took her home. She appreciated how Sofi didn't even judge her, she was just voicing genuine concerns and she was right to be honest.

"That reminds me I saw him talking to my Boss at that wedding. It's like they attended the same MSc in the US or something"

"Really, as in your evil boss?"

Sofi nodded.

"And you've been struggling for months looking for tea on him! Let's go upstairs and interrogate Osaze"

"Nah don't bother I have his entire gist now. By the way he has calmed down" Sofi said coolly.

"Really?" Toyin smirked. "Did you report him to Chief and Amanda?"

"Nope. He just changed overnight, I think it was initial gragra"

"So what's his gist? Spill the tea" Toyin balanced very well but Sofi opened her door and signaled her friend to do the same. She didn't want her Driver to hear them he was Company employee.

When they were away from the car Sofi started. "So his mother was a top UN diplomat, she is currently a public health consultant for the FG. His dad was a legendary Surgeon he has one of those national honour medal stuff"

"Yeh! Sofi you can't fight that one o" Toyin shrieked.

"As in! Now I understand why the board appointed him. Plus his Mother is friends with the Minister of Petroleum"

"Damn! this Naija ehhhn. let's just be thanking God that we were even able to get Jobs without powerful parents"

Sofi smiled. "But he is intelligent tho, he is very qualified and I do believe the Company is in good hands"

"And so what, is that why he will be bullying you. Come, what is this? I thought we hated him?" Toyin frowned.

**

Osaze was busy coding in his room when she got in. That night she couldn't sleep, she was thinking about their situation. Was she really going too far with him? What if Sofi is right and she is subconsciously ghosting Gbenga because of Him.

Maybe it is time to call it off. She will be going to the rig for another 3 weeks in 2 weeks' time.

But the good thing is, it looks like he will soon move out since he is now getting steady gigs and he has sold his house. Maybe it's time for him to leave. She thought. But, the thought of him living scared her because it would be the end of this game they are playing.

⬇️⬇️⬇️Don't forget to vote. Thanks!