King

Smile. Wave. Don't stand too long with a group.

That was the mantra I had been chanting since the movie ended. Minus the stiffness in my cheeks from fake smiling for too long, it was working, my sanity was intact. No one bothered me as I stood alone, just watching strange and familiar faces shake hands, mingle, tell dry jokes to each other.

Thankfully, Umar was still talking to his costars; Uche and Cynthia, my favourite celebrity couple, were making funny faces at the camera. While, Lola and Tomiwa were off somewhere, doing what engaged couples do. So, no one noticed my sour mood or constant glances at my wristwatch until I finally slipped away.

Another peek at my wrist showed the time was past seven, still, there was no sign of her.

I shouldn't have felt this way, hell, I half-expected her to be absent, after all, she never called to ask for directions. Yet, that knowledge didn't lessen the hurt or stop me from hoping as my eyes continued to roam this large, expensively decorated room.

On a good day, I would have been awed at the beauty of this hall that they had -by some miracle- been able to convert to a semi hall of fame. But, everything annoyed me. The lights were too bright, the supposed red carpet wasn't even red, it was maroon coloured.

Worse of all was the lustful looks that were thrown my way by both men and women. I was nauseated, about ready to smack the back of the head of the next person to wink at me.

She could have been held back by traffic or was delayed by the numerous stops on her way here. The optimistic part of me tried to reason but I mentally shut it up; there was no excuse.

"Guy, what's up, where have you been?" Junior's hand landed painfully on my back with a thud, jolting me out of my thoughts.

Doesn't he know that shit is painful? And where the hell did he come from?

"Here," I growled out in response, wrenching his arm off my shoulder. My action earned me a questioning look and an eye roll from him but his arms stayed put by his side.

He took a step back from me and I used that chance to inspect his odd but perfect choice of outfit. Usually, when we needed to attend fashion events, Cynthia would style us but since she announced her pregnancy, Uche was having none of that.

Reverting my attention back to Junior - the shiniest pair of black brogues graced his feet, a white collared shirt paired with a blue jacket and black trousers that were sewn to perfection hugged his body. He finished off his young CEO look with his signature glasses, appearing dapper with an innocent face that was the cause of many heartbreaks.

"What are you even wearing?" He eyed my outfit with distaste, struggling with his black bowtie that soon found its way into his pocket.

Annoyance crept into my voice when I gave a reply to his question, "clothes." There was nothing wrong with the black Senator I was putting on, except for the fact that it wasn't a suit or anything at all like the clothe Vincent had sewn for me.

If it were someone else, I would have been more careful with my response, even tried to tone down my irritation but this was Junior. We had more embarrassing moments together than we did with anyone else.

What I didn't expect was for his lips to break into a smile, revealing pearly white teeth. I found myself shaking my head, he was yet to speak but whatever he was about to say couldn't be good.

"I know exactly what you need." He pulled my arms with surprising agility, ignoring my protests as we headed towards the entrance, where a few females were posing for the paparazzi.

We greeted some people, the bright lights hanging from all parts of the room making it difficult to stay hidden. The room could hold about a hundred people but they had only sent invitations to less than forty and not all of them were here.

Junior stopped behind a cameraman, smiling contentedly to himself as he rubbed his palms together. I followed the direction of his eyes and my jaw hit the ground at the size of the hips on the lady his stare was directed at.

She was putting on a sleeveless mini gown that stopped mid-thigh. Her sparkly chest jiggled each time she struck a new pose and her snatched waist helped to perfect her dreamy hourglass shape.

Thick, creamy thighs met our eyes and I was certain I wasn't the only man here who would willingly give up his pillow for a chance at resting their head on that huge derriere of hers.

Her body was to die for - that bosom was a dream come true.

Junior nudged me with his elbow, a bit shocked that I was still standing here with him. She had the same shape as the women I always fantasied about and all the things I could do to her body filtered into my mind. I knew that if I walked up to her, she wouldn't be able to resist my charms. But I didn't.

"Guy, I don't like this your mood," Junior grumbled.

"Me too."

A moment of silence passed.

"Oya come, let's ditch this thing, anywhere you want to go, bills on you sha." He accompanied his words with an arm around my shoulder, wiggling his bushy eyebrows.

His seriousness was comical and I snickered loudly, snorting ungracefully like an overfed pig. I shook my head at his suggestion, already feeling lighthearted. Umar would kill us if we left before the party even started.

We stayed that way in silent communion until the embers of hope that had died down slowly began to flicker to life. A familiar figure now occupied the position Lady hourglass just vacated and it took me less than a few seconds to recognise her.

Since when does she have curves? Why is she wearing that ugly thing on her head?

I was already moving towards her when I stopped myself, I was supposed to be mad. A quick glance at her and my anger evaporated - how could I stay mad at her when she was looking that way?

There was a certain innocence around her as she posed awkwardly, a forced smile on her lips. My fingers itched to touch that exposed skin in between her breasts. Those hot legs peeking out of her gown called out to me and I knew just where they would fit perfectly.

Grey eyes darted left, right and centre, she was looking for me. And like the knight in shining armour I was, I resumed my journey towards her, slipping my hand around her waist the moment I got the chance.

She stiffened but loosened up quickly, reciprocating my gesture.

"You are late, the movie ended a few minutes ago." I tried to pass it off as lightly as I could, smiling at the cameraman who was screaming unwanted instructions at us.

"Oh. I'm sorry," even if she wasn't, she was forgiven. She raised her head, contrite eyes staring into mine that was filled with admiration. I loved her eyes and damn, I wanted to kiss those lips.

"I should have called, I wanted to but I kept thinking I would meet up. Apparently, you guys don't do African time." She chuckled; a beautiful, rich sound and I wanted her to do it again.

Our new pose must have excited the cameramen as their numbers increased. The flashlights were almost blinding but with Uti besides me, I couldn't stop smiling. When her hold on my wrist tightened, I knew then, that the photo session was over.

We had barely walked five feet away from those crazy paparazzi when we were stopped by the gang.

"Sooo," Umar, the man of the occasion started, drawling the word out, "this is where you have been, ehn?" He clasped his hands together like an annoyed father that had finally found his child after endless hours of playing hide and seek.

He was flocked on both sides by Uche, Cynthia, Tomiwa, Lola and Junior. Everyone was paired except for Junior who didn't seem concerned as his face radiated contentment.

"Ah! Who do we have here?" His attention was now on Uti and the forced smile from earlier reappeared on her lips again. I didn't get a chance to introduce her to anyone of them before Umar pried her away from me.

A pang of annoyance hit me as both of them moved away to converse in low tones; I had barely gotten five minutes alone time with her. I was even more troubled when Uti doubled over in laughter, clutching her ribcage like she couldn't get enough of his jokes.

Does she laugh this way with me?

I tried to analyse Umar through the eyes of a female, particularly Uti's. He was funny, witty and looked very handsome in his navy blue kaftan that complemented his baby skin. Even more, he was a responsible man and probably the best father a child could ask for.

"He likes her," I didn't know who said that but I definitely didn't like the sound of it. The analysis I just made was not helping matters and I didn't need someone else to voice out my fears.

"Ehn?" 

"He likes her for you," it was Uche who spoke.

"That was what he did with Cynthia and Lola," I looked at the people around me for the first time since Umar left, noting how breathtaking they all looked in their individual outfits, and the ladies in question nodded.

"She's just my friend," I muttered sheepishly, deeply pleased with what he said.

"The first 'friend' you are bringing to an occasion we are all present," Uche added.

"Don't mind him, that's the exact same thing Lola told everyone," Tomiwa interjected; Lola hit him on his chest and we all started laughing.

It took less than three months after their first meeting for him and Lola to start dating. I didn't intend to wait that long.

"That's why you were behaving like the Grinch?" Junior asked when the others departed. He was the only one who didn't say a thing during the whole exchange.

The answer was obvious so I remained mute but I shouldn't have.

"Ow!" I eyed his fist warily, rubbing the back of my head. It felt like he had hit me with stones instead of his knuckles.

"I'm joining you guys," he smiled when the duo: Umar and Uti started approaching us. The others already left for the after-party.

Amongst us five, he was the only one who didn't have a car, not because he couldn't afford one but for reasons best known to him. I didn't mind being his personal Uber driver but today was an exception.

"No. Go with Umar." My stoic expression didn't waver but I knew hell would freeze over before it scared Junior off.

"It's you I want," he insisted, jutting out his lower lip and I facepalmed.

How am I friends with this idiot?

My reply was cut short by the appearance of Umar and Uti; they were all smiles and I refused to acknowledge that part of my brain that was screaming, they look good together.

"I have to go now," Umar stated; the place was near empty, even the paparazzi had left. Turning to Uti, "take care of yourself, don't forget what we discussed."

She nodded.

Discussed? What is wrong with all my friends this night?

"She's a good one," he whispered into my ears. I would have been elated to hear such comments if I wasn't stuck with this big baby beside me.

"Can Junior go with you?" I asked Umar, ignoring the gasp that slipped from Junior's lips. He could be very dramatic.

"He can't, some people are waiting for me," his expression was one of sincere helplessness and I nodded. "See you guys there," he muttered, then took his leave.

Junior stuck his tongue out at me and I whispered a playful, "you are a nuisance."

"Tank you," he mock bowed. He was wise enough not to bend or I would have repaid him in kind.

Eyeing me surreptitiously, he said, "since you don't want to introduce me to your friend, I'll introduce myself." Then he turned to face Uti who had been watching our display quietly, stretching out a palm out to her, "I'm Junior, nice to meet you, Miss ..."

A smile tugged at the corner of her lips but it never formed, like she was struggling hard not to laugh. I was glad we had not scared her off, not when I had not gotten a chance to tell her all about how beautiful she was looking tonight.

"Utianle but you can call me Uti."

He responded with a smile, signalling for me to hand over the car keys. I was soon forgotten as both of them chatted animatedly, heading off in the direction of the garage.

This was going to be a long ride.

* * * * *

Personally, I don't like long chapters but sometimes these characters just want to have their thoughts out. And of late, I have been writing way past my usual word count of 1,500 - 1,700 words.

So, onto my question, which one do you prefer, short or long chapters? I make no promises but I'll try to implement your suggestions.