So Not Love

Episode 23

CHRIS’ POV
Uju was in the sitting room, laughing as she chatted on the new smart phone which one of her numerous boyfriends had bought her. I came down the stairs and stared at her for a moment. “Uju?” I called.
She glanced up at me then hurriedly looked down and typed something before she sent it to the recipient. “Yes, Obim?”
She was already used to that name even though she didn’t mean what it implied anymore but I didn’t mind. I sat down on the couch across adjacent to hers and said, “I need to talk to you. Can you pause what you are doing for now?”

She slid out of WhatsApp, pressed the power button to lock the screen then placed her phone on seat next to her. “What?” She gave me her full attention now.
“I want to make a deal with you.”
“I’m listening.” She folded her legs on the seat and placed her elbows on one of the arms of the chair, leaning towards me.
“I know that in as much as you are enjoying your stay in Lagos that you still wish to further your education.”

“Yes but as money no dey, babe must hustle na. (Yes but as there’s no money, babe must hustle). She answered.
“I want to finance it, but I want something in return.” I told her.

“What do you want me to do?” She asked.
“I want you to do something of utmost importance for me and you must make sure that you execute it properly.” Then I told her.

A WEEK LATER.

UJU’S POV
I was standing by the roadside, waiting for a bus close to a junction leading into an estate behind me. It was a very sunny afternoon and I had dressed to kill. I knew that I had dressed the way just I had to attract the attention I wanted and the various stares I kept getting from passers-by and other people in public transport and also personal cars affirmed that my charm and charisma was working. Several personal cars had stopped to give me a lift but I had politely declined because I had a mission. Even though I was tempted to hop into a nice car which had pulled over to offer me a ride, I had reluctantly agreed. I had no choice. If I didn’t execute this mission today, I might never get another chance. Anyway the heat of the sun was stifling me but I was glad that I had come with my sun shades. I had to wait for fifteen more minutes before the car I was waiting for, finally showed up.

The car had turned from the estate and had stopped beside me just like I had expected. The driver honked then the window facing me whirred down. I pulled closer to the car and bent down to give the driver one of my brightest smiles.

“Hello baby!” The driver said, ogling my cleavage which was exposed to his view in my bent position.
“Good afternoon sir.” I smiled, placing my hand on the window to flaunt my beautifully-painted nails.

“What’s a beautiful girl like you doing in the sun?” He asked me.
“Are you going my way?” He asked.
“It depends on your destination sir.”
“I don’t mind. I would go anywhere for such a beauty like you.” He said then opened the door for me. Smiling, I straightened up and slipped in next to him.

As he pulled away from the side of the road and joined the traffic, he glanced at me and said, “My name is Daniel, what’s this damsel’s name?”
“Uju sir.” I replied as humbly as I could.
“I have never seen you around here before, are you new in town?” He asked.
“Yes sir…” I nodded. “I live with my aunty in the next street.” I pointed at a street ahead that I had never been to in my life.
“That’s good… I live in that estate I just came out from.” He told her.
“I was actually going out to have some lunch, hope you don’t mind joining me?” He asked me and I saw him lick his lower lip as he stared at my exposed laps.
I intentionally placed two fingers on the hem of my short dress and pulled it up an inch so that more of my laps were exposed to his eyes. He pretended to be looking for something close to the gear between us but his hand crawled past it and touch my lap. At first, I hesitated, hoping it was a mistake and that he would take away his hand but instead, his hand slowly began to caress my lap. When I lifted my eyes to look at him, he simply winked at me and continued to run his hand up and down my lap.

I cleared my throat and said as I glanced at the ring on one of the fingers whose hand he was driving with. “Sir, are you not a married man?” I asked.

“Me?” He scoffed and shook his head. “Not anymore. I used to be married until my w—e of a wife stole my one million naira and eloped with her lover.”

“Really?”
“Yes and ever since then, since I’m a very good man, I decided to keep the ring because I really loved her. But now, God has answered my prayers and have sent a damsel like you to my life.”

“Sir, but we just met.” I said.
“Does it matter?” His hand crawled up my body to my stomach and paused there. Fortunately, just when I thought that he would ascend up my body, we got to the restaurant and he took his hand away to hold the steering as he turned into the parking lot. He jumped down the car, hurried around the car to open the door for me. He was acting the complete gentleman but I knew that he was a phony. Chris had given me enough information about him that I had hated him even before I saw him and I was only playing along. I got down the car and he placed a hand on my back and guided me into the restaurant.