"Pick your call," Chidinma probed Ige. "You see work you no wan go. With this kind recession."

"Shebi na all of you dey carry Buhari for head. When Jonathan dey throne last two years we feel say recession dey?" Ige replied her roommate. She stared at chief's number for the seventh time that day. "Good evening sir," she mumbled when she finally picked.

"Sugar banana," he moaned. "What happened? You sound dull."

"I'm tired," she said. "Everything is just somehow for me today."

"Me self. Today is also somehow." There was a sound of rustling papers. "Maybe you can help me feel better. I'll do something nice for you."

"Chief I-"

"I've already sent Uber to your place o."

Chief's house where he usually spent time with Ige was a stately mansion that distinguished itself from the highrise apartment complexes in Osbourne, Ikoyi. The palm trees complimented the fresh sea breeze at Foreshore Estate and from the balcony where she sat, at chief's arms, she could get a clear glimpse of the raging waters below.

"I don't like where you're living," he told her, stroking her ear. "Let me buy you an apartment here."

"Why would you do that for me?" she asked against his neck.

"You're my favourite person." He slid his hands under her tank top and drew a circle around her nipple. "I also want us to be exclusive. Stop seeing my colleagues. I want you for myself."

Ige laughed internally. She knew she could never be for one man, especially a Lagos man. Her options needed to be as many as possible. "I can't live here. I love living with my friend."

"You'll have me. We can even go to my house in Banana Island to have holidays."

"But you won't always be with me, will you?"

"I'll introduce you to some friends. What do you say?"

Just then, one of the house maids walked in. She shot Ige a look of disdain and jealousy. "Chief, he is finally here but not alone. Should I ask them to meet you here?"

"Them?"

"Yes sir."

"Bring a few more drinks," was the response.

Akande walked in, dragging a battered man who was on his knees by his collar. Blood covered the left side of his face; his eyes were swollen and his left hand bent at an unnatural angle. He threw the boy who begged for mercy forward. Chibuike walked in behind, holding a black bag. He presented it to Chief and bowed his head slightly.

"Is it not today that I just told you Kofi is missing?" Chief was bewildered but not more than Akande. He stared at Ige on chief's arms. She looked more beautiful than he'd remembered. She no longer had an artificial kinky extension, rather her hair was in a slick bob. He could tell it was a wig. Her eyes were impassive; she didn't acknowledge his presence- he couldn't see a flicker of recognition in them.

"You're looking at my baby?" Chief accused with a pout.

Akande almost snickered but held himself back when he got a glare from Ige.

So she knew, he thought to himself.

"Warn yourself," Chief said then paid attention back the boy on the floor. He spat on him. "Greedy bastard. After treating you like my son."

Chief stood up and walked out with the bag; a self satisfied smile on his face, leaving Ige with Akande and Chibuike. She recognized him as one of the guys that were sleeping on the floor in Akande's room that morning. "Does chief know you're sleeping around?" Akande broke the silence.

Ige laughed, "I'm his favourite whore not his girlfriend."

"Your face looks familiar o," Chibuike said, taking a seat beside Akande.

"She was one of them from last night."

"I think I've seen her elsewhere," he shrugged. "She any good?"

"Find out yourself," Akande responded.

"What do you say? You come tonight?" Chibuike was talking to her now.

"She's with chief tonight. I already booked her. For tomorrow." Akande poured from a bottle Cognac into a glass. He took a sip.

"So she's that good?" Chibuike laughed.

Ige stood up and walked out.

*+*+*+*+*+*

"You're not going to come tomorrow are you?" Akande was behind her. He had finished his meeting with Chief. Chief had followed Chibuike with the wounded boy downstairs, leaving Akande and Ige upstairs.

"No."

"Do you feel insulted?" Àkàndé inquired, his hands encircling her waist. When she said nothing, he smiled. "You're a prostitute, get used to it."

"I'm busy tomorrow. I have work."

"You're not spending a whole day with someone, are you?"

"What time do you want me to come?" She asked, finally turning round to face him.

"I like morning sex."